Final answer:
Diaz likely experienced a mix of relief, joy, and surrealism upon returning home, symbolized by references to a rescuing 'man-of-war' from pirates and escaping from a 'den of lions.' Over time, these intense feelings may have subsided to give way to more complex emotions and a return to reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
It seems that Diaz felt overwhelming relief and joy upon returning home, mixed with a sense of surrealism and possibly disbelief. For instance, having felt like an unarmed mariner rescued from pirates or escaping a den of lions suggests an intense emotive experience coupled with a significant sense of reprieve and gratitude. This initial euphoria may have given way to a more sober sense of reality, especially if he had been through particularly harrowing experiences as the reference to a den of hungry lions indicates. On the other hand, an individual in this situation may also feel disoriented or have an out-of-body experience, as suggested in the narrative where the character stands at the gate of his home, seeing everything as left, which could symbolize a return to normalcy or possibly an unresolved internal conflict.