POEMS ON THE TIMES OF PHILIP II.

THE SONG OF LEPANTO.

Lo the Paynim's pride is broken,
Torn and shatter'd, wings and van,
Where we closed, with fiery gun-decks,
Plank to plank, and man to man.

Where is now vain Uluc-Ali?

Fled to sea in shame and fear :
And the Pasha's head, grim ensign,
Frowns on Spain's avenging spear.

Slaves are free, who toil'd in galleys :-
Pitying God, Thy grace alone
Saved them by the threefold succours
In the bond of Truth made one.

Victory! let the shout in thunder
Roll afar to seas and sky;
Memory waft it on, and Glory

Wake her trump with "Victory."

Glory waits on thy returning,
John of Austria, to the sound
Of the cannon's voice, and clarions,
Heard these sea-girt isles around,

Where all fiery red with slaughter

Breaks the bubbling foam and spray; Smouldering spars and turbans floating Crowd each cove and inland bay.

Victory speak each blazing beacon,
Victory speak each booming gun;

Victory speak each rock and headland
By the Christian victors won!

Victory! let the shout in thunder
Roll afar to seas and sky;
Memory waft it on, and Glory

Wake her trump with "Victory."

HERRERA'S SONNET ON LEPANTO.

Deep Sea, whose thundering waves in tumult roar,
Call forth thy troubled Spirit,-bid him rise,
And gaze, with terror pale, and hollow eyes,
On floods all flashing fire, and red with gore.
Lo! as in lists inclosed, on battle-floor

Christian and Sarzan, life and death the prize,
Join conflict: lo! the batter'd Paynim flies;
The din, the smouldering flames, he braves no more.
Go, bid thy deep-toned bass with voice of power
Tell of this mightiest victory under sky,

This deed of peerless valour's highest strain; And say a youth achieved the glorious hour,

Hallowing thy gulf with praise that ne'er shall die,— The youth of Austria, and the might of Spain.

See Note.