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第16章

beacon lights of history-iii-2-第16章

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he was still a visionary and a needy adventurer; and they quoted;

in refutation of his theory; those Scripture texts which were

hurled in greater wrath against Galileo when he announced his

brilliant discoveries。  There are; from some unfathomed reason;

always texts found in the sacred writings which seem to conflict

with both science and a profound theology; and the pedants; as well

as the hypocrites and usurpers; have always shielded themselves

behind these in their opposition to new opinions。  I will not be

hard upon them; for often they are good men; simply unable to throw

off the shackles of ages of ignorance and tyranny。  People should

not be subjected to lasting reproach because they cannot emancipate

themselves from prevailing ideas。  If those prejudiced courtiers

and scholastics who ridiculed Columbus could only have seen with

his clearer insight; they might have loaded him with favors。  But

they were blinded and selfish and envious。  Nor was it until

Columbus convinced his sovereigns that the risk was small for so

great a promised gain; that he was finally commissioned to

undertake his voyage。  The promised boon was the riches of Oriental

countries; boundless and magnificent;countries not to be

discovered; but already known; only hard and perhaps impossible to

reach。  And Columbus himself was so firmly persuaded of the

existence of these riches; and of his ability to secure them; and

they were so exaggerated by his imagination; that his own demands

were extravagant and preposterous; as must have seemed to an

incredulous court;that he; a stranger; an adventurer; almost a

beggar even; should in case of success be made viceroy and admiral

over the unexplored realm; and with a tenth of all the riches he

should collect or seize; and that these high officesalmost regal

should also be continued not only through his own life; but

through the lives of his heirs from generation to generation; thus

raising him to a possible rank higher than that of any of the dukes

and grandees of Spain。



Ferdinand and Isabella; however; readily promised all that the

persistent and enthusiastic adventurer demanded; doubtless with the

feeling that there was not more than one chance in a hundred that

he would ever be heard from again; but that this one chance was

well worth all and more than they expended;a possibility of

indefinite aggrandizement。  To the eyes of Ferdinand there was a

prospectremote; indeedof adding to the power of the Spanish

monarchy; and it is probable that the pious Isabella contemplated

also the conversion of the heathen to Christianity。  It is possible

that some motives may have also influenced Columbus kindred to

this;a renewed crusade against Saracen infidels; which he might

undertake from the wealth he was so confident of securing。  But the

probabilities are that Columbus was urged on to his career by

ambitious and worldly motives also; or else he would not have been

so greedy to secure honors and wealth; nor would have been so

jealous of his dignity when he had attained power。  To me Columbus

was no more a saint than Sir Francis Drake was when he so

unscrupulously robbed every ship he could lay his hands upon;

although both of them observed the outward forms of religious

worship peculiar to their respective creeds and education。  There

were no unbelievers in that age。  Both Catholics and Protestants;

like the ancient Pharisees; were scrupulous in what were supposed

to be religious duties;though these too often were divorced from

morality。  It is Columbus only as an intrepid; enthusiastic;

enlightened navigator; in pursuit of a new world of boundless

wealth; that I can see him; and it was for his ultimate success in

discovering this world; amid so many difficulties; that he is to be

regarded as a great benefactor; of the glory of which no ingenuity

or malice can rob him。



At last he sets sail; August 3; 1492; and; singularly enough; from

Palos; within sight of the little convent where he had received his

first encouragement。  He embarked in three small vessels; the

largest of which was less thou one hundred tons; and two without

decks; but having high poops and sterns inclosed。  What an

insignificant flotilla for such a voyage!  But it would seem that

the Admiral; with great sagacity; deemed small vessels best adapted

to his purpose; in order to enter safely shallow harbors and sail

near the coast。



He sails in the most propitious season of the year; and is aided by

steady trade…winds which waft his ships gently through the unknown

ocean。  He meets with no obstacles of any account。  The skies are

serene; the sea is as smooth as the waters of an inland lake; and

he is comforted; as he advances to the west; by the appearance of

strange birds and weeds and plants that indicate nearness to the

land。  He has only two objects of solicitude;the variations of

the magnetic needle; and the superstitious fears of his men; the

last he succeeds in allaying by inventing plausible theories; and

by concealing the real distance he has traversed。  He encourages

them by inflaming their cupidity。  He is nearly baffled by their

mutinous spirit。  He is in danger; not from coral reefs and

whirlpools and sunken rocks and tempests; as at first was feared;

but from his men themselves; who clamor to return。  It is his faith

and moral courage and fertility of resources which we most admire。

Days pass in alternate hope and disappointment; amid angry clamors;

in great anxiety; for no land appears after he has sailed far

beyond the points where he expected to find it。  The world is

larger than even he has supposed。  He promises great rewards to the

one who shall first see the unknown shores。  It is said that he

himself was the first to discover land by observing a flickering

light; which is exceedingly improbable; as he was several leagues

from shore; but certain it is; that the very night the land was

seen from the Admiral's vessel; it was also discovered by one of

the seamen on board another ship。  The problem of the age was at

last solved。  A new continent was given to Ferdinand and Isabella。



On the 12th of October Columbus landsnot; however; on the

continent; as he supposed; but on an islandin great pomp; as

admiral of the seas and viceroy of the king; in a purple doublet;

and with a drawn sword in one hand and the standard of Spain in the

other; followed by officers in appropriate costume; and a friar

bearing the emblem of our redemption; which is solemnly planted on

the shore; and the land called San Salvador。  This little island;

one of the Bahamas; is not; however; gilded with the anticipated

splendors of Oriental countries。  He finds neither gold; nor

jewels; nor silks; nor spices; nor any signs of civilization; only

naked men and women; without any indication of wealth or culture or

power。  But he finds a soft and genial climate; and a soil of

unparalleled fertility; and trees and shrubs as green as Andalusia

in spring and birds with every variety of plumage; and insects

glistening with every color of the rainbow; while the natives are

gentle and unsuspecting and full of worship。  Columbus is

disappointed; but not discouraged。  He sets sail to find the real

Cipango of which he is in search。  He cruises among the Bahama

islands; discovers Cuba and Hispaniola (now called Hayti); explores

their coasts; holds peaceful intercourse with the natives; and is

transported with enthusiasm in view of the beauty of the country

and its great capacities; but he sees no gold; only a few ornaments

to show that there is gold somewhere near; if it only could be

found。  Nor has he reached the Cipango of his dreams; but new

countries; of which there was no record or suspicion of existence;

yet of vast extent; and fertile beyond knowledge。  He is puzzled;

but filled with intoxicating joy。  He has performed a great feat。

He has doubtless added indefinitely to the dominion of Spain。



Colum

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