And Henry, on his battle-wrested throne, The Councils done, would speak in musing tone Of Cabot, not the cargo he might bring. "Man's heart, though morsel scant for hungry crow, Is greater than a world can fill, and so Fair fall the shadow-seekers!" quoth the king. Colonies were planted by the Spaniards in Cuba and Hispaniola, but the New World continued to be for them a land of wonder and mystery. They were quite ready to believe any marvel,--among others, that somewhere to the north lay an island named Bimini, on which was a fountain whose waters gave perpetual youth to all who bathed therein. THE LEGEND OF WAUKULLA [1513] Through darkening pines the cavaliers marched on their sunset way, While crimson in the trade-winds rolled far Appalachee Bay, Above the water-levels rose palmetto crowns like ghosts Of kings primeval; them, behind, the shadowy pines in hosts. "O cacique, brave and trusty guide, Are we not near the spring, The fountain of eternal youth that health to age doth bring?" The cacique sighed, And Indian guide, "The fount is fair, Waukulla! "But vainly to the blossomed flower will come the autumn rain, And never youth's departed days come back to age again; The future in the spirit lies, the earthly life is brief, 'Tis _you_ that say the fount hath life," so said the Indian chief. "Nay, Indian king; nay, Indian king, Thou knowest well the spring, And thou shalt die if thou dost fail our feet to it to bring." The cacique sighed, And Indian guide, "The spring is bright, Waukulla!" Then said the guide, "O men of Spain, a wondrous fountain flows From deep abodes of gods below, and health on men bestows. Blue are its deeps and green its walls, and from its waters gleam The water-stars, and from it runs the pure Waukulla's stream. But men of Spain, but men of Spain, 'Tis _you_ who say that spring Eternal youth and happiness to men again will bring." The cacique sighed, And Indian guide, "The fount is clear, Waukulla!" "March on, the land enchanted is; march on, ye men of Spain; Who would not taste the bliss of youth and all its hopes again. Enchanted is the land; behold! enchanted is the air; The very heaven is domed with gold; there's beauty everywhere!" So said De Leon. "Cavaliers, We're marching to the spring, The fountain of eternal youth that health to age will bring!" The cacique sighed, And Indian guide, "The fount is pure, Waukulla!"