260
VOYAGES
AND
D I S C O V E R I E S OF
MICER CODRO, THE ASTROLOGER. T H E fate of the Italian astrologer, Micer Codro, who predicted the end of Vasco Nunez, is related by the historian Oviedo, with some particulars that border upon the marvelous.
It appears
that, after the death of his patron, he continued for several years rambling about the New World, in the train of the Spanish dis coverers ; but intent upon studying the secrets of its natural his tory, rather than searching after its treasures. In the course of his wanderings he was once coasting the shores of the Southern Ocean, in a ship commanded by one Geronimo de Valenzuela, from whom he received such cruel treat ment as to cause his death, though, what the nature of the treat ment was, we are not precisely informed. Finding his end approaching, the unfortunate
astrologer
addressed Valenzuela in the most solemn manner : " Captain," said he, " you have caused my death by your cruelty ; I now summon you to appear with me, within a year, before the Judg ment Seat of God !" The captain made a light and scoffing answer, and treated his summons with contempt. They were then off the coast of Veragua, near the verdant islands of Zebaco, which lie at the entrance of the Gulf of Parita or Paria.
The poor astrologer gazed wistfully with his dying
eyes upon the green and shady groves, and entreated the pilot or