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Canto IX
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[ 75 ] Canto IX The Araucanians with a massive army arrive within three leagues of Imperial. Divine intervention frustrates their intention. They repair to their lands where tidings come to them that the Spaniards are in the seat of Penco, rebuilding the city of Concepción. They advance upon the Spaniards, and there is a sturdy battle between them. Manifest we see in action Miracles designed, permitted, Far exceeding Nature’s orders, That God’s sacred law be furthered. In this way, with just presuming, We can see barbarians blinded In their customs, now converted To the faith by lucent marvels. I have said that Indian hosts camped Three leagues from the Imperial City, In a meadow broad and level, And Caupolicán their leader Planned to take with force the village. God held back His strong chastisement For the stubborn folk ungrateful, Mild and clement, reins relaxing. As the city lacked provisions, Arms and victuals, ammunition, Though its men were trained and chosen, Far too few there were for battle. Should its firm foundations totter, Any force with ease could crush it; Not a soul could flee its portals, If the heathen reached the city. When the camp was set in motion, And the marching signal sounded, Suddenly the air grew clouded, Veiled in thickest gloom foreboding; Heavy clouds chased fleecy cloudlets; Turbulent resounding echoes Rose in caracoling stridence, As the fourfold winds exploded. Miracles today we know not Such as ages past have witnessed; Paucity of saints, the reason, And the static Christian statutes! Anything is, therefore, monstrous That is not explained in Nature; E’en our Author lacks men’s credence, For believing now is grievous. If God wills to cure the sick one, In good time the man recovers; If He would exalt the humble, Ordinary means He uses. When He bends the proud and haughty, Naught but natural rules employs He. Everything in life that happens Strikes a natural course and measure. We behold in all God’s wonders His designs, His will and pleasure; He is sovereign of Creation, Bending Nature to His bidding. Those who by pure faith are guided Merit more than if too plainly They should vision fate’s provisions; Firm belief may not be riven. I am loath to tell these wonders, Wishing not your doubts to waken; But an army was the witness Of miraculous adventures. Scrupulous, my Lord, and swearing By the One on High, I say this; Naught then shall I leave unmentioned, Propped by Indians’ confirmations. [ 76 ] The Araucaniad Crashing clouds poured down in torrents, Drenching rain and murderous hailstones; Flashes, lightning, rolls of thunder Rent the sky and cleaved the landscape, While the wind in competition Cut a sluice through earth and heaven, And the swirling, mad tornado Snatched whatever it encountered. Equal fear stung hearts turned craven, None possessed so whole a spirit That in such a maddening tempest Men of steel should stand untrembling. Eponamon then swept on them, In the form of a hideous dragon, Whipped his fiery tail with lashings, Roughly spoke with rumbling accent, Saying: “Take up arms and hasten ’Gainst this quaking Spanish village. It can easily be captured By the first band’s grim endeavour. To the sword and fire reduce it! Leave no man, no rampart standing!” This he spoke that all might hear him, And in puffs of smoke he vanished. All at once the gale turned peaceful; Elements confused, relented; And the four winds, loosed from leashes, To their hollow caves retreated. Clouds, retiring to their havens, Opened sky-rifts clear for sun-fire. Fear alone clung fast imbedded In the most audacious bosom. Ceased the tempest; skies of velvet Clad the humid fields with gladness, When in graceful flight, a goddess, Wrapped in gauzy veils of beauty, On a fleecy cloud swooped earthward, Dazzling with her radiant splendor, As the noon-tide sun in brilliance Far outshines the glow of star-light. Comfort shone, and fright was exiled Through her holy face of mercy. Grave she seemed, a saint escorted By a hoary-headed ancient, As she spoke with gentle chiding: “Whither turn ye, hopeless people? Back, turn back! Your lands now call you! Let the Imperial hosts go warless. “God above would aid His Christians, Give them power and strength to crush you. Rebels, ingrates, beasts inhuman, You’ve denied to Him obedience. Shun that city! In their holding God will place the glaive and sentence.” Saying this, she fled earth’s baseness, Through...