THE TRIBUTES OF THE PHŒNIX OF THE AGES.
Lope de Vega Carpio, a celebrated Spanish poet and dramatist. Born at Madrid, November 25, 1562; died, 1635.[31]
Lope puts into the mouth of Columbus, in a dialogue with Ferdinand, who earnestly invites the discoverer to ask of him the wherewithal to prosecute the discovery, the following verses:
Sire, give me gold, for gold is all in all;
'Tis master, 'tis the goal and course alike,
The way, the means, the handicraft, and power,
The sure foundation and the truest friend.
Referring to the results of the great discovery, Lope beautifully says that it gave—
Al Rey infinitas terras
Y á Dios infinitas almas.
(To the King boundless lands, and to God souls without number.)