They took him first to visit the galleys5 anchored in the port, and D. John was as much pleased as surprised at the "Capitana" which his brother the King had had prepared for him, with all the improvements of the time.
It was a galley4 of the Venetian type, with sixty oars6, as easy to navigate7 as it was strong to attack or resist. The hulk had been built in Barcelona of Catalonian pine, which is the best timber for ships in Asia, Africa or Europe, and the magnificent poop in Seville according to the designs of the painter and architect Juan Balesta Castello, surnamed the Bergamesco. The keel measured 468 "palms" and the deck 492 "palms," and it stood 72 "palms" above the water.
It was painted white and red, and the stern was adorned8 with fine pictures and friezes9 and ornaments10, all symbolical11 of the qualities a great captain should possess.
By the bowsprit there were large pictures divided by two spaces; the centre one represented the capture of the "Golden Fleece" by Jason, who, according to Pliny, was the first man to sail in "nao prolongada," the right-hand picture represented Prudence12 and Temperance, the left-hand one Fortitude13 and Justice, and in the dividing tapestries14 were displayed on one the god Mars, with the sword of Vulcan and the shield of Pallas, and this motto—Per saxa, per undas—and in the other the god Mercury, with his finger on his lips, as one commanding silence, with this legend—Opportune.
From here extended on each side great chains of the "Golden Fleece," interlaced with masks and other symbolical pictures, which reached to the prow15, the figurehead being a powerful Hercules, leaning on his club. Over the stern shone the great lantern, emblem16 of command, of wood and bronze, all gilt17, crowned with a statue of Fame.
On the 2nd of June the first council presided over by D. John was held, the Knight Commander D. Luis de Requesens, D. álvaro de Bazán, D. Juan de Cardona, and Gil Andrada being present. It was the first council that D. John had presided over, and without showing self-sufficiency unsuitable to his years, or the timidity very natural to them, he at once gave proof of one of the best qualities a leader can possess, in order to direct and govern: To know how to ask and how to listen. The council decided18 to set sail without loss of time, to fall in with the fleet coming from the Indies, and escort it as far as Sanlucar de Barrameda; then to go and follow the corsairs along all the Mediterranean19 coast to the ports of France and Italy.
The embarkation20 and departure were fixed21 for the 4th, and it was a brave sight that the beautiful port of Cartagena offered that day. The thirty-three galleys which composed the fleet were dressed with the magnificence of the period, streamers hung from the lower decks, pendants from the yards, banners at the stern; and the most beautiful of all, the "Capitana," flying, by D. John's orders, as well as the royal ensign, the standard of Our Lady of Guadeloupe.
Very early that morning D. John confessed and received communion, and at nine o'clock went on board the "Capitana," followed by a great retinue22. Then all the galleys burst forth23 with salvos of artillery24, and music of drums, and trumpets25 and clarions and Moorish26 horns; the crews manned the rigging, the people in feluccas and on the mole27, crowded so together that many fell into the water, cheered wildly, and D. John, the great D. John that Do?a Magdalena had made of the humble28 Jeromín, held up his head as if among the smoke of the powder he smelt29 the perfume of the glory which was coming to meet him, and felt his chest swell30 and his heart expand as if for the first time he realised Heaven's high mission for him, which was announced not long afterwards to the world by the great Pontiff Pius V, in these words:
Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes.
(There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.)
The expedition lasted until the middle of September, when the fleet returned to Barcelona to winter in that port, according to the custom of those times, except in the case of great urgency or grave peril31, during the months of October, November, December and January.
In this expedition, however, there were neither dangers, nor battles, nor rich and abundant prizes. But there was for D. John (and this was Philip II's idea in giving him the command) deep and practical instruction in the working of a fleet and of disembarking an army; a very useful apprenticeship32 in the way of combining and directing these united forces, and a good opportunity to display to great and small those gifts of energy and courtesy which make the perfect leader, and with which with so unsparing a hand God had endowed D. John of Austria.
His sure, sound judgment33, his prudence in deciding, his frankness and courage in performing, and his firmness and energy in reprimanding and punishing revealed to all in the new leader the not unworthy son of Charles V; and his noble magnanimity towards the vanquished34, his gracious compassion35 for the unfortunate, and his respectful charity towards all the poor and miserable36, be they ever so low and vile37, also revealed the former Jeromín who marshalled Do?a Magdalena's poor people in the courtyard of Villagarcia, cap in hand, and who had learnt from that noble woman to see and respect in the poor the image of Our Lord.
Never, she used to say, does a crucifix cease to be a symbol of our redemption; even though evil hands have profaned38 it and thrown it on the dust-heap, it will always be capable of being cleaned and polished, and always merits the same veneration39. In the same way, no man ceases to be the "redeemed40 of Christ"; and, however tarnished41 by infamy42 and stained by crime, is always susceptible43 of repentance44 and pardon, and will always merit the respect appertaining to that which has cost the blood of God.
This expedition, then, made firm the pedestal on which had been erected45 the great figure of D. John of Austria, and thenceforward he was looked up to by the captains as a leader, loved like a father by the soldiers and crews of the ships; the poor galley slaves, tied to the hard bench, saw in him a sort of archangel who descended46 to the purgatory47 of their prison to ease their work and raise their hopes, and never throwing their offences in their teeth.
The death of Prince Carlos was announced to D. John when he disembarked at Barcelona; it had occurred two months before on the 24th of July, the Eve of St. James's Day, while D. John was at sea. This news affected48 him greatly, not so much for the death of the Prince, which was holy and Christian49, and the best thing that could have happened to the unlucky man, but more for the sorrow he imagined it would cause to D. Philip as King and father.
These sad warnings of the uncertainty50 of life made D. John remember the promise he had made Do?a Magdalena de Ulloa to retire for a while to the convent of Abrojo to meditate51 in solitude52 on the eternal truths, and this seemed to him the best opportunity of fulfilling his word.
The King gladly gave permission, and D. John set out for Madrid and from thence to Valladolid, where Do?a Magdalena de Ulloa was waiting for him. There the sad news reached him that his sister-in-law, the good and gentle Queen, Do?a Isabel of the Peace, had died on the 3rd of October (1568); this fresh sorrow spurred D. John on to put into execution his design of retiring to the convent of Abrojo, with only two valets and the secretary Juan de Quiroga.
The monastery53 of Scala-C?li, commonly called "of Abrojo," from the wood of that name in the midst of which Alvar Deaz de Villacreses founded it, was a convent of bare-footed Franciscans, situated54 in this thicket55, half a league from Valladolid. The Kings of Castille had much veneration for it and made it a royal fortress56, surrounding it with towers and battlemented walls, and by the church they kept for themselves a humble lodging57 where they retired58 for certain religious solemnities and in their times of mourning and sorrow.
There was, in D. John's day, a very devout59 servant of God, called Fr. Juan de Calahorra, at Abrojo, who had known him as Jeromín in his youthful days, and had confessed him and often directed him in Valladolid and Villagarcia.
D. John much esteemed60 his holiness and gentle ways, and wished to keep the brother at his side as confessor and spiritual director during all the time he was in retreat, which was more than two months.
But during this time alarming news reached the solitude of the convent of Abrojo of the rebellion of the Moors61 of Granada, and Juan de Quiroga, who, like all those who knew him well, simply adored D. John and recognised his military qualities, which only needed scope in which to expand and triumph, advised him to beg the King to give him the command of the expedition.
D. John was fired with the idea, but first desired to consult Fr. Juan de Calahorra and Do?a Magdalena de Ulloa, who came to see him several times during those two months. The brother much applauded the project, and as if moved by a spirit of prophecy, said to D. John that not only would he obtain the command, but that it would procure62 a great name for him throughout Europe.
As to Do?a Magdalena, she equally approved of the idea, and insisted on its realisation with even more warmth than Juan de Quiroga or the brother; according to her, the indolent luxury of the Court was always harmful to D. John's youth, and only the responsibilities and hardships of war could keep the proper balance of his ardent63 nature.
And expressing herself more freely to Fr. Juan de Calahorra, the discreet64 lady said, "As only the King can marry him to a princess, let us meanwhile betroth65 him to war; masking her ugliness with the cosmetics66 of glory."
Satisfied by this, D. John posted to Madrid, and before presenting himself to his brother D. Philip, sent him the following letter:
"Y.C.R.M. The obligation I am under to Y.M., and my natural faith for and love for you, make me always tell you what seems to me suitable, with all submission67. I informed Y.M. of my arrival in Madrid, and the reason why I came, and I thought that it was not necessary to worry Y.M. with papers of so little importance as mine. Now I have heard of the state of the rebellion of the Moors at Granada, and how hard pressed the city is, and the rumour68 is certainly true; as the vindication69 of Y.M.'s reputation, honour and greatness, lowered by the impudence70 of these rebels, is very near my heart, I cannot help breaking the obedience71 and submission I have always shown to the will of Y.M., by telling you my own and begging Y.M. (as it is the honour of kings to be constant in their favours and to make men by their hand), as I am Y.M.'s handiwork, to use me to apply your punishment, and you know that you can trust me more than others, and that no one can better inflict72 it on these rascals73 than I can. I confess that they are unworthy of much notice and that someone to punish them is all that is required; but as people, however vile, when they are strong become proud, and as they say that this is not wanting in the present case, it is necessary to deprive them of power: the Marqués de Mondejar is not strong enough for this (because they say that he disagrees with the President and that he is obeyed with a bad grace) and it is advisable to send someone who, like me, is naturally inclined to such work, and I am as obedient to the royal will of Y.M. as clay in the potter's hand, and it would seem to me a grave offence against my love, my inclination74, and what I owe to Y.M. if I do not fulfil this duty; but well I know that those who serve Y.M. and are under your royal hand hold all securely and can ask for nothing further, but this is no reason why this action should be blamed, it should rather be esteemed. If I gain my wish, it will be sufficient reward. For this I came from Abrojo; which I should not have presumed to do without an express order from Y.M. except on such important service for Y.M. Our Lord keep the C. and R. person of Y.M.
"From the inn, the 30th of December, 1568. From Y.M.'s handiwork and most humble servant who kisses your royal hand.
"D. John of Austria."
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1
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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7
navigate
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| v.航行，飞行；导航，领航 | |
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8
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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friezes
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| n.（柱顶过梁和挑檐间的）雕带，（墙顶的）饰带( frieze的名词复数 ) | |
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10
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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11
symbolical
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| a.象征性的 | |
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12
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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13
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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14
tapestries
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| n.挂毯( tapestry的名词复数 )；绣帷，织锦v.用挂毯（或绣帷）装饰( tapestry的第三人称单数 ) | |
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15
prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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18
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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20
embarkation
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| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
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21
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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22
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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24
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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25
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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26
moorish
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| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
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mole
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| n.胎块；痣；克分子 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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29
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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30
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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31
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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32
apprenticeship
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| n.学徒身份；学徒期 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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34
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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35
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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36
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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38
profaned
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| v.不敬( profane的过去式和过去分词 )；亵渎，玷污 | |
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39
veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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40
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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41
tarnished
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| （通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏 | |
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42
infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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43
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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44
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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45
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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46
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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47
purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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48
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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49
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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50
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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51
meditate
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| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
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52
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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53
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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54
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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55
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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56
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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57
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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58
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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59
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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60
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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61
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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62
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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63
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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64
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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65
betroth
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| v.订婚 | |
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66
cosmetics
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| n.化妆品 | |
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67
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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68
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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69
vindication
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| n.洗冤，证实 | |
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70
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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71
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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72
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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73
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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74
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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