Part 18 (2/2)
Forward, Lisbon! All descry Thy good fortune far and nigh, And the fame thou dost inherit, 420 Since fortune raises thee on high, Win it st.u.r.dily by merit.
Achilles when he went away From near this city went, Call him: you'll hear truth evident 425 If you doubt what I have said.
_P._ Let him come up, come up, I say.
_Z._ This priest has gone quite off his head.
I don't know what I am about That I don't give the Jew a clout: 430 Would you empty h.e.l.l of its dead?
_Achilles comes and says:_
_A._ When Jupiter in all his might Was seated on his throne And in his strength ordered aright By his right hand alone 435 The courses of the day and night; And warrior Mars to Earth had lent His bolts of victory And parted with his armament; When Saturn still slept peacefully 440 With all his firmament; When the Sun shone with clearer light And an intenser ray And the Moon's beams illumed the night, More brightly than noonday, 445 And Venus sang her loveliest lay; When wisdom, that he now doth keep, Was given by Mercury, And mirth flashed o'er the heaven's steep And the winds were gently hushed asleep 450 And a calm lay on the sea; When joy and fame together checked The hands of destiny And glory's flags the poles bedecked And the heavens, by no clouds beflecked, 455 Gleamed in their radiancy; When every heart with unfeigned cheer Was merry upon Earth, In that day and month and year, When all these portents did appear, 460 Your Highnesses had birth.
Now I, Achilles, in my youth Lived here for many days And happy am I in good sooth To see the kingdom's splendid growth 465 Honoured in countless ways.
Its n.o.ble sons these honours reap, But let no careless strain Prevent you what you win to keep; Ye prelates, 'tis no time for sleep!
470 Ye priests, do not complain!
When mighty Rome was in full sail Conquering all the Earth The girls and matrons without fail, That so the soldiers should prevail, 475 Gave all their jewels' worth.
Then O ye shepherds of the Church Down, down with Mahomet's creed!
Leave not the fighters in the lurch!
For if to scourge yourselves you speed 480 Then Rome may spare the birch.
You should sell your chalices, Yes and p.a.w.n your breviaries, Turn your gourds into flasks, and e'er Of bread and parsnips make your fare, 485 To vanquish thus your enemies.
_Z._ Aha, aha. A splendid rule!
What do you think of that, Sir Fool?
_P._ What is't to me? what should I care?
For he who has no revenues 490 Can by the t.i.thes but little lose.
_A._ If hither came but Hannibal, Hector and Scipio You shall see what they will show Of the things of Portugal, 495 What reason and truth would have you know.
_P._ Come Danor, and Zebron, hither Bring all three of them together.
_D._ Rascal cleric, villain, cur, Thief, dog, that I for you should stir!
500 _Z._ May a curse your power wither!
_Hannibal, Hector and Scipio come, and Hannibal says:_
_Han._ Easily you might forego Poor Hannibal's presence here, For your Court's fame far and near The furthest of Earth's regions know.
505 _Hect._ Nor need Hector here appear.
_S._ Nor is there room for Scipio.
_Han._ Sirs, you should trust in G.o.d, that he All Africa presently Will reduce beneath your sway.
510 Africa was Christian land, Moors have ta'en your own away.
To the work, Captains, set your hand, For so with clearer ray shall burn Your renown when you return.
515 And, O ladies of Portugal, Spend, spend jewel and precious stone, d.u.c.h.esses, ladies, maidens, all Since such enterprises shall Properly be yours alone.
520 A religious war it is For the honour of your land, Against those vile enemies, Undertaken reasonably And with good discretion planned.
525 Of beads be every rosary, Each pearl replaced by bilberry, Brooches of the heads of leek; Such ornaments, my ladies, seek And those you have give every one.
530 For little honour now is there In dresses and adornments fair, Honour give n.o.ble deeds alone, Not costly robes inwrought with gold And pranked with tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs manifold: 535 Give these now to help helmets make.
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