Brothers in arms the Guests appeared; The Youngest with a Princely grace! His velvet cap a medal bore, And ermine fringed his broidered vest; And, ever sparkling on his breast, An image of St. John he wore.* The Eldest had a rougher aspect, and there was craft in his eye. He stood a little behind in a long black mantle, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword; and his white hat and white shoes glittered in the moon-shine. † "Not here unwelcome, tho' unknown. The moon, that thro' the portal shone, Shone on his reverend head. Thro' many a court and gallery dim * See Bernal Diaz, c. 203; and also a well-known portrait of Cortes, ascribed to Titian. Cortes was now in the 43d, Pizarro in the 60th year of his age. † Augustin Zaratè, lib. iv. c. 9. When other sounds had died away, And the waves were heard alone, "Now stand we were COLUMBUS stood!" * * "PEREZ, thou good old man," they cried, "And art thou in thy place of rest? "Tho' in the western world His grave,t "Would ye were sleeping side by side! "Of all his friends He loved thee best." * Late Superior of the House. + In the chancel of the cathedral of St. Domingo. The words of the epitaph. Mundo dio Colon." "A Castilia y a Leon nuevo § Mexico. Of seven kings in chains of gold * 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 him 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 "The curse is seen to smile again that night. § heavy," said he at parting, to disappoint it." "but Cortes may live '—“ 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 Herera, 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.' town. The Convent is within half a league of the The Poem opens on Friday the 14th of September 1492. In the original, El Almirante. In Spanish America,' says M. de Humboldt, I 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. P. 248, 1. 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 |