De Soto was a gentleman of Spain
In those proud years when Spanish chivalry
From fierce adventure never did refrain,--
Ruler of argosies that ruled the sea,
She looked on lesser nations in disdain,
As born to trafficking or slavery.
In shining armor, and with shot and steel
Abundantly purveyed for their delight,
Banners before whose Cross the foe should kneel,
His company embarked--how great a light
Through men's perversity to stoop and reel
Down through calamity to endless night!
Yet unsubmissive, obdurately bold,
The savages refused to serve their need.
They would not guide the conquerors to their gold,
Nor though cast in the fire like a weed
Or driven by stern compulsion to the fold,
Would they abandon their unhallowed creed.
The forest folk in terror broke and fled
Like fish before the fierce pursuing pike.
The stubborn chiefs as hostages were led--
And in the wilderness, a grisly dyke
Of slaves and captives, lay the heathen dead,
And the black bayou claims all dead alike.
Then southward through the haunted bearded trees
The Spaniards fought their way--Mauila's fires
Devoured their vestments and their chalices,
Their sacramental wine and bread--the choirs
No longer sang their requiems, and the seas
Lay between them and all their sacred spires.
At last in a lone cabin, where the cane
Hid the black mire before the lowly door,
De Soto died--although they sought to feign
By some pretended magic mirror's lore
That still he lived, a gentleman of Spain,--
And the dread flood rolled onward to the shore!