| |
| NOW, when from Covadonga, down the vale | |
| Holding his way, the princely mountaineer | |
| Came with that happy family in sight | |
| Of Cangas and his native towers, far off | |
| He saw before the gate, in fair array, | 5 |
| The assembled land. Broad banners were displayed, | |
| And spears were sparkling to the sun, shields shone, | |
| And helmets glittered, and the blaring horn, | |
| With frequent sally of impatient joy, | |
| Provoked the echoes round. Well he areads, | 10 |
| From yonder ensigns and augmented force, | |
| That Odoar and the Primate from the west | |
| Have brought their aid; but wherefore all were thus | |
| Instructed as for some great festival, | |
| He found not, till Favila’s quicker eye | 15 |
| Catching the ready buckler, the glad boy | |
| Leapt up, and, clapping his exultant hands, | |
| Shouted, King! King! my father shall be king | |
| This day! Pelayo started at the word, | |
| And the first thought which smote him brought a sigh | 20 |
| For Roderick’s fall; the second was of hope, | |
| Deliverance for his country, for himself | |
| Enduring fame, and glory for his line. * * * * * | |
| Roderick brought | |
| The buckler: eight for strength and stature chosen | 25 |
| Came to their honored office; round the shield | |
| Standing, they lower it for the chieftain’s feet, | |
| Then, slowly raised upon their shoulders, lift | |
| The steady weight. Erect Pelayo stands, | |
| And thrice he brandishes the burnished sword, | 30 |
| While Urban to the assembled people cries, | |
| “Spaniards, behold your king!” The multitude | |
| Then sent forth all their voice with glad acclaim, | |
| Raising the loud Real; thrice did the word | |
| Ring through the air, and echo from the walls | 35 |
| Of Cangas. Far and wide the thundering shout, | |
| Rolling among reduplicating rocks, | |
| Pealed o’er the hills, and up the mountain vales. | |
| The wild ass starting in the forest glade | |
| Ran to the covert; the affrighted wolf | 40 |
| Skulked through the thicket to a closer brake; | |
| The sluggish bear, awakened in his den, | |
| Roused up and answered with a sullen growl, | |
| Low-breathed and long; and at the uproar scared, | |
| The brooding eagle from her nest took wing. * * * * * | 45 |
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