’Twas now the period when the Planet bright, 1
whose race distinguisheth the hours of day,
did at his longed-for, tardy goal alight,
veiling from human eyne his heav’enly ray;
and of his Ocean-home, deep hid from sight,
the God of Night-tide oped the portal-way;
when the false crafty folk came flocking round
the ships, whose anchors scarce had bit the ground.
’Mid them a villain, who had undertane 2
the task of deadly damage, spake aloud:--
“O val’orous Captain, who hast cut the reign
of Neptune, and his salty plain hast plow’d,
the King who governeth this island, fain
to greet thy coming, is so pleased and proud,
he wisheth nothing save to be thy host,
to see thee, and supply what need ye most.
“And, as he burneth, with extreme desire, 3
so famed a pers’onage to behold and greet,
he prays suspicion may no fear inspire;
but cross the bar-line, thou and all thy Fleet;
And, sith by voyage long men greatly tire,
thy gallant crew by travel-toil is beat,
he bids thee welcome to refit on land
as, cèrtes, Nature must such rest command.
“And if thou wendest seeking merchandise 4
got in the golden womb of the Levant,
Cinnamon, cloves, and biting spiceries,
health-dealing drug, or rare and excellent plant;
or, if thou lust for sparkling stones of price,
the Ruby fine, the rigid Diamant,
hence shall thou bear such full, abundant store,
that e’en thy Fancy shall affect no more.”
Unto the Herald straight our Chief replieth, 5
grateful acknowledging the Royal hest;
and saith, that seeing Sol now seawards hieth
he may not enter as becomes a guest:
But, when returning light shall show where lieth
the way sans danger, with a fearless breast,
the Royal orders he will list fulfil,
a Lord so gracious hath claim higher still.
He questions further, an the land contain 6
christenèd Peoples, as the Pilot sware:
The cunning Herald who ne’er speaks in vain
voucheth that Christian men dwell mostly there.
Thus doth he banish from our Captain’s brain
the cautious phantasies of doubt and fear:
Wherefore the Gama straightways ’gan to place
Faith in that faithless unbeliever-race.[23]
And, as condemnèd felons he had brought, 7
convíct of mortal crime and shameful deed,
who might in sim’ilar cases danger-fraught
be ventured where the common weal had need;
a twain of wily, well-tried wits he sought,
bade them the Moorman’s craft and trick’eries heed,
go spy the City’s power, and seek to see
whether desirèd Christians there may be.
Fair gifts he gave them for the Royal hand, 8
to quit the goodly will the greeting show’d,
by him held sure and firm and clear and bland,
whereas ’twas cleanly of a cont’rary mode.
Now all the rout perfidious and nefand,
quitting the Squadron o’er the waters row’d:
With gladsome, joyous gestures, all deceit,
The pair of shipmates on the shore they greet.
And when in presence of the King convey’d, 9
the gifts they gave, and message did present,
far less they witness’d, as ’bout town they stray’d,
than what they wanted on their work intent;
the shrewd sagacious Moors pretences made
to veil from sight what they to see were sent;
for where reigns Malice there we ever find
the fear of Malice in a neighbour’s mind.
But He,[24] for ever fair, for ever young 10
in form and feature, born of mothers twain
by wondrous birth-rite; and whose wilful tongue
would work the Navigators’ ban and bane--
dwelt in a house the City-folk among,
of form and vestment human; who did feign
to be a Christian priest, and here had raisèd
a sumptuous altar where he prayed and praisèd.
There had he limnèd, figuring aright 11
the Holy Ghost’s high heavenly portraiture;
hover’d a Dove, in snowy plume bedight,
o’er the sole Phœnix, Mary, Virgin pure:
The Saintly Company was shown to sight,
the Dozen, in that sore discomfiture,
as when, taught only by the Tongues that burnt
with lambent fire, man’s varied tongues they learnt.
Thither conducted either Comrade went, 12
where hateful Bacchus stood in lies array’d;
and rose their spirits, while their knees were bent
before the God who sways the worlds He made.
The perfumed incense by Panchaia sent,
fuming its richest scent, o’ th’ altar laid
Thyóne’s Son; and now they view, forsooth,
the god of Lies adore the God of Truth.
Here was receiv’ed, for kindly rest at night, 13
with ev’ery mode of good and trusty greeting,
the twain of Christians, who misween’d the rite,
th’ unholy show of holy counterfeiting.
But soon as Sol returning rained his light
on sombre Earth, and in one instant fleeting
forth from the ruddy-dyed horizon came
the Spouse Tithonian with her front aflame:
Return the Moormen bearing from the land 14
the Royal licence, with the Christian pair,
that disembarkèd by our Chief’s command,
for whom the King feign’ed honest friendship fair:
The Portingall, assured no plot was plan’d,
and seeing scanty fear of scathe or snare
when Christian peoples in the place abode,
to stem the salty river straightway stood.
Advisèd him the scouts dispatcht ashore 15
that holy clerk and altars met their sight;
and how receivèd them the friendly Moor
while Night’s cloud-shadowèd mantle cloaked the light;
Nay, that both Lord and Liege no feeling bore,
save what in kindness took a dear delight,
for, certès, nothing told of doubt or fear,
where proofs of friendship showèd sure and clear.
Whereon the noble Gama hied to greet 16
gladly the Moors that up the bulwarks plied;
for lightly trusteth sprite without deceit;
and gallant souls in goodly show confide.
The crafty people on the Flagship meet,
mooring their light canoes along her side:
Merrily trooped they all, because they wot
the wisht-for prizes have become their lot.
The cautious war-men gather on the land 17
arms and ’munitions; that whene’er th’ Armade
ride at her anchors near the riv’erine strand
the work of boarding may be readier made:
With deepest treachery the traitors plan’d
for those of Lusus such an ambuscade,
that reckless of the coming doom they pay
the blood-debt dating from Mozámbic Bay.
Weighed are the biting anchors, rising slow, 18
while ’customed capstan-songs and shouts resound;
only the foresails to the gale they throw
as for the buoyèd bar the Ships are bound:
But Erycína fair, from ev’ry foe
aye glad to guard and guide her Race renown’d,
seen the black ambush big with deadly bane,
flies from the welkin shaft-swift to the Main.
She musters Nereus’ maidens fair and blonde, 19
with all the meiny of the sea-blue race;
the Water-princes her commandment own’d,
for the salt Ocean was her natal place:
Then, told the reason why she sought the lond,
with her whole bevy forth she set apace,
to stay the Squadron ere it reach the bourne
whence ne’er a Traveller may to life return.
On, on they hurry, scatt’ring high the spray, 20
and lash with silvern trains the spumy White:
Doto’s soft bosom breasts the briny way
with hotter pressure than her wonted plight.
Springs Nisé, while Neríne seeks the fray
clearing the crystal wavelets nimble light:
The bending billows open wide a path,
fearing to rouse the hurrying Nereids’ wrath.
Borne on a Triton’s shoulders rides in state 21
with fiery gesture, Dionæa fair;
nor feels the bearer that delicious weight,
superb his cargo of such charms to bear:
Now draw they nearer where stiff winds dilate
the bellicose Armada’s sailing gear:
They part, and sudden with their troops surround
the lighter vessels in the vayward bound.
Girt by her nymphs the Goddess lays her breast 22
against the Flagship’s prow, and others close
the harbour-entrance; such their sudden gest
the breeze through bellied canvas vainly blows:
With tender bosom to tough timber prest
she drives the sturdy ship that sternward goes:
Her circling Nereids raise and urge afar
the threatened victim from the hostile bar.
E’en as to nesty homes the prov’ident Ants, 23
their heavy portion’d burthens haling slow,
drill their small legions, hostile combatants,
’gainst hostile Winter’s war of frost and snow:
There are their travails given to their wants,
there puny bodies mighty spirits show:
Not otherwise the Nymphs from fatal end
labour the Portughuezes to defend.
Their force prevails; astern the Flagship falleth, 24
’spite all aboard her raising fearful shout;
boiling with rage the Crew each yardarm hauleth
to port and starboard putting helm about:
Apoop the cunning Master vainly bawleth,
seeing that right toforn upon his route,
uprears a sea-girt rock its awful head,
and present shipwreck fills his soul with dread.
But as loud call and clamour ’gan uprise 25
from the rude sailor toiling hard and keen;
the Moors are frighted by th’ unusèd cries,
as though they sighted Battle’s horrid scene.
None know the reason of such hot surprise;
none know in sim’ilar press whereon to lean;
they hold their treach’erous felon tricks are known,
and present tortures must their crime atone.
Lo! with a panick fear themselves they flung 26
in the swift-sailing barklets which they brought:
These high uplifted on the billows hung,
those deep in water diving safety sought:
Sudden from starboard and from port they sprung,
by dread of visionary sights distraught;
for all would rather tempt the cruel tide,
for none in mercies of their foes confide.
Of such a fashion in the sylvan Mere 27
the Frogs, a brood of Lycian blood whilòme,
when fall of coming foot perchance they hear,
while all incautious left their wat’ery home,
wake marish-echoes hopping here and there
to ’scape the perils threat’ening death and doom;
and, all ensconcèd in the well-known deep
nought but their small black heads ’bove water peep:
So fly the Moors; the Loadsman who alone 28
the Ships in deadly imm’inent risk had led,
deeming his hateful plans to all beknown,
plunged in the bitter depths and swimming fled.
But as her course had missed the steadfast stone,
where every hope of darling life were dead,
eftsoons our Amm’irall doth her anchor throw,
and, near her, furling sail, the rest come to.
Observant Gama, seen this sudden sight 29
of Moorish strangeness, and surprised to view
his Pilot flying with accusing flight,
divines the plottings of that bestial crew:
And when ne hindrance showèd, ne the might
of tides that onwards bore, or winds that blew,
yet that his Flagship forged ahead no more,
the Marvel hailing thus he ’gan implore:--
“Oh Chance, strange, passing strange, that gave no sign! 30
Oh wondrous Godsend shown so clear, so plain!
Oh fellest treason baffled inopine!
Oh hostile Paynims, false, perfidious strain!
Who of such desp’erate devilish design
by mortal wisdom could escape the bane,
unless there throned in Heav’en the Sovran Guard
to weak humanity strong aid award?
“Right well hath provèd Providence on high, 31
the scanty safety by these Ports purvey’d:
Right well appearance showeth every eye,
how all our confidence hath been betray’d:
But since Man’s wit and wisdom vainly try
to sound these feints and foils so deeply laid,
O Thou, Almighty Guard! to guard him deign
who sans Thine aid himself would guard in vain!
“And if Thy holy ruth so condescend 32
to save this People peregrine and poor,
who on Thy grace and goodness sole depend,
to force salvation from the false fell Moor;
vouchsafe, O Lord, our weary course shall end
at some fair Harbour, shelter’d and secure;
or show the distant shores we pine to see,
since all this sailing is for serving Thee.”
The piteous prayer smote the loving ears 33
of Dionæa fair; her heart was painèd;
she left her Nymphs, all bathed in yearning tears,
who by her sudden flight perplext remainèd:
Now she had thrid the lum’inous planet-spheres,
now the third Heaven’s gateway she had gainèd;
on, onward still to the sixth sphere, the throne
where high All-Father sits and reigns alone.
And, as her way affronting, forth she hied, 34
her ev’ry gesture such a grace expirèd,
Stars, Skies and Æther’s circumambient tide,
and all that saw her with love-fire were firèd.
Those eyne wherein Dan Cupid aye doth nide,
such vital spirits in all life inspirèd;
the frigid Poles with torrid ardours burnèd,
and spheres of Arctic frost to flame were turnèd.[25]
And with more love to move her Sovereign 35
Sire, who aye lov’d her with a constant will,
herself she shows as to the Trojan swain
she showed of old on Ida’s bosky hill.
If her the Hunter who the form of man
lost, seeing Dian in the glassy rill,
had seen, he ne’er had died by rav’ening hound,
erst slain by a sorer and a surer wound.
Wander’d the crispy threads of wavy gold 36
adown a bosom shaming virgin snow:
Her milk-hued breasts with ev’ry movement roll’d
where Love lay sporting but did nowhere show:
Flames with far-flashing fire the Zone’s white fold
wherewith the Boy gar’d ev’ry heart to glow:
while round those columns’ polisht curves were climbing
Desires, like ivy parent-trunk entwining.
A filmy Cendal[26] winds around her waist, 37
which del’icate sense conceals by modest veiling;
and yet not all conceal’d, nor all confest,
the veil, red-blushing lilies oft revealing:
With warmer fondness still to ’flame his breast
she woos his sight with secret charms assailing:
Now all Olympus shakes with jealous jars,
rage burneth Vulcan, Love inflameth Mars.
The while her angel-semblance showeth blended 38
with smiles a sadness in the sweetest way;
like some fair Ladye by rude swain offended
incautious rough while playing am’orous play;
who laughs and laughing pouts with wrath pretended
passing withouten pause from grave to gay;
thus she, the Goddess who no rival heedeth,
softer than sad before her Father pleadeth.
“Aye had I deemèd, mighty Father mine, 39
in whatsoe’er my loving breast preferrèd,
to find thee kind and affable and benign,
e’en though of hostile heart the hate were stirrèd:
But as I see thine ire to me incline,
ire undeserv’ed,--to thee I ne’er have errèd,--
let Bacchus triumph with his wicked will;
while in his weal I sit and wail mine ill.
“This Folk, these Sons of me, for whom I pour 40
the tear that trickleth bootless ’fore thy sight,
whose woe, since wish’d them well, I work the more
when my good wishes but thy wrath excite:
For them I weep, for them thine aid implore,
and thus, in fine, with adverse fate I fight:
But now, because my love ill-fortune bears,
I will to will them ill and weal be theirs.
“Yet thus to perish by that wild-beast race, 41
for I have been”[27] * * * Whereon, all lovely flows
the burning tear-drop beading down her face,
as pearled with rory dew fresh shines the Rose:
Silent awhile, as though her plea for grace
the portals of her teeth list not disclose
she had pursued; but ere a word she said
the potent Thund’erer further plaint forbade:
And, moved to pity by such gentle powers, 42
pow’ers made to move the heart of Tyger dure,
with beaming smile, as when the sky that lowers
waxeth serene, and clears the lift obscure;
he dries his Daughter’s welling tears, and showers
warm kisses on her cheeks and neck snow-pure;
in mode that had the place been lere and lone
a pair of Cupids had Olympus known.
And, face approaching to the face he prizèd, 43
whereat the sobbing tears the faster flow;
e’en as some yeanling by the nurse chastisèd
weepeth caresst with louder feint of woe:
To soothe her troubled bosom he devisèd
the future fortunes of her sons to show,
unripping thus from Fate’s impregnate womb
He opes the mysteries of the things to come:--
“Thou fairest Daughter mine! throw far thy fear 44
lest to thy Lusians happen harm indign;
nor deem my spirit holdeth aught so dear,
as the sad waters of these sov’reign eyne:
Thou shalt behold, my Daughter, hear me swear,
the Greek and Roman dimm’d of all his shine,
by Gestes illustrious this thy Hero-race
Shall dare and do in Eastern dwelling-place.
“If glib Ulysses e’er to flee was fated 45
a life-long slav’ery on Ogygia-shore;
and if Antenor’s fortune penetrated
Illyric bays, Timavus’ fount t’ explore;
e’en if thy pious Æneas navigated
where seas round Scylla and Charybdis roar;
thy nobler scions higher grade shall win,
shall add new worlds to worlds of older men.
“Valvartes and cities and the tow’ering wall 46
built by their valour, Daughter, thou shalt see:
Shalt see the Turk, deem’ed bravest brave of all,
from their dread prowess forcèd aye to flee:
Shalt see of Inde the free-born monarchs fall
and own their mightier King’s supremacy:
And when, in fine, they wield the full command
shall dawn a Higher Law[28] for every land.
“Him shalt thou see, who now in hurrièd flight 47
fares distant Indus through such fears to find,
make vasty Neptune tremble with affright,
and crisp his wavy waste sans breath of wind.
Oh Chance ne’er seen! Oh wonder-teeming Sight!
this Quake of Water with plat calm combin’d!
Oh valiant race, with loftiest thought inbred,
whom Earth’s four El’ements must regard with dread![29]
“This Land, that water hath to them denied, 48
shalt see affording surest Hythe, where spent
by their long voyaging, shall rest and ride
Argosies bound from utmost Occident.
In fine, this seaboard all, that futile tried
death-snare to weave, shall pay obedient
toll, tythe, and tribute, knowing vain it were
to beard the Lusian Lyon in his lair.
“Shalt see King Erythras’ far-famèd Main 49
permute his nat’ural red to Fear’s pale dye:
eke shalt thou see the haughty Hormuz-reign
twice taken, prostrate in their presence lie:
There shalt thou see the furious Moorman slain
pierced by his own deflected archery;[30]
till all ken clearly who thy Sons oppose
by their own deed become their deadliest foes.
“Shalt see of Diu[31] th’ inexpugnable wall, 50
two sieges braving, while thy sons defend;
there shall their val’orous worth be shown to all
with feats of arms that every feat transcend:
Envy shalt see in Mars majestical
of Lusian fierceness none shall dare offend:
There shall they sight the Moor with voice supreme
before high Heaven false Mahound blaspheme.
“Thou shalt see Góa from the Moslem tane, 51
and in near future raised to queenly place,
Ladye of Orient land sublimely vain
of triumphs wrested by thy conqu’ering Race.
There, with superb, high, haughtiest disdain
the Gentoo louting low to idols base,
they bit and bridle, mastering every land
that ’gainst thy Lusians raiseth head or hand.
“Thou shalt behold the Fortalice hold out 52
of Cananor with scanty garnison:
Calecut thou shalt see endure sad rout,
that erst so populous and puissant town;
shalt in Cochin[32] see one approv’d so stout,
who such an arr’ogance of the sword hath shown,
no harp of mortal sang a similar story,
digne of e’erlasting name, eternal glory.
“Ne’er with such Mars-taught art and furious flame, 53
was Leucas seen in civil wars to glow,
when to his Actium-fight Augustus came
and laid th’ injurious Roman captain low;
whom, deft Aurora’s reign and race to tame,
far-famèd Nyle and Bactrus’ Scythic foe,
despoilèd, ’spite victorious spoils and rare,
that fair Egyptian not so chaste as fair;[33]
“As thou shalt see when Ocean boileth o’er 54
with fires enkindled by thy Lusians’ bate,
who captive make the Idol-man and Moor,
and triumph high o’er many a subject state:
Till, won rich Aurea-Chersonésus’-shore
far as far China they shall navigate,
and each remotest isle of Orient tide
and every Ocean in their rule shall bide.
“Tis thus, O Daughter mine! thy children’s lot 55
higher than human vigour to display,
nowhere shall Brav’ery burn and blaze so hot
from Ganges’ bank to Gaditanian bay;
nor from the Boreal billows to the gut
where first an injured Lusian brake the way;[34]
e’en though their progress o’er the world t’ oppose
the Dead of Ages from their tombs arose.”
This said, he sendeth Maia’s son divine 56
to visit lowly earth, and there to seek
some harbour’s peaceful shelter, with design
that all the Fleet shall ride sans risk of wreck:
And, lest in false Mombasah-land indign
more of delay the valiant Captain make,
’tis Jove’s command that be in vision shone
a restful region free from restless fone.
Now th’ airy space the Cyllenéan span’d, 57
descending earth with feath’ery feet to tread;
his hand was armèd with the fatal Wand,
which sheds on weary eyne sweet drowsihed;
wherewith he called the sad-eyed shadowy band
from Hades, and obedient breezes sped:
The wingèd basnet on his head he bore;
and thus he sought the Melindanian shore.
Fame is his mate who mote aloud proclaim 58
the Lusitanian’s weight and rarest worth;
for mortal breast is won by noble name,
that makes the bearer loved of all on earth.
Thus winning stranger-hearts the Herald came,
and to the mighty bruit gave timely birth:
Anon Desire Melindé burns to see
what mode of men the val’orous People be.
Thence to Mombasah takes the God his course, 59
where the strange vessels rode in fear afar,
to bid the seamen leave, while none the worse,
those lands suspected and that treacherous bar:
For scant availeth human fraud or force
against Infernals waging treach’erous war:
Scant ’vaileth heart and art and judgment staid
when human wisdom lacketh heavenly aid.
Already Night had past her middle way, 60
and all the starry host with th’ alien light
rained on the breadth of Earth their radiance gay;
and now was Sleep tired man’s supreme delight.
Th’ illustrious Captain weary, wayworn, lay,
with careful watching through the cares of night,
a short repose for anxious eyne he snatchèd:
The men on duty at their quarters watchèd.
When in a vision Maia’s son was seen 61
and heard to say: “Fly, Lusitanian! fly
that wicked Monarch’s snares, that only mean
to draw you forwards where ye surely die:
Fly, for breathes fair the breeze and smiles serene
Æther, while stormless sleep the seas and sky;
in other part another King more benign
sure shelter offereth unto thee and thine!
“Here nought thou findest but the barb’rous rite 62
the guest-rite dear to cruel Diomed,
ill-host that made each miserable wight
the wonted forage of his stabled steed:
Those altars which Busiris, infame sprite,
taught with the stranger’s wailing life to bleed,
here certès wait thee an thou longer dwell:
Fly, then, this folk perfidious, fierce, and fell!
“Steer straight, along this outstretch’d sea-board run, 63
another land more leal shalt thou find;
there near the Belt where th’ ever-blazing sun
to Day and Night hath equal space assign’d:[35]
There to thy Squadron honour gladly done,
a King, with many a friendly service kind,
the surest shelter shall for thee provide,
and for your India skilful trusty guide.”
Mercury thus; and rousèd from his dreams 64
the Captain rising in a stark dismay,
while pierced the palpable Obscure bright streams
of sudden light and splendid holy ray:
Then, seen forthwith that him it best beseems
in land so vile to make the shortest stay,
he bade his Master, urged by spirit new,
to spread the canvas in what breeze there blew.
“Hoist sail!” he said, “hoist high in lib’ral air, 65
for God commands, and Heav’n affects its friends;
from yon clear seats was sent a messengèr
only to speed our steps and shape our ends.”
Meanwhile the sailors to set sail prepare;
all work and either watch its anchor tends;
the weighty irons with willing shouts are weighèd,
and sin’ewy strength, the seaman’s pride, displayèd.
Now at what time their anchors high uprose, 66
lurking in Night’s murk shadow rose the Moor,
stealthy to cut the cables of his foes,
that all might perish on the rocky shore:
But watched with lynx-like glances, clear and close,
the Portingalls prepared for ev’ry stowre:
Finding his victims wakeful th’ enemy fled
by wings of terror, not by paddle, sped.
But now the narrow sharp-cut Prores renew, 67
cleaving the humid argent plain, their road;
blandly the north and eastern Trade-wind blew
with gentle movement, as in joyous mood:
Past perils in their talk review’d the Crew,
for with a fond delay Thought loves to brood
on dang’rous chances, when to death-in-life
Life comes so near she scarcely ’scapes the strife.
One circle ended Phœbus all aglow, 68
and on a second entered, when appearèd
in the far offing, sailing sure and slow,
two hulls by gently-breathing Zephyrs steerèd:
And, as they must be manned by Moorish foe
our Squadron veering soon her prizes nearèd:
This one that fearèd fearful ills to brave
ran straight ashore her crew thereon to save.
No sim’lar cunning from such chances led 69
her consort, captive of the Lusian hand,
which, ne by rig’rous Mavors’ rage had bled,
nor felt what furies Vulcan doth command.
But weakly, master’d by a craven dread,
the feeble forces which the barquelet man’d
resistance offer’d none; which haply shown,
from such resisting greater ills had known.
And as the Gama felt him much incline’d 70
to seek a Guide for India-land long sought,
he thought a Helmsman ’mid the Moors to find,
yet naught to him succeeded as he thought;
none mote give tidings of the lay of Inde,
under what tract of heav’n it might be brought:
But all declare a harbour lies hard by
Melinde, ready Pilots to supply.
Her King’s benevolence the Moormen praise, 71
conditions lib’ral, breast no guile that knew;
magnificent, grandiose and gentle ways
with parts that won respect and honour true.
All this to heart for fact our Captain lays,
since to his vision came such view to shew
the dream-sent Cyllenéan; thus he sped
whither the vision and the Moorman led.
’Twas the glad season when the God of Day 72
into Europa’s rav’isher ’gan return;
when warmèd either point his genial ray
and Flora scatter’d Amalthéa’s horn:
The hasty Sun, that girds the heavenly way,
brought round the mem’ry of that blessèd morn,
when He, who ruleth all by Will Divine,
upon Creation stampt His seal and sign:[36]
At such a time the Squadron neared the part, 73
where first Melindé’s goodly shore was seen,
in awnings drest and prankt with gallant art,
to show that none the Holy Day misween:
Flutter the flags, the streaming Estandart
gleams from afar with gorgeous purple sheen;
tom-toms and timbrels mingle martial jar:
Thus past they forwards with the pomp of war.
Men crowd and jostle on Melindé’s strand 74
hasting to sight the stranger’s glad Armade;
a folk more truthful far, humane, and bland
than any met on shores their course had made.
Now rides the Lusian Fleet anent the land:
Her pond’rous anchors now the depths invade:
Forthwith a captured Moor they send to greet
the King and mani’fest whence had come the Fleet.
The King who well that noble lineage knew, 75
which to the Portingalls such worth imparts,
prizeth their harb’ring at his Hythe, as due
the praise to Braves so prompt in martial arts:
And, with the spirit ever pure and true
that ’nobleth gen’rous souls and gallant hearts,
he prays by proxy all forthwith may deign
to land and use, as best they choose, his reign.
Frank offers these, and made in Honour bright, 76
simple the words, undoubted, unprepar’d,
wherewith the Monarch greets each noble Knight,
who o’er such seas and lands so far hath fared.
And eke he sendeth muttons fleecy white
with many a cramm’d domesticate poulard,
and tropick fruitage which the markets fill:
Yet his good gifts are giv’n with better will.
A glad and eager ear our Captain lent 77
to him who spake his Sovran’s speech benign;
straightway of royal gifts return he sent
stow’d in his Squadron for such fair design:
Purple Escarlat,[37] cloth of crimson tint,
the branchy Coral, highly prized and fine,
which in deep Water soft and tender grown,
in Air doth harden to a precious stone.
Eke sends he one well known for courtly wit, 78
who with the King may pact of peace conclude;
and prayeth pardon that he could not quit
his ships at once, and leave the Fleet aflood.
His trusty Truchman[38] on the land alit,
and, as before the Monarch’s face he stood,
spake thus in style which only Pallas taught
when praise and prayer firm persuasion wrought:--
“O King sublime! to whom Olympus pure 79
of His high justice gave the gift and boon
to curb and conquer peoples dour and dure,
to win their love, nor less their fear to own;
as safe asylum, haven most secure,
to ev’ry Oriental nation known,
thee have we come to seek, in thee to find
the surest med’icine of the Wanderer’s mind.
“No Pyrates we, who fare on ports to prey, 80
and purse-proud cities that in war be weak;
thieves, who with fire and steel the peoples slay,
their robber-greed on neighbour-goods to wreak:
From haughty Europe to the realms of Day
we sail, and Earth’s remotest verge we seek
of Inde, the great, the rich, for thus ordaineth
the mighty Monarch who our country reigneth.
“What brood so harsh as this was ever bred? 81
what barb’arous custom and what usage ban’d
that can not only men from ports forbid
but grudge the shelter of their desert sand?
What of ill Will hold they our hearts have hid,
that of a folk so few in fear they stand?
That traps for us they spread and ready snares
and work their worst whereby we die unwares?
“But Thou, wherein full surely we confide 82
to find, O King benign! an honest man,
and hope such certain aid to see supplied,
as gave Alcino’us the lost Ithacan,
to this thy Haven sure we stem the tide
with the Divine Interpreter in van:
For as He sendeth us to thee ’tis clear
thy heart must e’en be rare, humane, sincere.
“And deem not thou, O King! that dreads to land 83
our famous Captain thee to serve and see,
for aught he sees of base or underhand,
or aught suspects of false and feign’ed in thee:
But know he acteth by the high command,--
a law of all obeyed implicitly,--
his King’s own hest, forbidding him t’explore,
and from his Squadron land at port or shore.
“And, since of subjects King may thus require, 84
for of the Head should members heed the sway,
thou, kingly officed, never shalt desire
the liege his lord’s command to disobey;
but the high ben’efits, and those gifts still higher
by thee bestow’d, he prom’iseth to repay
with all that done by him or his can be
long as the rolling rivers seek the Sea.”
Thus he; when all conjoint their voices raisèd 85
while each to each his separate thoughts convey’d,
by the high stomach of the Race amazèd,
who through such seas and skies their way had made.
Th’ illustrious King for loyalty bepraisèd
the Portingalls, the while his spirit weigh’d
how high his value, strong his orders are,
whose Royal word is heard in land so far.
And, with a smiling mien and pleasèd face, 86
he hailed the Herald, proff’ering high esteem:--
“All black suspicions from your bosoms chase,
nor let your souls with frigid terror teem;
such be your gallant worth, your works of grace,
the World your deeds shall aye most glorious deem;
and whoso holdeth right to do you wrong
ne truth ne noble thoughts to him belong.
“That all you warmen may not instant land 87
observing ’customèd pre-eminence,
though sorely grievèd by your King’s command,
yet much we prize so much obedience:
Yet, as your orders our desire withstand;
nor we consent to see such excellence
of heart, such loyalty of soul, belied,
that our good wishes sole be gratified.
“But, as to-morrow’s Sun on earth shall shine, 88
all our Flotilla shall make holiday;
to seek your sturdy Fleet is our design
we have so longed to see full many a day:
And if your sea-tost vessels bear the sign
of angry tempests, and their tedious way,
here they shall find in friendly form and guise
pilots, munitions, vittaile and supplies.”
He spake; and ’neath the sea-rim sank to rest 89
Latona’s son, when home the Herald hied,
with the fair message to the Fleet addrest,
in a light canoe that fast outran the tide.
Now joy and gladness fillèd ev’ery breast,
all had the perfect cure at length descried,--
Discov’ery of the Land, long wisht-for sight;
and thus they festival’d with glee the night.
Aboard is foyson of those artful rays, 90
whose splendours mock the trem’ulous hairy star:
Now every bombardier his boast displays,
till Ocean’s thunder answers earth and air.
The Cyclops’ art is shown in various ways,
in fire-stuffed shells, and burning bombs of war:
Others with voices which invade the skies,
make brazen notes from blaring trumps arise.
Echoes a loud reply the ready shore, 91
with buzzing fireworks forming giddy gyre;
whirl burning wheels that far in Æther soar;
sulphurous dust deep-hid explodes in fire:
Heav’en-high resounds the multitudinous roar;
the soft blue waters don Flame’s red attire;
nor blazeth land the less: ’Tis thus friends greet
their friends as foemen who in battle meet.
Again the restless Spheres revolving sped, 92
to olden drudg’ry dooming man anew:
Again did Memnon’s Mother radiance shed,
and from the sluggard’s eyne soft sleep withdrew:
The latest shadows slowly melting fled,
on earthly flow’rets weeping frigid dew;
when the Melindan King took boat that he
might view the Squad that swam the Blackmoor sea.
Boiling about him, swarming round the Bay, 93
dense crowds glad gather’d and enjoy’d the sight:
Caftans of finest purple glisten gay;
glance splendid robes with silken tissue dight:
In lieu of warrior lance, and harsegaye[39]
and bow whose burnisht cusps mock Luna’s light;
aloft the revellers bear the palmy bough,
the fittest crown that decks the conqueror’s brow.
A spacious stately barge, o’ercanopied 94
with dainty silks, of divers teinture stainèd
beareth Melinde’s King, accompanied
by lords and captains of the land he reignèd.
Rich clad he cometh with what pomp and pride,
his country customs and his taste ordainèd;
a precious Turbant winds around his head
of cotton wrought with gold and silken thread.
Caftan of costly texture Damascene,-- 95
the Tyrian colour honour’d there of eld;--
Torque round his collar, shining golden sheen,
whose wealth of work its wealth of ore excel’d:
Glitters and gleams with radiance diamantine
Dag-targe of costly price by girdle held:
And show, in fine, upon his sandal-shoon
velvets with seed-pearl and gold-spangle strewn.
With silken sunshade, high and round of guise 96
fast to its handle bound, a gilded spear,
a Minister the solar ray defies
lest hurt of baleful beam the high King bear:
High in the poop his strange glad musick hies,
of asp’erous noise, most horr’ible to the ear,
of archèd trumpets writhed in curious round,
roaring a rough, rude, unconcerted sound.
Nor with less garnishment our Lusitanian 97
swift-sailing galleys from the Squadron bore,
to meet and greet the noble Melindanian,
begirt by goodly company galore.
The Gamma cometh dight in dress Hispanian;
but of French work the doublet was he wore,
Satin which Adrian Venice works and stains
crimson, a colour which such prize obtains.
Buttons of gold his loopèd sleeves confine, 98
where solar glancings dazzle gazing eyes:
Hosen of soldier fashion purfled shine
with the rich metal Fortune oft denies:
Points of the same the slashes deftly join,
gored in his doublet, with right del’icate ties:
Gold-hilted sword in mode of Italy:
Plume in his bonnet worn a little wry.
I’ the suite and escort of the Captain show’d 99
of the dye murex,--Tyre’s surpassing tint,--
the various shades that joy’d men’s eyne, and mode
of dress devis’d with fashion different:
Such was th’ enamel, and as bright it glow’d
with cunning colours in quaint mixture blent,
as though her rutilant bow had rear’d in air
the Maid of Thaumas, fairest of the fair.
Sonorous trumpets manly breasts incite 100
gladding the heart with martial musick gay:
Churnèd the Moorish keels blue waters white
and awnings sprent with dews of pearly spray:
The horrid-sounding bombards thunder fright
while smoky hangings veil the splendid day;
roar the hot volleys hurtling sounds so loud,
fain close with hands their ears the Moorish crowd.
And now the King our Captain’s galley sought, 101
who strainèd in his arms the welcome guest:
He with the courtesy which Reason taught,
his host (who was of Royal rank) addrest.
Noted th’ admiring Moor, with marvel fraught,
his visitor’s ev’ery mode, and look, and gest,
as one regarding with a huge esteem
Folk who so far in quest of India came.
And to him proffers in his phrase high-flown 102
whatever goods his realm and haven boast;
the while commanding him to hold his own
what store might haply serve his turn the most:
Eke he assures him Fame had made well-known
the Lusian name ere Lusians reached his coast:
for long ’twas rumour’d that in realms afar
it had with peoples of his law waged war.
How Africk cont’inent’s farthest shores resound, 103
he told him, with great deeds the warmen did;
whose long campaigns the Conquerors had crown’d
lords of the lands where dwelt the Hesperid.[40]
With long harangue he taught the crowd around
the least deserts the Lusians meritèd,
and yet the most that Fame was fain to teach;
when thus Da Gama to the King made speech:--
“O thou! who sole hast seen with pit’iful eye, 104
benignant King! our Lusitanian race,
which in such mis’ery dire hath dared defy
Fate, and the furies of mad seas to face;
may yon Divine eternity on high,
that ruleth man, revolving skyey space,
since gifts so goodly givest thou, I pray
the Heav’ens repay thee what we never may.
“Of all Apollo bronzèd hath thou sole, 105
peaceful didst greet us from th’ abysmal sea:
In thee from Æolus’ winds that moan and howl,
we find good, truthful, glad security.
Long as its Stars leads forth the vasty Pole,
long as the Sun shall light the days to be,
where’er I haply live, with fame and glory
shall live thy praises in my People’s story.”
He spake, and straight the barges ’gin to row 106
whither the Moorman would review the Fleet;
rounding the vessels, one by one, they go
that ev’ery not’able thing his glance may meet:
But Vulcan skywards voll’eying horr’ible lowe
with dire artill’ery hastes the guest to greet,
while trumpets loud canorous accents blend;
with shawms the Moorish hosts their answer send.
When due attention to the sights had lent 107
the gen’erous Moslem, fill’ed with thrilling wonder,
and hearing, eke, th’ unwonted instrument
that told its dreadful might in fiery thunder;
he bade the light Batèl wherein he went
at anchor quiet ride the Flagship under,
that with the doughty Gama he might hold
converse of matters erst by Rumour told.
The Moor in varied di’alogue took delight, 108
and now he prayed the vis’itor would expound
each war renowned and famous feat of fight
fought with the races that adore Mahound:
Now of the peoples he would gain a sight
that hold our ultimate Hispanian ground:
Then of the nations who with us confine;
then of the mighty voyage o’er the brine.
“But first, O valiant Captain! first relate,” 109
quoth he, “with all the diligence thou can,
what lands and climes compose your natal state,
and where your home, recount with regular plan;
nor less your ancient lineage long and great
and how your Kingdom’s lofty rule began,
with all your early deeds of derring-do;
e’en now, tho’ know’ng them not, their worth we know.
“And, prithee, further say how o’er the Main 110
long on this voyage through fierce seas you stray’d,
seeing the barb’arous ways of alien strain,
which our rude Africk-land to you display’d:
Begin! for now the team with golden rein
draws near, and drags the new Sun’s car, inlaid
with marquetry, from cold Aurora’s skies:
Sleep wind and water, smooth the wavelet lies.
“And as th’ Occasion such a fitness showeth, 111
so is our wish your wondrous tale to hear;
who dwells among us but by rumour knoweth
the Lusitanian’s labour singular?
Deem not so far from us removèd gloweth
resplendent Sol, that need thy judgment fear
to find Melinde nurse so rude a breed,
which can ne prize ne praise a noble deed.
“Vainly the haughty olden Giants vied 112
by war to win Olympus clear and pure:
Pirith and Theseus mad with ign’orance tried
of Pluto’s realm to burst the dread Obscure;
If in the world such works hath workèd pride,
not less ’tis labour excellent and dure,
bold as it was to brave both Heav’en and Hell,
for man o’er raging Nereus to prevail.
“With fire consumèd Dian’s sacred fane,-- 113
that master-piece of subtle Ctesiphon,--
Heróstratus, who by such deed would gain
of world-wide Fame the high immortal boon;
If greed of foolish praise and glory vain
to actions so perverse may urge men on,
more reason ’tis to crown with endless fame
Deeds that deserve, like Gods, a deathless name.”