 | Songs of a Stranger |  |
14
THE CAPE OF THE CABA RUMIA.
Cervantes mentions that the memory of Florinda, the daughter
of Count Julian, is held in detestation by both Spaniards and
Moors. On the coast of Barbary is a cape called the Caba Rumia,
or Cape of the Wicked Christian Woman, where, it is said, that
Cava, or Caba, or Florinda lies buried; and the Moors think it
ominous to be forced into that bay.
Sir Walter Scott
Sail on! what power has our luckless bark
To this ominous realm betrayed,
Where Cava's rock, o'er the waters dark,
Points out where her bones are laid?
To this ominous realm betrayed,
Where Cava's rock, o'er the waters dark,
Points out where her bones are laid?
Away! away! though tempests sweep,
And waves rage loud and high,
Brave all the terrors of the deep—
But come not that haven nigh.
The spirit of the fatal fair
Hovers dimly over her grave;
'Tis her voice that rings through the troubled air,
'Tis her moan that awakes the wave!
And waves rage loud and high,
Brave all the terrors of the deep—
But come not that haven nigh.
The spirit of the fatal fair
Hovers dimly over her grave;
15
'Tis her moan that awakes the wave!
Oh! dearly the sons of Spain can tell
The woes that her beauty cost,
When Roderick, won by that witching spell,
Fame—honour and country lost.
And ever her name is an evil sound,
And her memory hated shall be;
And woe and dangers that bark surround
That Cava's rock shall see.
Then hasten on for some happier shore;
Nor that Cape still linger near,
That the Spaniard true, and the infidel Moor,
Alike avoid with fear!
The woes that her beauty cost,
When Roderick, won by that witching spell,
Fame—honour and country lost.
And ever her name is an evil sound,
And her memory hated shall be;
And woe and dangers that bark surround
That Cava's rock shall see.
Then hasten on for some happier shore;
Nor that Cape still linger near,
That the Spaniard true, and the infidel Moor,
Alike avoid with fear!
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