While thus it happens in th' æthereal reign,—42
Omnipotent Olympick height serene,—
the warrior People cut the curved main
Austral and Oriental course between;
where fronts the face of Æthiopick plain
far-famed Saint Lawrence Isle[1]; Sol's brightest sheen
upon the water-deities rained fire,
who, changed to fishes, 'scaped Typhœus' ire.
The wafting winds so winsome urged their way,43
As though the smiling heav'ens dear friends defended;
serene the welkin, and the lucid day
dawn'ed sans a cloud nor aught of risk portended:
Astern the leek-green point of Prasum[2] lay
an olden name where Æthiop coast extended;
when Ocean op'ening broad a vista show'd
of islets fondled by the circling flood.
Vasco da Gama, valiant Capitayne,44
for derring-do the noblest volunteer,
of not'able courage and of noble strain,
whom smile of constant Fortune loved to cheer;
seeth no reason why he should remain
where shows the shore-line desert, dark and drear:
Once more determined he to tempt the sea;
but as he willed Fortune nill'ed it be.
C 2
