And, ever sparkling on his breast, * 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, Thro' many a court and gallery dim When other sounds had died away, They entered, tho' unused to pray, * See Bernal Diaz, c. 203; and also a well-known portrait of Cortes, ascribed to Titian. Cortes was now in the 43rd, Pizarro in the 60th year of his age. † Augustin Zaratè, lib. iv. c. 9. Where God was worshipped, night and day, "Now stand we where COLUMBUS stood!" * "PEREZ, + thou good old man," they cried, The supper in the chamber done, Much of a Southern Sea they spake, And of that glorious City § won Near the setting of the Sun, Throned in a silver lake; + Late Superior of the House. * In the chancel of the cathedral of St. Domingo. The words of the epitaph. "A Castilia y a Leon nuevo Mundo dio Colon." $ Mexico. Of seven kings in chains of gold * The Eldest swore by our Lady, the Youngest by his conscience; by in his grey habit, while the Franciscan, sitting turned away and crossed him"Here is a little book," said self again and again. 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 seen to smile again that night. "The curse is heavy," said he at || parting, "but Cortes may live to disappoint it.”— 'Ay, and Pizarro too!" 66 * 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.' The Convent is within half a league of the town." The Poem opens on Friday the 14th of September, 1492. P. 228, 1. 22. 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. |