CANTO VIII. Land discovered. TWICE in the zenith blazed the orb of light; Sent forth their anxious spirits o'er the main. 66 "Oh whence, as wafted from Elysium, whence * Ex ligno lucido confectum, et arte mirâ laboratum. P. Martyr. dec. i. 5, Sons of the desert! who delight to dwell The sails were furled; with many a melting close, To golden climes, and islands of the blest; Chosen of Men! "Twas thine, at noon of night, First from the prow to hail the glimmering light; (Emblem of Truth divine, whose secret ray Enters the soul and makes the darkness day!) "PEDRO RODRIGO! there, methought, it shone ! There-in the west! and now, alas, 'tis gone!"Twas all a dream! we gaze and gaze in vain! -But mark and speak not, there it comes again! *The Simoom. |