di tanta bellezza," says Andrea Corsali, a Florentine, writing to Giuliano of Medicis, in 1515, "che non mi pare ad alcuno segno celeste doverla comparare. Es'io non mi inganno, credo che sia questo il crusero di che Dante parlò nel principio del Purgatorio con spirito profetico, dicendo, I'mi volsi a man destra, e posi mente, Note 32, page 31, col. 1. Roc of the West! to him all empire given ! Le Condor est le même oiseau que le Roc des Orientaux-BUFFON. "By the Peruvians," says Vega, “he was anciently worshipped; and there were those who claimed their descent from him." In these degenerate days he still ranks above the Eagle. Note 33, page 31, col. 1. Who bears Axalhua's dragon-folds to heaven. As the Roc of the East is said to have carried off the Elephant. See Marco Polo-Axalhua, or the Emperor, is the name in the Mexican language for the great serpent of America. Note 34, page 31, col. 1. To where Alaska's wintry wilds retire. Call'd on the Spirit within. Disdaining flight, It starts, it speaks! "We live, we breathe no more!" etc. Many a modern reader will exclaim in the language of Pococurantè, "Quelle triste extravagance!" Let a great theologian of that day, a monk of the Augustine order, be consulted on the subject. "Corpus ille perimere vel jugulare potest; nec id modò, verùm et animam ita urgere, et in angustum coarctare novit, ut in momento quoque illi excedendum sit.”—LuTHERUS, De Missa Privata. Note 42, page 31, col. 2. And can you shrink? etc. The same language had been addressed to Isabella.-F. COLUMBUS, c. 15. Note 43, page 31, col. 2. Oh had I perish'd, when my failing frame. Northern extremity of the New World.-See fight off the coast of Portugal.-Ibid. c. 5. Note 35, page 31, col. 1. From mines of gold Mines of Chili; which extend, says Ovalle, to the Strait of Magellan. I, 4. Note 36, page 31, col. 1. High-bung in forests to the casing snows. A custom not peculiar to the Western Hemisphere. The Tunguses of Siberia hang their dead on trees; "parceque la terre ne se laisse point ouvrir."-M. PAUW. Note 37, page 31, col. 1. -and, through that dismal night. "Aquella noche triste." The night, on which Cortes made his famous retreat from Mexico through the street of Tlacopan, still goes by the name of LA NOCHE TRISTE-HUMBOLDT. Note 38, page 31, col. 1. By his white plume reveal'd and buskins white. Pizarro used to dress in this fashion; after Gonzalo, whom he had served under in Italy. Note 39, page 31, col. 1. O'er him a Vampire his dark wings display'd. A species of bat in S. America; which refreshes by the gentle agitation of its wings, while it sucks the blood of the sleeper, turning his sleep into death. -ULLOA Note 40, page 31, col. 1. 'T was Merion's self, covering with dreadful shade. -Now one, Now other, as their shape served best his end. Note 44, page 31, col. 2. The scorn of Folly, and of Fraud the prey. By the Genoese and the Spaniards he was regarded as a man resolved on "a wild dedication of himself to unpathed waters, undreamed shores;" and the court of Portugal endeavored to rob him of the glory of his enterprise, by secretly dispatching a vessel in the course which he had pointed out. "Lorsqu'il avait promis un nouvel hémisphère," says Voltaire, "on lui avait soutenu que cet hémisphère ne pouvoit exister; et quand il l'eut découvert, on prétendit qu'il avait été connu depuis long-temps." Note 45, page 31, col. 2. He used to affirm, that he stood in need of God's particular assistance; like Moses when he led forth the people of Israel, who forbore to lay violent hands upon him, because of the miracles which God wrought by his means. "So," said the Admiral, ❝did it happen to me on that voyage."-F. COLUMBUS, c. 19."And so easily," says a Commentator, "are the workings of the Evil One overcome by the power of God!" Note 46, page 31, col. 2. "In his own shape shall Death receive you there." This denunciation, fulfilled as it appears to be in the eleventh canto, may remind the reader of the Harpies in Virgil.-Æn. III, v. 247. Note 47, page 31, col. 2. Rose to the Virgin. Salve, regina. Herrera, I, i, 12.-It was the usual Undoubtedly, says Herrera, the Infernal Spirit as-service, and always sung with great solemnity. "I sumed various shapes in that region of the world. Note 41, page 31, col. 1. Then, inly gliding, etc. remember one evening," says Oviedo, "when the ship was in full sail, and all the men were on their knees, singing Salve, regina," etc. Relacion Sommaria. The original passage is here translated at full The hymn, O Sanctissima, is still to be heard after length. Then, inly gliding like a subtle flame, Thrice, with a cry that thrill'd the mortal frame, 1-magnum si pectore possit Excussisse deum. sunset along the shores of Sicily, and its effect may be better conceived than described. See BRYDONE, I, 330. Note 48, page 31, col. 2. Note 56, page 32, col. 1. For the effects of the telescope, and the mirror, on an uncultivated mind, see WALLIS's Voyage round the World, c. 2 and 6. Note 57, page 32, col. 2. Through citron-groves, and fields of yellow maize. Note 58, page 32, col. 2. I believe that he was chosen for this great service; and that, because he was to be so truly an apostle, as in effect he proved to be, therefore was his origin obscure; that therein he might resemble those who were called to make known the name of the Lord from seas and rivers, and not from courts and palaces. And I believe also, that, as in most of his doings he was guarded by some special providence, his very The wild cotton-tree, often mentioned in History. name was not without some mystery: for in it is ex- "Cortes," says Bernal Diaz, "took possession of the pressed the wonder he performed; inasmuch as he country in the following manner. Drawing his sword, conveyed to a new world the grace of the Holy he gave three cuts with it into a great Ceiba, and Ghost, etc.-F. COLUMBUS, c. 1. Note 49, page 31, col. 2. First from the prow to hail the glimmering light. Note 50, page 32, col. 1. Pedro Gutierrez, a Page of the King's Chamber; Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia, Comptroller of the Fleet. Note 51, page 32, col. 1. Slowly, bare-headed, through the surf we bore Signifying to the Infernal powers (all' infierno todo) the will of the Most High, that they should renounce a world over which they had tyrannized for so many ages.-OVALLE, iv, 5. Note 52, page 32, col. 1. But what a scene was there! said Ceiba. Note 59, page 32, col. 2. There sits the bird that speaks! The Parrot, as described by Aristotle.-Hist. Animal. viii, 12. Note 60, page 32, col. 2. Half bird, half fly. Here are birds so small, says Herrera, that though they are birds, they are taken for bees or butterflies. Note 61, page 32, col. 2. -the fairy king of flowers. The Humming-bird. Kakopit (florum regulus) is the name of an Indian bird, referred to this class by Seba. Note 62, page 32, col. 2. Reigns there, and revels, etc. There also was heard the wild cry of the Flamingo. Folding his wings of flame. Note 63, page 32, col. 2. Soon in the virgin's graceful ear to shine. Il sert après sa mort a parer les jeunes Indiennes, portent en pendans d'oreilles deux de ces char "This country excels all others, as far as the day surpasses the night in splendor.-Nor is there a better people in the world. They love their neighbor as qui themselves; their conversation is the sweetest imagin-mans oiseaux.-BUFFON. able, their faces always smiling: and so gentle, so affectionate are they, that I swear to your Highnesses," etc.-F. COLUMBUS, c. 30, 33. says Herodotus, the children bury their fathers; in time of war the fathers bury their children! But the Gods have willed it so.-I, 87. Note 68, page 33, col. 1. Note 79, page 33, col. 2. Thy reverend form. His person, says Herrera, had an air of grandeur. His hair, from many hardships, had long been grey. In him you saw a man of an unconquerable courage, An ancient Cacique, in his life-time and after his sity, ever trusting in God:--and, had he lived in anand high thoughts; patient of wrongs, calm in adverdeath, employed by the Zemi to alarm his people.-cient times, statues and temples would have been See F. COLUMBUS, c. 62. Note 77, page 33, col. 2. erected to him without number, and his name would have been placed among the stars. Note 80, page 34, col. 1. By dogs of carnage. One of these, on account of his extraordinary sagacity and fierceness, received the full allowance of a soldier. His name was Bezerillo. Here, in His train, shall arts and arms attend. "There are those alive," said an illustrious orator, "whose memory might touch the two extremities. Lord Bathurst, in 1704, was of an age to comprehend such things-and, if his angel had then drawn up the had pointed out to him a speck, and had told him, curtain, and, whilst he was gazing with admiration, Young man, there is America-which, at this day, serves for little more than to amuse you with stories of savage men and uncouth manners; yet shall, before you taste of death,' etc."-BURKE in 1775. Note 84, page 34, col. 1. Assembling here, etc. How simple were the manners of the early colonists! The first ripening of any European fruit was distinguished by a family-festival. Garcilasso de la Vega relates how his dear father, the valorous Andres, collected together in his chamber seven or eight gentlemen to share with him three asparaguses, the first that ever grew on the table-land of Cusco. When the operation of dressing them was over (and it is minutely described) he distributed the two largest among his friends; begging that the company would not take it ill, if he reserved the third for himself, as it was a thing from Spain. North America became instantly an asylum for the To other eyes, from distant cliff descried. oppressed; Huguenots, and Catholics, and sects of Balboa immediately concluded it to be the ocean every name and country. Such were the first settlers for which Columbus had searched in vain; and when, in Carolina and Maryland, Pennsylvania and New at length, after a toilsome march among the moun- England. Nor is South America altogether without tains, his guides pointed out to him the summit from a claim to the title. Even now, while I am writing, which it might be seen, he commanded his men to the ancient house of Braganza is on its passage across halt, and went up alone.-HERRERA, I, x, 1. the Atlantic, Note 78, page 33, col. 2. Hung in thy chamber, buried in thy grave. I always saw them in his room, and he ordered Cum sociis, natoque, Penatibus, et magnis dîs. Untouch'd, shall drop the fetters from the slave. Je me transporte quelquefois au-delà d'un siècle. them to be buried with his body.-F. COLUMBUS, C. 86. J'y vois le bonheur à côté de l'industrie, la douce PREFACE. A FEW copies of this Poem were printed off in the autumn of the year before last, while the Author was abroad. It is now corrected, and republished with some additions. Whatever may be its success, it has led him in many an after-dream through a beautiful country; and may not perhaps be uninteresting to those who have learnt to live in past times as well as present, and whose minds are familiar with the events and the people that have rendered Italy so illustrious. The stories, taken from the old Chroniclers, are given without exaggeration; and are, he believes, as true to the original text as any of the Plays that may be said to form our popular history. May 1st, 1823. PART I. I. THE LAKE OF GENEVA. DAY glimmer'd in the east, and the white Moon Hung like a vapor in the cloudless sky, Yet visible, when on my way I went, Glad to be gone-a pilgrim from the north, Now more and more attracted as I drew Nearer and nearer. Ere the artisan, Drowsy, half-clad, had from his window leant, With folded arms and listless look to snuff "T is not a tale that every hour brings with it. 1 Rousseau. Adventurous, careless of to-morrow's fare, Press on-though but a rill entering the Sea, Entering and lost! Our task would never end. Day glimmer'd and I went, a gentle breeze Laden with peasant-girls and fruits and flowers, THE GREAT ST. BERNARD. NIGHT was again descending, when my mule, That all day long had climb'd among the clouds, Higher and higher still, as by a stair Let down from Heaven itself, transporting me, Stopp'd, to the joy of both, at that low door Seen through the silvery haze. But soon 't was gone. So near the summit of the Great St. Bernard; I am not one of those So dead to all things in this visible world, In the sweet light of heaven, like him of old (3) Who through the day pursued this pleasant path That door which ever on its hinges moved Who, as we toil'd below, had heard by fits Long could I have stood, By violent men-when on the mountain-top On the same rock beside it stood the church, Reft of its cross, not of its sanctity; The vesper-bell, for 't was the vesper-hour, Toussaint breathed out his brave and generous spirit. Duly proclaiming through the wilderness, Ah, little did He think, who sent him there, That ships have gone and sought it, and return'd, Still along the shore, Among the trees I went for many a mile, But now 't was dusk, and journeying by the Rhone, 1 St. Maurice. 66 "All ye who hear, whatever be your work, If dale it might be call'd, so near to Heaven, As though all worldly ties were now dissolved ;- 49 |