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.

P. 229, 1. 1.

"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 his Life by his son, Ferd. Columbus, entitled, Hist. del Almirante Don Christoval. Colon. c. 4 & 37.

His Will begins thus. In the name of the most holy Trinity, who inspired me with the idea, and who afterwards made it clear to me, that by traversing the Ocean westwardly,' &c.

P. 229, 1. 7.

Whose voice is truth, whose wisdom is from heaven, The compass might well be an object of superstition. A belief is said to prevail even at this day, that it will refuse to traverse when there is a dead body on board.

P. 229, 1. 19.

COLUMBUS erred not.

When these regions were to be illuminated, says Acosta, cùm divino concilio decretum esset, prospectum etiam divinitus est, ut tam longi itineris dux certus hominibus præberetur. De Natura Novi Orbis. A romantic circumstance is related of some early navigator in the Histoire Gen. des Voyages, I. i. 2. "On trouva dans l'isle de Cuervo une statue équestre, couverte d'un manteau, mais la tête nue, qui tenoit de la main gauche la bride du cheval, et qui montroit l'occident de la main droite. Il y avoit sur le bas d'un roc quelques lettres gravées, qui ne furent point

entendues; mais il parut clairement que le signe de la main regardoit l'Amérique."

P. 229, 1. 23.

He spoke, and, at his call, a mighty Wind,

The more Christian opinion is, that God, with eyes of compassion, as it were, looking down from heaven, called forth those winds of mercy, whereby this new world received the hope of salvation.

to the Decades of the Ocean.

P. 230, 1. 6.

Folded their arms and sat;

Preambles

To return was deemed impossible, as it blew always from home. Hist. del Almirante, c. 19. Nos pavidi

What vast foundations in the Abyss are there, Tasso employs preternatural agents on a similar occasion,

Trappassa, et ecco in quel silvestre loco
Sorge improvisa la città del foco.

xiii. 33.

Gli incanti d'Ismeno, che ingannano con delusioni, altro non significano, che la falsità delle ragioni, et delle persuasioni, la qual si genera nella moltitudine, et varietà de' pareri, et de' discorsi humani.

P. 231, 1. 3.

ATLANTIC kings their barbarous pomp displayed;

See Plato's Timæus; where mention is made of mighty kingdoms, which, in a day and a night, had

N N

disappeared in the Atlantic, rendering its waters unnavigable.

Si quæras Helicen et Burin, Achaïdas urbes,

Invenies sub aquis.

At the destruction of Callao, in 1747, no more than one of all the inhabitants escaped; and he, by a providence the most extraordinary. This man was on the fort that overlooked the harbour, going to strike the flag, when he perceived the sea to retire to a considerable distance; and then, swelling mountain-high, it returned with great violence. The people ran from their houses in terror and confusion; he heard a cry of Miserere rise from all parts of the city; and immediately all was silent; the sea had entirely overwhelmed it, and buried it for ever in its bosom: but the same wave that destroyed it, drove a little boat by the place where he stood, into which he threw himself and was saved.

P. 231, 1. 12.

We stop to stir no more

The description of a submarine forest is here omitted by the translator.

League beyond league gigantic foliage spread,

Shadowing old Ocean on his rocky bed;

The lofty summits of resounding woods,

That grasped the depths, and grappled with the floods ;
Such as had climbed the mountain's azure height,
When forth he came and reassumed his right.

P. 231, 1. 14.

"Land!" and his voice in faltering accents died. Historians are not silent on the subject. The sailors, according to Herrera, saw the signs of an