The tyrant's self, oppressing and opprest, World beyond world to visit and to bless." they had shed, cried aloud for vengeance; the sighs, the tears of so many victims went up before God." "L'Espagne a fait comme ce roi insensé qui demanda que tout ce qu'il toucheroit se convertit en or, et qui fut obligé de revenir aux dieux pour les prier de finir misère."-MONTESQUIEU. sa On the two last leaves, and written in another hand, are some stanzas in the romance or ballad measure of the Spaniards. The subject is an adventure soon related. THY lonely watch-tower, Larenille, Had lost the western sun; And loud and long from hill to hill When Hernan, rising on his oar, Shot like an arrow from the shore. -"Those lights are on St. Mary's Isle; The waves were rough; the hour was late. He blew and would not wait. Home by his dangerous path he went ; Two Strangers at the Convent-gate. They ascended by steps hewn out in the rock; and, having asked for admittance, were lodged there. Brothers in arms the Guests appeared; The Youngest with a Princely grace! Thoughtful and wan his face. 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." He The Eldest had a rougher aspect, and there was craft in his eye. 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 moonshine.3 "Not here unwelcome, tho' unknown. Enter and rest!" the Friar said. The moon, that thro' the portal shone, Thro' many a court and gallery dim 1 The Convent of La Rábida. 2 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 50th year of his age. 3 Augustin Zaratè, lib. iv. c. 9. When other sounds had died away, Then said, as in a solemn mood, "Now stand we where COLUMBUS stood!” 1 * "PEREZ, thou good old man," they cried, 1 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." 4 Mexico. The Eldest swore by our Lady, the Youngest by his conscience ;3 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 seen to smile again that night.1 "The curse is heavy," said he at parting, "but Cortes may live to disappoint it."-" Ay, and Pizarro too!" 1 Afterwards the arms of Cortes and his descendants. 2 Fernandez, lib. ii. c. 63. 3 B. Diaz, c. 203. 4"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 town. |