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the nations, and tongues, and languages, which were to fill its lands with his renown, and to revere and bless his name to the latest posterity! W. IRVING.

LESSON CXIII.

RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS ON HIS RETURN TO

SPAIN.

1. THE fame of the discovery of a new world, had resounded throughout Spain; and, as the route of Columbus lay through several of the finest and most populous provinces, his journey appeared like the progress of a sovereign. Wherever he passed, the surrounding country poured forth its inhabitants, who lined the road, and thronged the villages. In the large towns, the streets, windows, and balconies, were filled with eager spectators, who rent the air with acclamations. His journey was continually impeded by the multitude, pressing to gain a sight of him, and of the Indians, who were regarded with as much admiration as if they had been natives of another planet. It was impossible to satisfy the craving curiosity, which assailed himself and his companions, at every stage, with innumerable questions. Popular rumor, as usual, had exaggerated the truth, and had filled the newly found country with all kinds of wonders.

2. It was about the middle of April, that Columbus arrived at Barcelona, where every preparation had been made to give him a solemn and magnificent reception. The beauty and serenity of the weather, in that genial season and favored climate, contributed to give splendor to this memorable ceremony. As he drew near the place, many of the more youthful courtiers and hidalgos of gallant bearing, together with a vast concourse of the populace, came forth to greet and welcome him.

3. First, were paraded the Indians, painted according to their savage fashion, and decorated with tropical feathers and with their national ornaments of gold; after these, were borne various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed birds, and animals of unknown species, and rare plants, supposed to be of precious qualities; while great care was taken to make a conspicuous display of Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations of gold, which might give an idea of the wealth of the newly discovered regions. After these, followed Columbus, on horseback, surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade of Spanish chivalry.

4. The streets were almost impassable from the countless multitude; the windows and balconies were lined with the fair; the

very roofs were covered with spectators. It seemed as if the public eye could not be sated with gazing on these trophies of an unknown world, or on the remarkable man by whom it had been discovered. There was a sublimity in the event, that mingled a solemn feeling with the public joy. It was looked upon as a vast and signal dispensation of Providence, in reward for the piety of the monarchs; and the majestic and venerable appearance of the discoverer, so different from the youth and buoyancy which are generally expected from roving enterprise, seemed in harmony with the grandeur and dignity of his achievement.

5. To receive him with suitable pomp and distinction, the sovereigns had ordered their thrones to be placed in public, under a rich canopy of brocade of gold, in a vast and splendid saloon. Here, the king and queen awaited his arrival, seated in state, with the prince Juan beside them, and attended by the dignitaries of their court and the principal nobility of Spain, all impatient to behold the man who had conferred so incalculable a benefit upon the nation.

6. At length, Columbus entered the hall, surrounded by a brilliant crowd of cavaliers; among whom he was conspicuous for his stately and commanding person, which, with his countenance rendered venerable by his gray hairs, gave him the august appearance of a senator of Rome. A modest smile lighted up his features, showing that he enjoyed the state and glory in which he came; and certainly nothing could be more deeply moving, to a mind inflamed by noble ambition, and conscious of having greatly deserved, than the testimonials of the admiration and gratitude of a nation, or rather of a world. As Columbus approached, the sovereigns rose, as if receiving a person of the highest rank. Bending his knees, he requested to kiss their hands; but there was some hesitation on the part of their majesties to permit this act of vassalage. Raising him in the most gracious manner, they ordered him to seat himself in their presence; a rare honor in this proud and punctilious court.

7. At the request of their majesties, Columbus now gave an account of the most striking events of his voyage, and a description of the islands which he had discovered. He displayed the specimens he had brought of unknown birds and other animals; of rare plants, of medicinal and aromatic virtue; of native gold, in dust, in crude masses, or labored into barbaric ornaments; and, above all, the natives of these countries, who were objects of intense and inexhaustible interest; since there is nothing to man so curious as the varieties of his own species. All these he pronounced mere harbingers of greater discoveries he had yet to make, which would add realms of incalculable wealth to the do

minions of their majesties, and whole nations of proselytes to the true faith.

8. The words of Columbus were listened to with profound emotion by the sovereigns. When he had finished, they sunk on their knees, and raising their clasped hands to heaven, their eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude, they poured forth thanks and praises to God for so great a providence; all present followed their example; a deep and solemn enthusiasm pervaded that splendid assembly, and prevented all common acclamations of triumph. The anthem of Te Deum laudamus, chanted by the choir of the royal chapel, with the melodious accompaniments of the instruments, rose up from the midst, in a full body of sacred harmony, bearing up, as it were, the feelings and thoughts of the auditors to heaven; so that," says the venerable Las Casas, the historian of the occasion, "it seemed as if, in that hour, they communicated with celestial delights." Such was the solemn and pious manner in which the brilliant court of Spain, celebrated this sublime event; offering up a grateful tribute of melody and praise; and giving glory to God for the discovery of another world.

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9. When Columbus retired from the royal presence, he was attended to his residence by all the court, and followed by the shouting populace. For many days, he was the object of universal curiosity, and wherever he appeared, he was surrounded by an admiring multitude.

W. IRVING.

LESSON CXIV.

THE BATTLE OF IVRY.*

HENRY the Fourth, on his accession to the French throne, was opposed by large part of his subjects, under the Duke of Mayenne, with the assistance of Spain and Savoy, and, from the union of these several nations, their army was called the "army of the league." In March, 1590, he gained a decisive victory over that party, at Ivry, a small town in France. Before the battle, he said to his troops, "My children, if you lose sight of your colors, rally to my white plume,-you will always find it in the path to honor and glory." His conduct was answerable to his promise. Nothing could resist his impetuous valor, and the leaguers underwent a total and bloody defeat. the midst of the rout, Henry followed, crying, “Save the French!" and his clemency added a number of the enemy to his own army.

1. Now glory to the Lord of Hosts, from whom all glories are! And glory to our sovereign liege, King Henry of Navarre.

* Pronounced E-vree.

In

Now let there be the merry sound of music and the dance,
Through thy corn-fields green and sunny vines, O pleasant land of
France!

And thou, Rochelle, our own Rochelle, proud city of the waters,
Again let rapture light the eye of all thy mourning daughters.
As thou wert constant in our ills, be joyous in our joy,
For cold, and stiff, and still are they who would thy walls annoy
Hurrah! hurrah! a single field hath turned the chance of war;
Hurrah! hurrah! for Ivry, and King Henry of Navarre !

2. Oh! how our hearts were beating, when at the dawn of day,
We saw the army of the League drawn out in long array;
With all its priest-led citizens, and all its rebel peers,
And Appenzel's stout infantry, and Egmont's Flemish spears.
There, rode the brood of false Lorraine, the curses of our land!
And dark Mayenne was in the midst, a truncheon in his hand!
And, as we looked on them, we thought of Seine's empurpled flood,
And good Coligni's* hoary hair, all dabbled with his blood;
And we cried unto the living God, who rules the fate of war,
To fight for his own holy name, and Henry of Navarre.

3. The king is come to marshal us, in all his armor drest,
And he has bound a snow-white plume upon his gallant crest.
He looked upon his people, and a tear was in his eye;

He looked upon the traitors, and his glance was stern and high.
Right graciously he smiled on us, as rolled from wing to wing,
Down all our line, a deafening shout, "God save our Lord, the King!"
"And if my standard-bearer fall, and fall full well he may,
For never saw I promise yet of such a bloody fray,

Press where you see my white plume shine, amid the ranks of war,
And be your oriflamme,† to-day, the helmet of Navarre."

4. Hurrah! the foes are moving! Hark to the mingled din
Of fife, and steed, and trump, and drum, and roaring culverin!
The fiery duke is pricking fast across Saint André's plain,
With all the hireling chivalry of Guelders and Almayne,
Now, by the lips of those ye love, fair gentlemen of France,
Charge for the golden lilies, now upon them with the lance!
A thousand spurs are striking deep, a thousand spears in rest,
A thousand knights are pressing close behind the snow-white crest;
And in they burst, and on they rushed, while, like a guiding star,
Amid the thickest carnage, blazed the helmet of Navarre.

5. Now, God be praised! the day is ours! Mayenne hath turned his rein;
D'Aumale hath cried for quarter; the Flemish count is slain;
Their ranks are breaking like thin clouds before a Biscay gale;
The field is heaped with bleeding steeds, and flags, and cloven inail.

* Coligni, (pronounced Co-leen-yee,) a venerable old man, was one of the victims in the massacre of St. Bartholomew.

Oriflamme, (pronounced or-ree-flam,) the French standard.

Golden lilies were embroidered upon the French flag.
Pronounced Do-mal.

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And then we thought on vengeance, and all along our van, "Remember Saint Bartholomew," was passed from man to man; But out spake gentle Henry, then, "No Frenchman is my foe; Down, down with every foreigner; but let brethren go." Oh! was there ever such a knight, in friendship or in war, As our sovereign lord, King Henry, the soldier of Navarre! (Ho! maidens of Vienna! Ho! matrons of Lucerne ! Weep, weep, and rend your hair for those who never shall return. Ho! Philip, send, for charity, thy Mexican pistoles,

That Antwerp monks may sing a mass for thy poor spearmen's souls!
Ho! gallant nobles of the league, look that your arms be bright!
Ho! burghers of Saint Genevieve, keep watch and ward to-night!
For our God hath crushed the tyrant, our God hath raised the slave,
And mocked the counsel of the wise and the valor of the brave.
Then glory to His holy name, from whom all glories are;
And honor to our sovereign lord, King Henry of Navarre.

MACAULAY.

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2. "Now, who be ye would cross Loch-Gyle,
This dark and stormy water?"
"O! I'm the chief of Ulva's isle,
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter.

3. "And fast before her father's men
Three days we've fled together,
For should he find us in the glen,
My blood would stain the heather.
4. "His horsemen hard behind us ride;
Should they our steps discover,
Then who will cheer my bonny bride,
When they have slain her lover?"

5. Out spoke the hardy, Highland wight,
"I'll go, my chief, I'm ready:
It is not for your silver bright,
But for your winsome lady:

*On the evening of St. Bartholomew's day, in the year 1572, an indiscriminate massacre of the Protestants throughout France, took place, by order of Charles IX., then king of France.

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