Many a Pindus' or Parnassus' peak, And choirs of lovelier sisters than the nine, Whereat my lofty spirits faint and weak Become, and more when by some strange design I hear a sound repeated as in echo, Whene'er the name is namèd of PACHECO.[155] PACHECO 'tis whom Phoebus calls his friend, On whom he and my sisters so discreet Did from his feeble tender years attend With new affection and new converse sweet; I too his genius and his writings send By strange paths never trod by mortal feet, And ever have sent, till they rise on high Unto the loftiest place of dignity. Unto this pass I come, that, though I sing With all my powers divine HERRERA'S[156] praise, My wearied toil but little fruit will bring, Although to the fifth sphere my words him raise; But, should friendship's suspicions to me cling, Upon his works and his true glory gaze, HERNANDO doth by learning all enthral From Ganges unto Nile, from pole to pole. FERNANDO would I name to you again DE CANGAS[157] surnamed, whom the world admires. Through whom the learning lives and doth sustain Itself that to the hallowed bays aspires; If there be any intellect that fain Would lift its gaze to the celestial fires, Let it but gaze on him, and it will find The loftiest and the most ingenious mind. Concerning CRISTÓVAL, who hath the name Of DE VILLAROEL,[158] ye must believe That he full well deserveth that his name Ne'er should oblivion's gloomy waters cleave; His wit let all admire, his worth acclaim With awe, his wit and worth let all receive As the most exquisite we can discover, Where'er the sun doth shine, or earth doth cover. The streams of eloquence which did of old Flow from the breast of stately Cicero, Which, gladdening the Athenian people bold, Did honour on Demosthenes bestow, The minds o'er whom Time hath already rolled-- Who bore themselves so proudly long ago-- Master FRANCISCO DE MEDINA,[159] now Let them before thy lofty learning bow. Rightly thou canst, renownèd Betis, now With Mincio, Arno, and with Tiber vie, Uplift in happiness thy hallowed brow, And spread thee in new bosoms spaciously: Since Heaven wished, that doth thy bliss allow, Such fame to give thee, honour, dignity, As he doth bring unto thy banks so fair, BALTASAR DEL ALCÁZAR,[160] who dwells there.