Scant could devise how best to entertain 1
the pagan King our Voyagers renown’d,
firm friendship of the Christian King to gain
and folk so puissant proved, so faithful found:
Grieveth him greatly, that his rule and reign
be placed so distant from Europa’s bound
by lot, nor let him neighbour that abode
where opened Hercules the broad sea-road.
With games and dances, gentle, honest play 2
e’en as accorded with Melindan style,
and fishing frolicks, like the Lageian gay[133]
delighted Anthony with gladde’ning guile,
rejoiced that famous Sovran every day,
the Lusitanian host to feast and fill
with banquets rich, rare meats and unknown dishes
of fruit and flesh, of birds, and beasts, and fishes.
But when the Captain saw him still detainèd 3
far more than seemèd meet, while the fresh breeze
to sail inviteth; and he had obtainèd
the Negro Pilots and the new supplies;
no longer list he tarry; for remainèd
long paths to plow through salt and silvern seas;
To the good Pagan bids he warm adieu,
who prays their friendship may be long and true.
He prayeth, eke, that Hythe shall ever be 4
the place where all the Fleets may rest and bait;
for nothing better now desireth he,
than for such Barons to quit reign and state:
Eke, that ere light of Life his body flee
he will on opportunity await
his days to peril and his crown to waive,
for King so kingly and for Braves so brave.
Response in sim’ilar speech to such discourse 5
the Captain gave, and loosing canvas sailèd,
straight for Auroran regions shaping course,
where his long seeking still so scant availèd.
No more his Guide and Pilot had recourse
to fraud and falsehood, nay, he never failèd
in his sure seamanship; so sped they o’er
securer seas than those they sail’d before.
They fought the restless floods that front the Morn 6
now ent’ering Indic Ocean, and descried
Sol’s chambers, where the burning God is born;
and ev’ery wish was wellnigh satisfied.
But now that ill Thyoneus’ soul of scorn,
mourning the mighty meeds of power and pride
that Lusian valour wendeth dight to win,
burns and blasphemes with madding rage insane.
He saw the potent hosts of Heav’en prepare 7
in Lisbon town a novel Rome t’ instal:
Nor aught can alter; such high fortunes are
ruled by the dreadful Pow’er that ruleth all.
In fine he flies Olympus in despair,
to find on earth new mode remedial:
He thrids the humid Reign and seeks his court
who gained the Gov’ernance of the Seas by sort.
Deep in the lowest depths of the profound 8
and lofty Caves, where surges slumb’ering lie;
there, whence the billows sally furibund
when to fierce winds the fiercer waves reply
bides Neptune, and abide their Lord around
Ner’eids, and many a sea-born Deity,
where fit for cities leave the waves a plain
dry for the Godheads governing the Main.
Discover th’ undiscovered depths of sea 9
Courts strewn with gravels of fine silver hoar;
and lofty turrets crown that Ocean-lea,
chrystalline masses of diaph’anous ore:
However near the curious eye may be,
so much its judgment shall be less secure
an it be chrystal, or the diamant-stone
that doth such clearness and such radiance own.
The gates of purest gold, where lies inlaid 10
rich seed of pearl that in the sea-shell breedeth,
with rarest shapes of sculpture are portray’d
whereon hot Bacchus pleasèd glances feedeth:
There ’mid the foremost, limned in light and shade,
old Chaos’ face confus’d the stranger readeth:
the fourfold El’ements eke he sees translate,
each in his several office and estate.
There Fire sublimely held supremest height, 11
who by no grosser substance was sustainèd;
lending to living things his life and light,
since by Prometheus stolen and detainèd.
Behind him, standing high ’yond mortal sight,
invis’ible Air a lower place maintainèd,--
Æther, which conquered ne by Heat ne Cold,
ne’er suff’ereth Earth a vacuous space t’ enfold.
There deckt with mount and boscage Terra stood 12
Yclad in grass, shrub, tree of blossom’d head;
affording life, affording divers food
to ev’ery breathing thing her surface bred:
The glassy figure, eke, ensculptur’ed stood
of Water, veining Earth and interspread,
creating fishes in their varied norm,
and by her humour holding all in form.
Carved on another panel showed the fight, 13
waged by the Gods against the Giantry;
Typhœus lies ’neath Ætna’s serried height,
far flashing crepitant artillery:
There sculptured cometh gravid Earth to smite
Neptune, when taught the salvage Man t’ apply
his gift, the Courser, and to worlds first shown
the peaceful Olive-tree, Minerva’s boon.
With scanty tardance vext Lyæus eyed 14
these varied marvels: Soon he past the gate
of Neptune’s Palace, who had thither hied
the God’s expected visit to await:
Him at the threshold greets he, ’companied
by Nymphs, who marvel at the freak of Fate
to see, attempting such unusèd road,
the Wine-god seek the Water-god’s abode.
“O Neptune!” crièd he, “Regard not strange 15
that Bacchus comes a guest within thy Reign;
even we highest pow’ers who reck no change
are prone to suffer Fortune’s fell disdain:
Summon, I pray, the Gods who Ocean range
ere say I more, if more to hear thou deign;
they shall behold what ills the Gods befall,--
all hear what evils overhang us all.”
Already Neptune, deeming worth his heed 16
a case so novel, sends in hottest haste,
Triton to call the cold Sea-gods with speed,
that govern Ocean’s breadth from east to west:
Triton,--that boasts him of the Sea-king’s seed,
who had the reverend nymph, Salatia, prest,--
was a tall, huge-limb’d Carle, young, swart of hue,
his Father’s trumpet and his courier too.
The feltred beard, and matted locks that fell 17
adown his head and o’er his shoulders strown,
were water-pregnant weeds, and seemed it well
no soft’ening comb had e’er their tangles known:
Nor lacketh jet-black fringe of mussel-shell,
pendent from points where mingled growths are grown:
For cap and cowl upon his head he wore
the crusty spoils erst a huge lobster bore.
Naked his body, and of cloth are clear 18
his loins, to swim without impediment;
yet pigmy sea-things clothe with sea-born gear
his limbs, in hundred hundreds spread and sprent;
with shrimps, and crabs, and many such small deer
which from cool Phœbe take their increment;
oysters, and moss-fouled mussels, while each rib
glistens with periwinkles glazed and glib.
His Conch, that mighty writhèd shell, in hand 19
he bore, and forceful blew with draughty throat;
whose harsh canorous voice, at his command,
heard ev’ery Ocean, ech’oing far the note:
Now by his summons warned, the god-like band
straight for the Palace left their seats, and sought
the Deity who reared Dardania’s wall,
by Grecian fury doomed anon to fall.
Came Father Ocean, whom accompanied 20
the sons and daughters gotten in the Main:
Comes Nereus, who led Doris for a bride,
she who replenisht with her Nymphs his Reign:
And, eke, prophetick Proteus thither hied,
leaving his herd to browse the bitter plain:
He came, that wizard; yet right well knew he
what Father Bacchus wanted of the Sea.
Came from another quarter Neptune’s fere, 21
begot by Cœlus, borne by Vesta’s womb,
of gesture grave yet gay, fair sans compeer,
the wond’ering waves were blandisht by her bloom:
A light Cymár of costly weft her wear,
subtle as though ’twere wove in airy loom,
that bared the chrystal charms to longing eyne,--
charms ne’er create in jealous shade to pine:
And Amphitrité, bright as flow’ers in spring, 22
in such conjuncture could not stay away;
bringing the Dolphin, who her heart did bring
her kingly lover’s wish and will t’ obey;
with glorious orbs that conquer ev’erything,
and steal his splendours from the Lord of Day:
Hand clasping hand the coupled Consorts trod
the sister spouses of the two-wived God.
She, who from furious Athamas of yore 23
a fugitive, uprose to god-degree,
her son, a lovely youngling, with her bore,[134]
fated to sit in Heaven’s consistory:
They linger sporting on the pebbly shore
with pearly conchlets, which the briny sea
aye breeds, and now he stays his sport, and rests
pillow’d on Panope’s delicious breasts.
And eke the God,[135] once made in mould of man, 24
who by the magick simples’ potent spell
changèd to fish, and from such chance began
a thing of time ’mid timeless Gods to dwell,
came still bewailing tricksy Fortune’s ban,
which the fair maid by Circe’s spite befel,
Scylla he lovèd as by her belovèd;
for love pervert pure hate hath often provèd.
And now the Godheads all in Council meet 25
amid the vasty Hall, superb, divine;
Goddesses seated on rich daïs seat
Gods throned on tall estrados chrystalline;
when rose their awful Host his guests to greet
who by the Theban sat on level line:
Fumeth the Palace with the rich sea-mass[136]
Araby’s odours never shall surpass.
At length, when tumult sinks to stilly rest, 26
and when the De’ities all their greetings close,
to them Thyóneus opes his hidden breast,
and the sad secret of his torment shows:
A shade of sadness marks his look and gest,
as though deprest by sense of ’during woes,
resolved with alien steel alone to slay
right soon the Lusus men, he ’gan to say:--
“Prince! who by birthright holdest high command 27
o’er the proud seas that sweep from Pole to Pole;
thou who dost curb the den’izens of the land
that none o’erpass his term and certain goal:
And, Father Ocean! thou whose ’circling band
around the globèd universe doth roll,
permitting only by thy just decree
each in due bounds to flourish, Earth and Sea:
“And, eke, ye Water-gods, who ne’er endure 28
aught of injurious in your vast domain,
sans meetest chastisement condign and sure,
dealt to the worms who overrun your reign:
Why dwell ye reckless thus, how rest secure?
Who to such softness had the power to train
your hearts, with reason hardened to behold
this race of mortals weak withal so bold?
“Ye saw the wondrous insolent extremes 29
that dared the heavenly heights in arms to scale:
Ye saw that wildest phantasy that dreams
of conquering Ocean-tide with oar and sail:
Ye saw, and every day we see, meseems,
such braves, such insults that, if these prevail,
full soon, I fear, of sea and sky to find
Mankind the godheads, Gods the humankind.
“You see that now this weak ephemeral brood, 30
who from a Vassal mine hath taken name,
with sprite high-flown, and heart of proudest mood,
you, me and all the world would tempt and tame:
You see how freely they defy your Flood,
a doughtier deed than Rome’s high race could claim:
You see they seek to ’spy your whole domain,
to break the very statutes of your Reign.
“I saw how ’gainst the Minyæ,[137] first to find 31
the path that passeth through your realm, the wave,
much-injured Boreas, with his brother-wind
Aquilo and their peers, did rage and rave.
If to th’ adventurous mortals who design’d
such wrongs the Winds appaid the boast and brave,
ye, who have higher right these wrongs to pay,
what wait ye? Doom of justice why delay?
“Nor will I, Gods! consent, so should you trow 32
pure love of you from Heaven hath brought me down;
not thus your suff’ering feel I and your woe,
what wrongs I now resent are all mine own;
since the high honours, as your Godships know,
I won on earth, when fell by me o’erthrown
Inde’s wealthy Reign, of Morning-lond the grace,
I see abated by this little race:
“For our all-Sovran Sire and eke the Fates 33
who rule this nether world as best they wot,
resolve with Fame which ne’er on man awaits,
to make th’ abysmal sea these Barons’ lot:
Hence shall you view, O Gods! their human hates
teach god to work god wrong: Ah! see ye not
of note and worth we have the smallest boast
whose value Reason valueth the most.
“Wherefore Olympus’ height I now have fled, 34
to seek heart-salving balm for sore despair;
eke would I find, if rank thus forfeitèd
in Heav’en, your Waters still to honour care.”
More would he say, but nothing more he said,
for tears, already trickling pair by pair,
leapt from his brimming lids, and as they came
the Gods of Water felt their sprites aflame.
The rage which sudden fired their hearts divine, 35
and roused to such display each vengeful soul,
suffered not counsel to contain design,
nor discount brookèd, nor endured control:
Now to great Æolus they send a sign,
as ’twere from Neptune, bidding him enroll
contrary Winds of wildest phrenesy,
and of all vent’urous sails sweep clean the sea.
Proteus the first and foremost there desirèd 36
to speak his feelings as he felt him bound;
the general Conclave deeming him inspirèd,
by some myst’erious prophesy profound:
yet was that Company divine so firèd
by sudden tumult; brake such storm of sound
that Tethys rising cries indignantly,
“Well kens King Neptune what commandeth he.”
Now there superb Hippotades[138] gave vent 37
to furious Winds erst pent in prison-hold;
the while his wilful words fresh fury lent,
against the Lusian Barons brave and bold.
Sudden the summer-vault with clouds was sprent,
for Winds, still growing fierce with rage untold,
gather as on they go fresh might and main,
house, tow’er, and hillock strewing o’er the plain.
While thus in Council met the Gods’ array 38
beneath the Seas, before soft breezes float
our joyous weary Ships, and hold their way
o’er tranquil Ocean on the long new route.
The hour was that when hangs the Lamp of Day
from hemisphere Eöan most remote:
They of night’s early watch[139] lay down to sleep,
while others waked the second ward to keep.
Drows’iness mastered, all half-numbed and chill 39
shivered with many a yawn the huddling Crew
beneath the bulging main-sail, clothèd ill
to bear the nightly breath that keenly blew;
their eyes, kept open sore against their will,
they rubbed, and stretcht their torpid limbs anew:
To seek a waking-draught the men devise,
spin stories, tell a thousand histories.
One ’gan to say, “Wherewith may better we 40
spur tardy Time who lags so sore and slow,
save with some pretty tale of joyaunce gay
that heavy slumber trouble us no mo?”
Replied Le’onardo, truest lover he,
whose firm and constant thought was aye aglow:
“What tale our tardy breasts may better move
and kill old Time than some fair Lay of Love?”
“’Twere not, methinks,” Velloso said, “thing meet 41
on theme so soft in hours so hard to dwell;
the rough Sea-labours, which do fag the fleet,
Love’s delicatest fancies rudely quell:
Rather of fervid fight and battle-feat
be now our story, for I see full well,
life is all hardship, and good sooth I wis
more trouble cometh; something tells me this.”
All with his words consenting joint assail 42
Velloso to recount whate’er he knew.
“I will recount,” quoth he, “nor shall you rail
at aught that seemeth fabulous or new:
And that my hearers learn from this my tale
high proofs of forceful deed to dare and do,
e’en of my countrymen I’ll say my say;--
the Twelve of England shall adorn my lay.
“When of our Reign the curbing rein so light 43
John, son of Pedro, held with mod’erate hand;
and when his Realm had ’scaped the bane and blight
oft dealt by hate of hostile neighbour-land;
there in great England, where the rain falls white
from Boreal snow-drift, fierce Erinnys plan’d
to sow the dil’igent tares of wanton strife,
and make our Lusitania lustre-rife.
“Betwixt the gentle Dames of th’ English Court, 44
and high-born Courtier-crowd, one day it came
that horrid Discord showed her dreadful port;
of self-will sprung, or faith in common fame.
The Courtier-throng that lightly loves in sport
and careless mood to bruit the gravest shame,
sware Honour they disprov’d, and Honesty
in certain Dames, who boasted Dames to be.
“Nay, more, if any Knight uphold as true, 45
and with his brand and lance the cause defend,
in lists or rasèd field, the same should rue
foul infamy, or come to cruel end:
The woman-weakness which but little knew,
if e’er, such foul reproach, and yet which ken’d
its want of nat’ural force could only crave
their friends to succour and their kin to save.
“But as their sland’erers great and puissant were 46
throughout the kingdom, none the cause would heed;
nor kith, nor friends, nor fervid lovers dare
support the Dames in darkest hour of need:
Tempting with delicate tear and doleful air
the very Gods to rise in arms, and aid
from Heav’en, for sake of alabaster brows,
to ducal Lancaster[140] the Bevy goes.
“This lord was English and in doughty fight 47
against Castile for Portugale made war,
wherein he proved the noble force and sprite
of his companions, and their fav’ouring star:
Nor less within our realm he saw the might
of Love, whose am’orous feats as forceful are,
when his fair daughter so the heart did win
of our stout King that chose her for his Queen.
“He who in person succour must withhold, 48
lest fire of civil discord thus be fan’d,
replied:--‘When I my rights upheld of old
to Spanish kingdom in th’ Iberian land,
I saw in Lusia’s sons a soul so bold,
such primacy of heart, such open hand,
that they, and only they, I deem, shall dare
with brand and firebrand for your case to care.
“‘And, if, aggrievèd Dames! ye hold it meet 49
I’ll send my Heralds speaking in your name,
while let your letters, courteous and discreet,
declare your insult, and bewail your shame.
Eke on your side, with pretty phrases sweet,
and soft caresses, let each injured Dame
temper her tears, and venture I to say
you shall strong succour see and steadfast stay.’
“Thus doth the Duke experienced speak his mind, 50
and of his bravest friends twelve names he quotes:
That suit’able Champion be to each assign’d,
he wills the namèd Knights be chose by lots;
because the Dames be twelve; and when they find
which Brave to which Belle-dame his life devotes,
each unto each shall write and claim her rights,
all to their King, the Duke to all the Knights.
“The mess’enger now in Lusia-lond arriveth; 51
the Court rejoiceth at such novelty:
Our King sublime to ’list the foremost striveth,
but suffereth not the kingly dignity:
No courtier but whose valiant sprite aspireth
to volunteer with fervid volunty,
and only he high favour’d is proclaimèd
whom for such noble feat the Duke hath namèd.
“There in the loyal City whence (’tis said 52
by olden Fame), arose the name eternal
of Portugalia, a nimble barque he bade
be ’quipt, who holds the helm of rule internal.
The Twelve in briefest season ready made
arms and accoutrements of use hodiernal;
helms, crests, and mottoes of choice mode they choose
horse, selle, and harness of a thousand hues.
“Now, when dismissèd by their King had been, 53
sail from the Douro regions famed afar,
the luck-loved Twelve, who did th’ approval win
of England’s Duke experienced in war.
Amid the dozen was no diff’erence seen
in chivalry, while skill and strength were par;
then one, Magriço[141] hight, and only he
this way addrest the doughty company:--
“‘Valiantest comrades! longings manifold 54
I nurst for many a year the world t’ explore,
Rivers by Tagus nor by Douro roll’d,
various nations, laws, and varied lore:
And now that matters fit in certain mould
(since Earth of marvels hath extended store),
I would, an leave ye give, alone go round
by land, and meet you upon English ground.
“‘And, should I haply ’counter let or stay, 55
from Him who holds of things the ultime line,
and fail to find you on our trysting day,
scant fault to you shall bring default of mine.
You all shall do my duty in the fray;
but, an my prescient sprite the Truth divine,
ne stream, ne mount, ne jealous Fate hath pow’er
to nill I hail you at th’ appointed hour.’
“Thus spake Magriço and, his friends embracèd, 56
he fareth forwards when their leave was tane:
In Leon and Castile’s old realms he tracèd
sites patrial Mars had granted us to gain:
Navarre and all the dang’erous heads he facèd
of Pyrenee departing Gaul from Spain;
and, seen of France the highest scenes and best,
in Flanders’ grand emporium[142] took his rest.
“There halting, or by chance or whim’s command, 57
for days he tarried, making much delay:
Meanwhile the stout Elev’en, a glorious band,
plow northern waters scatt’ering freezy spray.
Arrived on stranger England’s distant strand,
at once to London-town all took the way:
The Duke receives them in his festive hall,
the Dames do service, greeting one and all.
“Now Time and Tide are ready for the fight 58
with th’ English Twelve who first afield are shown,
chose by their King, right sure of every Knight:
Helms, crests, greaves, coats, and harnesses they don:
The Dames already deem the fulgent might
of Portugalia’s Mavors all their own:
In golden owche and rainbow-silks clad
and thousand jewels, sit they gay and glad.
“But she, who claimèd by the chance of lot, 59
missing Magriço, drest in mourning dyes
sits sad; for she and only she hath not
a knightly champion in this high emprize:
Though our Elev’en proclaimèd on the spot,
to England’s Court, of battle such assize,
that mote the Dames their cause victorious call,
though of their champions two or three may fall.
“Now in the lofty publick Lists convene, 60
the King of England and his suite and Court:
In threes by threes, and fours by fours are seen
spectators rangèd by the rule of sort.
From Tage to Bactrus[143] ne’er did Sol, I ween,
flame on such force and fierceness, power and port,
as on those English Twelve, who leave their walls
to front Eleven of our Portingalls.
“Champing their golden bits, fleckt spumy white, 61
the chargers cast fierce fiery looks askance:
On arms and armour Phœbus danceth bright
as on dure adamant or chrystal glance:
Not less on either side astound the sight
numbers unequal, a quaint dissonance,
to twelve eleven matched: Begins the crowd
to vent its general joyaunce long and loud.
“All turn their faces curious to see 62
where loudest bruit and hottest bate arise:
When lo! a horseman, armèd cap-à-pie,
pricks o’er the plain to claim of war the prize:
Saluting King and Dames, straight rideth he
to his Eleven: ’Tis the great Magriçe:
With warmest accolade his friends he haileth,
whom in the battle, certès, ne’er he faileth.
“The Ladye, hearing that the man was there, 63
who would in combat guard her name and fame,
wends glad the fleece of Helle’s beast to wear,
which more than Virtue vulgar hearts doth claim:
They cry, ‘Let go!’ and now the trump’s shrill blare
fireth the warrior-heart with fiercer flame:
All prick at once the spur, all slack the bit,
all couch the lances; earth by fire is lit.
“The tramp of destr’iers riseth with a noise 64
as though some quake of earth rolled ’neath their tread:
Heart-strings in bosoms flutter; gazing eyes
are fixt in mingled sense of joy and dread:
This, from his charger not dismounting flies;
that groaneth falling with his falling steed;
this hath his snow-white mail with vermeil dyed;
that, with his helm-plume flogs his courser’s side.
“Some sleep to wake no more, in lasting swoon 65
passing from life to death with hasty course:
Horses sans riders here o’er tilt-yard run,
and there the rider runs without the horse:
Now falleth English pride from off her throne;
for two or three depart the Pale parforce,
while they the battle-brand who came to wield,
find more than harness holds, or mail, or shield.
“To waste long words and War’s extremes to show 66
of slashing cuts, and thrusts of cruel pain,
were work of wastrel-men who, well we trow,
of leisure lavish, vainest dream’ery feign:
Let it in fine suffice that all ye know
how with the fame of high finesse, remain
Victory’s palms with us; and ev’ery Dame
a glorious victress, did retrieve her fame.
“The Duke our conqu’ering Twelve forthwith invites 67
where ring his halls with feast and wassail gay:
Hunters and kitcheners to toil incites
of the Twelve Dames that goodly company;
who glad had lavisht on their saviour Knights
a thousand banquets ev’ery hour o’ the day,
long as on English-land they list to roam,
before returning to the dear-loved home.
“Withal, the great Magriço, men declare, 68
wishing the Wonders of the World to view,
abroad remainèd and performèd there
for Flanders’ Countess not’able service true:
And be’ing no carpet-knight, but prompt to dare
what exploits, Mars! thou biddest man to do
He slew a Frank in field; and thus had he
Torquatus’ and Corvinus’ destiny.
“Of the stout Twelve another cast his lot 69
in Almayne, where him fiercely challengèd
a wily German, who had planned such plot
his life depended from a single thread.”
Velloso ceasing here, his mates besought
he would not leave the glorious tale unsaid
anent Magriço, and the meed he met,
nor e’en the caitiff German Knight forget.
But at this passage when each prickt his ear, 70
behold! the Master conning sky and cloud,
pipeth his whistle; waken as they hear
starboard and larboard all the startled crowd:
And, as the breeze blew fresh’ening shrill and sheer,
he bade them take in topsails shouting loud
“Yarely, my lads! look out, the wind increases
from yon black thunder-cloud before our faces.”
Scarce were the foresails hurr’iedly taken in, 71
when sharp and sudden bursts the roaring gale:
“Furl!” cried the Master with as loud a din,
“Furl!” cried he, “Furl for life the mainmast-sail!”
The furious gusts wait not till they begin
furling the canvas; but conjoint assail
and tear it with such crash to shreds and tatters
as though a ruined world the Storm-wind shatters.
Meanwhile the Crew with cries the welkin tore, 72
in panick fear and gen’eral disaccord;
for as the canvas split, the hull heel’d o’er,
broad sheets of water shipping by the board.
“Heave!” roared the Master with a mighty roar,
“Heave overboard your all, tog’ether’s the word!
Others go work the pumps, and with a will:
The pumps! and sharp, look sharp, before she fill!”
Hurrieth to ply the pumps the soldier-host, 73
but ere they reachèd them, the rolling sea
and tem’erous waves the ship so pitcht and tost,
all lost their footing falling to the lee.
Three stalwart sailors who best thews could boast,
sufficèd not to make the helm work free;
tackles to starboard, yokes to port they lashèd,
yet all their pow’er and practice stood abashèd.
Such were the gale-gusts, never Tempest blew 74
with more of cruel will, of feller stowre,
as though its mission were t’ uproot and strew
on plain of Babel, Babel’s tallest tow’er:
’Mid the great washing waves that greater grew,
dwindled the puissant Ship to stature lower
than her own cock; and ’twas a thing of fear,
seeing her in such surges swim and steer.
The sturdy craft that Paul da Gama bears, 75
beareth her mainmast broken clean in twain
and well-nigh water-logged: The crew in prayers,
calls upon Him who came to ransom men.
Nor less vain clamours to the empty airs
Coelho’s vessel casts by fear o’ertane;
though there the Master had more caution shown,
furling his canvas ere the storm came down.
In air the Ships are thrown with ev’ery throw 76
of furious Neptune’s crests that kissed the cloud:
Anon appeared the keels to settle low
where horrid Glooms the deep sea bowels shroud.
While Notus, Auster, Boreas, Aquilo
the world-machine to wreck and ruin crowd:
Gleamèd and glarèd pitchy hideous night
with Leven burning all the polar height.
The Halcyon birds their melancholy wail 77
piped, as they cowered on the salvage shore;
remembering aye the wrongful long-past tale
of woes the waters wrought to them of yore:
Meanwhile th’enamoured Dolphins fled the gale
to shelt’ering grottos in the deep-sea floor,
although the mighty winds and mightier waves
threatenèd danger in their deepest caves.
Ne’er forged such lightning-bolts of living fire 78
against the Giants’ haught rebellious band,
the great toil-sordid Blacksmith, in desire
to grace with radiant arms his stepson’s hand.
Never was known the mighty Thunderer’s ire
to rain such fulm’inant fulgor o’er the land
in the great Deluge, which alone withstood
the pair that changèd stones to flesh and blood.
How many mountains levelled with the lea 79
those Waves that burst and brake with awful might!
How many a gnarlèd trunk of ancient tree
the Winds uptore with wild and wilful spite!
Ne’er reckt those bulky cable-roots to see
their heels upturned to meet the heav’enly light;
nor thought the deep-laid sands that floods could flow
so fierce, and raise aloft what lay below.
Da Gama, seeing that so near the scope 80
of his long voyage, ev’ery chance had failèd;
seeing the seas to depths infernal ope,
then with redoubled rage the Lift assailèd:
By nat’ural Fear confused, and sans a hope
of Life, where nought of heart or art availèd,
to that high Puissance, and that certain Aid
which makes th’ imposs’ible possible, thus pray’d:--
“Celestial Guard! divine, angelical 81
of Skies and Earth and Sea sole Suzerain;
Thou, who didst lead Thy people Israël
thro’ Erythrean waters cleft in twain:
Thou, who didst fain defend thy servant Paul
from sandy Syrtes and the monstrous Main,
Who deign’edst the second Sire and children save
to fill the regions emptied by the Wave:
“If through new perilous paths a way I wore 82
through other Scyllas and Charybdes came,
Saw other Syrtes reef the sandy floor,
other Acroceraunian rocks infame:
Why, when such labours are wellnigh no more,
why are we thus abandoned, left to shame,
if by our travails Thou be not offended
Nay, if Thy greater glory be intended?
“Oh happy they whose hap it was to die 83
on grided points of lances African;
to fall, while striving still to bear on high
our Holy Faith in regions Mauritan!
Whose feats illustrious live in ear and eye,
whose mem’ories aye shall haunt the heart of man;
whose Lives by ending life win living name,
whose Deaths are sweeten’d by a deathless Fame!”
Thus he, while battling Winds still fiercer clashèd, 84
like raging Bulls indomitably wood;
to greater rage the raging gale was lashèd,
hissing and howling through the twiney shroud:
The lightnings’ dreadful night-light brighter flashèd,
and fearful thunders rolled and rent the cloud,
as though the Heavens to Earth unaxled fell,
and the four Elements in battle mell.
But now the lovely Star[144] with sparkling ray, 85
led forth clear Sol in Eastern hemisphere;
Day’s lovely Herald hasting to display
her gladdening brow, and Earth and Sea to cheer:
The Goddess-ruler of its skyey way,
whom faulchion-girt Orion flies in fear
when seen the billows and her dear-loved Fleet
with equal anger and with fear was smit.
“Here, certès, Bacchus’ handwork I descry,” 86
quoth she, “but Fortune ne’er shall gar him gain
his wicked object, nor shall ’scape mine eye
the damn’d intention which he plans in vain.”
Thus she; and slipping instant from the sky
lightly she ’lighteth on the spacious Main,
bidding her Nymphs to wear as on she sped
a rosy garland on each golden head.
Garlands she bade them wear of varied hue, 87
on blondest tresses of the purest shine:
Who had not said the ruddy florets grew
on nat’ural gold, which Love had loved to ’twine?
To tame and blandish by the charming view
the noisome crew of Winds, she doth design
her galaxy of Nymphs, a train as fair
as Planets dancing on the plains of air.
And thus it was: For when in Beauty’s pride 88
showed the fair Bevy, faded straight away
the force wherewith each windy Warrior vied,
and all surrender’d happy to obey:
It seemed their mighty feet and hands were tied
by hanks of hair that dimmed the leven-ray;
meanwhile her Boreas, she who ruled his breast,
loveliest Orithyia, thus addrest:--
“Think not, fere Boreas! e’er ’twas thought of mine 89
that thou hast lovèd me with constant love;
for gentle ways be Love’s securest sign;
wrath has no power the lover’s heart to move:
See, an thou bridle not that rage indign,
expect no grace of me, whom ’twill behove
henceforth to murther Love by deadly Fear;
for Love is terror when Fear draweth near.”
Bespake fair Galatéa in such strain 90
her furious Notus; for she wots right well
long in her presence pleasure he had tane,
and now she feeleth he must feel her spell.
The Salvage scarcely can his joy contain,
nor will his heart within his bosom dwell;
o’erjoyed to view his Dame vouchsafe command,
he deems ’tis little to wax soft and bland.
Thus eke had others equal pow’er to tame 91
those other lovers who their hests obey’d;
yielding to Venus every Wind became
tranquil of semblance by new softness sway’d:
She promised, seen their loves her aidance claim,
in Love’s sweet wars her sempiternal aid;
and took their homage on her beauteous hands,
to bear, while sail the Ships, her dear commands.
Now splendid Morning tipt the hills with red 92
whence rolls the Gange his sacred sounding tide,
when seamen percht upon the topmast head
Highlands far rising o’er the prows descried:[145]
Now, ’scaped the tempest and the first sea-dread,
fled from each bosom terrors vain, and cried
the Melindanian Pilot in delight,
“Calecut-land, if aught I see aright!”
“This is, pardie, the very Land of Inde, 93
what realms you seek behold! ahead appear;
and if no farther Earth ye long to find,
your long-drawn travail finds its limit here.”
No more the Gama could compose his mind
for joy to see that Inde is known and near;
with knees on deck and hands to Heav’en upraisèd
the God who gave such gift of grace he praisèd:
Praise to his God he gave, and rightly gave, 94
for he not only to that Bourne was brought
wherefore such perils he and his did brave,
wherefore with toil and moil so sore he fought;
but more, because so barely ’scaped the grave
when raging Ocean death for him had wrought
by the dure fervid Winds’ terrifick might,
he was like one who wakes from dream of fright.
Amid such fierce extremes of Fear and Pain, 95
such grievous labours, perils lacking name,
whoso fair Honour wooeth aye shall gain,
Man’s true nobility, immortal Fame:
Not those who ever lean on antient strain,
imping on noble trunk a barren claim,
not those reclining on the golden beds,
where Moscow’s Zebelin downy softness spreads:
Not with the novel viands exquisite, 96
not with the languid wanton promenade,
not with the pleasures varied infinite,
which gen’erous souls effeminate, degrade:
Not with the never-conquer’d appetite,
by Fortune pamper’d as by Fortune made,
that suffers none to change and seek the meed
of Valour, daring some heroick Deed:
But by the doughty arm and sword that chase 97
Honour which man may proudly hail his own;
in weary vigil, in the steely case,
’mid wrathsome winds and bitter billows thrown,
suff’ering the frigid rigours in th’ embrace
of South, and regions lorn, and lere, and lone;
swall’owing the tainted rations’ scanty dole,
salted with toil of body, moil of soul:
The face enforcing when the cheek would pale 98
to wear assurèd aspect glad and fain;
and meet the red-hot balls, whose whistling hail
spreads comrades’ arms and legs on battle-plain.
Thus honour’d hardness shall the heart prevail,
to scoff at honours and vile gold disdain,
the gold, the honours often forged by Chance,
no Valour gained, no Virtue shall enhance.
Thus wax our mortal wits immortal bright 99
by long Experience led, Man’s truest guide;
and thus the soul shall see, from heavenly height,
the maze of human pettiness and pride:
Whoso shall rule his life by Reason-light
which feeble Passion ne’er hath power to hide,
shall rise (as rise he ought) to HONOUR true,
maugre his will that ne’er hath stoop’d to sue.