NOTE q.

Ceiba,

The wild cotton tree, often mentioned in History.  ‘Cortes,’ says Bernal Diaz, ’took possession of the Country in the following manner.  Drawing his sword, he gave three cuts with it into a great Ceiba and said------’

NOTE r.

Half bird, half fly,

Here are birds so small, says Herrera, that, though they are birds, they are taken for bees or butterflies.

NOTE s.

Reigns there, and revels, &c.

There also was heard the wild cry of the Flamingo.

        What clarion winds along the yellow sands? 
        Far in the deep the giant-fisher stand,
        Folding his wings of flame.

NOTE t.

Who now danc’d forth, &c.

Their dances, which continued from evening to the dawn, were accompanied with singing.  P. MARTYR, dec. iii. 7.

NOTE u.

Who among us a life of sorrow spoil,

For a summary of his life and character see ’An Account of the
European Colonies.’  P. I. c. 8.

NOTE x.

To other eyes, from distant cliff descried,

Balboa immediately concluded it to be the ocean for which Columbus had searched in vain; and when, at length, after a toilsome march among the mountains, his guides pointed out to him the summit from which it might be seen, he commanded his men to halt, and went up alone.  HERRERA, I.x. 1.

NOTE y.

Hung in thy chamber, buried in thy grave!

I always saw them in his room, and he ordered them to be buried with his body.  F. COL. c. 86.

NOTE z.

Thy reverend form

His person, says Herrera, had an air of grandeur.  His hair, from many hardships, had long been grey.  In him you saw a man of an unconquerable courage, and high thoughts; patient of wrongs, calm in adversity, ever trusting in God:—­and, had he lived in antient times, statues and temples would have been erected to him without number, and his name would have been placed among the stars.

NOTE a.

Swept—­till the voyager, in the desert air,

With my own eyes I saw kingdoms as full of people, as hives are full of bees; and now where are they?  LAS CASAS.

NOTE b.

Here, in His train, shall arts and arms attend,

‘There are those alive,’ said an illustrious orator, ’whose memory might touch the two extremities.  Lord Bathurst, in 1704, was of an age to comprehend such things—­and, if his angel had then drawn up the curtain, and, whilst he was gazing with admiration, had pointed out to him a speck, and had told him, “Young man, there is America—­which, at this day, serves for little more than to amuse you with stories of savage men and uncouth manners; yet shall, before you taste of death,"’ &c.  BURKE in 1775.

NOTE c.

Assembling here, &c.