Of seven kings in chains of gold Had shaken the Confession-chair! The Eldest swore by our Lady,† the Youngest by his conscience; while the Franciscan, sitting by in his grey habit, turned away and crossed himself again and again. "Here is a little book," said he at last, "the work of one in his shroud below. It tells of things you have mentioned; and, were Cortes and Pizarro here, it might perhaps make them reflect for a moment." The Youngest smiled as he took it into his hand. He read it aloud to his companion with an unfaltering voice; but, when he laid it down, a silence ensued; nor was he seen to smile again that night. § "The curse is heavy," said he at parting, "but Cortes may live to disappoint it."—" Aye, and Pizarro too!" *Afterwards the arms of Cortes and his descendants. + Fernandez, lib. ii. c. 63. B. Diaz, c. 203. After the death of Guatimotzin,' says B. Diaz, ‘he became gloomy and restless; rising continually from his bed, and wandering about in the dark.'-' Nothing prospered with him; and it was ascribed to the curses he was loaded with.' A circumstance, recorded by Herrera, renders this visit not improbable. "In May, 1528, Cortes arrived unexpectedly at Palos; and, soon after he had landed, he and Pizarro met and rejoiced; and it was remarkable that they should meet, as they were two of the most renowned men in the world. B. Diaz makes no mention of the interview; but, relating an occurrence that took place at this time in Palos, says, 'that Cortes was now absent at Nuestra Senora de la Rábida.' The Convent is within half a league of the ADDITIONAL NOTES. NOTE a. Page 181, line 5. In him was fulfilled the antient prophecy, venient annis Secula seris, quibus Oceanus Vincula rerum laxet, &c. SENECA in Medea, v. 374. Which Tasso has imitated in his Gierusalemme Liberata. Tempo verrà, che fian d'Ercole i segni Favola vile, &c. C. xv. 30. The Poem opens on Friday, the 14th of September, 1492. NOTE b. P. 182, l. 10. the great Commander In the original, El Almirante. In Spanish America,' says M. de Humboldt, when El Almirante is pronounced without the addition of a name, that of Columbus is understood; as, from the lips of a Mexican, El Marchese signifies Cortes;' and as among the Florentines, Il Segretario has always signified Machiavel. NOTE C. P. 182, l. 14. "Thee hath it pleased-Thy will be done!" he said, It has pleased our Lord to grant me faith and assurance for this enterprise-He has opened my understanding, and made me most willing to go.' See his Life by his son, Ferd. Columbus, entitled, Hist. del Almirante Don Christoval. Colon. c. 4 & 37, NOTE d. P. 183, 1. 2. Whose voice is truth, whose wisdom is from heaven, The compass might well be an object of superstition. A belief is said to prevail even at this day, that it will refuse to traverse when there is a dead body on board. Hist. des Navig. aux Terres Australes. When these regions were to be illuminated, says Acosta, cùm divino concilio decretum esset, prospectum etiam divinitus est, ut tam longi itineris dux certus hominibus præberetur. De Natura Novi Orbis. A romantic circumstance is related of some early navigator in the Histoire Gen. des Voyages, I. i. 2. "On trouva dans l'isle de Cuervo une statue équestre, couverte d'un manteau, mais la tête nue, qui tenoit de la main gauche la bride du cheval, et qui montroit l'occident de la main droite. Il y avoit sur le bas d'un roc quelques lettres gravées, qui ne furent point entendues; mais il parut clairement que le signe de la main regardoit l'Amé, rique." NOTE f. P. 183, l. 18. He spoke, and, at his call, a mighty Wind, The more Christian opinion is, that God, at the length, with eyes of compassion as it were looking downe from heaven, intended even then to rayse those windes of mercy, whereby this newe worlde re ceyved the hope of salvation.-Certaine Preambles to To return was deemed impossible, as it blew always from home. F. Columbus, c. 19. Nos pavidi-at pater Anchises-lætus. NOTE h. P. 185, 1. 1. What vast foundations in the Abyss are there, Tasso employs preternatural agents on a similar oc casion, Trappassa, et ecco in quel silvestre loco xiii. 33. Gli incanti d'Ismeno, che ingannano con delusioni, altro non significano, che la falsità delle ragioni, et delle persuasioni, la qual si genera nella moltitudine, et varietà de' pareri, et de' discorsi humani. NOTE i. P. 185, 1. 3. ATLANTIC kings their barbarous pomp displayed; See Plato's Timæus; where mention is made of mighty kingdoms, which, in a day and a night, had disappeared in the Atlantic, rendering its waters unnavigable. Si quæras Helicen et Burin, Achaïdas urbes, At the destruction of Callao, in 1747, no more than one of all the inhabitants escaped; and he, by a provi |