XXVII.
“And that this be accomplished with more ease,
“Writ in the skies from all eternity,
“Captains, invincible by lands and seas,
“Shall heavenly Providence to him supply.
“I mark Hernando Cortez bring, ’mid these,
“New cities under Cæsar’s dynasty,
“And kingdoms in the Orient so remote,
“That we of these in India have no note[6].
XXVIII.
“With Prospero Colonna, puissant peer,
“A marquis of Pescara I behold;—
“A youth of Guasto next, who render dear
“Hesperia to the flower-de-luce of gold;
“I see prepared to enter the career
“This third, who shall the laurel win and hold;
“As a good horse before the rest will dart,
“And first attain the goal, though last to start[7].
XXIX.
“I see such faith, such valour in the deeds
“Of young Alphonso (such his name) confest,
“He in his unripe age,—nor he exceeds
“His sixth and twentieth year,—at Cæsar’s hest,
“(A mighty trust) the imperial army leads:
“Saving which, Cæsar not alone the rest
“Of his fair empire saves, but may the world
“Reduce, with ensigns by this chief unfurled.
