What means, what ways of praise shall I achieve, What pathways that yon great MATÍAS' name May in the world for countless ages live, Who hath ZUÑIGA[196] for his other name? Unto him all my praises let me give, Though he is man and I immortal am, Because his genius truly is divine, Worthily praise and honour in him shine. Turn ye the thought that passeth speedily Unto Pisuerga's lovely banks divine, Ye will see how the lofty minds whereby They are adorned, enrich this tale of mine; And not the banks alone, but e'en the sky, Wherein the stars resplendent ever shine, Itself assuredly can honour claim, When it receives the men whom now I name. Thou, DAMASIO DE FRÍAS,[197] canst alone Thy praises utter, for, although our chief, Even Apollo's self should praise thee, none But could be in thy praises all too brief; Thou art the pole-star that hath ever shone Certain and sure, that sendeth sweet relief From storm, and favouring gales, and safe to shore Brings him who saileth wisdom's ocean o'er. ANDRÉS SANZ DEL PORTILLO,[198] send to me That breath, I pray, whereby Phoebus doth move Thy learned pen, and lofty fantasy, That I may praise thee as it doth behove; For my rough tongue will never able be, Whate'er the ways it here may try and prove, To find a way of praising as I would All that I feel and see in thee of good. Happiest of minds, thou towerest in thy flight Above Apollo's highest, with thy ray So bright, thou givest to our darkness light, Thou guidest us, however far we stray; And though thou dost now blind me with thy light And hast my mind o'erwhelmèd with dismay, Glory beyond the rest I give to thee, For, SORIA,[199] glory thou hast given to me. If, famous CANTORAL,[200] so rich a meed Of praise thy works achieve in every part, Thou of my praises wilt have little need, Unless I praise thee with new mode and art; With words significant of noble deed, With all the skill that Heaven doth impart, I marvel, praise in silence, thus I reach A height I cannot hope to gain by speech. If I to sing thy praise have long delayed, Thou, VACA Y DE QUIÑONES,[201] mayst forgive The past forgetfulness I have displayed And the repentance I now show receive, For with loud cries and proclamation made O'er the broad world this task I shall achieve In open and in secret, that thy fame Shall spread abroad, and brightly gleam thy name.