In later times the gallant Cid arose, Burning with zeal against his country’s foes; His victor-arm Alphonso’s throne maintain’d, His laureate brows the wreath of conquest gain’d! And still his deeds Castilian bards rehearse, Inspiring theme of patriotic verse! High in the temple of recording fame, Iberia points to great Gonsalvo’s name! Victorious chief! whose valour still defied The arms of Gaul, and bow’d her crested pride; With splendid trophies graced his sovereign’s throne, And bade Granada’s realms his prowess own. Nor were his deeds thy only boast, O Spain! In mighty Ferdinand’s illustrious reign; ’Twas then thy glorious Pilot spread the sail, Unfurl’d his flag before the eastern gale; Bold, sanguine, fearless, ventured to explore Seas unexplored, and worlds unknown before. Fair science guided o’er the liquid realm, Sweet hope, exulting, steer’d the daring helm; While on the mast, with ardour-flashing eye, Courageous enterprise still hover’d nigh: The hoary genius of th’ Atlantic main Saw man invade his wide majestic reign-- His empire, yet by mortal unsubdued, The throne, the world of awful solitude. And e’en when shipwreck seem’d to rear his form, And dark destruction menaced in the storm; In every shape when giant-peril rose, To daunt his spirit and his course oppose; O’er ev’ry heart when terror sway’d alone, And hope forsook each bosom but his own: Moved by no dangers, by no fears repell’d, His glorious track the gallant sailor held; Attentive still to mark the sea-birds lave, Or high in air their snowy pinions wave. Thus princely Jason, launching from the steep, With dauntless prow explored th’ untravell’d deep; Thus, at the helm, Ulysses’ watchful sight View’d ev’ry star and planetary light. Sublime Columbus! when, at length descried, The long-sought land arose above the tide, How every heart with exultation glow’d, How from each eye the tear of transport flow’d! Not wilder joy the sons of Israel knew When Canaan’s fertile plains appear’d in view. Then rose the choral anthem on the breeze, Then martial music floated o’er the seas; Their waving streamers to the sun display’d, In all the pride of warlike pomp array’d. Advancing nearer still, the ardent band Hail’d the glad shore, and bless’d the stranger land; Admired its palmy groves and prospects fair, With rapture breathed its pure ambrosial air: Then crowded round its free and simple race, Amazement pictured wild on every face; Who deem’d that beings of celestial birth, Sprung from the sun, descended to the earth. Then first another world, another sky, Beheld Iberia’s banner blaze on high!