Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/211

Rh Each ship a fierce volcano; blazing high

Through the wide air 't is raised, and thrown again

With horrid bursting in the seas to lie,

Engulf'd. Do other havocs yet remain?

Yes, for that Heaven, displeased to see such foes,

Bids the inclement north winds rise to part

The furious combatants, and day to close

In stormy night. 'T is order'd, and athwart

They throw themselves the miserable barks,

Lashing the waves on high with cruel wings.

As each this new unequal combat marks

For ruin, falls the mast, and over swings

Trembling beneath the assault. The hulls divide,

And where the gaping seams the waves invite,

They enter, while the dying Spaniards cried,

"O! that we were to perish, but in fight!"

In that remorseless conflict, high in air,

Then shining forth their glorious forms display'd

The mighty champions, who of old to bear

The trident and the spear, supreme had made

Before the Iberian flag the nations bow.

There Lauria, Trovar, and Bazan were seen,

And Aviles, their brother heroes now

Of Spain to welcome, and in death convene.

"Come among us," they cried, "among the brave

You emulate. Already you have gain'd