Canto 8

On the first Figure stuck the HAGARENE,
Which in the waving Flag did come and go:
Upon a leavie staffe it seem'd to leane,
With a long combed Beard, white as the snow.
Who this grave Warriour is, and what should meane
That same device he bears, he longs to know.
PAUL tells him: whose wise words which here insue,
MONSAYDE rendred, who both Idioms knew.

These FIGURES all (which, moving, seem alive)
As fierce and warlike as they show, for here;
By the bright fame that doth of them survive,
In truth, and Fact, more fierce and warlike were.
They stand far off in time: Through perspective
Of cleer WITS yet, they •oom both great and neer.
This thou now seest, is LUSUS, from whom Fame
Gives to our Kingdom LUSITANIA'S name.

He was that THEBAN'S Son, or else Camrade,
Who in so many Lands did Lawrels gaine.
Following the Wars (which he did make his Trade)
This LUSUS built at length a Nest in SPAINE,
With those delicious Fields so well apaid
(Th'Elysian once) 'twixt DWERE, and GUADIAN•;
That there he set up his long Rest. He gave
A Name, to Those; and Those, to Him, a Grave.

The leavy staffe (he bears for his Device)
The Thyrsus is, That BACCHUS self did beare;
Which is to Us, a letter of Advice
And this was his own Son, or Friend as deare.
Seest Thou Another, who long Seas did slice
With wandering Keele, and Lands by TAGUS there,
Where he a Fane to PALLAS sacred calls,
And is the Author of eternal Walls?

It is Ulysses: who that Temple founded
For Her with Eloquence his Tongue that guilded.
If he in ASIA here fair TROY confounded,
In EUROPE there great LISBON hath he builded.
Who may this other be, which dead and wounded
That sows the •ield (his sword with both hands weilded)
Death and Destru•ion on great Hoasts that flings;
Where painted Eagles flye with true ones wings?

Thus said the Pagan. Thus replyes DE GAME.
This, thou now seest, a keeper was of Ewes
(And know, that VIRIATUS was his name)
But, better then a Hook, a Sword could use.
With this, he did affront the Roman Fame,
Invincible: nor Fame once got, did loose.
No, ROME had ne•re with Him, nor shall (that's more)
That luck, with PYRRHUS which she had before.

By Valour not, but creeping trechery,
They rob'd him of his life. Why doest thou wonder?
In desp'rate Cases MAGNANIMITY
It self, doth teare it's proper laws in sunder.
Behold Another (for Indignity
Received) with Us that did his Countrey thunder!
To gain immortal Honour he chose well
With whom to do it, if he must rebell.

With Us, behold, He likewise puts to flight
Those Birds that are the Favourites of JOVE!
So long ago, Nations of greatest might
Knew how to yield, when against ours they strove.
See with what wyle, and artificial Slight,
Our People he to fight his Quarrel drove,
Th'inspiring Hind, that helpt him with Advice!
He, is SERTORIUS: she, is his DEVICE.

Behold that other Flag! There painted, see,
Of our first Kings the great Progenitor!
We make him an HUNGARIAN; but, there bee,
That do affirm, he was a LORRAIGNOR.
After that overcome the MOORS had he,
GALLEGOS, and the LEON-WARRIOR,
Went holy HENRY to the Holy War:
To sanctifie the Trunk whence our Kings a•e.

Surpriz'd with wonder, who is this (demands)
Tell me, who this is (cryes the CATUALL)
That doth, so many troops, so many Bands,
Destroy and scatter with a Force so small?
So many Battailes strikes with his own hands?
With whose fierce Rams so many strong Tow'rs fall?
That fights in blood up to the Saddle-bow,
Whilst Flags and CROWNS fall at his feet like snow?

'Tis first ALPHONSO (doth DE GAME return)
Who from the MOOR all PORTUGALL did take.
FAME by the waters of black STYX hath sworn
Ne•re more to sing of ROMAN for his sake.
He, lov'd of Heav'n, with love of Heav'n did burn;
Whom GOD the scourge of MOORS (his Foes) did make:
Their Throne and Walls broke down to let CHRIST in,
And nothing left there for his Heyrs to win.

Had CAESAR fought, had ALEXANDER GREAT,
With such thin Troops, so slender, and so short,
Against such num'rous Armies, as were beat
By this brave King, of every kind, and sort:
Believe•t nor He, nor He, with JOVE had eat;
Nor their proud Fames made such a lowd report.
But leave his Acts (too glorious to unfold!)
His Vassails deeds are worthy to be told.

This, whom thou seest upon his pupil (broke)
All patience lost, casting an angry Face;
Bidding him rally up his scatt'red Folke,
And turn again to justifie the place;
Turns the young man, turns the old man That spoke,
And turns with, them the day in a small space:
EGAS the name, which the brave old man hath,
Tutor of MARS, myrrour of Subjects faith.

There, how he marcheth with his children, look,
(Barefoot, and Ropes about their Necks) t'his end;
Because the young man, as he undertook,
To pay CASTEEL low Homage could not bend!
He rays'd the Seige with Craft, and Oaths he took,
When vain were Arms the Rampire to defend.
He pays the forfeit with his Babes, and Wife:
And, to preserve his Master, gives his life.

Less did that CONSULL, who through folly was
Caught at the CAUDINE GALLOWS in a Trap,
When Him insulting Samnites forc't to pass
Under that shameful yoak they there did clap.
He, (brave and constant) did himself disgrace,
To save his Army in so sad mishap:
This gives to shame, and death, himself, his deer
Children, and guiltless Spouse: the last goes neer.

Seest thou this man, who from an Ambuscade
Beats up a King, besieging a strong Town,
The Leaguer's rays'd, the King his pris'ner made:
A deed great MARS could wish had been his own!
See him again (now Head of an Armade)
Massacring MOORS upon the watry Down!
Boarding their Galleys, carrying cleer away
PORTUGAL'S mayden Victory at Sea!

It is DON FUAS ROUPINIO; on the Land,
And on the Ocean, gaining equal Fame:
Which from the fired Galleys (neer the Strand
Of AVILA) shines glorious in their flame.
See, how content he fa•ls by the same Hand,
The Fortune alter'd, but the Cause the same!
Like Palme (deprest in vain) through shafts of MOR•
His happy Soule to Heav'n triumphant soares.

Seest thou not, landing there in strange Attire
From a great Navy, Troops A•xiliar;
Not without which, our first King did acquire
LISBON (their Prologue to the Holy-War)!
Of these, did HENRY (famous Knight ) expire.
Behold Palms sprouting from his Tomb! They are
CHRIST'S supernatural Badge, for Him to weare
Who, born a GERMAN, dyed a Martyr there.

See a Priest brandish (not in vain) his Blade
Against ARRONCHEZ, with revenge sharp whet,
To quit for LEYRIA, which They taken had
Who couch the Speare in Rest for MAHOMET!
'Tis PRIOR TEUTON.—But, a Seige is laid
To SANTAREN. Look, how Secure, and Great,
That FIGURE plants upon her scaled wall
The ever-winning Cinques of PORTUGALL

Behold once more (where SANCHO overthrows
In a fierce war the ANDALUSIAN MOORE.)
He kills th' Alferez charging through the Foes,
And makes SEVILIA'S Standard mat the floore.
MEM MONIZ 'tis; (How like his Sire he shows,
The Phenix of his Ashes?) worthy sure
The Royal Flag, and This; who his, did put
Up, with his Hand; the Foe's feld at his foot.

See Him, that by his Lance descending slid
With the two Centenells's two heads by night,
To where he hath his men in ambush hid,
With whom he gains the Town by force and slight!
That takes for Arms the Knight, who take that did,
And the cold Heads in one hand of the Knight.
He, That atchiev'd this unexampled deed,
His name, is GERRARD: Surname, without dreed.

Doest thou not see a wrong'd CASTILIAN
By their ninth King ALPHONSO (for old gall
To those of LARA) to the MOORS That ran,
Making himself a Foe to PORTUGALL?
ABRANTES with those Infidels he wan
With whom into our Countrey he did fall:
But a bold PORTINGALL, with a small Force,
Here takes him pris'ner; routed Foot and Horse.

DON MARTIN LOPEZ is the man, that crops
The Lawrels he was grasping. But behold
An Apostollick Warriour, That chops
For Lance of Steel his Crosiers staffe of gold!
See, how erect the stagg'ring minds he props!
How hot to fight the MOOR, his men grown cold!
Behold his Vision in auspicious skyes,
With which the few he has, he fortifies!

Then SEVILL'S King, and He of CORDOUA,
With other two, Loe routed! Nor alone
Routed, but slain! The strength that got this Day,
Was not of Man: GOD claim'd it as his owne.
See now ALCACER hath no more to say,
Though, lin'd with steel, her Battlements of stone.
To MATTHEW (LISBON'S Bishop) she submits:
Who Sprigs of Palme into his Miter knits.

Behold a Master poud'ring from CASTEEL
(A PORTINGALL by Birth) ALGARVES Land
How he does conquer, his devouring Steel
Incount'ring none that can the same withstand.
Strong Towns (by broad day scal'd) see, what they •eel:
Such his good star, so certain is his Hand.
Big with Revenge (Loe!) TAVILA he takes,
And makes it smart for the SEV'N HUNTERS'S sakes.

See, how of SYLVES Master he became
By Stratagem! (the MOOR paid dearer for't)
CORREA DON PELAYO is his name,
In whom (to envy) Wit and Force consort.
But the PAYR-ROYAL thou o reseest of FAME,
That did such Fears in French and Spanish Court.
By Justs, and Tournaments, and Duels, there,
Immortal Lawrels they did win and weare.

Loe, by the name of KNIGHTS ADVENTURERS,
Into the Kingdom of CASTEEL they come;
Where, in BELLONAS sports, not one but beares
The prize away (they prove true jests to some)!
See, dead, the prow'd Castilian Cavaleers,
That challeng'd one of them by sound of drum!
RIVERS GONZAGUE was He. Propt with his Sword,
His Gyant-Fame did LETHE'S River ford.

Mark well that Knight, by FAME so lov'd and sung,
That her old Theames are scorn'd, are out of date!
Of his dear Countrey, by one thrid that hung,
On his strong shoulders he sustayn'd the weight.
See, where (with Anger dide) a peale he rung
To a cowd People, and degenerate,
That they a stranger's yoake might from them fling,
And take the sweet one of their native King.

See, through this Counsel, and his prowes• too,
Guided by GOD, and his good star alone,
What was impossible in humane view,
The vast Castilian Army overthrown!
See, through his Valour, force, and care, a new
Cleer Victory (inferiour unto none)
Over a People, fierce as num'rous, Here
'Twixt GUADOANA and […]

Seest thou not There how almost routed is
The Lusitanian Hoast, through the retreat
Of this Religious Leader (whom they miss)
Th'assistance of the Lord of Hoasts t'intreat?
See, with pale haste he's now found out by his,
Who tell him, there's no dealing with so great
A Pow'r; that he himself would look thereto,
And with his presence cheer his fainting Crew!

But see, with what a holy carelesness
He answers them; 'Tis yet too soon to goe:
As who, by Faith, already did possess
The Victory which GOD will streight bestow.
POMPILIUS thus (his Kingdom in distress
By suddain inroad of a potent Foe)
To Them That bring him the ill News, replyes;
And I (ye see) am off'ring sacrifice.

What his name is thou long'st to know (I see)
That with such boldness on his GOD did seize:
The LUSITANIAN SCIPIO it should bee,
Were not a greater NUNIO ALVAREZ.
O Countrey blest in such a Son as He,
Indeed thy Father! whilst SOL compasses
This Globe of NEPTUNE, and of CERES yellow,
To mourn again, thou ne're shalt own his fellow.

Victorious, see, in the same war, and Cause,
Another Captain of a Squadron small!
He routs Commendum'd Knights, and lays his paws
On the great Prey they marcht away withal.
See where his reeking Blade again he draws,
Rescuing his Friend from Foes That lead him Thrall:
His Friend, a martyr for his loyalty!
PEDRO RODRIGUEZ LANDROAL was Hee.

See yon Faith-breaker, paying an old score
And the base pelfe he up at int'rest took!
GIL-FERNAND-ELVAS plays his Auditore,
And with the Debtor's death crosses the Book.
Here drowns, in their Castilian Owners gore,
The SHERREZ-Fields (their sacks they may go look).
But see PEREYRA; who, like Lightning thrown
Upon the Foe's Armada, shields his own!

Behold, how poor sev'nteen of PORTUGALL
(Upon a Mountain) brave resistance make
Against four hundred of CASTEEL, That wall
Them in on ev'ry side, to sweep the Stake!
But (to their cost) these find a crew so small
More then Defendants in that bloody Wake.
A deed deserving everlasting Rimes:
Match it elsewhere, in old or modern Times.

Of Ours (I grant) three hundred did ingage
And rout a thousand ROMANS, in that Time
When VIRIATUS came upon the Stage,
Aud his Fame lightned through each wond'ring Clime.
Whence Those, who follow'd him in that brave Age,
Left to their Race this Legacie sublime,
Never to fear a Foe for multitude:
Which, that we do not, pretty well w'have shew'd.

Two Princes here (PEDRO, and HENRY) see
Generous Progenie of our first JOHN!
The one, sorc'd FAME into HIGH GERMANIE
To lacquay him (defrauding death of one):
T'other, to trumpet Him through the wide SEA
For it's discov'rer; and (his Pen by thrown)
Makes enter'd CEUTA see on t'other side
His Lance can prick the bladder of her Pride.

Behold the Earle DON PEDRO, holding out
Two Seiges, 'gainst the pow'r of BARBARIE!
Behold another Earle, as strong, as stout,
As MARS himself, and fam•d for Chevalrie!
Who, not content (with Foes claspt round about)
ALCACER to defend most gallantly,
Of his KING too the pretious life defends;
And (as his Bulwark there) his own expends.

Many a FIGURE, in these Flags that wants,
The PAINTER (truly) •id to add intend,
But Pencils he doth lack, lacks Oyle, and Paints:
"Meed, Honour, Favour, are Arts's Life, Nurse, Frend.
The fault in our degenerating Plants
From those high Trunks of which they do descend.
Of Vanitie we see sufficient Flow'rs:
But where's the good Fruit of their Ancestours?

Those truly noble Ancestors of theirs
(From whom this swelling greatness had it's Rise)
For VERTUE'S love, digested bitter Cares,
And of their Houses to inhance the Price.
Blind! to intaile (with wealth) sloath on their Heirs
(VERTUE supplying fewel unto Vice)
Disfig'ring them to boot: For, in this case,
"The Founder's Glory is his Seed's disgrace.

Others there are, with wealth, and Pow'r that flow
Above their Banks; nor nobly born, nor faire.
The fault of KINGS: who on one Minion throw
(Sometimes) more then a thousand worthier share.
Of These wouldst thou behold the Pictures? No:
It is a vanity their Friends can spare.
As monstrous Creatures MYRRORS fly, or break:
So these men hate the PICTURE that doth speak.

I not deny, but some (whom I could name)
Deriv'd from great and worthy Ancestry;
By high and honorable Parts proclame,
And correspond with, their nobility:
Who, if the light of their Fore-Fathers Fame
Their brighter Vertue do not clarify;
Yet, keep it in they do. But, of this Crew,
The PAINTER tells me there are very few.

Thus PAUL DE GAMA blazons those great deeds
Which there in various Ink are written faire;
Which by a Master's hand (whose skill exceeds)
In so cleer Perspective there painted are.
Th' intentive CATUAL distinctly reeds
The History, as legible, as rare:
A thousand times he askt, a thousand heard,
The Battails delicate which there appear'd.

But cleft was now the Sun's ambiguous light
Between the one and t'other Hemisphere;
In neither was it day, in neither night,
But morning's twylight here, and Ev'nings there:
When, from the warlike Ship, the FAVOURITE
And noble NAYRES, to the City steer
To court dull sleep; which broods all living Things
Of sable Night under the downy wings.

Mean time the famous Augurs of the Land
(Who falsly think, or so are thought at least,
To see by magick all things beforehand
In entrails of a sacrificed Beast)
Do their black office, at the King's command,
To scrutinize, what shall befall the EAST
By the arrival through the hansell d Maine,
Of these unheard of Guests from unknown SPAINE

Of Lyes the Father shews them here signes true;
That a strong yoake, which they should ne're remove,
Their endless Bondage, shall, this People new,
The•r wealth s consumption, and their people's prove.
The frighted AUGURS with pale horror flew
To tell the KING, that which infernal JOVE
Made legible by their astonisht Eyes
In the red letters of the Sacrifice.

Confirming This, T'a Priest (a zealous one,
And pillar of the Law of […],
Whose Bosome with that Gall did over-run
Wherewith both Sects against CHRIST's Law are set,
In that false Prophet s shape, who from the Son
Of Bond-mayd HAGAR did descend) the yet
Inraged BACCHUS, and who never cleers
His filthy stomack, in a Dream appeers.

And, guard you, guard you, People mine (quoth He)
From Ills provided for you by the Foe,
That cuts a passage to you through the Sea:
Guard you, before the danger neerer •row.
Th amazed MOOR starts from his Rest, to see
Who gave him this alarum. Thinking Tho,
'Tis but a Dream (like common Dreams, in deep
Of Night) returns into the Arms of sleep.

BACCHUS returns, and says. Knowst thou not (MORE)
The great Law-Give•, who the ALCORAN
Shew'd thy Fore-Fathers, without which Thy store
Would fail, and half thy Flock be CHRISTIAN?
Rude, do I watch for Thee, and doest thou snore?
Well, those white Guests (I'• have thee to know, than)
Shall bring great dammage to that Law, my Pen
Deliver'd over unto stupid Men.

Now whilst this People's strength is not yet knit,
Think how ye may resist them by all ways.
For, when the Sun is in his nonage yit,
Upon his morning Beauty Men may gaze;
But let him once up to his Zenith git,
He strikes them blind with his Meridian Rays:
So blind will ye be, if ye look not too•t,
If ye permit these Cedars to take root.

This said: both he, and sleep, vanish at once.
The MOOR remains: rockt in his Bed with fright.
Th'infused poyson working in his sconce
He starts, and to his servants cryes a light.
When the new light (which doth precede the Sun's)
Disclos'd it self Angelical, and white:
The Chief of that vile SECT he did convoke,
To whom his Dreame in every point he spoke.

Then sev'ral, and cross Reasons they discourse;
As they from others, or themselves, dissent.
Secret way-layings, open Fe•d, and Force,
And sev'ral ways of each they do invent.
But, when those seem'd too fine, and these too course,
To take a middle way is their intent.
To do their buis'ness with another's Hand,
They mean to bribe the Grand•s of the Land.

With Gold, and other Presents underhand,
The ruling men they to their Partie gaine;
Giving them speciously to understand,
These Guests will put a period to their Raigne:
That of lewd Vagabonds they are a Band,
Who, plying to and fro the Western Mayne,
Live on Pyratick spoyle, without (in fine)
Or KING, or LAWS, or humane, or divine.

O how a Perfect KING it doth behove
To chuse his FAVOURITES and COUNCELL such
As are lined through with VERTUE, and her love;
As feel of […] a true inward touch!
For He (who in the highest Orb doth move)
Of things remote can onely have so much
Intelligence, whereby to judge, as They
That are his outward Organs will convey.

Nor ev'n on VERTUE let him so much do•e,
T'adore't in picture, or without Controule
T'imploy't; as some, who in a simple Coat
Have trust an Hypocrite (a preying Foule)
And, if a Saint indeed, hee'l speak by rote
In worldly matters: For the D•ve like soule
Seeld with an ANGE•L'S Quill, hath Eyes to find
The way to Heav'n, but to the Earth is blind.

But here, these avaritious CATUALL,
Who did that Pagan-Kingdom rule and sway,
Brib'd by infernal People to play false,
The Portingal-Dispatches did delay.
Now the wise Leader of the PORTINGALS,
Of all the Indian Prince can do, or say,
Caring for nothing back with him to bring
But news of this discov'rie to the King:

In this alone takes pains. For well he knew,
When he should carry back this news alone,
That Navies, Arms, and soldiers would insue
From MANUEL, who fills the Regal Throne;
With which to CHRIST, and Him, he would subdue
The Globe of Earth, and Sea: That Himselfe s one
Sent out but as a Dove, as a Line hurld,
To spy, and sound, this OCEAN, and this WORLD.

Resolv'd he is, the Pagan King to find,
And pray dispatch, that he may take his leave;
Which now he sees, those spightful People mind
(If they can help it) he shall ne're receave.
The King, who with suggestions of that kind
Was shook and startled you must needs conceave
(Too credulous to ev'ry AUGUR'S word,
Much more to All, and when the MOORS concurr'd):

Freez'd with this fear hath his ignoble Brest.
On t'other side the sacred Thirst of Gaine
(A Vice in Him that's Paramount the r•st)
Kindles a fire which thaws that Frost againe.
For his advantage he sees manifest,
If he with cleer intentions entertaine,
•nd with firm Actions cherish, and pursue,
The League which PORTUGAL invites him to.

His COUNCELL then commanded to attend,
He found no One that did in this comply:
Because on Those, who should their judgements spend,
Money had done it's office pow'rfully.
For the magnanimous Captain he doth send.
To whom (arriv'd) with a Majestick Eye;
If, here, the pure and naked Truth, to me
Thou wilt confess; I pardon thee (quoth He).

I am assur'd, th' Ambassage thou hast done
To me in thy King s name, is meerly coyn'd:
For that, nor King, nor Countrey doest thou own,
But (vagabonding) sayl'dst with ev'ry wind.
From farthest SPAIN'S remotest Region
Would any King, or Prince (in his right mind)
A single ship much less a Navy send,
Through so inc•rtain ways to the WORLD'S end?

And, if thy King support his Majesty
Which great and potent Realms, which he commands;
Thy unknown Truth to prove and testifie,
What pretious presents knit this friendship's bands?
"In resents rich, in sumptuous Guifts and high,
"Kings speak their loves: Their Rhet'rick's in their Hands.
A Hand, that gives not Any falsifies:
Nor will a Sea-man's testing it suffice.

If banisht from thy native soyle thou be
(As many a man hath been of great Renown)
Welcom, by JOVE, both to my Realms, and me:
"For to the Valiant ev'ry Land's his own.
Or if, a Pyrat, thou infest the Sea;
Spare not through fear, or shame, to make that known:
"For in all times, a vital breath to draw,
"NECESSITIE hath been exempt from Law.

He said. DE GAMA (finding this new Face
Of Things, is from the greedy CATUALLS;
Suborn'd, by ISHMAEL'S malicious Race,
The Royal Ear to poyson with things false)
With such a high assurance, as the Case
Requir d, instead of fresh Credentials,
(Which VENUS ACIDALIA did inspire)
To his wise Breast (surcharged) thus gave fire.

If the gilt Cup of Lyes (which MAN betrayd
Out of his Paradice) had not pledg'd bin
By our first Parents, and by them convayd
From hand to hand through foul original sin;
Till in the hand of MAHOMET it stayd,
Who suckt the very dreggs that were therein:
Most mighty King, thou never had'st receiv'd
This Calumny by that damn'd Sect conceiv'd.

But, in as much as there's no good that's great
Done withour great Contract; and Actions tall
(For man his bread in his Brows sweat must eat.)
That stand on tiptoe, are tript at by All;
Therefore they brand me for a Counterfait,
Therefore doest Thou my Truth in question call,
Although so cleer, that see it needs thou must,
Didst thou not credit whom thou shouldst MISTRUST.

For, if I liv'd by robbing on the Sea,
Or (wreck of Fortune) banisht my dear Home;
What need I go so far to seek my Prey?
For unknown Mansions need I hither roam.
What gain, what hopes, could make me in this way
To tempt the fury of the waves that foam,
Antartick colds, Heats of the burning line,
Where Aries hangs, the Equinoxial sign?

If on great Gifts of estimation high
The credit due to me thou pin and cast;
My comming now was onely to descry
Where NATURE hath thy ancient Kingdome place:
But to my Countrey, and Dread Leige, if I
Through Fortune's goodness get, long Seas re-past;
At my return I promise thee (O King)
That such CREDENTIALS never man did bring.

If unto Thee an uncouth thing it show,
That, where her farthest Arm HESPERIA flings,
A King should send me to thee, Thou should'st know
That nothing possible is hard to Kings.
Then Kings of PORTUGAL• (if this be so)
May be allow'd, for spreading of their wings,
Something of greater, and of larger scope,
Then what is giv'n for common Kings to hope.

Know, that for several Generations past
Our Kings have firmly purpos'd in their hearts,
With all those Toyles and Dangers to contrast
Wherewith Heroick deeds whole NATURE thwarts:
And (Enemies to sloath) of th'OCEAN vast
Piercing into the undiscover'd Parts,
Aspir'd to know the end of it, and where
The farthest Countreys, which it washes, were.

The worthy Project of the learned Branch
Of that victorious King, who, to displant
From his dear Nest, did through the Sea first lanch,
Of AVILA the last Inhabitant
He joyning one unto another planch,
(As far from Idle as from Ignorant.)
Discover'd all those Parts, which lighted are
By Argo, Hydra, th' Altar, and the Hare.

Gath'ring fresh courage then from the event,
In that those first endeavours prov'd not vain,
Discov'ring farther new Advent'rers went
Successively the secrets of the Maine.
Th'Inhabitants of AFFRICK, That frequent
Her SOUTHERN CAPE, and never saw CHARLSWAYN,
Were seen by These: leaving behind each Isle,
And Continent, which Both the Tropicks broyle.

With this so high Resolve, and fixt therein,
Our Nation quell'd, and triumpht over Chance:
Till I, now ending what Those did begin,
The farthest Piller in thy Realm advance.
Breaking the Element of molten Tyn,
Through horrid storms I lead to thee the Dance;
From whom (to carry to my King) I ask
Onely a sign that I have done my Task.

This is Truth (King) For, for so doubtful gain
So inconsiderable a Content,
As (were it other) I could hope; so vain
A lye, and formal, I would scorn t'invent.
No, on the restless Bosome of the MAYN,
To set my Rest up, I would first consent
Forever; and by •yracy to get
An unjust living out of others swet.

So that, O KING! if my great Veritie
Thou hold (as 'tis) for single and sincere;
Dispatch me to my Prince with brevitie,
Hold me no longer from my Country deare.
But if the scruple still remain in thee,
Ponder the Reasons I have render'd Here;
I lay them in thy piercing judgements scale
Secure: "For great is truth, and will prevail.

The King markt all along the Confidence
Which DE GAME ev'n proved his discourse.
A full assurance of h•s Innocence,
A perfect credit did this speech inforce.
He weighs the copious Words's magnificence,
Th'authoritie with which they fetch their source:
Thinks now the CATUALL deceived is;
But He is brib'd: and so he thinks amis,

Added to this, his avaritious Eye
Upon the gainful Trade of PORTUGALL
Makes him obey; and rather to comply
With the brave Captain, then the Moorish gall.
In short, he bids DE GAMA presently
Get him aboard his Fleet; and, without all
Suspect of harm, whatever Merchandice
To send ashore to sell, or truck for Spice.

In fine, he bids him send of every thing
That in Gangetick Kingdoms is not met;
If ought that fits them from that Land he bring
Where the Land ends begins the Ocean great
Now, from the awful presence of the King
Illustrious GAMA parteth; to intreat
The CATUALL, That of the Ports had charge,
(His Own from shore) to order him a Barge.

A Barge he prays from this illustrious Lord:
But this is more, then he is well content
(As ruminating mischiefe) to afford:
Pretending this and that impediment.
Yet (as in order to his going abord)
Far from the Royal Court with Him he went,
Where he (unnoted by the King) may write,
To Avarice what malice did indite.

He tells him, yonder afar off, that He
Hath imb•rcation fitter for his turn;
Or that to morrow it may better be,
If he till then his going will adjourn.
Now did abused GAMA plainly see,
By this put off unto another morn,
The great one too is in the Moorish plot:
Which t I that instant he suspected not.

This CATUAL was one (and first) of Those
That were corrupted by that crooked Sect:
And whom the SAMORIM (that lov'd him) chose
Th Affairs of all his Empire to direct.
In Him alone those devils now repose.
To bring their plotted Treason to effect.
He (who consents to break his Master's faith)
Steps not an inch beside their chalked path.

To be dispatcht DE GAMA begs, and prays,
But begs in vain, in vain he pray'rs lets fall:
Protests th' Embargue; now will this please (he says)
The noble Successor of PERIMAL.
Why these Impediments, why these delays,
When he should fetch the Goods of PORTUGAL?
Since, what commands the Sov'raign of a Land,
None hath authority to countermand.

The bribed CATUALL small reck'ning made
Of this Protest: rather in spightful mood
Some never-heard of Treason (to be waigh'd
Out of the Stygian dam) within did brood.
Or, how he may imbrew his cursed Blade
In those detested veins, consid'ring stood:
Or, how the Ships he may blow up, or burn.
That they may never into SPAINI return.

That's it (ev'n that they never see SPAINE more)
For which the MOORS infernal Junta bribe:
That so they may not wealthy INDIA'S shore
Unto the Kiug of PORTUGAL describe.
In fine DH GAME goes not: the REGIDORE
Forbids, in favour of that barb'rous Tribe.
Nor without his permission can it be:
For a stop laid on all the Boats had He.

To all the Captain's importunities,
The Pagan bids him in a word, command
(For the more ready truck of Merchandize)
To have his Ships brought close up to the Land.
It is the way of Thieves, and Enemies
(He says) at distance with their Fleets to stand.
"No sign so sure of one that Ill intends
"As to suspect ill dealings from his Frends.

Wise GAMA understood by half a word,
The Cause the CATUAL did ne'er desire
To have the Ships, was, that with fire and Sword
He openly might wreake on them his Ire.
'Twas time (he thought) he now himself bestir'd,
That he assemble now his Wits intire.
His Fancy musters, to defeat all plots:
All things he fears, and all things counterplots.

As of a Mirrour, the reflected light,
Of burnisht Steel, or Cristal without stain,
Which struck by SOL (as if in fell despight)
Strikes the next man it meets, or Thing again:
And (mov'd by nimble Hand of some young spright
About the House, who is in gamesome vain)
Skips on the Floor, the Roof, the Wall, the Chaire;
And has you here, and There, and ev'ry where.

So shot the wav ring Fancy to and fro
Of circumspect DE GAMA; imagining
That possibly the Boats, COELLIO
Might to the shore (as he had order'd) bring.
Back to the Navy (if that were) to row,
He sends to Him forthwith advertising;
On Him, or That, lest ought attempted be
By the MOORS cruel Infidelitie.

Such should be All, who in war's Trade profound
Would imitate and match illustrious men;
Fly like the Needle all the Compass round,
First divine Dangers, and prevent them then,
With martial skill try ev'ry depth, and ground,
And for the Foe's one fence play shew Him ten;
Believe all is, that may be: For (in briefe)
"To say, I thought is ugly in a […].

The MALABAR protests, that he shall rot
In prison, if he send not for the Ships.
He (constant, and with noble Anger hot)
His haughty menace weighs not at two chips.
All, that base malice dares or do, or plot,
When her black trailing bowels forth she rips,
A lone hee'l bear, e're he will dis-ensure
His King's Armada which he hath secure.

All that long night, and part he there was held
Of the next day, when to the SAMORIM
He means again to go: but was withheld
By a strong Guard plac't in the entry dim.
The Pagan (seeing how he still rebell'd,
And fearing lest the King should punish Him
In case he knew, as know he must e're long,
If this restraint proceed, the barb rous wrong)

Bids him then send for, and expose to sale,
Not some, but all the Merchandise he brought
That men may buy and truck in open scale:
"For where free Trade is barr'd there war is sought,
DE GAMA (though he pierce through this thin vaile
And plainly views the Evil of his Thought)
Consents thereto: because he well doth see
That with his Goods he buys his libertie.

Th'agreement is, that Boats the Pagan find
Such as are fit to Land the Merchandise,
For to send his the Captain doth not mind
To be embarqu'd, or sunk by Enemies.
To fetch such Spanish wares, as Vend in YND,
Are soon dispatcht, the Indian Almadies.
The Captain to his Brother writes, to lade
The Goods with which his Ransom must be payd.

Landed they are: which wondrously doth please
The CATUAL'S infamous Avarice.
Therewith doth DIEGO stay, and ALVAREZ:
With pow'r to truck, or sell them at a price.
That (more, then KING, Pray'rs, Honor, or All these,
Upon a soul infected with that Vice)
A Bribe can do, the Pagan heer doth show:
Who, for the Goods did let DE GAMA go.

For Those, he lets Him go: before he quit
The Pawn, on which he now hath layd his hand,
Meaning a better penny thence to git
Then if he kept the Captain still on Land.
He (scapt out of the Trap) thinks it no wit
On t'other side, to come within command
Again: but (safely got aboard his Fleet)
In his own Nest takes sleeps secure, and sweet

At leisure then he walks upon his Decks
To see what Time and Patience will bring forth.
No Ruler hath he there to make him vex:
Imperious, brib'd, without or shame, or worth.
Now let the judging Reader mark what Rex
The Idol Gold (which all the World ador'th)
Plays both in •oor and Rich: by Money's Thurst
All Laws and Tyes (Divine, and Humane) burst.

Slain by the Tracian King, to seize a vast
Intrusted Treasure, POLIDORO was
When stern ACRYSIUS thought his Daughter fast,
A Show'r of gold did pierce a Tow'r of Brass.
The yellow Bracelets of the Foes, did cast
Such tempting beams on the TARPEIAN LA•S,
That she, for Those, the Tow'r of ROME unbarr'd:
Who brain'd her with the Bribe for a reward.

This strongest Forts subverts, and overthrows:
Makes Kindred, Kindred; and Friends, Friends betray.
This noble-men ignobly doth dispose:
Delivers Captains to their Foes a Prey.
This blasts of pure Virginitie the Rose:
Trampling on Fame and honour by the way.
This bribes ev'n LIBRALL ARTS (it's pow'r is such)
Makes JUDGEMENT have no sight, CONSCIENCE no touch.

This, in unheard of Sences Text doth take:
This makes and unmakes Laws in the same case:
This perjures Subjects, and This KINGS doth make
Stoop to the Lure, like Eagles from their place.
Ev'n golden minds (of those That All fo• sake
For GOD) this Antichimist doth debase
To vilest mettle: with this Diffrence though,
That still These glister with a holy sh•w.