John, of Austria, 1547-1578; Spain -- History -- Philip II, 1556-1598
D. John's royal galley came with these, the same built for him on his
first expedition against the corsairs of the Mediterranean. The next
morning, very early, he went to visit her, and was pleased with the new
improvements, made under Sancho de Leiva's directions, following the
original plan of Bergamesco and Tortilla. The hull had been carefully
careened, the paintings and ornaments renovated, the sails and rigging
renewed, and the artillery reinforced. The figure-head was changed, and
instead of the former Hercules with his club was a Neptune, holding his
trident, riding on a dolphin, and at the stern a new goddess—Thetis,
between two golden eagles with black outlines, and above two life-sized
lions, also gilded, supporting the arms of the King, those of D. John of
Austria, and the Golden Fleece, whose chains ran along each side,
standing out well on the red background, and joining at the prow. The
old lantern with its statue of Fame had disappeared, and in its place,
crowning the stern, were three great lanterns of bronze and copper, gilt
outside and silvered inside, with figures of Faith, Hope and Charity,
more than a palm high. The deck of the round-house was also new, formed
of ninety squares of walnut, with outlines of ebony, boxwood, tin and
blue enamel, with a large flower in gilt bronze in the centre of each;
one could open these squares by means of a key, and beneath appeared
chests in which were stored, in beautiful little wicker baskets, fresh
bread, fruit, and all the service for the table. The crew wore as
uniform jerkins of crimson damask, with little caps of the same, and the
greatest order and cleanliness reigned everywhere.
D. John was very pleased with his galley, and on the 1st of July he took
his two nephews, the Archdukes Rudolph and Ernest, to visit her and gave
them a collation. The galley was decked with streamers and pennons, and
was adorned from stem to stern with red cloth, with many flowers and
ribbons and crimson damask, which covered the bows. They arrived in a
big boat, all hung with tapestry, and with a canopy of damask at the
stern, under which their Highnesses sat; the twelve rowers wearing
jerkins of crimson damask, and caps of the same slashed and trimmed with
gold and feathers.
When the Princes embarked on the galley, the slaves made their "salva de
forzado," which was a kind of song, or rather a sad complaining but not
disagreeable cry, by which these wretches implored mercy of the
visitors. Then a royal salute was fired from all her guns, which was
answered by the galleys in the port. The Princes sat at a table in front
of the roundhouse, under an awning of damask with crimson and white
stripes, and there was served a collation of fruit, sweetmeats, green
and cool drinks, which the heat of the day made delicious.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account