Doctor FRANCISCO DÍAZ,[132] I can well
Assure my shepherds here concerning thee,
That with glad heart and joy unspeakable
They can thy praises sing unceasingly;
And if I do not on thy praises dwell—
The highest is thy due, and worthily—
'Tis that our time is short, nor do I know
How I can e'er repay thee what I owe.
LUJÁN,[133] who with thy toga merited
Dost thine own Spain and foreign lands delight.
Who with thy sweet and well-known muse dost spread
Thy fame abroad to Heaven's loftiest height,
Life shall I give thee after thou art dead,
And I shall cause, in swift and rapid flight,
The fame of thine unequalled mind to roll
And spread from ours unto the opposing pole.
His lofty mind doth a Licentiate show,
And worth,—'tis a beloved friend of yours—
I mean JUAN DE VERGARA,[134] whom ye know,
An honour to this happy land of ours;
By a clear open pathway he doth go,
'Tis I that guide aright his steps and powers.
Unto his height to rise is my reward,
His mind and virtue joy to me afford.
That my bold song may praise and glory gain,
Another shall I name to you, from whom
My song to-day shall greater force attain
And to the height of my desire shall come;
And this it is that maketh me refrain
From more than naming him and finding room
To sing how lofty genius hath been sung
By DON ALONSO DE MORALES'[135] tongue.
Over the rugged steep unto the fane
Where dwelleth fame, there climbs and draweth near
A noble youth, who breaks with might and main
Though every hindrance, though 'tis fraught with fear,
And needs must come so nigh that it is plain
That fame doth in prophetic song declare
The laurel which it hath prepared ere now,
HERNANDO MALDONADO,[136] is for thy brow.
Adorned with noble laurel here ye see
His learned brow, who hath such glory found
In every science, every art, that he
O'er all the globe is even now renowned;
Oh golden age, oh happy century,
With such a man as this worthily crowned!
What century, what age doth with thee vie,
When MARCO ANTONIO DE LA VEGA[137]'s nigh?
A DIEGO is the next I call to mind,
Who hath in truth MENDOZA[138] for his name,
Worthy that history should her maker find
In him alone, and soar as soars his fame;
His learning and his virtue, which, enshrined
In every heart, the whole world doth acclaim,
Absent and present both alike astound,
Whether in near or distant nations found.
High Phoebus an acquaintance doth possess—
Acquaintance say I? Nay, a trusty friend,
In whom alone he findeth happiness,
A treasurer of knowledge without end;
'Tis he who of set purpose doth repress
Himself, so that his all he may not spend,
DIEGO DURÁN,[139] in whom we ever find,
And shall find, wisdom, worth, and force of mind.
But who is he who sings his agonies
With voice resounding, and with matchless taste?
Phoebus, and sage Arion, Orpheus wise,
Find ever their abode within his breast;
E'en from the realms where first the dawn doth rise,
Unto the distant regions of the west.
Is he renowned and loved right loyally,
For, LÓPEZ MALDONADO,[140] thou art he.
Who could the praises, shepherds mine, recite
Of him ye love, a shepherd crowned by fame,
Brightest of all the shepherds that are bright,
Who is to all known by FILIDA'S name?
The skill, the learning and the choice delight,
The rare intelligence, the heart aflame,
Of LUIS DE MONTALVO[141] aye assure
Glory and honour whilst the heavens endure.