NOTES ON EUROPE.

P. 27. 1. 6.

In Dresden's grove the dewy cool I sought.

THE opening lines of this poem were really composed in the situation (the Park of Dresden), and under the influence of the feelings which they attempt to describe. The disastrous issue of King Frederick's campaign took away from the author all inclination to continue them, and they remained neglected till the hopes of Europe were again revived by the illustrious efforts of the Spanish people.

P. 28. 1. 14.

Pratzen's hill.

The hill of Pratzen was the point most obstinately contested in the great battle which has taken its name from the neighbouring town of Austerlitz; and here the most dreadful slaughter took place, both of French and Russians. The author had, a few weeks before he wrote the above, visited every part of this celebrated field.

P. 28. 1. 20.

And, red with slaughter, Freedom's humbled crest. It is necessary perhaps to mention, that, by freedom, in this and in other passages of the present poem, political liberty is

understood, in opposition to the usurpation of any single European state. In the particular instance of Spain, however, it is a hope which the author has not yet seen reason to abandon, that a struggle so nobly maintained by popular energy, must terminate in the establishment not only of national independence, but of civil and religious liberty.

P. 29. 1. 11.

Gallia's vaunting train.

The confidence and shameful luxury of the French nobles, during the seven years' war, are very sarcastically noticed by Templeman.

P. 33. 1. 12.

Where youthful Lewis led.

Prince Lewis Ferdinand of Prussia, who fell gloriously with almost the whole of his regiment.

P. 33. 1. 15.

By her whose charms, &c.

The Queen of Prussia; beautiful, unfortunate, and unsubdued by the severest reverses.

P. 34. 1. 6.

The covering cherub, &c.

"Thou art the anointed cherub that coverest."-Addressed

to Tyre, by Ezekiel, xxviii. 14.

P. 40. 1. 10.

Inez' grave.

Inez de Castro, the beloved mistress of the Infant Don Pedro, son of Alphonso IV. King of Portugal, and stabbed by

K

the orders, and, according to Camoëns, in the presence of that monarch. A fountain near Coimbra, the scene of their loves and misfortunes, is still pointed out by tradition, and called Amores. De la Clede, Hist. de Portugalle, 4to. tom. i. page 282-7-and Camoëns' Lusiad, canto 3, stanza cxxxv.

P. 40. 1. 11.

Who dar'd the first withstand

The Moslem wasters of their bleeding land. The Asturians, who under Pelagius first opposed the career of Mahometan success.

P. 40. I. 14.

Thy spear-encircled crown, Asturia.

"La couronne de fer de Dom Pélage, cette couronne si

simple mais si glorieuse, dont chaque fleuron est formé du "fer d'une lance arrachée aux Chevaliers Maures que ce heros "avoit faits tomber sous ses coups." Roman de Dom Ursino le Navarin, Tressan, tom. ix. 52.

P. 41. 1. 16.

Rude, ancient lays of Spain's heroic time.

See the two elegant specimens given by Bishop Percy in his Reliques; and the more accurate translations of Mr. Rodd, in his Civil Wars of Grenada.

P. 41. 1. 17.

Him in Xeres' carnage fearless found.

The Gothic monarchy in Spain was overthrown by the Mussulmans at the battle of Xeres, the Christian army being defeated with dreadful slaughter, and the death of their king,

the unhappy and licentious Roderigo. Pelagius assembled the small band of those fugitives who despised submission, amid the mountains of the Asturias, under the name of King of Oviedo.

P. 41. I. 19.

Of that chaste king, &c.

Alonso, surnamed the Chaste, with ample reason, if we believe his historians: who defeated, according to the Spanish romances, and the graver authority of Mariana, the whole force of Charlemagne and the twelve peers of France, at Roncesvalles. Bertrand del Carpio, the son of Alonso's sister, Ximena, was his general; and according to Don Quixote (no incompetent authority on such a subject) put the celebrated Orlando to the same death as Hercules inflicted on Antæus. His reason was, that the nephew of Charlemagne was enchanted, and, like Achilles, only vulnerable in the heel, to guard which he wore always iron shoes.-See Mariana, 1. vii. c. xi.; Don Quixote, book i. c. i.; and the notes on Mr. Southey's Chronicle of the Cid; a work replete with powerful description, and knowledge of ancient history and manners, and which adds a new wreath to one, who "nullum fere scribendi genus intactum reliquit, nullum quod tetigit non ornavit."

P. 42. 1. 1.

Chiefest him who rear'd his banner tall, &c.

Rodrigo Diaz, of Bivar, surnamed the Cid by the Moors.— See Mr. Southey's Chronicle.

P. 42. 1. 8.

Red Buraba's field, and Lugo

Buraba and Lugo were renowned scenes of Spanish victories over the Moors, in the reigns of Bermudo, or, as his name is Latinized, Veremundus, and Alonso the Chaste. Of Lugo the British have since obtained a melancholy knowledge.

P. 42. 1. 18.
Tlascala.

An extensive district of Mexico: its inhabitants were the first Indians who submitted to the Spaniards under Cortez.

P. 43. 1. 1.

Her captive king.

Francis I. taken prisoner at the battle of Pavia.

P. 43. 1. 11.

Yon Batic skies.

Andalusia forms a part of the ancient Hispania Boetica.

P. 44. 1. 20.

Roncesvalles' vale.

See the former note on Alonso the Chaste.

P. 46. 1. 4.

The pois'd balance, trembling still with fate.

This line is imitated from one in Mr. Roscoe's spirited verses on the commencement of the French revolution.

P. 46. 1. 12.

Numbers numberless.

"He look'd and saw what numbers numberless."

Milton, Paradise Regained.