CANTO XV.
XXX.
The time shall come when ship-boys e'en shall scorn
To have Alcides' fable on their lips,
Seas yet unnamed and realms unknown adorn
Your charts, and with their fame your pride eclipse;
Then the bold Argo of all future ships
Shall circumnavigate and circle sheer
Whate'er blue Tethys in her girdle clips,
Victorious rival of the sun's career,
And measure e'en of earth the whole stupendous sphere.
XXXI.
A Genoese knight shall first the idea seize
And, full of faith, the untracked abyss explore.
No raving winds, inhospitable seas,
Thwart planets, dubious calms, or billows' roar,
Nor whatso'er of risk or toil may more
Terrific show or furiously assail,
Shall make that mighty mind of his give o'er
The wonderful adventure, or avail
In close Abyla's bounds his spirit to impale.
XXXII.
'Tis thou, Columbus, in new zones and skies,
That to the wind thy happy sails must raise,
Till fame shall scarce pursue thee with her eyes,
Though she a thousand eyes and wings displays;
Let her of Bacchus and Alcides praise
The savage feats, and do thy glory wrong
With a few whispers tossed to after days;
These shall suffice to make thy memory long
In history's page endure, or some divinest song.