Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/155

131 HIS APPLICATION AT THE COURT. 131 It is impossible to peruse the story of Columbus chapter without assigning to him almost exclusively the glory of his great discovery ; for, from the first mo- ment of its conception to that of its final execution, he was encountered by every species of mortifica- tion and embarrassment, with scarcely a heart to cheer, or a hand to help him.^^ Those more en- lightened persons, whom, during his long residence in Spain, he succeeded in interesting in his expedi- tion, looked to it probably as the means of solving a dubious problem, with the same sort of vague and skeptical curiosity as to its successful result, with which we contemplate, in our day, an attempt to arrive at the Northwest passage. How feeble was the interest excited, even among those, who from their science and situation would seem to have their attention most naturally drawn towards it, may be inferred from the infrequency of allusion to XVI. Indifference to his enter, prise. the previous discoveries of the Northmen, which were made in so much higher latitudes. Hum- boldt has well shown the probabil- ity, a priori, of such discoveries, made in a narrow part of the At- lantic, where the Orcades, the Fe- roe Islands, Iceland, and Green- land afforded the voyager so many intermediate stations, at moderate distances from each other. (Geo- graphic du Nouveau Continent, tom. ii. pp. I83et seq.) The publi- cation of the original Scandinavian MSS., (of which imperfect notices and selections, only, have hitherto found their way into the world,) by the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, at Copenhagen, is a matter of the deepest interest ; and it is fortunate, that it is to be con- ducted under auspices, which must insure its execution in the most faithful and able manner. It may be doubted, however, whether the declaration of the Prospectus, that " it was the knowledge of the Scandinavian voyages, in all prob- ability, which prompted the expe- dition of Columbus," can ever be established. His personal history furnishes strong internal evidence to the contrary. 26 How strikingly are the forlorn condition and indomitable energy of Columbus depicted in the fol- lowing noble verses of Chiabrera ; " Certo da cor, ch' alto destin non scelse, Son 1' imprese magnanime neglette ; Ma le beir alme alle bell' opre elette Sanno gioir nelle fatiche eccelse ; Ne biasnio popolar, frale catena, Spirto d' onore, il suo cammin reffrena. Cosi lunga stagion per modi indegni Europa disprezzo 1' inclita speme, Schernendo il vulgo, e seco i Regi insieme, Nudo nocchier, promettitor di Regni." Rime, parte 1, canzone 12.