730

Next Tunis and Biserta's sun-burnt soil

He sees, and Capys, and Alzerbe's isle;
To Tripoli and Tolomita speeds,

Bernisca views, and where old Nilus leads
His fattening streams to water distant meads.
Each land he marks from Afric's billowy shore
The rugged Atlas crown'd with forests hoar.
Then turning from Carena's ridge of hills,
Above the Cyrenean spires he wheels;

735

And near the confines of her burning sands
He Abbajada sees in Nubian lands:

740

He leaves the tomb of Battus far behind,

And Amon's fane, which we no more can find.

Who, for a sceptre, in his hand sustains

Ver. 738.---Cyrenean spires--] He means the cities of the Mediterranean in the province of Cyrene.

Ver. 741.the tomb of Battus] The city of Cyrene in Asia was built by Battus: Catullus says,

Et Batti veteris sacrum sepulchrum.

Ver. 751.-king Senapus reigns,] The relation which the poet makes of the wealth and power of this prince, called by us (as he afterwards says) Prester John, though blended with fable, is partly historical. Under the name of Abyssinia, or the kingdom of Prester John, were formerly comprehended all the countries between the lake Niger and the straits of Babel-mandel on one side, and all

The holy cross; who boasts of wealth and power,
Of towns and subjects to the red-sea shore.

Our faith he keeps, that faith whose heavenly light 755
Can lead him from the realms of death and night:
Here, as the tenets of their law require,

(If fame deceive not) they baptize with fire:
Astolpho now to Nubia's palace flew,

And there alighting near Senapus drew.

760

The seat where Ethiopia's sovereign dwell'd,

In wealth and beauty more than strength excell'd;
The bars and bolts that every gate defend,
The massy chains that from the bridge depend,
Whate'er in other cities we behold

765

Of iron wrought here flam'd of beaten gold;
Though mines they boasted fruitful to produce
Strong metals to apply for every use.

'On columns huge, of shining crystal rais'd, With matchless pomp the regal palace blaz'd: Each spacious room thick set with precious stone,

770

With red and purple, gold and azure shone :.
Gems of all hues! where in fair order beam'd
The fiery ruby, where the emerald gleam'd

between the mountains of the moon and the cataracts of the Nile: the last was the length from north to south, and the other from east to west: Abyssinia had to the south Monomotapa; to the east Zanquebar and the Red Sea to the south Egypt and Nubia, and to the west the country of Negroes called Congo. Ariosto calls the country of Senapus all Nubia; but it has been before shewn that our author is by no means correct in his geography.

Ver. 758.--baptize with fire:] The Nubians relate that their an cestors received the faith from St. Matthew, and that they were baptized with fire, being marked with a burning iron in the face or some part of the body, with the sign of the cross, in allusion to that text of Scripture: "I baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

775

With softer light, and where the sapphire show'd
Its azure tint, or yellow topaz glow'd.

The walls, the roofs, the pavement struck the sight,
Thick sown with pearls, with dazzling jewels bright.
This climate balsam breeds and midst her store
Jerusalem's rich land can boast no more.
Hence musk is brought, hence every rich perfume,
Hence amber, hence all Ocean's treasures come.
Whate'er through earth of costly name we prize,
This happy region for mankind supplies.
The Soldan who th' Egyptian sceptre sways,
As fame declares, his vassal tribute pays.

780

785

To this great king whose hand can turn aside,

And bid the Nile in other channels glide;

Whence Famine must her scourge on Cairo spread,

And desolation round the country shed:

790

His name Senapus, by his subjects known,

By us, 'tis Prester call'd, or Prester-John.

Of all that Ethiopia's kingdom held,

This king in honours, wealth, and might excell'd:
But what avail'd his honours, wealth, or might,

795

When wretched blindness veil'd his visual light?
Yet this his least of ills--a deeper woe

This hapless prince was doom'd to undergo,
Who, while his wealth all other wealth outshin'd,

In plenty's lap with endless famine pin'd.
When hunger urg'd him to the genial board,
With nectar'd draughts and various viands stor❜d,
Scarce was he seated, when th' avenging crew
Of hell-bred harpies, horrible to view,
With ravenous talons seiz'd the savoury treat,
O'erturn'd the vases and devour'd the meat:

800

805

Their glutton maws surcharg'd, the birds unclean
Defil'd the remnant cates with filth obscene.

810

820

The cause was this-In early life so rais'd Above the world, o'er every monarch prais'd, Like Lucifer with pride his bosom burn'd, Against his Maker impious arms he turn'd, And to the mountain led his numerous force, Whence Egypt's mighty stream derives its source. 'Twas fam'd, that where the hoary mountain rear'd 815 Its head to Heaven, and o'er the clouds appear'd, Was Paradise of old, those happy bowers Where Adam pass'd with Eve the blissful hours. With elephants and camels, with a train Of countless foot that 'cumber'd all the plain, He march'd, resolv'd whatever race unknown Might there reside, to bend them to his throne. But Heaven's high will oppos'd his rash intent, And midst his host a vengeful angel sent, Whose dreadful power a hundred thousand slew, And o'er his eyes eternal darkness drew; Then to his festive board dispatch'd the band Of horrid monsters from th' infernal strand. The wretched king of all relief despair'd, From what a seer, of foresight deep, declar'd, That rapine should no more his table waste, Nor ordure mingle with each day's repast, When on a winged steed a stranger-knight

825

830

Was seen through air to guide his rapid flight.
This, passing all belief, had long supprest.

835

Each little hope that linger'd in his breast.

Soon as the crowds beheld, with wondering eye, Above the walls, above the turrets high,

Th' approaching knight, one flew with eager zeal
To Nubia's king, these tidings to reveal:
The prophecy recalling to his mind,
For joy he leaves his faithful staff behind,
And with extended arms and guideless feet,
Impatient comes the flying guest to meet.

Astolpho, wheeling many a round in air,
At length alights within the castle square:
The sightless monarch, to his presence led,
With lifted hands before him kneel'd, and said.
Angel from God! thou new Messiah, hear
A wretch, alas! unworthy to prefer
His guilty suit--yet think 'tis man's to fall
In error still, but thine to pardon all!
My crime I know, nor dare I sinful pray

To view, with sight restor'd, the beams of day:

840

845

850

Though sure to thee such sovereign power is given, 855 God's favour'd nunciate from the blest in Heaven! Suffice, I live in never-ending gloom:

But let not famine still my age consume:

Ah! stretch thy hand---thy saving help afford,
And chase the harpies from my wretched board.
Then midst my palace walls I vow to raise
A marble temple sacred to thy praise,

860

On every part resplendent to behold

With dazzling gemis, the roof and gates of gold!
Thy name shall to the fane a title give,

865

And there thy miracle in sculpture live.

Ver. 845. Astolpho, wheeling many a round in air,] See the whole passage---Con spaziote rote.--So in the ivth book---larghe rote...... Milton adopts a similar expression in the flight of Satan, Book iii. ver. 741.

Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel......