Note 941 — Chapter I
Reading edition
A poem in ottava rima, commemorating Alva's expedition, appeared at Antwerp the year following, from the pen of one Balthazar de Vargas. It has more value in a historical point of view than in a poetical one. A single stanza, which the bard devotes to the victualling of the army, will probably satisfy the appetite of the reader:—
"Y por que la Savoya es montañosa, Y an de passar por ella las legiones, Seria la passada trabajosa Si a la gente faltassen provisiones, El real comissario no reposa. Haze llevar de Italia municiones Tantas que proveyo todo el camino Que jamas falto el pan, y carno, y vino."