, renders this visit not
improbable. 'In May, 1528, Cortes arrived unexpectedly at Palos; and,
soon after he had landed, he and Pizarro met and rejoiced; and it was
remarkable that they should meet, as they were two of the most
renowned men in the world.' B. Diaz makes no mention of the
interview; but, relating an occurrence that took place at this time
in Palos, says, 'that Cortes was now absent at Nuestra Senora de la
Rabida.' The Convent is within half a league of the town.

ADDITIONAL NOTES.

NOTE a.

_Sung ere his coming--_

In him was fulfilled the antient prophecy,

- - - - - venient annis
Secula seris, quibus Oceanus
Vincula rerum laxet, &c.
SENECA in Medea, v. 374.

Which Tasso has imitated in his Giemsalemme Liberata.

Tempo verra, chie fian d'Ercole i segui
Favola vile, &c.
c. xv. 30.

NOTE b.

_To lift the veil that cover'd half mankind!_

An introductory couplet is here omitted.

Dying, to-night I would fulfill my vow.
Praise cannot wound his generous spirit now.

The Poem opens on Friday, the 14th of September, 1402.

NOTE c.

_----the great Commander_

In the original,' El Almirante.' In Spanish America, says M. de
Humboldt, when _El Almirante_ is pronounced without the addition of a
name, that of Columbus is understood; as, from the lips of a Mexican,
_El Marchese_ signifies Cortes.

NOTE d.

_"Thee hath it pleas'd--Thy will be done!" he said,_

'It has pleased our Lord to grant me faith and assurance for this
enterprize--He has opened my understanding, and made me most willing
to go.' See his Life by his son, Ferd. Columbus, entitled, Hist. del
Almirante Don Christoval. Colon, c. 4 & 37.

NOTE e.

_Whose voice is truth, whose wisdom is from heav'n,_

The compass might well be an object of superstition. A belief is said
to prevail even at this day, that it will refuse to traverse when
there is a dead body on board.
Hist. des Navig. aux Terres Australes.

NOTE f.

_COLUMBUS err'd not._

When these regions were to be illuminated, says Acosta, cum divino
consilio decretum esset, prospectum etiam divinitus est, ut tarn
longi itineris dux certus hominibus praeberetur.
De Natura Novi Orbis.

A romantic circumstance is related of some early navigator in the
Histoire Gen. des Voyages, I. i. 2. "On trouva dans l'isle de Cuervo
une statue equestre, couverte d'un manteau, mais la tete nue, qui
tenoit de la main gauche la bride du cheval, et qui montroit
l'occident de la