Debaxo de tus señas vitoriosas.
Luis de Gongora.
XI. “Sagunthus and Numance and Bilbil here.”
The cities of Saguntum and Numantia have been heretofore specified. Bilbilis is the modern Bilbao, capital of the province of Biscay. For a sketch of the ancient heroism of Cantabria, corresponding with the modern Vascongadas or Basque Provinces, see the [Introduction]. For an account of the exploits of Viriatus and Sertorius see Livy and Ferguson’s Roman Republic.
“Now when babes untimely perish
Like old Basques strew pure white roses.”
This ancient custom has been made by Wordsworth the subject of two sonnets, in the second of which occur the following fine lines:—
A garland fashioned of the pure white rose
Becomes not one whose father is a slave!
XVIII. “A troop from fair Guernica marched ere night.”