{5b} The Roman Catholic Church has made a glorious league with the fine arts, each of which has been made subservient to its purposes, and has maintained its mighty influence. Poetry, painting and music can never pay the immense debt they owe to the gorgeous machinery of the Romish ritual. {5c} Perhaps I may be allowed to introduce a few specimens of the style of the Romanceros. For instance, their praises of the Virgin: La reyna de los cielos Emperatriz soberana Fuente de amor y dulzura Rio de bondad y de gracia Pielago de perfecciones Tranquilo mar de gracias Iris de serenidades Lucero de la mañana Del cielo norte seguro. San Onofre. Sagrada Virgen Maria Antorcha del cielo empireo Hixa del eterno Padre, Madre del supremo bixo Del sacro espiritu esposa. Jayme del Castillo. Hermosisima Maria Preciosisima açucena Que con tu divina gracia Nos libertais de la pena, Florida y hermosa rosa Palma, cipres, virgen bella Lirio, olivo, torre hermosa De encumbrada fortaleza Cielos, sol y luna hermosa Fuente llena de clemencia Que con tu divina gracia Triunfos y lauros aumentas: Gran Señora del Carmelo Suplicote, sacra reyna Que abogada y protectira Con el rey de gracias seas. Judio de Toledo. Great, however, as is their devotion, it is less than their bombast. Paren en sus movimientos Ayre, fuego, tierra y ondas Sol, luna, estrellas, luceros Los planetas y la Aurora Mientras mi pluma remonta Su vuelo al mas sacro asunto De la estacion dichosa Quando vino la Cruz de Grao. Cruz de Grao. Remonte el vuelo mi pluma Hasta la region mas alta Del viento donde lucida Brille, dando á aquesta plana Y principio al suceso Mas admirable de que narra En sus anales el tiempo Y las historias pasadas. Jayme de Aragon. {6a} The Carmelites will have it that Elias (whom Thomas Waldenses calls the first virgin among men, as Mary is among women), dedicated a temple to “the mother of God” on Mount Carmel, nine hundred years before her birth. Those who wish to be acquainted with the wonderful miracles wrought by the “Virgen del Carmen,” may consult an immense list published by Friar Juan Serrer, most of which are certified by notaries, priests, magistrates and friars. {6b} El bendito Escapulario Que al infierno lo amedrenta. Romance.