IX.

“’Tis said and sung--but History doubtless lies-- That great Fernando here and Isabel, Beneath this aged oak, these mountain skies, Swore to maintain Biscaya’s rights full well. ’Tis said that those who lived where now ye dwell-- I did not say your fathers--with their swords Won and preserved their fuéros from the fell Assaults of native tyrants--idle words! Ye know the fuéros melt i’ th’ breath of foreign lords.