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. M M Thy lonely watch-tower, Larenille, And loud and long from hill to hill When Hernan, rising on his oar, Shot like an arrow from the shore. 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! His velvet cap a medal bore, And ermine fringed his broidered vest; *The Convent of La Rábida. 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, And the waves were heard alone, 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 Zarate, lib. iv. c. 9. |