.. yi/r /( /.:>/ JLEJL w THE LUSIAD OF GAMOENS National Printing Office. THE LUSIAD OF GAMOENS TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH SPENSERIAN VFR5E ROBERT FFRENCH DUFF Knight Commander of the Portuguese Royal Order of Christ. LISBON MESS. CIIATTO & WIND US, LONDON, MESS. J. B. LIPPIN'COTT & C., PIIILADEL1MIIA, MR. MATTHEW LEWTAS, LISBON. 188O HCNRY MORSE STEPHEN* HIS MAJESTY THE KING DON FERDINAND II. THIS TRANSLATION OF THE LUSIAD INTO ENGLISH SPENSERIAN VERSE IS BY HIS MAJESTY'S GRACIOUS PERMISSION DEDICATED BY HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HUMBLE AND DEVOTED SERVANT THE TRANSLATOH 515149 PREFACE, This translation was commenced about three years ago without the least intention of publish- ing it. When it was completed, it was submitted to a person well qualified to pass judgment on it, and his, perhaps too partial, verdict, induced the author to venture on presenting it to the public. It has now been for nine months in the hands of the printers of the National Press, which will not be very surprising to those who can appreciate the difficulty of bringing out a long poem into a fo- reign language. This we must also plead in excuse for any errors, which may be found in the work. This delay, however, by a fortunate coincidence, will make the publication appear at the moment when the whole Portuguese nation is preparing to VIII PREFACE. celebrate the third centenary anniversary of the death of the immortal poet, and may be considered as a very humble tribute of admiration on the part of the translator, on that glorious occasion. The question has been asked why the Spen- serian stanza was selected. For this, two reasons will suffice. The first is, the admiration of the trans- lator for the Childe Harold and other poems of Lord Byron, which he read with pleasure when they were first published, and an impression that the metre was peculiarly adapted for epic, narrative, and des- criptive compositions; the other reason is, that the length of the stanza affords ample scope to em- body the fall meaning of the original which cannot be easily done in translating verse for verse. It is to be feared that some persons may con- sider a great part of the appendix superfluous and unnecessary. The translator, however, thinks that a tolera- ble acquaintance with the History of Portugal, and of the affairs of India during the period in which the Portuguese were the only foreigners who pos- sessed any territory in that region, is almost abso- lutely necessary for the comprehension of the poem. But he was also actuated by another motive, which was that Camoens, who has presented to us all the poetry in the history of his country, would also be PREFACE. IX gratified by seeing his great poein associated with all the real and important facts and events connected with his native land. Moreover according to the maxim, "quod abundat non nocet", the super- abundance will not injure the reader, who may easily put it aside. The table of contents and the argument pre- fixed to each canto, will afford great facility to the readers who may wish to peruse any particular pas- sage. The translator w r ould be indeed most ungrate- ful, if he did not acknowledge the very great as- sistance which he has derived from Mr. Lewis as well as Mr. Butler. They have not only revised the proofs, a task for which his failing sight entirely incapacitated him, but have also made many valua- ble suggestions to him. The elegant penmanship of Mr. Anahory who transcribed the original manuscript, has much fa- cilitated the labours of the compositors. Notwithstanding all the care in revising and cor- recting the proof sheets, it is to be regretted that some errors have crept into the text, and the kind readers are requested to examine the errata at the end of the volume before they pass judgment on any passage, which may seem faulty or ambiguous. In pursuance of an ancient custom, although X PREFACE. it is now not much in vogue, a list of the sub- scribers to this work will be found in this volume, and the translator trusts that they will accept this as a tribute of gratitude, on his part, for their kindness and generosity. The translator avails himself of this opportu- nity, to express his grateful acknowledgment of the very generous and liberal contribution of Co- lonel Astley Campbell of Abelheira to promote the success of this undertaking. Lisbon, November 1879. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF LUIZ BE CAMOENS, A succinct account of the life of the illustrious Portu- guese bard will perhaps be acceptable to the reader of his great poem. This renowned poet, the glory of his country, has, he himself declares, left scattered fragments of his life about the world, and has partly traced some portions of them in his various poems, more or less obscurely, and has thus bequeathed to posterity a series of doubtful, and contra- dictory points extremely difficult to reconcile. His various biographers have been compelled to struggle with these partial revelations of the history of this distinguished man, who, as Schlegel says, embraces the whole litera- ture of his native country. Such has been the arduous task imposed upon those who have attempted to elucidate the facts and events of the life of Camoens. In the absence of authentic documents, and for want of information from his contemporaries who might have possessed the neces- sary knowledge of the real truth, they were absolutely forced to plunge into a sea of conjectures, and suppositions, recurring to inductions more or less well founded, to clear up matters of time and place, or to throw light upon events frequently involved in mysterious darkness. We must, however confess that, notwithstanding all the efforts and diligence of many writers (especially in modern times) to XII BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE elucidate tlie truth, there are still numberless circum- stances, and some of no little importance, about which it is impossible to form a clear and decisive opinion. It would be easy for us to prove this assertion by entering into a discussion from which we should not shrink ; but the na- ture of the task which has been imposed upon us, and, even more, the very small space allowed us for this pur- pose prevent us from attempting anything of the kind. For these reasons we shall limit ourselves to a brief and succinct account, and chronology of the life and va- rious adventures of the poet. We shall rely, for this pur- pose, upon the most prevalent opinions, but more espe- cially on the compilation of Viscount of Juromenha, in which that erudite, and laborious investigator has succes- fully corrected some errors and misconceptions of his predecessors. Descended from a noble family, originally settled in Gallicia of which the first who was established in Portugal was Vasco Pires de Camoens who came to this realm in the time of Ferdinand the First, Luiz de Camoens was born, in all probability in the city of Lisbon. Notwithstanding this, claims have been put in ancient as well as modern times, for Coimbra, Santarem, and Alemquer, as the birth-place of the great poet, and special reasons are alleged for attributing this distinc- tion to each of them ; thus all of them dispute the glory, which Lisbon is in reality entitled to, of having been the cradle of this, her most illustrious son. His parents were Simon Vas de Camoens and Anna de Sd, who is also by some called Macedo. If we may believe implicitly the assertion of Manoel de Faria e Souza, or more properly speaking, the entry which he says he found in the register of the Indian De- partment, the poet was twenty five years of age in 1550, and was consequently born towards the close of 1524, or in the beginning of 1525. But we have no means of as- OF LUIZ DE CAMOEKS. * XIII certaining how the above-mentioned author obtained the knowledge of that entry, or what became of it subsequent- ly, while in contradiction, his earliest biographers state that he was born in 1517. As we do not attach any weight to what has been re- cently asserted to the contrary, we still continue to believe that he acquired the first rudiments of learning in the city of Lisbon, and that he afterwards pursued his studies in Coimbra, under the direction of his uncle D. Bento de Camoens, who was elected general of the Order of the Holy Cross, in 1539, and was soon afterwards nominated chancellor of the university. Of his residence in that city we find mention in his lyric poems, in which there is more than one allusion to the fact. His works afford ample and exuberant proofs of his progress and improvement in learning. Nevertheless, there is no record or vestige of proof that any of those honours which are conferred upon distinguished members of a university and stamp as it were, the seal upon the reputation of the student, at the close of his academical career, were ever bestowed upon him. It was during the latter period of his residence in Coim- bra, (at all events, this is the opinion of the Viscount Ju- romenha) that he first began to entertain that amorous passion, which was destined to exercise so great an in- fluence over the whole course of his life. The person of whom the poet became enamoured, and whom he subse- quently met on his coming to Lisbon in 1542 or 1545 was D. Catharina de Athaide 1 , the daughter of D. Antonio 1 The court of Portugal lias always maintained the strictest rules of de- corum on this point. A memorable instance of this occurred in the early part of the present century, when a lady of the highest rank was seriously compromised. The late King, John the Sixth, whose natural goodness of heart and benignity were unquestionable, promulgated a decree of the grea- test severity against the unfortunate lady, who was a maid of honour to the Queen. Although she succeeded in effecting her escape into Spain, the King prevailed upon the Spanish government to deliver her into his hands, XIV , BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE de Lima, and maid of honour to Queen Catherine. Her fa- ther was the Lord Steward in the household of the In- fant D. Duarte. The first years he passed at the court seem to have been the happy period of his life in which, he says, he was in full enjoyment of the friendship of many individuals, and the smiles of the lovely dames in whose society he lived. His talent and natural advan- tages not only acquired for him the esteem and regard of the most distinguished personages, but also obtained for him a welcome admission into the court of his sove- reign. It was in the palace that his familiar intercourse with the object of his love, and the frequent opportunities which he thus obtained, gradually led him on to the indul- gence of his passions without due respect to the long es- tablished rules of decorum which were always maintained within the precincts of the royal residence. This was di- vulged, either through want of caution, or by the envy of his rivals, and probably excited the anger and indig- nation of D. Catharine's relatives who were of the highest nobility, and he thus incurred the penalty which the law and she was incarcerated in a convent during the remainder of her life. Notwithstanding this extreme harshness, an opinion is prevalent that the monarch himself was at least as much to blame as the unhappy person on whom he so cruelly wreaked his vengeance. For obvious reasons, we re- frain from the mention of any names, although the circumstances are gene- rally known. It must be remembered, however, that there was not the slightest stain on the reputation of D. Catharina de Athaide and that the only objection on the part of her parents was the poverty and inferiority of rank of the poet. Although they had no title, the Coutinhos and the Athaides ranked with the highest nobles. In point of fact nobility in Portugal did not depend upon a title, and many of its most illustrious warriors and states- men such as D. Joao de Castro, I). Francisco de Almeida and Affonso de Albuquerque were members of the very highest families, but never obtained a title. To judge from the eagerness with which the title of Baron or Vicount is solicited now-a-days by persons whose only claim, in many in- stances, is their acquisition of wealth in the slave trade or by contracting usurious loans, it maybe concluded that they are not aware that it is only OF LUIZ DE CAMOENS. XV inflicted for such offences. To this unfortunate circum- stance tradition attributes, and with very great probabi- lity, his banishment to some place on the banks of the river Tagus which is supposed by Viscount Juromenha, to have been the little town of Punhete, or as it is now called Constancia, the beautiful place which is seen from the railway bridge at the confluence of the river Zezere with the Tagus. This punishment, in consequence as it is supposed of a repetition of the offence, was subsequently still further aggravated by transportation to the coast of Africa. He resided for some time in the fortified city of Ceuta, and was there engaged in the military operations of that period against the Moors. He is supposed to have lost his right eye in one of these encounters. Some authors howev- er, assert that this occurred in a naval engagement in the straits of Gibraltar, on board of the transport which conveyed him to this place of exile in Africa. It would seem that in the year 1549, when D. Affonso de Noronha was called to the court of his sovereign in order to succeed D. Joao de Castro in the viceroyalty by what is called, (foro de fidalgo) a patent of nobility that it is really con- ferred. It is not improbable that this slight rankled in the proud spirit of Ca- moens, and embittered his feelings against the nobles and courtiers. This aversion is displayed in many passages of his poems. It was this also, in all likelihood, that made him prefer John the Second, a monarch certainly of great energy and ability, to his more illustrious ancestor, John the First, the founder of the house of Aviz, to which Portugal is indebted for its ancient grandeur and prosperity. The chief merit of John the Se- cond was perhaps, in the eyes of the poet, the fatal blow which he aimed at the feudal rights and privileges of the grandees by the assassination of the Duke of Yizeu with his own hand, and the execution of the Duke of Braganga on the scaffold in the city of Evora. This latter is generally considered to have been a judicial murder, and the unfortunate Duke was }ong venerated as a martyr by the inhabitants of Alemtejo. No such blot rests upon the glorious escutcheon of John the First, certainly the greatest and most nobleininded of Portuguese monarchs. XVI BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE of India, the poet accompanied him to Lisbon, with the intention of proceeding with him to the country which he had been appointed to govern. It was for this purpose that he volunteered his services in 1550, as we learn from the entry in the official register, which was discovered by Faria e Souza. Nevertheless, it is well ascertained, that he did not take his departure in that year, but only em- barked in 1553 on board of the fleet commanded by Fer- dinand Alvares Cabral, which sailed from that port on the 24 th March of that year. It was during this interval of his stay in that city that, in consequence of some un- fortunate mischance, he was incarcerated for some months in the common prison of the capital. Luiz de Cainoens was naturally of a turbulent and da- ring spirit. He himself tells us, in some parts of his works, that his adversaries never saw the soles of his feet. By some accident, or other, it happened that during the feasts and rejoicings with which it was customary at that period to celebrate the festival of Corpus Christi, a quarrel arose between two persons, who wore masks, and Gron9alo Bor- ges, a servant of the King. The poet, who witnessed this conflict, immediately rushed forward in defence of the in- dividuals with masks, whom he recognized as his friends, and, in doing so, unfortunatly wounded Gronc,alo Borges with his sword. He was arrested en the spot by the po- lice, and subsequently condemned to expiate his crime in a prison, called the Tronco, from which he only obtained his release in virtue of a royal pardon, which was granted on the ground, that he had been forgiven by the offended party, and in consideration of his being so young and poor, as well as because he was ready to volunteer his services for India. This royal pardon bears date the 13 Ul March 1553. He accordingly sailed from Lisbon shortly after- wards, and in such an unhappy hour did he quit his native land, that he might have justly applied to himself OF LUIZ DE CAMOENS. XVII the words of Scipio Africanus; "Ingrata patria, nonpossi- debis ossa mea." After a dangerous and toilsome voyage of six months, the man-of-war, called S. Bento, arrived at Groa, and was the only one of the four ships which reached that port in that year. On his arrival, he found the viceroy, D. Al- phonso de Noronha, under whose orders Camoens had served at Ceuta, occupied in preparing a great expedition, which .was intended to go and succour our friends, the Kings of Cochim and Porea, against whom a war was threatened by the King of Pimenta, or as he is styled by some authors, the King of Chambay. The poet did not neglect such a favourable opportunity for commen- cing his career, and accordingly engaged in that expe- dition, the result of which he commemorates in the elegy, commencing with these words, "the, poet Simonides", etc.; in which he also relates the incidents of his voyage from Lis- bon to the East Indies, as well as the terrible storm which he encountered when they doubled the Cape of Good- Hope. After this, he took part in other military enterprises, although neither the requirements of active service nor the various labours and trouble which he had to undergo in the intervals, diverted his attention from the cultivation of the Muses, to whom he was most constantly devoted, having lived sixteen years in Asia, as he himself tells us, "with a sword in one hand, whilst the other held a pen." It was thus that he ranged over the various parts of India; he penetrated into the Red Sea as well as into the Persian gulf; he resided in Malacca, in the Moluccas and in Macau: he visited Sumatra, the Maldives, and the Is- land of Ceylon; and, like an intelligent and curious obser- ver, he skillfully and truthfully delineated all those diffe- rent places and scenes in his immortal epic poem, and also in some of his other poetical compositions, which, he has bequeathed to us for our perusal. XVIII BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE After the lapse of a few years subsequently to his arrival in India, he began to experience new troubles and mis- fortunes. Pedro de Mascarenhas was succeeded in the go- vernment of those states by Francisco Barreto, whose character has been variously appreciated by the different biographers of the Lusian bard. On the occasion of his investiture, there were games, banquets, and (what were very unusual at that period) theatrical performances. For these last mentioned amusements Camoens contributed a drama called Felodemo. But at the same time, he com- posed some virulent satires, and acrimonious censures on the dissolute manners, licentiousness, vices, and corruption, which were far too prevalent amongst persons of high rank, and distinction in Groa. The vicious and depraved perso- nages whom he satirized were highly offended, and had sufficient influence to obtain his removal to China, where he was appointed administrator of the property of deceased persons, and absentees. Some writers look upon this as promotion, inasmuch as it was an appointment of some emolument, and which afforded an opportunity of acqui- ring wealth; but others, on the contrary, believe that this was merely a specious disguise to conceal what was really intended as a punishment, and banishment. It seems that his departure for that distant country took place in march 1556 in the very same year in which it is conjectured that D. Catharina de Athaide died in Lisbon. The poet resided in Macau about two years, and it was during this interval, according to a tradition which is ge- nerally believed, that he composed a very considerable part of the Lusiad. In 1558 Francisco Barreto the Vice- Roy of India, ordered him to be brought back to Goa 7 under arrest, in consequence, as it is said, of the intrigues and accusations of his rivals, who charged him with mal- versation and peculation in the exercise of the office with which he had been entrusted. The man-of-war, on board OF LUIZ DE CAMOEXS f XIX of which he embarked, was wrecked on the coast of Cam- boja, in Cochinchina. On this occasion he lost all the store of wealth and property, which he had acquired, and only saved his life by swimming, whilst he carried in one hand the manuscript of the poem, which was destined to immortalize his name. It is he himself who informs us of this melancholy in- cident, when he mentions the river Mecon in the Lusiad, Stanza CXXVIII. Canto X. The following version will give the reader some faint idea of the touching expres- sions of the original. By one of the boldest figures of speech Camoens in this fine Stanza personifies himself, as Poetry or Song, and whilst he pathetically bewails his sad fortunes, he expresses his conviction, with all the confidence of a great genius, that he will acquire immortal fame. This prophetic announ- cement has been fully verified by the verdict of posterity. We give the translation of this Stanza by sir Richard Fanshaw: "Upon his soft and charitable brim. The wet and ship-wreckt Song received shall be Which in a lamentable plight shall swim From shoals and Quicksands of tempestuous Sea, The dire effect of Exile when on him Is executed the unjust Decree: When repercussive Lyre shall have the Fate To be renowned more than fortunate. We subjoin the version of the same Stanza by Mr. Au- bertin : "And Mecon shall the drowning poetry Receive upon its breast, benign and bland, Coming from shipwreck in sad misery, Escaping from the stormy deeps to land, From famines, dangers great, when there shall be Enforced with harshness the unjust command On him, for whom his loved harmonious lyre Shall more of fame than happiness acquire." XX f BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE On his return to Groa, towards the close of the vice- royalty of Francisco Barreto, he was incarcerated in the public prison, in order that some species of trial might be commenced, or continued. It was in this place of con- finement that he composed, according to the supposition of Viscount Juromenha whom we take for our guide with respect to the chronological course of events, the beautiful and sprightly sonnet which begins : "Alma minha gentil que te partiste", in which 'he seems to allude to the death of his beloved Natercia. We subjoin a translation of this sonnet by the late Vis- count Strangford, the well known, and accomplished di- plomatist. On the arrival of D. Constantine de Braganza, the suc- cessor of Barreto in the government of India, and who landed at Goa in setember 1558, the unfortunate bard obtained his release from his imprisonment, and was res- tored to freedom. Having been thus set at liberty by the new Viceroy, and having found favour in his sight, it may be presumed that he continued to serve in various military expeditions. Nevertheless, it has been asserted that, on the expiration of the period of three years du- ring which the Viceroy held the reins of government, the poet was again lodged in prison. It is not clearly ascertained whether this punishment was brought upon his head by some fresh misdemeanour, or if it was occa- sioned by some new accusations against him on account of his proceedings in the discharge of his office at Macau. In the midst of all these troubles and vexations, it is said, that when he was on the point of obtaining his release, he was detained in prison, at the suit of Miguel Rodrigues Coutinho, who bore the nickname ofFios Seccds or dry threads, a man of a most ungenerous disposition, although he was of noble birth, and had displayed great valour in the wars, to whom the poet was indebted for a OF LUIZ DE CAMOENS. XXI sum of money which he had borrowed under the pressure of urgent want. It was in this dilemma that he had re- course to the patronage of the new Viceroy, Don Fran- cisco Coutinho, Conde de Redondo, and appealed to him for protection, in that elegant and spirited petition which will hand down to the remotest posterity the vile and igno- ble conduct of the man, who persecuted him so shamefully. After his restoration to liberty, he seems to have en- joyed the esteem of the new Viceroys to whom the go- vernment of India was successively entrusted. In a dis- patch addressed by the Conde de Redondo to the Home- Government, although it was not sent directly to the King of Portugal, Don John the Third, (as was recently invented, with inconsiderate disregard of truth, by a biographer too prone to seek for novelties, inasmuch as that monarch had ceased to exist on the 11 July 1557, and the dispatch is most undoubtedly of a much later date in this dispatch, which was written between 1561 and 1564), it is mentioned that he had been compelled to avail himself of the services of the Superintendent of the property of deceased persons, in order to expedite the legal proceedings, which were submitted to him. But it appears to us, however, a very doubtful point, whether this superintendent of the proper- ty of deceased persons in Groa, was Luiz de Camoens, who had long before ceased to hold that office in Macau, or if this was some other individual. We are forced to confess that it is not in our power to elucidate this matter, or to give any positive opinion on the subject. The favour and consideration which he had obtained in the eyes of Don Francisco de Coutinho, the Conde de Redondo did not suffer any diminution on the demise of that nobleman in 1564. His successor, Don Antao de Noronha, highly appreciated the merits of the poet with whom he had served in the army at Ceuta, and continued to display the same kindness, and good will towards him* XXII BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE as his predecessor had done. During the interval which elapsed between 1562 and 1567, Camoens was occasio- nally employed in the Portuguese Naval Service on board of the fleets of his country. It is at this period that his biographers, supplementing the want of authentic docu- ments by inductions more or less well founded, or by pro- bable conjectures, have placed his military digressions to Malacca, and thence to the Moluccas Islands, from the latter of which he brought, on his return to Goa, that faithful slave John, who was destined to be so useful arid serviceable to him at the close of his eventful life. It may be considered to be a well ascertained fact, inasmuch as a written corroboration has been transmitted to us that Don Antao de Noronha remunerated these many and va- luable services of the poet, by granting him the survivor- ship of the office of factor in Chaul. To this employment, in addition to the fixed annual salary of one hundred mil r&s, equivalent to six hundred mil r&s, or nearly 134 at the present time, (if we consider the very great diffe- rence in the value of money) were annexed some other places of honour and emolument, such as that of Alcai- de M6r, Chief Magistrate, superintendent of the proper- ty of deceased persons, as well as controller of public works. A vehement desire of once more returning to his native land, not unmingled with regret for such a long absence from it, or, perhaps, the force of destiny, which recalled him home in order that he might obtain the transcendent glory and immortality which were reserved for him, induced him not to wait for the vacancy which would have secured for him the enjoyment of the appoint- ment, Avhich had been . conferred upon him. Having de- termined to return to Portugal, he availed himself of the opportunity which Pedro Barreto afforded him. This per- sonage offered to convey him on board of his vessel to Mozambique, of the Government of which he was about OF LUIZ DE CAMOENS. XXIII to take possession, and where the poet would have greater facilities for finding a ship to take him to Lisbon. But fate, which seemed absolutely bent upon persecuting him, prepared fresh reverses and sorrows for him in that pro- vince. In consequence of some quarrel or misunderstand- ing with Pedro Barreto, for some cause of which we are quite ignorant, he was plunged into the depths of mi- sery, and was reduced to the melancholy necessity of living upon his friends, according to the expressive words of Diogo de Couto, who, as he himself tells us, found him in that wretched condition, on his arrival at Mozambique in a vessel of war, on board of which there were fortuna- tely some friends and admirers of the poet. These kind friends raised a subscription amongst themselves, not only to provide the unfortunate man with all the necessaries of life, but also to reimburse Pedro Barreto the sum of two hundred crowns, which he alleged were due to him for expenses incurred on his account, and for which he laid an embargo on him to prevent him from leaving the port, until he had discharged the debt. For this vile price the person of Luiz de Camoens was ransomed, and the honour of Pedro Barreto was sold. In 1569 he sailed from Mozambique on his homeward voyage to Portugal, together with the rest of the fleet, on board the ship of war, called by some the Santa Clara, and by others the Santa Fe. It was in company of this fleet that Luiz de Camoens sailed to return to his native land, after sixteen years spent amidst the din of wars, and exposed to toils, hardships and dangers of every kind, bringing with him, as his sole recompense, the poem which "was already finished. This great work of genius, however, he continued to correct, and improve during the whole course of his voyage. Another misfortune awaited him before he entered the Tagus : this was the loss of his in- timate friend and fellow voyager Heitor da Silveira, who XXIV BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE was, like himself, a poet and equally persecuted by mis- fortune. In April, 1570, he at last arrived at Lisbon, which was at that time desolated by the horrors of the plague, denominated the great pestilence. His first and greatest anxiety, as we have every reason to believe, was directed, after his return to his native land, towards the immediate publication of his great poem. For this purpose, he obtained the royal permission by a decree, dated the fourth of September in the following year, and in the early part of 1572 the first edition issued from the printing-press of Antonio Gon^alves, and imme- diately after this, another edition followed bearing the same date, unless it be, as some suppose, a mere counter- feit of the genuine edition. What occurred in this short interval of the life of the poet is just as doubtful and un- certain as most of the other incidents and events of his career. Nevertheless, it would seem, from some documents which are supposed to be well authenticated, and which afford sufficient grounds for us to conjecture, his friend and protector Don Manuel de Portugal, a member of the noble family of the Condes de Vimioso (from whose pa- lace was furnished, at a latter period, the deceased poet's winding-sheet) exerted his influence in the royal court on his behalf, and contributed most efficaciously to obtain for him that species of honour or guerdon, more or less valuable, which was bestowed upon him. At all events, it is certain that the King Don Sebastian, by a royal decree dated the 28 July 1572, in considera- tion of his services during many years, in various parts of India, as well as of those which he might still be able to render, and likewise taking into consideration the ability which he had displayed in the composition of the book relating to the affairs of that country, bestowed upon Luiz de Camoens an annual pension of fifteen mil re*is (about 3 8 sterling) payable to him for a period of three years, OF LUIZ DE CAMOENS. XXV on the express condition that he was to reside in the ca- pital. This pension was successively renewed by fresh grants at the expiration of every three years, until the demise of the poet, and was afterwards in the reign of Philip the Second of Spain, who had obtained possession of the crown of Portugal, transferred to his mother, who survived him, and who at first received a pension of six mil r&s, in con- sideration of her extreme poverty and old age, and even- tually got the full amount of the original pension of fif- teen mil r&s. This remuneration has been justly deemed very trifling and insignificant, if we take into consideration the merit and services of the person upon whom it was bestowed. It is certain, however, that the pension was duly and regularly paid, although considerable doubts were enter- tained on this point until a recent period. Fifteen mil r&s at that time would be equivalent to ninety mil re*is or 2000 at the present day, owing to the very great de- preciation in the relative value of money. This pittance was not sufficient to deliver this illustrious man from the most abject misery, and the horrors of the poverty; as we learn by tradition, that Anthony, (that is to say his slave John, whom he had brought from India) went out at night to beg from door to door for bread to sustain his master on the following day, and even this wretched resource at last failed him in consequence of the premature death of his faithful and devoted slave. Quite weary of struggling against so many and such terrible misfortunes, and having entirely lost all hopes of any amelioration in the future, he passed the remainder of his days in continual sadness. He avoided the company and society of his fellow-creatures, and his only diversion or recreation was an occasional visit to the convent of Saint Dominic, to which he sometimes went to hear lectu- XXVI BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE res on moral theology, as well as to seek in the conver- sation of some of his friends amongst the religious men of that order, the patience and resignation which he so much required in his afflictions. An obstinate infirmity, probably protracted and aggra- vated by the want of necessaries of life, and of pecuniary resources, very much increased his sufferings and misery. He was lying prostrate on the bed of sickness when the terrible news was received of the death of the young King- Don Sebastian and the total destruction of the Portuguese army in the disastrous battle of Alcacerquivir, on the 4 th August 1578. It is easy to imagine what a terrible effect this fatal event and the unhappy consequences which it presaged must have produced upon the mind of a person who was so pro- foundly devoted to his country and inspired with such patriotic sentiments, as Luiz de Camoens most undoubted- ly always showed himself to be. If he did not succumb immediately on hearing of this dreadful catastrophe, as some of his biographers have asserted, we may be quite sure that the brief period during which his wretched life was prolonged, must have been a grievous and incessant martyrdom, in which the miserable spectacle of his coun- try in its last stage of agony constantly presented itself before his sight. He must have been constantly haunted by the fear, that his native land would inevitably fall a prey to Castile. As to the date of his decease, an erroneous opinion pre- vailed, as all his biographers copying one another, groun- ding their statement on a sepulchral inscription, affirmed that 1579 was the year of his death. This error has, however, been clearly refuted by an indisputable docu- ment, the discovery of which is due to the investigation of the Visconde de Juromenha. This point admits of no further doubt, for the great poet really died on the tenth OF LUI2 DE CAMOEXS. XXVJI of July 1580, that is, precisely at the time when Philip the Second of Spain was preparing to take forcible posses- sion of Portugal, and had for that purpose assembled an army of eighty thousand men, under the command of the redoubtable Duke of Alba. With respect to the exact locality in which he expired, there has always existed a great difference of opinions, and very great difficulty has been experienced in ascertain- ing the truth. Don Fernando Alvia de Castro, a contem- O ' porary of Camoens, writing in 1621, that is about forty years after the demise of the poet, states that he died in great misery and destitution in an hospital of the city of Lisbon. This opinion has been accepted by many persons, and is corroborated by the testimony of a missionary priest, who affirms that he was actually present on that occasion, in a note appended to the celebrated copy of the Lusiad, which was in the possession of the late Lord Hol- land. Notwithstanding this, others have maintained with the late friar, Jose* Agostinho de Macedo, that Camoens died in his own domicile, in the house which, according to the description which they have given, corresponds to numbers to 52 and 54 of the present numeration in the Street of Santa Anna, and where a stone, with an inscrip- tion, to commemorate the event, was placed a few years ago. For our own part, we must confess, that, in the midst of these conflicting and contradictory assertions, we are quite unable, in our humble capacity, to form any posi- tive conclusion on the point. What seems to be placed beyond a doubt, is, that after his decease, his corpse was conveyed to the church of the convent of Santa Anna, a nunnery still in existence, which was then the church of that parish, and that it was interred there, without any mark of distinction or epitaph. In this place the remains of the illustrious bard reposed until 1596, when Don Gronc,alo Coutinho had them remo- XXVIII , BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE ved to another vault, and caused a slab to be placed over them with the following inscription in Portuguese: HERE LIES Lmz DE CAMOES THE PRINCE OF THE POETS OF HIS TIME HE DIED IN THE YEAR 1579. This slab was ordered to be placed over his remains by Don Glon9alo de Coutinho with an, injunction that no other person should be buried in the same place. Let us remember that as the true date of his death was lost at that period, the following clauses in addition to the modest epitaph above mentioned appeared in some of his biographies. "He lived in poverty and misery and so he died." But these words were never actually inscribed on his monumental slab, as is positively and expressly stated by the chronicler of the Seraphic Order, Friar Fernando da Soledade. Since the nature of his sketch does not permit us to launch out into further observations or investigations, we are compelled to omit entirely or to touch very lightly upon many incidents and circumstances of his life, which would require a more critical and minute examination and investigation. We shall therefore conclude with the fol- lowing lines to serve as a kind of epilogue, and which we find at the termination of a work of greater length and more elaborately written. u This man, whom his contem- poraries allowed to expire in the extremity of misery amidst the tribulations of poverty, has bequeathed to his native land, nevertheless, not only a splendid heritage of glory, but also a certain patriotic feeling and spirit so enthu- siastic, that every Portuguese heart beats with it, and in- spired it with the heroic courage and determination which will be for ever the surest defence and prop of our na- OF LUIZ DE CAMOENS. XXIX tional independence. The conqueror, who shall ever attempt to subjugate our beloved country, must previously tear in pieces every page of the immortal poem of the Lusiad/' All those who read the life of this extraordinary man, most unquestionably one of the greatest of modern poets, will regret that his days were spent in discontent, and terminated in misery. It is certainly true that he was not one of those who, like Virgil and Horace in ancient times, or like Pope, Byron and Scott in modern days, not only acquired immortal fame, but also enjoyed wealth, pros- perity and honour during their own life time. It is extremely doubtful, however, whether his misfor- tunes were not, in a great measure, occasioned by his own improvidence, and indomitable spirit. His works themselves read like the satires of Juvenal, and must have been very galling to the descendants and relatives of the persons whom he so severely censured. In addition to this, we must bear in mind that books circulated very slowly at that period, and that his great epic poem was only published a feiv years before his death. The readers would be chiefly the clergy and no- bility, whom he so much censured, and stigmatized with such virulence and asperity. To compensate for this neglect on the part of his co- temporaries, of which he complains so bitterly, his name has been extolled, and elevated to the highest pinnacle of glory by his admiring countrymen during three cen- turies. Every one, who has the least tincture of litera- ture in Portugal, is well acquainted with the Lusiad, and is able to quote long passages from it. Nor have foreigners shown themselves less willing to pay homage to his transcendent genius. The Lusiad has been translated into no fewer than fourteen languages, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch German, Danish, Swedish, Kussian, Polish and English. XXX BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE In the last named idiom there are no less than six com- plete translations. Two eminent English diplomatists, Sir Richard Fanshaw and Viscount Strangford, have thought it worth their while to translate the poem of the illus- trious bard. We do not believe that such a tribute of honour and admiration has been paid to any modern poet. On the 9 th of October 1867 a noble statue of the great poet was inaugurated in a conspicuous part of the city of Lisbon. Around this statue eight of the most distinguished pre- decessors and contemporary authors of Camoens are grou- ped, as it were to pay him homage. Their names are Fernao Lopes, Azurara, Joao de Barros, Francisco de S& Miran- da, Pedro Nunes, Fernao Lopes Castanhede, Corte Real and Quevedo. From this lofty pedestal the poet looks down upon one of the principal streets of the capital, which may be called its Regent Street, in which stand three of the finest chur- ches and several handsome private mansions. Formerly, the beautiful little church of the Oratorians stood at the extremity of the street, but this has been de- molished by the hand of rapine, and has been substituted by a large hotel. It is intended to celebrate a solemn national festival in honour of the illustrious bard on the tenth July 1880, the third centenary anniversary of his death; but his real commemoration and highest honour exist in the universal love and admiration of his countrymen. THIRD ELEGY, In this Elegy, which, I believe has never been translated into English, not being included in Lord Strangford's very meagre col- lection of the minor poems of Camoens, an account is given of va- rious incidents and misfortunes in the life of the poet. Simonides, the poet, who conversed one day With great Themistocles, the captain wise and bold, Whilst various scientific subjects they survey, Promised he would a secret wonderful unfold: This novel art, which he was going to contrive, Would all his acts in his remembrance firmly set, That no vicissitude nor chance could e'er arrive, To make him any fact or circumstance forget. No doubt the man would great reward and praise deserve, And would acquire a bright renown and highest glory, Who should invent some easy method to preserve From dire forgetfulness the truths of history But the renowned Athenian captain, whose great mind By persecution and misfortunes much oppressed, More to forget than to remember was inclined, And would oblivion seek, the poet thus addressed: u Illustrious Simonides! dost thou confide So much in thy great Genius, and inventive art, That thou canst thus a certain remedy provide, That no event should from our memory depart ? XXXII THIRD ELEGY. But how far better would it be, couldst thou invent Some way to teach me how I might forget the past In all my future days, and o'er each sad event And sorrow of my life, a veil for ever cast." If this most excellent remark were duly weighed By one condemned long years in banishment to spend In strange and distant lands, he surely would have said: "Simonides, do not the past and present blend?" Unhappy man! who is compelled in various lands, To seek for weary life, that honoured, calm repose, Which, through this world of ours, with hard and equal hands Blind Fortune, most unjust, upon mankind bestows; And if our fate, however hard, we must endure, With manly courage and with constant cheerfulness, What boots it to remember ills, we cannot cure, When memory can only aggravate distress? If into other bodies parts the soul of man, Not after death, as erst Pythagoras maintained, But by sweet Love's absorption, during life's brief span; And if such Love's enchanting power on earth remained, So that one much loved object, beautiful and fair, A soul-less body might in life and strength preserve, And should that dearest object be no longer there, Its cruel loss our life and beim** would unnerve: o Thus I am called to dire Alecto's gloomy cell. Why then did not my natal Star create me rude And savage, on this earthly globe, and let me dwell In Scythia's barren waste, 'midst Nature's solitude? Or why on horrid Caucasus, a fragile child From infancy, was I not suckled at the breast Of some Hyrcanian tigress, savage, fierce, and wild, To grow a man, of adamantine force possessed? That brutal stiff and hardened neck would never bend In meek submission to the rightful law and yoke, THIRD ELEGY. XXXIII Of him who did his gifts with great deception blend, And when he giveth life inflicts a deadly stroke. As if to recompense the tears which I have shed, Like Lethes' waters seemed the ocean which I part, For all its perils from my Memory have fled, And all those sorrows were from me for ever cast. The promised good, which vain delusive Hope doth set Before our eyes, by wretched mortals scarcely felt, For either Death destroys our bliss, or we regret A cruel change which will in tears our bosoms melt ; That this is true, great Lord, thou dost already know. How much the memory of former happiness Embitters all we must endure, in time of woe, When hope's delicious dreams expire in wretchedness! But if thou shouldst indulge the wish in truth to learn What sad, regretful sorrows with sharp anguish blight The souls of absent lovers, with slow patience turn To read the long and piteous tale which I shall write. Now ^Eolus had loosed the reins and liberty To mild Favonius, who soft and gently sighed; His breezes scarcely moved the calm, and ruffled sea, Where Neptune, Ocean's lord, his trident laid aside : The prow divides the snowy foam, and quite content, In lively sport, the choir of Nereides comes behind, Enamoured Galatea from its indolent, And self indulging rest scarce moves the lazy wind, There strolling on the sandy beach, fair Panopea Of white and silvery sea shells makes a little heap, The nymphs Melinto, Dinamene with Legea, Indulge in playful gambols near the glassy deep, Whilst I, immersed in grief, recall the Memory Of all the ills it was my lot to undergo, And, gazing on the waters of the tranquil sea, From eyes which have no rest the tears of anguish flow: XXXIV THIRD ELEGY. My bliss long 1 passed away, is present to my sight, As if corroding time no change had ever wrought : With countenance unmoved, though hope had suffered blight, I heaved a sigh profound, which yet concealment sought That none might see my anguish, and I thus exclaimed: "Ye lovely Nymphs ! if ardent loves, with sweet and pure Absorbing passion, heretofore your breasts inflamed And that endearing memory doth still endure, If you perchance some hour should linger on the scene Where, like their tribute u Tagus" mighty waves are rolled Into the lap of Thetys, whom you call your Queen, Or if you would that rich and verdant mead behold, Or should you richest treasures gather in that stream So much renowned, whose sandy bed is paved with gold, And if, to write on shells be fitting you may deem, In verses amorous and elegant unfold What you have seen of me! Perhaps some tender heart For all my bitter sorrows may compassion feel, So let the Tagus' shepherds, who have heard my art And rural lays now hear the grief which you reveal In calms profound that grief did not abandon me, Nor did it leave me when fierce howling winds arose, And horrid tempests scowled upon the rolling sea, For now our ship the Cape "Grood Hope" approaches close. The deep regret in which from absence, I must pine, Is now renewed, by thoughts of long and cruel change, Whilst we beneath that Star which clearly doth define The axes of the Hemispheres which now we range. Lo! suddenly midst dense clouds darkens all the sky, Throughout the air the light of day quite disappears, The furious ocean's mighty waves roll mountains high, The spacious globe itself seems shattered from its spheres, As if it were dissolved by the tremendous rage Of that tempestuous sea, where furrows vast abound : THIRD ELEGY. XXXV Fierce Boreas and most horrid Notus conflict wage, Whilst loud, sonorous blasts o'er all the earth resound, The sheets and tackle of the lofty ships are rent Asunder, whilst the wind in shrillest whistles blows: The frightened mariners a cry of terror sent, Whose piteous accents to the highest heavens rose, The deadly thunderbolts, which skilful Vulcan makes, Are by the angry Thunderer with vigour hurled 5 As lightning flashes, all the earth affrighted quakes, And, struck with awe and trembling, reels the tottering world, Then love displayed his power, from danger ne'er did flee, In him the sight of such misfortunes dire awoke Most tender sentiments and greatest constancy, With death before his eyes he in my bosom spoke : 11 If Lady, thou a thought on me wouldst sometimes cast, I would remember nought of what I have endured, Though neither time nor grief could ever change or blast The firm intrinsic love (you may be quite assured) Of him, who, in some happier hour, did ever feel In truthful earnestness, that passion in his breast; On this, at least, Lord! thou wUt affix thy seal, That nought doth purify or of its dross divest Our love, so long as we behold the one beloved Who first enkindled it." Twas thus the cruel hand Of Fortune forced me to embark, until I roved To that, by some much coveted, far distant land, Where every poor and upright man doth find a grave: Our wretched vanity here I was soon to know, As well as of the indigenes, who rashly brave Our wrath, and thus war's toils we had to undergo: An island, which the King of Porca long had held, And which Pimenta's monarch did unjustly wrest From his dominion, we by force of arms compelled Him to restore: complete success our efforts blest: XXXVI THIRD ELEGY. With a great fleet, by Groa's viceroy sent, we sail, In this armada all his troops he strives to show: And soon to find the enemy we do not fail, Whose warriors are well skilled to bend the deadly bow. / By fire and slaughter we inflict due punishment, And as the island was with water covered o'er Throughout the place in little country boats we went, Just as in Venice on the Adriatic shore : Though only for two days therein our stay we make, Still many valiant men are doomed the dust to bite In that brief span, descending to the Stygian lake, True remedy for one who proves himself a knight : Most fortunate of men, who live to till their fields, The peaceful labourers, did they their bliss but know! For them the teeming earth its grateful tribute yields, For them, from limpid rills, pure, crystal waters flow, They milk their sheep, and never venture to behold Tempestuous, angry seas, nor darksome gloom of night, To seek for precious stones which Eastern regions hold, Nor dread the din of war, and horrors of the fight: One 'midst his groves contented lives, no thirst of gold Refulgent can disturb repose in balmy sleep : He doth no robes perfumed and dyed in Syrin hold, Nor of the looms of Attalus rich textures keep, Nor Corynth's soft delights, nor lofty columns rise Of Parian marble, no rare emerald's bright green, No Hyacinths nor rubies captivate his eyes, No gold enamelled rooms in his abode are seen: Instead of this, he gazes on the verdant mead Enamelled by a thousand flowers which fragrance throw Around, his lambs and leaping kids on grassy herbage feed, The wide expanding fields with varied colours glow: His trees delicious fruits on pendent branches bear, The simple shepherd's rude and rustic songs are heard, THIRD ELEGY. XXXVII Silenus and sweet Tityrus both warbled there ; Pare Justice soaring to the skies quite disappeared: Most happy be the man, who can the boon secure, To dwell with flocks of little sheep which he has bred, To learn the course of Nature's laws we shall be sure, How rain or frigid snow comes from its native bed, The labours of the sun which never has repose, The reason why the Moon doth shine with borrowed light, If she against the rays of Phoebus interpose, Or how he round the globe makes such a rapid flight : Upon himself his eyes he turns, and strives to know If Cytherea will be cruel or benign ; But how shall one fore-doomed in war to undergo Its perils dire, the meaning of my words divine ? Yet still, whatever, Lord, the course of things may be, Though Fortune exercises influence so great, That from all happiness it long hath banished me, My song from her at least it ne'er can separate: This duty, thus imposed on me, shall never cease, Until the knel of Death shall summon me below, Where Rhodamanthus reigns, if such eternal peace Exist for those sad souls, whose lives are spent in woe. Note of the translator. The reader will easily discover that in this Ele- gy, Camoens, notwithstanding his poignant grief and the anguish of his mind, has borrowed, without any scruple, from Dante, Virgil, and Horace. But he has fully redeemed this plagiarism by the beauty of his language, and this we recommend every one to ascertain for himself by a perusal of the Portuguese original. INTRODUCTION, Some apology is undoubtedly due to the reader for the appearance of a new translation of the Lusiad, the grand epic poem of Luiz de Camoens, so soon after the publication of the work of Mr. Aubertin, which has been so Well received by the public. The present translator Was not aware that any one had undertaken the task, and his own version was nearly completed before he heard of it, or else it is very probable that this volume would never have seen the light. Thus the reader might have reason to regret, or rejoice at, the absence of this additional demand upon his patience and indulgence. I was induced to continue my labours by discovering that I had chosen a metre so different from that of my prede- cessor, that there was no possibility of any accusation of plagiarism on my part. It may be as well to state, that I had never seen the XL INTRODUCTION. translation of Sir Richard Fansliaw, or that of Mr. Musgrave, when I first undertook this work. It is considerably more than forty years since I read the whole of Mr. Mickle's elegant, though far from faith- ful translation, although I have frequently read some portions of it with pleasure and admiration. When fast approaching my seventieth year, it occurred to me, that I might occupy some of my leisure hours in translating the poem in an entirely original inanner 7 adopting the Spenserian stanza, which would allow a greater freedom of versification, without restricting one to a too literal and constrained version. This was at first undertaken without the slightest intention of ever publish- ing it, and simply as a labour of love. It was only the approbation, perhaps too flattering, of some friends to whom I submitted my manuscript, that encouraged me to publish it. The method which I adopted was to compose three or four stanzas in my daily walks to and from my place of business, for I, too, like that most delightful of prose writers, the late Charles Lamb, have always been a slave of the desk. Some parts of this translation were also composed du- ring occasional sojourns in the romantic vale of Cintra, beneath what the Lusian bard has called the Mountains of the Moon. Other portions were written in the beautiful Quinta of Abelheira, so well described by the late Mr. Beckford in his charming account of his visit to Batalha and AlcobaQa. In this Quinta there is now established the principal paper-mill in Portugal, with which the translator lias been connected for nearly thirteen years. INTRODUCTION. XLI A far greater part was composed in his frequent rambles from one extremity to another of the city of Lisbon, which the natives fondly believe to have been built, like Rome, on seven hills, but which to the weary wayfarer seem to be at least ten times that number. It, however, presents one of the greatest panoramas to be seen in Eu- rope, the view extending on one side to the mountain of Palmella, over the heights of Almada, down to the Castles of Bugio and Saint Julian, terminated by the wa- ters of the Atlantic Ocean. On another side rises the bold Sierra of Cintra of which Byron has said: u Lo! Cintra' s glorious Eden intervenes", whilst, in another direction, we behold the famous lines of Torres Vedras, which were destined to prove an insu- perable barrier to the ambitious projects of the great Napoleon. At every point, we look upon the magnificent river Tagus, of which Camoens was so justly proud, and which he so frequently celebrates in his various poems. The author himself has seen many hundreds of transports anchored in the bay of Cacilhas ready to carry off the army under the command of the late Duke of Wellington, in the event of any great reverse. At the same time, a large fleet, comprising many of the line-of-battle ships which had fought at Saint Vincent, the Nile and Trafalgar, was moored in the river under the command of the late Sir George Berkely, who had himself born a distinguish- ed part in those glorious conflicts. Fortunately, however, XLII INTRODUCTION. the services of the fleet and transports were never requir- ed, as the allies succeeded in repelling the hosts of France, and ultimately compelled them to retreat into their own country. It is too much the custom to disparage Portugal and the Portuguese, because they no longer occupy the same high position which they did in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when they were the pioneers of civilisation. We ought to bear in mind, that whilst England and O i o France, as well as Germany and Italy, were embroiled in civil conflicts or wars of ambition, Portugal sustained a terrible war against the Moslems, who had obtained dominion over it. This lasted for nearly three centuries, until the invaders were finally expelled from the Portuguese soil, and even followed across the sea into Africa, where John the First made some important conquests. Then commenced those important maritime discoveries, under the auspices of the Infante D. Henrique, which were carried on successively during a whole century, and culminated in the acquisition of a new world, and the restoration of the East to the commerce of Europe. For all these great benefits we are mainly indebted to the industry and indefatigable enterprise of that na- tion. Nor were they less distinguished for the courage and patriotism, which they displayed in the struggles against their powerful neighbours, who endeavoured ineffectually to reduce Portugal to a mere province of the great Spanish monarchy. Of this they afforded the most splen- did proofs in the battles of Aljubarrota, Monies Claros 7 INTRODUCTION. XLIII and Elvas. Nor can we pass over their valour and con- stancy in tlie Peninsular war, when they marched trium- phantly, under the command of Wellington, from the lines of Torres Vedras to the Pyrenees into the country of the invaders. We are justly proud of the glorious career of Olive, Wellesley, Napier, Grough and Colin Campbell, in India; but let us pay a tribute of admiration to those who first showed the world how small and infe- rior numbers could overcome vast multitudes. Such men as Almeida, Albuquerque, Pacheco, Castro, and Mascarenhas, will bear comparison with any of our own great warriors. For my part, independently of the impression made upon my mind by a careful study of its history, I cannot help feeling a great interest in Portugal. In this country, my mother and grand-mother, as well as many of my nearest relations, including my children, and grand-children were born. My great grand-mother came to this country at a very early age, and here she was married and died. For nearly two centuries, some of my family have re- sided here, and some have received unsolicited marks of distinction from the Sovereigns of Portugal. In addition to this, there is another tie in the memory of my late father-in-law, general Champalimaud, (not Champlimond as he is erroneously called in the History of the Peninsular war) almost the only Portuguese who commanded a brigade throughout that memorable strug- gle. His brigade formed part of the fighting division, and he was the friend and companion in arms of the gallant XLIV INTRODUCTION. Picton. He stood on the heights of Bussaco ; and took a part in that terrible storming of Badajoz, so vividly de- scribed by Napier. He was severely wounded, and never recovered entirely from the effects of the wound, dying at an early age in 1825, at Elvas, of which he was the Governor. He lived to see himself slighted by some who had born arms against their own country, when he was fighting in its defence, and to whom his presence was a constant reproach. At a period when titles and orders 'of knighthood were not bestowed so lavishly, he might have obtained the title of Conde, but he yielded his claim in favour of a friend, although the honour of the exploit really belonged to himself. For all his services he only received a patent of nobi- lity for his daughters and their husbands. Of such a man, his descendants have just reason to be proud. After this long digression, for which I beg the indul- gence of my readers, I return to the immediate subject of this introduction. It has been my object to give a faithful translation of the Lusiad, stanza for stanza, so as to give the meaning of the author, without attempting a verba- tim version. As the poem is closely connected with the History of Portugal, as well as the conquests of the Por- tuguese in India, I have thought it advisable to give a chronological account of the most remarkable events, as well as a list of the Viceroys and Governors General of the Portuguese dominions in India. In addition to this, the readers will find a succinct biography of all the per- sonages whose portraits are given in the work. There is- INTRODUCTION. XLV also an account of the course pursued by Vasco da Gama in his great voyage. The reader will likewise find explanatory notes of all the proper names contained in the poem, arranged alpha- betically. Should he meet with some passages, or rather expres- sions, familiar as household words, to which I shall not allude more particularly, as I wish him to have all the pleasure of discovering any transgression, I must throw myself upon his kind indulgence, in the belief that such occasional reminiscences will afford him some gratification by recalling to memory some author with whom he is well acquainted. It will not, perhaps, be out of place here to endeavour to note some of the merits of the Lusian bard and of the rank which he is entitled to hold amongst the grandest poets of the world. There can be no doubt that he was really a very great poet, and this is sufficient- ly proved by the general admiration of his own country- men during three centuries. The best tribute which can be paid to his fame, is the universal acquaintance with his poems which is displayed by all educated persons. Not to speak of the inspired writers of the Holy Scriptures, the pathos and sublimity of .which have never been equalled by any profane authors, I venture to compare Camoens with the most admired poets of any age or country. I willingly admit that all impartial judges will assign the first place to Shakespeare; and, no doubt, Milton, Spenser, Pope, By- roii, and two or three others, according to the taste of individuals, will be preferred, at all events, by English readers, to the Portuguese poet. XLVI INTRODUCTION. Amongst the Greeks, Homer, Sophocles, JEschylus, Pindar, and, perhaps Euripides will be allowed the prefe- rence; Virgil, Horace, Ovid, and Lucretius, will probably meet with more admirers. Of the other epic poets of antiquity, such as Hesiod, Apollonius, Rhodius, Lucan, or Statins, we do not suppose that any one will place them on an equality with the author of the Lusiad. Amongst the moderns, Dante, Ariosto, Tasso, Racine, Corneille, Victor Hugo, Schiller, Goethe and a few others will be considered by some, superior, or at least equal to Camoens. We certainly should not disparage the Lusiad, by a comparison with the Tharsalia, Thebais, or the Henriade, still less with the Leonidas, the last of the Goths, Thalaba, Marmion, the Lady of the Lake etc. We look in vain in any of these compositions for a grand personification, like that of Adamastor, or a description like that of the battle of Aljubarrota, or vision of king Emmanuel. Where shall we find a story so pathetic as that of Ignez de Castro, by which the poet has excited the commiseration of the whole civilised world for that most unhappy lady? The beautiful description of the Island of Love, is, -cer- tainly, not inferior to that of the "Garden of Alcinous" in the Odyssey. The Lusiad has been translated into all the modern languages, as well as into Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Many persons of great talent have not thought it beneath them to undertake t this laborious task. The late Almeida Gar- rett, himself a poet of great celebrity, and a most elo- INTRODUCTION. XLVII quent orator, wrote a long poem in honour of the great bard. Every one must admit that the versification of Camoens is most harmonious, and that his style, in general, is so clear, that it is easily understood by any one. That he was well acquainted with the Latin classics is evident from the numerous imitations of Virgil, Horace, Ovid and Lucan, and he was also familiar with ancient and modern history, as well as the mythology of the Greeks and Romans. His sentiments are singularly noble, and he everywhere displays his indignation at the vices of ty- ranny, cruelty, and corruption. It will be indeed most gratifying to my feelings to meet with praise from my readers, and to learn that they give even a very humble place to this work in their libraries. But though my hopes should be disappointed in this respect, I shall never regret the time which has been employed in composing it. It has diverted my mind from many disagreeable thoughts, it has soothed me in my hours of anguish, and has proved to me, that I have many sin- cere friends who have taken a lively interest in my un- dertaking. I will venture to parody the words of a truly great man, if real greatness consists in a proper estimate and contempt of worldly enjoyments, riches, and honours. The Duke of Gandia, better known as Saint Francis Borgia, a man of the highest rank in Spain, possessed of great wealth, enjoying the perfect confidence and friend- ship of the greatest monarch of the age, renounced all these advantages, to become a member of the .society of Jesus, and consequently bound to obey his superior most submissively. XL VIII INTRODUCTION. When the sister of the Spanish ambassador at Rome, once said to him "Francis, your condition is wretched, if after exchanging your riches for so great poverty, you should not gain heaven in the end", he replied: U I should be miserable indeed, but as for the exchange, I have already been a great gainer by it". So I also say, even should my labours meet with a cold reception from the public (and I am very far from entertaining any great expectation), I shall be amply rewarded and consoled by the pleasure which they have afforded me. Note. The translator has not published the original text in Portu- guese, which would only have entailed unnecessary expense on a work which many readers may consider too costly without it. Many persons are well acquainted with the Lusiad of Camoens, and those who may require it can obtain the poem for a shilling. Xeither has it been deemed necessary to present a map of Africa, as every one may be supposed to be well acquainted with it. THE LUSIAD. CANTO THE FIRST. THE LUSIAD, CANTO THE FIRST. THE ARGUMENT. Stanzas I. to III. The subject of the poem is proposed, and Grama is extolled above all ancient voyagers, and conquerors. IV. and Y. Invoca- tion of the nymphs of Tagus. VI. to X. Dedication to the youthful king, D. Sebastian, and declaration of the poet's patriotism and disinterestedness. XI. to XIV. A comparison of the kings and heroes of Portugal with the greatest monarchs and famous warriors of other countries. XV. to XVIII. Great hopes are expressed that D. Sebastian will acquire the high- est glory by his victories over the infidels. XIX. to XXIII. The Gods assemble on Olympus to hold a council. XXIV. to XXIX. Jupiter informs them of the decrees of fate in favour of the Portuguese, and his own wish- es for their success. XXX. to XXXV. Bacchus is highly indignant, and some of the Gods are on his side ; but Venus and Mars oppose him, and support the cause of the adventurers. XXXVI. to XL. Appearance of Mars, and his speech on the occasion. XLI. Jupiter sends Mercury to as- sist the Lusians, and the Gods retire to their abodes. XLII. to XLV. Gama arrives at the Island of Saint Lawrence. XL VI. to XLIX. Descrip- tion of the boats and of the natives of the country. L. to LII. The Por- tuguese inform the natives of the object of their voyage, and their hopes of obtaining useful information. LITE, to LVI. Reply of the natives who then return to land. LVII. to LXVIIL Visit of the king of the Is- land on board of Gama's vessel. He is well received, and everything is shown him . LXIX . to LXXII . Hatred of the king towards the Portuguese because they are Christians. LXXIII. to LXXVI. Bacchus resolves to contrive a plot for the destruction of their fleet. LXXVII. to LXXXII. He assumes the disguise of a Moor, a trusted friend of the king, and spreads the vilest calumnies against Gama and his companions. LXXXIII. He designs to furnish Grama with a treacherous pilot. LXXXIV. to XCII. Ambush of the natives, who are completely defeated, and severely pun- ished by the Portuguese. XCIII. to XCIX. Grama takes his departure, and the crafty pilot persuades him to sail for Quiloa, where he fully ex- pects that all the ships with their crews will be destroyed. C. Yenus baf- fles this design by procuring contrary winds. CI. to CIY. The wily wretch invents a story of an island in which the inhabitants, Christians as well as Mahometans, live in perfect friendship, and thus induces Gama to proceed thither. CY. to CYI. The Canto terminates with reflections on the many miseries to which mortals are exposed, and from which the Almighty alone can preserve them. THE LU8IAD, CANTO I. I. The arms I sing and that most glorious band Of heroes far renowned, who did of yore Embark on Lusitania's western strand For seas where fleets had never sailed before, And boldly passed beyond the balmy shore Of Taprobana: neither storm nor fight Can stop their course ; above them all they soar Triumphant, and by superhuman might They raise their native realm unto its proudest height. II. Immortal glories these! nor less the fame Of Lusitanian kings, whose guiding thought Inspired their zealous efforts to proclaim Their holy faith to pagans, and who sought To bring the wild and savage tribes to naught In Africa and Asia: men of heart Undaunted, who undying glory bought By scorning death. Such deeds, in every part My Muse shall spread around, if genius aid my art. 4 THE LUSIAD. III. .The- travels of the sage of ancient Greece Or pious Trojan shall not fix our gaze : Great Alexander shall for ever cease In all the world, nor Trajan's glittering blaze Resplendent shine, for I will chant the praise Of Lusian chiefs, whom Mars and Neptune fear, Whose stern resolve all nature's power obeys: The feats, which former Muses sang, appear In paler light before renown of higher sphere. IV, And you! my nymphs of Tagus' golden stream Since nurtured by your care, from earliest days, I chose your noble river for the theme Of many idyls, chanting forth its praise In simple pastorals and humble lays Deign now, when I attempt to change- the scene, With thoughts majestic and sublime to raise My style, that Phoebus shall henceforth be seen To cause thy waves in naught to envy Hippocrene! V. Infuse poetic frenzy in my soul, High sounding strains no more the shepherd's reed, Nor rural pipe, nor flute but let the whole Loud clarion's blast resound, for such the meed Of highest homage which these wonders need ! Let words that burn, and .set the breast on fire, Proclaim each hero's name, each glorious deed, That future generations may admire Throughout the universe what they alone inspire ! CANTO I. O VI, And thou ! illustrious scion of our kings, The surest prop of ancient liberty, To whom in expectation fondly clings All Christendom, whose sons confide in thee To crush its foes ! .The Moslem hosts shall flee Affrighted at the wonder of our land, At him, who boasts the glorious destiny To give to God, obeying His command, A part of all that comes from His Almighty hand. VII. And thou! my country, young and vigorous shoot Of that widespreading tree, the most endeared To thy Redeemer, which has taken root Most firmly in the west, though all have heard Where Caesar and most Christian kings appeared ; Behold what glorious signs adorn thy shield, Those sacred emblems which our Saviour seared, And which He gave, upon the battle-field, When thy heroic king compelled thy foes to yield! VIII, potent Monarch! in whose realm the Sun First shines, on rising in the early morn, Sees it again when half his course is run, Looks on it, ere he gains the furthest bourn, And sets in glory, thou wast surely born To fight the Arabs on their native plains, The Turks and infidels to bring to scorn, To lay thy yoke upon their vast domains, And free the sacred stream where still the Moslem reigns ; THE LUSIAD. IX. Incline thy head from its majestic height With gentle gesture, whilst I fix my gaze Upon that mien, which gives a promise bright Even in tender age, which well may raise Our hopes of grandeur in thy future days Of splendid manhood! Look upon the ground, And see how love of noble deeds displays Itself in verse harmonious which will sound The highest praise of chiefs, so valiant and renowned ! X. Here thou shalt see the patriotic love Of country, not impelled by vile desire Of greed, but pure, eternal, far above All selfish ends: 'tis no ignoble fire That burns, when our paternal nests inspire. The deeds of men whom God entrusts to thee, Extolled to highest pitch thou shalt admire, And say then if thou wouldst not rather be The king of such a realm, than rule o'er earth and sea. XL But thou shalt hear no vain fantastic stories, No false narration of the noble deeds, Nor fables, which the muse of foreign glories To magnify fictitious heroes needs With lying tales. The simple truth exceeds In grandeur all the dreams of bards of old, Of Rhodomonte, or of what one reads Of great Orlando, or of Roger bold, E'en if there had been truth in what those poets told. CANTO 1. XII. Instead of these, be mine the task to sing Of that great Constable, whose valiant sword So nobly served his country and his king, Of Fuas, Egas faithful to his lord, For whom I feign would strike the mighty chord Of Homer's lyre! The peers of France can claim No more renown than what we must accord To brave Magric.o and his twelve: the name Of Grama will eclipse the pious Trojan's fame. XIII, But shouldst thou wish for Monarchs to compare With Roman Caesar or great Charles of France, Behold Alphonso, with majestic air! No stranger's arm could hurl his deadly lance ; Or cast on John the first thy wondering glance, Whose dauntless valour saved his native land Victorious o'er its foesl So now advance Our four Alphonsos, most illustrious band! And John the perfect prince, most worthy to command, XIV. Nor shall my daring Muse forget to sing Of those brave heroes who, in eastern climes, Vast regions conquered for their mighty king Whilst each great chief the height of glory climbs, The banner floats victorious in all times Pacheco, foremost warrior of his age, Almeida, feared and mourned, the scourge of crimes, Stern Albuquerque, Castro strong and sage, And all with whom e'en Death a bootless strife must wage! THE LUSIAD. XV. Albeit of them I pour my humble strain r To celebrate thy feats exceeds my power: O mighty Monarch! now begin to reign! Thy loving people wait the coming hour, When thy immortal deeds shall grandly tower So high, that future bards shall sing of these Alone : before thy hosts the nations cower, The world amazed thy glorious triumphs sees In Africa on land, in India on the seas! XVI, On thee cold Moslems fix their anxious sight, For well they ween thy coming signifies Destruction to their cause; with pale affright, At thy approach, the fierce barbarian lies Submissive at thy feet; he scarcely flies The impending yoke. Great Tethys, heavenly power. Charmed with the tender beauty in thine eyes, Would woo thee to her daughter's nuptial bower, And give the vast extent of Ocean for her dower. XVII. The souls of thy two ancestors above The blissful mansions one in wars renowned, The other full of pure, angelic love Rejoice to hope their virtues will be found Renewed in thee, their former glories crowned With new- won laurels. They expect to see All this revived, and when the utmost bound Of life and happiness be reached by thee, Will open wide the temple of Eternity. CANTO I. XVIII. But whilst the period slowly creeps along Thy subjects wish to live beneath thy sway, Look graciously upon my daring song, And thus permit that these my verses may Become thine own. Upon the briny way Those dauntless Argonauts thou shalt admire, Encountering raging storms without dismay, Emboldened by the might thy looks inspire, And learn to be invoked for what they most desire. XIX, The gallant vessels with far-spreading sails Upon the bosom of the vasty deep, Plough through the restless waves, whilst gentle gales Propitious o'er the yielding surface sweep, And swell their canvas: thus the vessels keep Their steady course, the waters with the foam Are snowy white that sacred sea where sleep The flocks of Proteus in their native home, Or, idly swimming, in their playful gambols roam. XX, Meanwhile the Gods assembled on the height Of bright Olympus, where Great Jove resides, Who rules supreme o'er men, with awful might In this most glorious council what betides The eastern world is fixed. As it decides, The Gods rush thither by the milky way Across the starry sphere; for none derides The mighty Thunderer, but all obey The call which Mercury is ordered to convey. 10 THE LUSIAD. XXI. The grand dominion over all the seven Great zones they lay aside; at once they cease To wield the mighty power conferred by heaven, To rule by thought alone, with greatest ease, The skies, the teeming earth, and angry seas: All those who dwell amidst eternal snow, And those who breathe the sultry southern breeze, Together meet with those the first to know The morning dawn, or when the sun descends below, XXII. Sublime and awful on his crystal throne With stars bespangled, sat the heavenly Sire By whose strong hand the thunderbolts are thrown: Severe and lofty gestures fear inspire ; His face resplendent with celestial fire, Which made his human body seem divine; His crown and sceptre all the Gods admire, For they abound in gems, which far outshine, In splendid lustre, diamonds from the richest mine. XXIII. On dazzling seats with gold and pearls inlaid, All the inferior Gods were ranged below; Still, homage and respect were duly paid, Which youths, untried, to age and merit owe, Such as right reason and decorum show: High seats each God most honoured occupies; The lesser ones to lower places go; Then Jupiter, the ruler of the skies, In grave impressive tones to all the council cries: CANTO I. 11 XXIV. 4 'Eternal dwellers in the brilliant pole, And starry orbs, in regions bright and clear! If time has not yet made the glorious scroll Of Lusian fame and valour disappear From memory, it must have reached your ear, The fates which rule mankind did erst proclaim Their firm decree, that, in some future year, The Lusians should obtain a glorious name Beyond Assyrian, Persian, Greek, or Roman fame. XXV, "It was conceded to that little realm, As you well know for 'tis no idle dream Unaided all its foes to overwhelm, And wrest the fertile banks of Tagus' stream From valiant Moorish host, who well might seem Invincible: nor could Castile's array Of warriors, with their gallant chiefs, redeem The laurels tarnished in that fatal fray, Which trophies still attest the Lusians' glorious day. XXVI. "Ye gracious Gods! 'tis not the time to tell Of conflicts dire or of achievements vast Of Viriatus, when the Romans fell In thousands on the field in ages past: Nor is it now my task a glance to cast On those heroic men, who nobly fought Against the Roman eagles to the last, And for their chief a dauntless stranger sought Who of the Hind's mysterious power indulged the thought. 12 THE LUSIAD. XXVII. u Lo! now the Navigators boldly mount Their fragile ships to cross the treacherous sea By paths un traversed, making no account Of raging winds, which blow so furiously From West and South; for naught to them shall be Invincible, for they shall force their way Of heat and cold sustaining each degree Throughout the longest and the shortest day, And reach the land first gladdened by the solar ray. XXVIII, u The Fates eternal long ago resolved - And their decree all Nature still reveres That to the Lusian race should be devolved In full possession, for a length of years, Dominion o'er the seas, where first appears The rising sun: the winter has been past In bitter cold, the crews, with toils and fears Exhausted and destroyed, are sinking fast; We may consent to crown their fervent hopes at last. XXIX, "As you have seen their manly courage tried By constant perils, in their venturous course, Exposed for months upon the briny tide, 'Midst change of clime and seasons, to the force Of howling winds, grant them a last resource (Before these wretched mariners be lost) To find a port, with greetings kind, though coarse, And there refit the vessels tempest-tossed, With strength renewed to seek again the destined coast! CANTO I. 13 XXX. Whilst this was said, the silence was unbroken ; But when he ceased, a hum of voices rose, Which showed that some approved of what was spoken, And others seemed quite ready to oppose The Father's arguments: amongst the foes Bacchus conspicuous stood in jealous spite Against the mariners, because he knows That all his eastern triumphs, and his might Eclipsed by Lusian chiefs, will suffer instant blight. XXXI. The rosy God knew what the Fates ordain, And that 'tis true that India shall behold A people coming from the West of Spain Across the vasty Ocean, which shall hold By conquest all that Doris doth infold: His haughty spirit chafes, and cannot bear To see such men surpass what bards have told Of him and other victors, nor their share Of Glory tarnish Nysa's laurels gathered there. XXXII. He knows that India, vanquished in the war, Obtained for him a great and glorious name Which neither fate nor chance could ever mar: His triumphs all the ancient bards proclaim, No change nor lapse of time destroyed his fame; But now a terror, never felt before, Presages dark oblivion, and shame, When his vast conquests shall be sung no more, If once the Portuguese shall reach the Indian shore. 14 THE TUSIAD. XXXIII. Fair Venus still befriends the Lusiaii race, For, in their character, resemblance sure To her once much-loved Romans she can trace Courageous hearts accustomed to endure The worst in frequent conflicts with the Moor Upon the coast, and wide Numidian plains: She also loves their language, clear and pure, So like the Latin, that, with little pains, One makes the words the same as those it still retains. XXXIV. These causes make the Lusian people dear To Cytheraea even yet more swayed By knowing that the Fate's decree is clear, That, whatsoever conquests might be made, Before her shrine due homage shall be paid: Whilst Venus greater honours hopes to gain, Bacchus of losing all, is much afraid: Thus both, with wrathful words their cause maintain; By selfish motives urged, these Gods their cause sustain. XXXV, As when rude Boreas, with his furious gales, Or from the South a fierce tempestuous blast, A gloomy forest, dark with trees, assails ; The spreading branches all are shattered fast, And leaves in whirlwinds to and fro are cast, The crash the mountain Sierras echoes round, Earth trembles, whilst the raging tempests last: Thus in Olympus raged the boisterous sound Of Gods in wrathful mood, which shakes the solid groin id. CANTO I. 1.5 XXXVI. But Mars with warmth doth take the Goddess' part, Touched by remembrance of their former love, Perhaps because he justly takes to heart Their valiant feats: the Gods before him move, While high and proud he stands: mild sadness strove In vain to quell the fury in his mind: His ample shield, suspended far above His neck, upon his shoulders hung behind, In all his gestures rage with passion is combined. XXXVII, His visor partly raised, the helmet shone With brilliant diamonds, and was fastened tight Upon his head: as he approached the throne Of Jupiter, he raised his truncheon bright, And struck the regal chair with all his might; So loud the stroke, that through the world of space The sound was heard ; the trembling heavens with fright Eecoiled, and bright Apollo so amaze, That e'en the glorious Sun emits much feebler rays! XXXVIII. And thus he cried: "Great sire of Gods and men! Whose mighty will all creatures must obey, Take pity on thy favoured race, if then Thou wouldst not see their labours thrown away, Themselves contemned, because they fail to lay Foundation of that empire long ago Designed by thee for them! No more delay Thy sentence, for the truth thou well must know, Great Judge! Refuse to hear a false and selfish foe! 16 THE LUSIAU. XXXIX. "If right and sober reason could prevail, And make the vague excessive dread subside, Bacchus himself would readily avail The Lusian chiefs, to whom he is allied In blood by uncles on his mother's side; But this opinion, rash and fraught with ire, By bile engendered, must be set aside, For Envy cannot mar what all admire, Good deeds that claim reward, and what the Heavens desire, XL, "And thou! Great Father of the Universe, Boundless in power, maintain thy first decree: For 'tis a sign of weakness to reverse o The resolutions once proclaimed by thee. Behold! thy messenger, swift Mercury, Is ready with the arrow in his hand, His speed outstrips the winds o'er earth and sea, He'll show a harbour to the weary band To re-equip their ships, and reach the Indian land." XII. When Mars had ceased to speak, the Chief Supreme, In token of approval, gave a nod With full assent; and then a copious stream Of nectar was presented to each God: The council over, all the members trod, Just as they pleased, along the milky way Of glorious stars ; but coming to the abode Assigned to each, they did not fail to pay The grateful homage due to him whom all obey. CANTO I. 17 XLII. But whilst these scenes were passing in the bright, Celestial halls, which crown the lofty steep Of high Olympus' grand and towering height, The hardy warriors, sailing on the deep Profound, their steady course with caution keep; Round the south eastern coast the vessels turn, Towards Saint Lawrence's famed isle they sweep. And where the solar rays the fishes burn, By Typhon changed from Grods, as we in poets learn. XLIIL The breezes, softly blowing, filled the sails, The ships propelled, as if Heaven wished to guide Them on their way with fair and gentle gales ; The air serene, without a cloud to hide The lovely skies in all their beauty's pride, And all so calm, no danger could arise: Now past Cape Prasso as the vessels glide, Where Ethiopia's eastern region lies, A little isle appears before their longing eyes. XLIV, The Admiral, who takes the foremost part Throughout the course of this great enterprise Grama, a man of proud and lofty heart (To such does Fortune ever grant the prize Of highest glory) Gama sees, and tries To sail beyond the isles without delay, Because he falsely deems that no supplies Will come, as they no signs of life display But still, events proceed in quite another way. 18 THE LUSIAU. XLV, Just then some little barks were seen to glide, Proceeding- from the island near the main, And cross the sea with canvas spreading wide : Excitement and astonishment attain The highest pitch; nor now the crews restrain Their frantic joy, but fix their eager gaze, And look around for some one to explain The name, the race, their manners and their ways, What faith and laws prevail, what king the realm obeys, XL VI, The barks in which the natives were conveyed Seemed long and narrow, built for greatest speed; The mats which served for sails were neatly made Of palm-tree leaves: the men were of that breed, And darkish hue, which did of old proceed From Phaeton's rash attempt and overthrow, Which vast and dreadful conflagration spread, Whose sad effects still feels the river Po, And Lampedusa's isle can never cease to know. XLVIL Of cotton were the garments which they wore, Some striped, some coloured, others merely white: Some had their aprons hanging down before ; Their clothes behind their backs were fastened tight, Whilst others left them loose, all naked quite Above the waist. A dagger, sharp and strong, Or short broadsword, Avas what they used in fight; They all had caps, and, as they sailed along, The crews on trumpets shrill their simple tunes prolong, CANTO I. 19 XL VIII. The natives wave with cloth, with arm, and hand, To make the Lnsian vessels slacken speed; But soon their gallant prows were turned to land : With eager haste the joyful crews proceed (To stimulate their zeal there was no need) To work, as if a certain hope prevails That sweet repose to labour will succeed: They strike the lofty yards, they furl the sails, They anchor where the land protects them from the gales. XLIX, The ships were not securely anchored, when Those agile strangers rushed in crowds on board, Fast climbing by the rigging: all the men Look joyous, kindly welcomed by the lord Of that great armament, who bade the board Be spread with meats, and liquor which the vine, First planted by Lyaeus, can afford; Nor did the blacks whom Phaeton scorched decline To quaff the goblets filled with such delicious wine. L. But whilst they ate and drank with great content, In Arabic (which some could understand) They asked whence came that mighty armament, What was the lineage of the gallant band, What end they sought, and which their native land. A true reply with prudence was expressed: "We, Portuguese, obey our King's command, And sailing from our country in the west O'er boundless seas, of eastern regions go in quest. THE LUSIAU. LI. "This fleet has crossed the Ocean's trackless space, Beyond the Antarctic, and Callisto's range, Round Africa our passage you may trace : We saw some peoples rude, some manners strange, Of temperature we suffered frequent change : A potent monarch occupies the throne, So loved by all, that no one would estrange His mandate, to encounter not alone The perils of the deep, but those of Acheron. L1L "By his command we seek the eastern shore Whose borders Indus with its waters laves; For him our ships the boundless seas explore, Where ugly sea-calves sport amidst the waves, Or plunge for refuge to their lonely caves: And now, about the isle you know so well, To learn the certain truth one justly craves, What land, what peoples in these regions dwell, Or if of Indian climes some rumour you can tell." LIII. To this, an islander at once replied: "We are mere strangers to the laws and land, Where still the Aborigines abide A wild, untaught, untamed and savage band, Just as they sprang from Nature's teeming hand Our faith, and all the laws which men require, Supreme throughout the world unequalled stand The same as Abraham's son did first inspire, Who had a Hebrew mother, and a heathen sire. CANTO I. 21 LIV. "The little island, which we make our home, Affords securest shelter, to avail The hardy men who from Quiloa roam, Or from Mombaza or Sofala sail - Upon the deep, when angry winds prevail: We hold the friendly port where all may claim Protection from the waves or boisterous gale; And let me say, to shun all cause for blame, That Mozambique is the fertile island's name. LV, "And since you come from such a distant land To seek the mighty continent, where flow The Indus and Hydaspes, rivers grand, Here you will find a pilot, who can show With, skill the course by which our vessels go: Without supplies you must not quit this coast; The ruler of the state should also know These voyagers, and, like a generous host, Of all that you require he will defray the cost." LVL When this was said, the Moor with all his crew Descended to the barks to seek the strand; But first politely paid the courtesy due To our great Captain and his gallant band, And then the islanders returned to land: Now Phoebus' crystal chariot in the deep Had plunged the orb of day, but gave command To Phoebe, queen of night, that she should keep The world from darkness whilst the God indulged in sleep. 22 THE LUSIAD. * LVII. The hardy sailors passed the live-long night In cheerful mood on board the weary fleet, With heartfelt joy and transports of delight: Those mariners the gladsome tidings greet, Which thrill their souls and make their bosoms beat. Then each one gravely ponders in his mind The habits of the people whom they meet, And wonder how a sect perversely blind Can spread its false religion, and deceive mankind. LVIII. And now the moonbeams cast a radiant light Upon the world, and Neptune's glassy sea, The stars in heaven were shining clear, and bright, As if a field of daisies one should see; The stars were twinkling in their canopy, No boisterous winds disturbed the balmy air, In their strong caves all rested tranquilly; But still they kept their nightly watches there, Nor did the crews relax their long-accustomed care. LIX, But when Aurora in her charms arose Her lovely tresses scattered through the skies The purple gates of morning to unclose To bright Hyperion, whom she bade to rise From the soft couch of slumber where he lies, Then all the ships with flags they decorate; The gaudy colours feast their wondering eyes: With awnings o'er the deck, the chiefs await The ruler of the isle, who comes in solemn state. CANTO I. LX, The Regent gaily sails upon the sea Towards the Lusitanian man-of-war, And brings supplies, in proof of amity; But, in his mind, he thinks these strangers are Of that most warlike race which dwells afar Upon the Caspian shores, those savage bands Which crushed the Asian realms, and which the star Of destiny delivered, with those lands, The throne of Constantine, to their victorious hands. LXI. The Moorish Chief and all who come on board The Admiral with cordial pleasure greets, Selects some precious gems from all the hoard He brings for any princes whom he meets: He sets before them confitures and sweets (Such as in Portugal they can prepare) With mirth-inspiring liquor after meats; The Moor accepts the gems with joyful air, And yet he seems more pleased with that delicious fare. LXIL The Lusian sailors, standing in the shrouds, Upon the scene below with wonder gaze Where swarm the Moors upon the deck in crowds, Astonished at the strangeness of their ways, Whilst accents harsh and intricate amaze Them all. No less the native guests admire The garb, complexion, might, the fleet displays; To learn the truth they burn with strong desire, If they from Turkey come the chiefs at last inquire. 24 THE LUSIAD. LXIII. The Regent also wished their books to see, What faith they teach, what precepts they contain, If with the Moslem tenets they agree, Or if the Christian doctrine they maintain: He asked the Chief that nothing should remain Unknown or unobserved within his sight The various modes of warfare to explain, His spears, guns, cannons, and the lances bright, And all the weapons dire with which his warriors fight. LXIV. The valiant Captain called a trusty man Who knew the Moorish tongue, and thus replied: "Most noble Lord, I'll tell you all I can About myself, the faith which is our pride, And all the arms with which we are supplied: To savage Turks, so abject, vile and base, By birth or lineage I'm not allied, But spring from polished Europe's noblest race; The path to eastern realms is what my vessels trace. LXV. "Our Faith proceeds from that Almighty Hand Things visible, invisible obeyed, From Him, the only God, by whose command Both sentient and insensible were made, Who meekly bore whatever could degrade The worst of men, endured disgrace and shame, To die unjustly on the cross was laid, And from his throne in heaven to earth who came, That man to go from earth to heaven might plead his claim, CANTO L. 25 LXVI. "The sacred books of this Man-God so high And infinite, which thou wouldst like to see, I have not brought: there is no reason why That should be written, which should ever be Upon our hearts impressed indelibly; But since it is thy wish, I gladly show Our deadly arms, and all our panoply, And this as to a friend, for well I trow Thou wilt ne'er wish to try the weapons as a foe." LXVII. And saying this, he issued his commands To active mates of these to go in quest: They brought bright armour for the legs and hands, Fine coats of mail with plates to guard the breast, Big shields, with various colours to attest The owners' name and rank, huge cannon shot, Guns made of steel the purest and the best, Bows, quivers, arrows sure to hit a spot, Sharp partisans and pikes, to arm the common lot. LXVIII. They showed how shells, ascending in the air, Explode, the pots which sulphur did contain, Terrific arms, the mortars they prepare; But still, from lighting matches they refrain, For brave and generous spirits will not deign To boast of mighty power before a crowd Of weak and timid natives, trembling then: 'Tis cowards would be arrogant and loud: Of crushing flocks of sheep no lion could be proud ! 26 THE LUSIAD. LXIX, To all the Moslem lends attentive ear, Observing all lie saw with studious care: Whilst pleasant smiles upon his face appear With looks benignant and most gracious air, Hate, envy, and revenge his bosom tear: Although resolved to crush the hateful band, His heart conceals the passions raging there; The traitor deems the moment is at hand To perpetrate a crime, with such deep cunning planned. LXX. The Captain, quite unconscious, urged his guest To furnish skilful pilots to convey The fleet to India's shores, and he professed His readiness a large reward to pay To them who would direct him on his way: The crafty Moor returned a kind reply, But, in his treacherous soul, he wished the day Might come when he the pilots could deny, His dreadful vengeance wreak, and doom them all to die. LXXI. Such was the hatred that inflamed his breast With rabid rancour and infernal rage, Because he knew, as Christians, they confessed Their credence in that more than human sage, King David's son by earthly parentage: Mysterious law of Providence divine! -'Tis not for man to read the mystic page What mortal shall conceive thy great design, In such perfidious foes, towards any friends of thine! CANTO I. 27 LXXII. The faithless Moor with all his suite departed, He bade farewell with every outward sign Of friendly courtesy ; but still false-hearted He only sought to hide his base design: His bark conveyed him quickly o'er the brine From Grama's vessel to the nearest strand; As he approaches, an obsequious line Of idle gazers waits to see him land, And enter his abode which rises close at hand. LXXIII. The Theban God, who in his father's thigh Was erst engendered, looking from his throne Of glory in the bright ethereal sky, Observed the scene: to him was quickly known The secret rancour which the Moor had shown Against the Lusians: hence a treacherous scheme, By which their labours should be overthrown, He pondered in his mind, a grateful theme, And speaking to himself, indulged a waking dream : LXXIV. 44 It has been long ago decreed by fate, The Portuguese should wage successful war, And conquered India on their banners wait: Whilst Indians draw their grand triumphal car, Naught shall their glorious crown of laurel mar : But I who spring from an immortal sire, For noblest qualities renowned so far, Am doomed to see mere mortals fame acquire, And my renown eclipsed in darkest gloom expire. 28 THE LU8IAD. LXXV. "The Grods permitted once, in ancient times, The Macedonian hero, Philip's son, To reign victorious o'er the eastern climes, Far distant realms with arms to overrun, Whilst millions humbly bent the knee to one; But shall we now allow a paltry state, Which naught in arts or arms has ever done, Greece, Rome, and Macedon to emulate, And e'en niy own renown at once annihilate? LXXVI. "Such shame must never be: I will descend On earth, and will so cunningly contrive A dreadful plot, to bring about my end, That these ambitious projects shall not thrive, Nor shall this Captain in the east arrive : I will the indignant Moors still more excite Against their Christian enemies to strive, For those who opportunely use their might Will vanquish all the foes with whom they have to fight." LXXVII, Thus musing, Bacchus, nearly mad with ire, Rushed swiftly down to Afric's scorching land, Assumed the human shape and man's attire : On Prasso's well known Cape he took his stand, With greater ease to do the deed in hand: He imitates, in figure, voice, and face, A man, whose lore and virtuous age command Respect from all who come from Moorish race, And whom the Regent holds in much esteem and grace. CANTO J. LXXVIII. Eager to execute his treacherous plan, As now the hours are flying fast away, With base and artful falsehoods he began o To call the strangers pirates, w T ho made prey Of all whom they encountered on their way : Along the coast the rumours quickly spread, That, though these Lusians made a great display Of kindly feeling, each had cause to dread Lest some misfortune dire should fall upon his head LXXIX. u Know then", he said, "what I could truly learn About these bloody-minded Christian crews, Whose object is to pillage, sack, and burn Throughout the seas in which the rovers cruise: The men they slay, the females they abuse! From distant shores they sailed across the waves, With vile intents and most perfidious views, To slaughter us, unless some wonder saves, Our children and our wives to carry off as slaves. LXXX. "I also know that they, without delay, Will come for water, and the Captain then Will bring for safety's sake a great array Of stately launches filled with armed men, For perfidy engenders fear. So, when The rovers land, thou likewise shouldst supply Some trusty guards the conflict to sustain, And let the troops in secret ambush lie; The traitors, thus surprised, beneath our swords must die. 30 THE LUSIAD. LXXXI. "Supposing that they should not all be slain, I have another project in my mind, By means of which, our wish we shall obtain. Some artful, clever .pilot thou must find Whose wiles, deceits and specious tales may blind The eyes of those by whom he is employed: Suspicion lulled, by treason well combined The fleet into some snare will be decoyed, Where vessels shall be wrecked, and mariners destroyed", LXXXII. At last his speech was finished; at its close, The Moorish chief, whom age and cunning taught That any means were fair against his foes, Within his arms his wily prompter caught, And warmly thanked him for his treacherous thought: He gathered all the forces that he could, To crush the host by utmost efforts sought: His eager soldiers wait in fellest mood, When they for water came, to change it into blood. LXXXIII. In order to secure their foul intent, A clever, subtle, skilful pilot meet For deepest villainy was quickly sent, With seeming kind regard, on board the fleet : To this false friend their project they repeat, To seek some sunken rock, or dangerous shore, Or boisterous seas, to use profound deceit, That if the Lusians be not slain before, Their crews must surely die, their ships be seen no more. CANTO I. 31 LXXXIV. Apollo's sparkling rays were gilding bright The Nabathean hills, and glorious day Was bursting forth, when Gama thought it right To go in quest of water to the bay : The launches were all marshalled in array, And well prepared, as if the plot was known, Or that they feared some ambush or affray; But still, from long experience we must own, Dangers by prudent care are frequently foreshown. LXXXV, But though the Admiral had asked before To have a trusty pilot sent on board, And got a hostile answer from the shore, He never thought the Moors would draw the sword: By this forewarned, and knowing that the word Of faithless chiefs is held as light as air By prudent men, but not at all deterred, He bade his crews for fighting to prepare, Still taking only three of all the launches there. LXXXVI. The wily Moors, who lingered on the strand, Determined quite to guard the water-spring, Some armed with spears, and bucklers in their hand, Some have a bow with the well-tightened string, And arrows tinged with poisonous juice, which bring Most certain death: with great and stealthy care In ambush, they resolved at once to fling Themselves upon their foes, quite unaware, Who, though they looked so bold, served only for a snare. THE LUSIAD. i LXXXVII. Assembled on the clear, white, sandy beach Some warlike Moors, with scoffing signs defy The Lusian boats to come within their reach: They brandish bucklers, darts, and spears on high; Nor do the strangers look with pleasant eye Upon the gestures of those dogs accursed, Who show their teeth: the sparkling oars they ply With all their strength; upon the strand they burst So eagerly, that none could say who was the first. LXXXVIII. So when a joyful lover, from the ring All stained with blood, espies a lovely dame To whom his ardent hopes and wishes cling, And the rage of the bull has for his aim With runSj signs, jumps, and shouting to inflame; At bay, the furious brute looks proudly round, With eyelids closed by wrath, and quivering frame, He clears the space, at one tremendous bound, His foe he wounds, gores, slays, and tramples on the ground. LXXXIX, The gunners in the boats now open fire With steady aim from all their dreadful guns, The leaden bullets scatter ruin dire, The camion's loud report rebounds, and stuns ; Throughout the Moorish ranks cold terror runs, And chills the blood, for well they know the die Is cast for all, but each the danger shuns; From certain death the men in ambush fly, Whilst those who show themselves remain to fight, and die, CANTO I. 33 xc. The Portuguese are not content to crown Their victory by slaying those who fought, But march upon the weak, defenceless town: To burn and raze the houses, guns are brought, Great havoc and destruction quickly wrought: And now the Moslems bitterly repent Of their vile plot, which they so easy thought; The suckling mothers shriek with loud lament, Whilst old and helpless men their rage in curses vent. XCI. The vanquished Moors, though flying, shoot their darts And arrows at the close pursuing band, With hasty heedlessness, and trembling hearts: They hurl stones, blocks, bars, all that comes to hand, Their fears and rabid rage defy command: They quit the island in their frantic fright, To seek a refuge on the great main-land: Across the sea which girds the island quite They swim with utmost speed, and naught can stop their flight. XCIL Some cross in light canoe, or crowded raft, One swimming boldly all the dangers braves Of brackish waters; this one gulps a draught, But soon rejects, another nothing saves; For soon he sinks engulphed beneath the waves: Meanwhile, its shots the deadly cannon throws, The crushing weight those fragile vessels staves, The vile barbarians feel extremes! woes, The Lusians vengeance wreak on their perfidious foes. -)4 THE LUST A I). XCIII, , The crews return victorious to the fleet, Enriched with booty and a goodly prize, Then, going to the spring, no longer meet The least resistance to their enterprise, But draw abundant water for supplies: The baffled Moor with indignation boils; From hate and rancour still much ire doth rise: From vengeance on his foes he ne'er recoils, But hopes his second plot will catch them in his toils. XC1V, Therefore, the crafty Regent of the isle, With signs of peace and amity pretends The unsuspicious Gama to beguile, Who little dreams what ruin he intends To bring on those he falsely calls his friends: With this design, instead of trusty guide, A pilot false and vile the miscreant sends, Who in his breast the foulest schemes can hide, And doom the men to death, that in his truth confide. XCV, The noble Admiral, who thought with reason, That this was not the time for much delay, Most justly anxious not to lose the season, And favouring winds to waft him on his way To Indus' banks, the cradle of the day, Receives the pilot with the greatest glee, And gracious welcome, wishing to repay With hearty thanks the great civility; Then bids him set the sails, and go at once to sea. CANTO I. XCVI, The gallant fleet upon the world of waters Sailing through Amphitrite's wide domain, Accompanied by Nereus' lovely daughters, A faithful, loving, sweet and joyous train Great Grama had the prudence to remain Incredulous, and proof against the wiles And snares, but asked the pilot to explain Their course, the various coasts, and sunny isles, With India's splendid realms, and thus the time beguiles. XCVII. The artful Moor, who studied well the plot Which Bacchus had so cunningly conceived, Whereby the great Armada might be brought To utter wreck, the noble chief deceived, And all of life or liberty bereaved, Took care to tell the truth in all he said About the Indian ports, that, once believed, They might not doubt of any snare he laid, And, trusting him, would be with greater ease betrayed. XCVIII, The traitor now, as Sin on did in Troy In ancient days, invents a lying tale, With fell design his hearers to destroy: An isle there lies within an easy sail, Where Christians dwell, and Christian rights prevail, He falsely says: a most attentive ear Brave Gama lends, and swears he shall not fail Of richest guerdon, if the ships he steer To that abode of men whom holy ties endear. 30 THE LUSIAD. XC1X. The false, perfidious wretch at once assents With pleasure to the unwary chiefs request, Whom thus by crafty fraud he circumvents, For well he knows that island is possessed By vile Mahometans, who Christ detest: 'Tis there he hopes a deadly blow to aim, To slaughter some, and capture all the rest, Because Quiloa (such the island's name) Excels his native land in grandeur, strength, and fame, C, The gladsome tars had neither fear nor doubt, When fair Cythera's Goddess from the sky Observes the ships upon their dangerous route, And conscious quite that they were doomed to die, Firmly resolved by every means to try Her much-loved Lusians, in those distant seas, To save from stratagems so base and sly: The friendly Venus sends an adverse breeze, And baffles thus the plan against the Portuguese. CI. The wicked villain, foiled in this design, But still determined to accomplish what He always purposed, hastens to combine Another deep and complicated plot By saying, since the currents now will not Permit the fleet to reach the Christian port, As they so much desired, the pilot thought The Captain to another might resort, Where both religious sects in harmony consort, CANTO I. 37 OIL This well-concocted tale was false a& hell, To lure them to complete destruction meant, No Christians in those savage regions dwell, All swallow what their prophet did invent, And with vile sensual doctrines are content; But noble Grama, willing to believe The Moor, his course in that direction bent: They anchor: Venus nothing can deceive, She does not let the port those noble ships receive. cm. The isle was near the Ethiopian land, Divided only by a narrow strait; A city rises on the Ocean strand, Which lofty domes and mansions decorate: These fairy visions did their eyes dilate, Before the vessels to the harbour came; An aged monarch rules the little state, Mombaza is the lovely city's name, The isle by native tongues is called the very same. CIV. And when the chief arrived before the place, With heartfelt joy he viewed the charming site; But much enhanced by hope to see the face Of some who had received baptismal rite,, As he was told by that infernal wight: The royal barks a friendly greeting brought In courteous terms the strangers to invite, For well the king by Bacchus had been taught, In Moorish garb disguised, with baneful counsels fraught. THE LUS1AD. CY. Beneath the message couched in gracious style, Envenomed hate, and rancour are concealed, Sweet honeyed words intended to beguile. Which subsequent events at last revealed. Alas! this cheating world is one vast field Of woes and deadly perils which await Frail mortals, nor can any safety yield; For when we seem to reach the happiest state, Our lives, all trembling, stand upon the brink of fate. CVI. On sea, incessant toils, and dreadful storms ! Impending death in every step appears On land, what horrid woes in all their forms, What cunning wiles entrap, what endless fears! Graunt misery, and want provoke our tears : Where- can the hapless wretch for refuge stray, To linger out his span of cheerless years ? When shall the mighty Heavens their thunder stay, Or cease to crush a worm this helpless child of clay? THE LUSIAD. CANTO THE SECOND. THE LDSIAD. CANTO THE SECOND, THE ARGUMENT. Stanzas I. to IX. Grama sends two convicts on shore, to ascertain the real state of affairs. X. to XIV. Bacchus, in the disguise of a Christian priest, sets up an altar and pretends to offer up the holy sacrifice. The sight of this convinces the two messengers, that the place is inhabited by Christians. XV. to XVIII. On hearing that report, Gama orders the ships to enter the harbour. XIX. to XXIII. Venus interferes to prevent this fatal measure, by assembling the sea-nymphs, who stop the vessels by main force. XXIV. to XXVIII. A loud shout from the Master, who fears that his ship is about to be dashed against a rock, alarms the Moors as well as the treacherous pilot, and they all jump over-board in a/ierrib.le fright, thinking that their wicked plot has been discovered. 3&IX. 'to XXXII. Gama now perceives the great danger which he has c.scaped in such a wonderful manner, and returns thanks to the Almighty fo:v'.liis 'pre- servation. XXXIII. to XLIII. Venus pleads most piteously for the .Por- tuguese before the throne of Jupiter. LIV. to LV. Jupiter consoles; lifer by foretelling the future triumphs of her favoured people. LVI. to.L^lV-.- He sends Mercury, who, in a dream, encourages Gama to proceed to Me- linda, where he will meet with a kind reception. LXV. to LXXI. The fleet continues its voyage: two Moorish ships are seen, one of which is captured in hopes of getting a pilot. In this Gama is disappointed; but all the Moors agree in their praises of the king of Melinda. LXXII. to LXXIX. They arrive at Melinda, where they meet with a most friend- ly welcome. Gama sends an envoy to the king. LXXX. to LXXXIV. His speech to the king. LXXXV. to LXXXVL This makes a most fa- vourable impression. LXXX VII. to LXXXVIII. Reply of the king who expresses his intention to visit the fleet. LXXXIX. to XCII. The messen- ger returns on board. XCIII. to XCVI. Description of the royal barge, and of the king's attendants. XCVII. to C. The dress and appearance of Grama and his retinue are described. CI. to CHI. The king receives Ga- ma in his barge, and they proceed round the fleet. CIV. to CY. Grama addresses the monarch. CVI. to CYIII. A royal salute is fired, and Gra- ma converses with the king. CIX. to CXI. The king expresses a wish to hear an account of the wars and history of Portugal. CXII. to CXIII. The Canto concludes with an allusion to Theseus, and Pirithous, who de- scended into Hell, and to Herostratus who set fire to the temple of Ephe- sus. THE LU8IAD, CANTO II. I. Just now the bright resplendent orb of day, Which regulates the evanescent hours, Had almost ceased to dart his brilliant ray: His daily goal was reached; and darkness lowers On all the universe. The secret bowers Beneath the Ocean's bed the God of night Throws open wide. Meanwhile, the native rowers Impel their slender barks with all their might, And soon they board the ships just anchored in their sight II, The messenger, a deep and subtle man, To whom the king's perfidious plans were known. In false deceitful accents, thus began: "Most valiant Admiral! Whom all must own The victor of the seas, great Neptune's throne, The monarch of this isle with rapture greets Thy presence, where due honour shall be shown, And all thy wants supplied: his bosom beats With transport to embrace the author .of such feats. 44 THE LUSIAD/ III. "And as my sovereign burns with strong desire To clasp so great a warrior in his arms, He trusts this will thy confidence inspire To cross the bar devoid of all alarms, And find a refuge from the winds and storms: Thy mariners no doubt must need repose From toils and dangers in a thousand forms: The sweets of rest none but the Avearied knows, Exhausted nature claims, and this my king bestows. IV. "But should you have the wish in merchandise With us to trade, this fertile land is blessed With all the richest wares the East supplies, Cloves, cinnamon, and spices of the best, Most potent drugs whose virtues all attest: If then for precious stones your bosom pants, Of rubies rare, and diamonds we're possessed In heaps, nor deem these boasts, or idle vaunts, Our rich and ample store by far exceeds your wants." V, To this discourse the Admiral replied In words of thankfulness towards the king: "That as the sun was now about to hide His glorious rays, it were a dangerous thing His fleet across the bar at dusk to bring, As he desired; but soon the Queen of night Her silvery beams upon the sea would fling, And he would enter by that beauteous light, To this and even more the king" might plead his right. CANTO II. 4:") VI. When asked the truth of what had been asserted, That many Christians to those regions hied, The crafty Moor could not be disconcerted: "The truth", he answered, "could not be denied, That nearly all consider Christ their guide, Their Saviour, and their God." The Captain heard Those words with joy, his doubts at once subside, All dread of hidden dangers disappeared, The false and faithless race is now no longer feared. VII, Some malefactors vile the fleet conveys, Condemned for crimes in which they were detected, Expressly sent to risk their lives in case Of secret perils. Two of these, selected For daring craft, by Gama are directed To roam about the city carefully, To note the force by which it is protected, And all things else, but most especially If there are Christians whom he wished so much to see. VIII. The messengers some costly presents take To thank the king for all the courtesy shown, And proffered amity, in hopes to make A true, and loyal friend upon the throne, For yet his secret malice was unknown: The vile perfidious sect had taken leave, And in their barks by oars propelled were gone : On shore the people hastened to receive Those men with signs of joy well suited to deceive. 40 THE LUSIAD. IX. The message and the presents were received, The messengers about the city went, With care remarking all that they perceived, Bat could not quite accomplish their intent, Because the Moors, half guessing what they meant, With cautious craft did many facts withhold: For 'tis a rule, that men, on treason bent, In every one a secret foe behold, And think the simplest things some dreadful plot infold. X. The God who always has a youthful face, And whom two mothers in their bodies bore, Has never ceased base stratagems to trace Against the fleet, which seeks the Indian shore. Descending from the skies, he comes once more- Disguised in human shape, and Moorish vest Attired : in mien, and colour like a Moor : An altar in imposing style he dressed, And dealing Christian like, his prayer to God addressed. XL An emblem of the Holy Ghost was seen Against the wall, a dove as white as snow, Above the head of her, the glorious Queen Of purest virgins, whom alone we know To be immaculate. The godly show Of twelve Apostles by a master-hand Is painted with our Lord: their faces glow With ardent zeal, as when' by Heaven's command The parted tongues of fire inflamed that sacred band. CANTO II. 17 XII. The two companions to the house were led, Where wily Bacchus laid his cunning snare: On bended knees the Christians bow the head, With hands upraised in pure and fervent prayer To him who governs with paternal care, Whilst all the scents Arabia can afford, And finest frankincense perfumed the air: Thus was the King Supreme, the only Lord, The true eternal God, by that false God adored. XIII. The Christians in the house Avere lodged that night, And there with most attentive kindness treated, But every art was practised that they might Not know the joy with which they had been greeted: All was completely feigned and counterfeited. When Phoebus, bright resplendent king of day, Came from the East, upon his chariot seated, Awaking fair Aurora with his ray, Whose roseate cheeks the purple tints of morn display, i XIV. The swarthy Moors again returned on board With courteous speech : they earnestly besought The Lusian chief to go and see their Lord, And with them came the messengers who brought Accounts of cordial friendship, as they thought. The Admiral convinced by their report, That any danger might be set at naught, And Christians might to that same place resort, Resolved at last to take his vessels into port. 48 THE LUSIAD. XV. The two men tell what they on land had seen, The sacred altar and the holy priest, That when night spread her mantle on the scene, They were allowed in peaceful sleep to rest, The king and all the Moors such love professed, And with so many acts of kindness blended, That naught on earth more clearly could attest The true sincerity which they intended; All showed most perfect faith, quite real, not pretended. XVI, The Moors, who came in numbers from the isle, With joy by noble Grama were received, For truthful hearts, which have no secret guile, By traitors are most easily deceived, Trusting those who ought not to be believed : The eager crowds exulted at the sight, Because they thought their object was achieved; They range about the ship with great delight, And gloat upon the prey they deem within their might. XVIL On shore the cautious Moslems for their scheme With arms and ammunition are prepared, Because they think, once anchored in the stream, The ships will be more easily ensnared, And their attempt to board them can be dared With perfect ease. By all they love and dread They swear that not one Christian shall be spared, But all the blood in Mozambique shed Shall amply be avenged on each devoted head. CANTO II. 49 XVIII, The mariners with their accustomed cries The anchors weigh, the yards are quickly braced, With fore-sail only set the vessel flies Towards the bar, where buoys are duly placed, That thus the deepest channel may be traced; But Venus, watching with maternal care, Discovers what those wretches, so debased, Have planned, and, swift as arrow through the air, She drops upon the sea to mar the treacherous snare. XIX, She summons Nereus' fair and lovely daughters, And other nymphs who range the watery way- For those to whom is given the world of waters, The sea-born Goddess rules with gentle sway, And all their beauteous sister's wish obey To them the lovely Venus tells her mind, To save the threatened fleet without delay: For this her skilful project is combined By which it may escape the fate its foes designed. XX. They swim across the sea in greatest haste, And raise the foam beneath their silvery tails: Doto, with fury in her swelling breast, Of all her youthful strength and art avails Herself, to cut the waves through which she sails: Fair Nice leaps, Nerine puts aside The curling waters, as her might prevails, Whilst, all the Nereids floating on the tide, The Ocean struck with awe a passage opens wide. -*)0 THE LUSIAD. XXI. Upon huge Triton's back Dioiie rode, . Her face most lovely, though with rage inflamed, Her willing steed feels not the beauteous load, But, proud and quite delighted, would have claimed A heavier share of one so fairly framed: With sails by stiffening breezes stretched they found The great Armada, for its prowess famed, And they dispersing spread themselves around, So that the foremost ships they all at once surround. XXII, Their arms some Nereids with the Goddess place Against the Admiral's enormous prow, Which to the bar its passage cannot trace, Although the sails are spread and breezes blow; The Nymphs will not the ship's advance allow: Some to the wood their tender breasts oppose, So that the man-of-war goes backward now, Whilst others push the stern, and each one shows The utmost zeal to save the warriors from their foes. XXIII. As when the thrifty ants with prudence hide Their scanty store of grain in secret holes, And thus for coming winter's wants provide ; The heavy weight their strength united rolls, And ardent zeal the chilly frost controls; The little insects scarce fatigued with toil Accomplish wonders; thus with all their souls The Nymphs combine the wicked plot to foil, And ward the Lusian fleet from that accursed soil. CANTO II. 51 XXIV. The si dp goes backward by resistless force, In spite of all the crew, who, with great cries, And raging fury, strive to keep their course, Handling the sails. The shifting rudder flies From side to side. The wary master tries In vain to make his urgent orders heard, Whilst standing on the poop, because he spies Ahead, just where the men-of-war are steered, A horrid sunken rock by seamen always feared. XXV. Now the rude sailors work with all their might, And raise so loud and terrible a shout, That all the Moors are seized with sudden fright As if in battle legions were drawn out In deadly conflict. Struck with fear and doubt, They cannot guess the truth or cause at all, Nor do they know to whom to turn about For aid ; but conscious crimes their souls appal Lest instant punishment for their base guilt should fall. XXVI, Lo! suddenly the recreant Moors rush down Headlong into the speedy boats which brought Them from the shore. The sea's all ruffled grown As plunging in they swim, still fearing naught But that phantastic peril in their thought: Their minds most deadly terrors occupy Of that great fleet, whose ruin they had sought : Frantic with fear into the deep they fly From those avenging foes who doom them all to die. 52 THE LUSIAU. XXVII. As frogs (which were, as ancient stories tell, The Lycian race) that oftentimes forsake The wild and marshy pools in which they dwell, To bask on shore, if strangers come, betake Themselves again to their dull stagnant lake, And croaking hoarsely leap from every side To their accustomed holes, for safety's sake, To escape that dreadful foe they have espied, And 'neath the water all except their heads they hide ; XXVIIL So fly the recreant Moors in deadly fear: And that false pilot, by whose artful lies The gallant men of war were brought so near Destruction, thinking all without disguise Discovered, to the briny water flies: The anchor is let down to shun the rock, And soon the Admiral in safety lies: Around their chief the other vessels flock, And furling sails the fleet escapes the fatal shock. XXIX. With great amazement noble Gama saw The crowd of Moslems struck with sudden fright, The pilot in unseemly haste withdraw, And all the rest betake themselves to flight: Their brutal project stood revealed to light: As neither adverse winds nor ebbing tide Repelled the ship, the hero deemed the sight Miraculous which human ken defied, And struck with pious awe and admiration cried: CANTO II. 53 XXX. U truly grand, unthought of, strange event! miracle, most evident and clear! Most unexpected, base and vile intent! What wicked, false, perfidious tribes appear! Who could amidst such secret perils steer Unscathed, had not some guardian power above, To whom these frail and feeble men are dear, With outstretched arm of all protecting love Destroyed the artful web, which crafty miscreant swove?" XXXI. "This lesson taught by Providence divine Most plainly shows these ports are insecure, Where savage might and perfidy combine Our ruin and destruction to insure, When all betokened friendship true and pure. Alas! No human prudence can prevail Against the treacherous ills we must endure: 'Tis thou, great Guardian, mortals canst avail With thy benignant power, all other guards must fail. XXXII, "And if thy heart be moved by pious prayers Of thy weak creatures in these foreign lands, To rescue us from base, incessant snares Of such malignant, vile, and treacherous bands, To Thee, great Lord, we pray with suppliant hands, That in thy boundless mercy thou wouldst guide Our vessels to some safe and friendly strands, Or show the Indian coasts, so long denied, For all our efforts tend to make Thee magnified!" 54 THE LUSIAD. XXXIII. When lovely Venus heard this urgent prayer, Most tender pity moved her gentle heart: At once she quits the waters, leaving there The nymphs who grieve to see her thus depart: She soars aloft with superhuman art, The brilliant starry orbs are quickly passed, Nor does she stop her course e'en in the part Which mortals call the third, but hastens fast- To that sixth sphere of heaven where Jove was found at last. XXXIV, The rapid motion makes her features glow With more resplendent beauty, which inspire The stars and skies above, the air below, And all beholders with intense desire: Her form, her gait, her looks with love respire; Those softly languid eyes, fair Cupid's nest, Would even set the icy poles on fire: The frozen zones, by solar heat unblessed, In melting tenderness the ardent flame confessed. XXXV. The Goddess, skilled in all the arts of love, Resolved to make herself still more endeared, And wholly captivate the heart of Jove, Displays her naked charms, as she appeared On Ida's mount, where Paris watched his herd: But had Actseoii seen this fair display Of naked beauty, one would not have heard That he of hungry hounds became the prey, For, burning with desire, his life would melt away. CANTO II. f>0 XXXVI. The beauteous tresses of her golden hair Hang on her neck more white than purest snow: At every movement palpitate her fair And milky teats, where Cupid, with his bow, Lies hidden playfully. With ardent glow Her slender waist emits those kindling flames, And from her beauteous limbs, like ivy, grow The soft desires with which her son inflames The love, and tender hearts, of youths and gentle dames. XXXVII, What modesty must ever seek to hide She covers with a veil, which still displays The rosy tints of flesh, and thus she tried, By faint concealment, more desire to raise, And set unruly passions in a blaze. As soon as this enchanting vision broke Upon their sight, the Gods in wonder gaze: Sensations deep in all her charms provoke, Tn Vulcan jealous rage, in Mars fresh love awoke. XXXVIII. On her angelic features gently beams A playful smile with touching sadness blended, Such as a timid maiden well beseems, When by her favoured swain ungently tended, Or by some slight and thoughtless sport offended, With pouting lips she mingles smiles and tears; (A lover's quarrel scarce commenced when ended) Thus lovely Venus, partly pleased appears, Arid partly sad, her cause to plead with hopes and fears: ;")<> THE LUSIAD. XXXIX, "I once indulged the thought, Almighty Sire, In whatsoever I might take to heart, That tliou wouldst condescend to my desire, And deign thy grace and favour to impart, In spite of all who took another part: But since without a cause or fault of mine, Of thy displeasure I must feel the smart, To Bacchus all the triumph I resign, And though my grief be great, I do not dare repine. XL, "Unto this people, mine, for whom I shed These tears of bitter woe although in vain, Because I bring misfortune on their head My love is fatal, for tliou dost sustain My enemies ; but now I will refrain From useless sobs and tears, with which I sought Thy aid, and all my nature will constrain ; And since my love for them such ills has wrought, That love, now changed to hate, shall be with blessings fraught, XLI, u But let them perish in the cruel hands Of those barbarian, brutal foes!" And here She makes a pause, with sighs and sobbing stands. Whilst from her lovely eyelids drops a tear; Her cheeks like roses wet with dew appear : In vain she tries to speak, but seems to choke From something in her throat, as if with fear: And when her sobs alone the silence broke, The mighty Thunderer in soothing accents spoke CANTO II. XLIL The ruler of the skies was moved, and felt Deep pity for the anguish she betrayed, Which e'en a tiger's savage heart would melt: That smiling countenance her Sire displayed By which the sky with brightness is arrayed : He dried her pearly tears, his arms fast thrown Around her neck, whilst burning kisses made Desire so strong, that, had they been alone, Another Cupid then the nations would have known, XLIIL Her beauteous face to his was closely pressed, Bed,ewed with tears, she heaves most piteous sighs: (As when a nurse first chides, then to her breast Her little nursling hugs, the more she tries To soothe the babe, the petted infant cries So much the more), Jove strives to mitigate Her grief by setting forth before her eyes The future glories of the Lusian state, And, with prophetic lore, unfolds the book of Fate : XLIV, "Fair daughter of my heart, thou must not fear That any deadly peril will arise To those who are to thee so justly dear, Much less imagine that I aught can prize Above thy lovely, dazzling, tearful eyes ; I promise thou shalt see the Lusian host With glorious banners floating to the skies, And all that Greek or Roman annals boast Eclipsed by noblest feats upon the Indian coast. 58 THE LUSIAD. XLV, "If eloquent Ulysses could contrive To quit Calypso's isle, and cease her slave To be, or if Antenor did arrive Where the Illyrian coast the 'waters lave, And reach Timavus' source, or if to brave Charybdis', Scylla's pools, and yet to live Pious .ZEneas strove, thy friends shall have Far greater triumphs, nobler feats achieve, And to the world new worlds thy Portuguese shall give. XL VI, "Fair cities, towns and forts with lofty walls, By Lusian hands erected, thou shalt see; The fierce and warlike Turks, whose might appals The trembling world, by them shall vanquished be : The kings of India, now secure and free, Shall all pay homage to the righteous cause, And to one king submissive bend the knee ; From their lord paramount, with great applause, The peoples shall receive their new and better laws. XL VII, "Before this man, with toils and cares oppressed, Who boldly seeks the Indus' stream to find, The Ocean-God shall be by fears depressed, The surface of the sea, without the wind, Rolls mountains high and cannot be confined: wonderful, miraculous events! Amidst a perfect calm, the lofty mind, And soaring thought subdue the elements; In billows, surges vast, the sea its fury vents! CANTO II. > XLVIIL "In future ages thou shalt gladly see A city rise, with spacious harbour blessed, Upon the land now covered by the sea, And then the lordly vessels from the West Shall find a refuge safe, and place of rest: By all the peoples on that barbarous coast Of monstrous plots, their power shall be confessed And tribute paid, for none shall dare to boast Offerees to resist the dreadful Lusian host! XLIX, "The Eed Sea so renowned, thou shalt behold Transformed to Yellow by its jealous spite, The realm of Ormus shall thy Lusians hold, Twice conquered by their great resistless might: 'Tis thine to see the recreant Moslems bite The dust, o'erthrown, and slain with their own darts, That all may clearly know that if they fight With thy beloved race, with faithless hearts, Thou wilt against themselves direct their wicked arts! L, "Though twice besieged, the lofty Diu stands Impregnable by any human might, Whilst thus defended by such valiant bands, Whose noble worth and prowess in the fight By splendid feats thy wonder will excite : Great Mars himself with envy shall behold The Lusian glories reach their proudest height, Whilst the blaspheming Moors, who blindly hold The Moslem creed, shall know the hour of doom has tolled, GO THE LUSIAD. LI. u Lo! Goa, conquered from the Moors, the Queen Of all the eastern world in future days, With proud and lofty grandeur shall be seen Her head above the subject states to raise, Astounding all beholders with the blaze Of bright resplendent glory, trampling down Beneath her feet the infidel displays Of idol-worship, awing with a frown All those who dare defy the glorious Lusian crown ! LI1. "Thou shalt behold the fort of Canarior Bravely defended by a little band, And crowded Calicut, with all its store Of wealth and power, unable to withstand The Lusian arms: triumphant in the land Of Cochin, thou shalt see a chief renowned, A proud and haughty man, whose valiant hand Achieved such deeds, that no lyre shall be found Worthy his deathless name and glory to resound. LIII, "Ne'er did Leucate with more fury foam, By deadly rage of civil war inflamed, At Actium, where two hostile fleets of Rome, Commanded one by him, Augustus named, Who proved victorious o'er the captain famed For conquest over Bactria and the east With Scythia and the Nile, but not ashamed To fly away in most unseemly haste With that Egyptian queen, more beautiful than chaste CANTO II. 01 LIV. u So thou shalt see the raging deep profound ' In wild commotion when those heroes fight, The savage infidels and Moslems bound, And conquered by their vast, triumphant might O'er many peoples. All the regions bright Of golden Chersonesus in the East, As far as distant China, with the right To rule the isles with which those seas are blest, Till all the Eastern world obeys their high behest. LV. "Their matchless heroism, fair daughter mine, And superhuman might shall be so great, That Lusitanian fame shall far outshine The glories told of any other state From silver Ganges to the narrow strait Of Hercules, or from the Northern sound To that of outraged Magalhaens, though fate Should raise the ancient warriors most renowned To fight for victory upon one battle-ground." LVL Thus spoke the mighty ruler of the sky, And then to Maia's son he gave command With great rapidity at once to fly, And seek a port secure, and friendly land, To shelter all the ships, and Lusian band; And lest the noble Admiral might keep His course towards Mombaza's hostile strand, He bade him warn brave Gama, in his sleep, To look for refuge from the dangers of the deep. 2 TUK LUSIAD. IML Cyllenius 'promptly took his rapid flight, With winged feet through circumambient air, Upon some favoured spot of earth to light : He grasps a wand, beneath whose touch repair The dead to hell, or cease to linger there, Or by its magic power he brings repose And balmy sleep to men oppressed with care : His shining helmet on his head he throws, And then for resting-place Melinda's rampart chose. LVIIL Within he carries trumpet-tongued fame, That she the Lusian feats and noble deeds May to the admiring world aloud proclaim, For naught so much our love and friendship breeds, As when the object of our love exceeds In glory and renown. And thus was raised A wish to see if those whom fortune leads From distant climes, deserved to be so praised, That all Melinda on their mien and gestures gazed. LIX, Then Mercury to Mombaza took his way, Where close to danger on the hostile coast The noble ships-of-war unconscious lay And so, to warn them lest they should be lost (For e'en the best and bravest cannot boast Of triumph over force and fraud combined) : In vain we strive, our efforts must be crost, In spite of valour and most prudent mind, Unless from gracious heaven come aid and warning kind, CANTO II. 63 i LX, The night had not yet reached one half its course, The stars alone with beauteous splendour shone Upon the prostrate world: the last resource Of weary mortals when their toils are done, In quiet slumber, ev'n that anxious one, The valiant Admiral, exhausted quite By care and all the perils they had run, Sunk down to sleep, tired nature's dearest right, And left to other men to keep the watch at night. LXI. When Hermes to the sleeping chief appeared, He raised his warning voice : "Fly, Lusian, fly, Escape the worst of woes that can be feared; Thy crews are doomed ingloriously to die By kingly perfidy, make haste to try And reach some hospitable coast, the wind Is fair, the sea becalmed with brilliant sky, In some not distant port, reception kind, A generous monarch, friends, and welcome thou shalt find' LXII. "Here thou wouldst meet another Diomede, The cruel monster (who, old bards relate) On human flesh his coursers always fed; His wretched guests were doomed to cruel fate, All whom he had the power to immolate: From fierce Busiris' altars stained with gore, Fly quickly, Grama, ere it be too late, And quit without delay this deadly shore, Lest such appalling crimes should be renewed once more! 04 THE LUSIAD. LXIII, "With outspread sails at once pursue thy way Along 1 the coast until thou reach at last o The equinoctial line, where night and day By solar rays in equal parts are cast, A torrid region: there of dangers past Thy mariners all thoughts shall lay aside, The ships shall lie secure, and all shall taste The bounty of the king, who will provide, To steer thy onward course, a true and skilful guide!" LXIV, Thus Mercury unto the Captain spoke, And with his wand drove slumber from his eyes: In deep amazement noble Gam a woke, Because he saw no darkness in the skies, But only bright celestial rays arise: The truth of all he heard was now quite clear ; Resolved to baffle all the tricks and lies Of those base foes, he bade the master steer The ships before the wind, as land would soon appear. LXV. He cried: "The canvas spread, to catch the wind Which blows from heaven! By God's divine command, A glorious envoy, of celestial kind, Was sent with favouring, all-protecting hand, To -guide our vessels to the promised land." Aroused from sleep the crews their hammocks leave, The port and starboard watches ready stand To execute the orders they receive ; With vigour highly prized, the men the anchors heave. CANTO II. OU LXVI. But whilst the active crews were thus employed, The crafty Moors came stealthily by night To try if haply they could be destroyed By cutting all their cables, that they might Go drifting on the shore in hopeless plight: The lynx-eyed Lusians watched the vessel's side, The sly device did not elude their sight, And when the treacherous villains were descried, They rather flew than rowed from those they had defied. LXVII, Now through the waters of the silvery ocean The prows, propelled by fair and gentle gales, The billows part with safe and easy motion; A calm repose with confidence prevails: The joyful mariners indulge in tales Of dangers past, and of that dreadful fate Which they have just escaped,* one never fails With pleasure on such topics to dilate, And all the prudent skill which saved us to relate. LXVIIL They sailed one day beneath the burning sun, Another had commenced when they perceived, A long way off from them, two ships which run Before a leading wind, and they believed Them to be Moors. At once the crews received Command to veer their sails, and tack about To give pursuit ; but one of them achieved His prompt escape, impelled by fear and doubt To run his craft on shore, ere they could change their route. 66 THE LUSIAD. LXIX, The other played a more unskilful game, For he continued on his destined course Until within the Lusians' reach he came : Nor was there any need to have recourse To Vulcan's deadly fire or warlike force ; They had not strength or courage to oppose That mighty fleet, and, left without resource, They yield themselves submissive to their foes ; Resistance would have brought on them still greater woes, LXX, The noble Grama, who with anxious care, A skilful^ faithful pilot always sought, In vain endeavoured to obtain one there, For all the Moorish crew protest that naught They know about the climes of which he thought: Not one can tell what place beneath the sky Great India occupies ; but then they taught That fair Melinda's friendly realm was nigh, And would most certainly an able guide supply. LXXI. The Moors are lavish in the Monarch's praise, His goodness and his bounty they commend, The great magnificence which he displays Humanity and truth with kindness blend His noble nature indicates a friend: To this brave Grama gives a willing ear, For all their words the same result portend. As in his heavenly vision did appear, And so resolves to such a goodly port to steer. CANTO ir. 07 LXXIL It was the gladsome season, when the sun To fair Europa's ravisher returns : His horns with gentler rays he shines upon, And all that zone with genial ardour burns, Whilst Flora Amalthea's horn o'er turns. 'Twas that auspicious day when he to whom Great nature in. submission lowly turns, Arose triumphant from his earthly tomb, And thus his pardon sealed for sin's eternal doom. LXXIIL No sooner did they reach that distant part From whence Melinda greets their longing eyes, Than awnings o'er the deck are spread with art, And decorations showing how they prize The sacred day: the royal standard flies, And purple ensigns flutter: timbrels play, The drums resound amidst the joyous cries Of pure devotion, mixed with war's array; Thus they their Christian zeal and martial pomp display. LXXIV, Great crowds assemble on Melinda's strand, To gaze in wonder on that noble fleet; But all the natives seem most kind and bland, Far different from those they used to greet Before, where all was lies and vile deceit; These were humane and true. The ships-of-war Sail grandly, and no other hindrance meet; Some of their captives, when they reached the bar, A message to the king are sent on shore to bear. 68 THE LUSIAD. LXXV. The king already knew, and much esteemed The valiant Lusians' nobleness of mind, Which so distinguished them, and, therefore, deemed Himself much honoured in his port to find Such far-famed guests: his nature good and kind With bright and generous feelings filled his breast Such men to noblest actions are inclined -r- With gracious courtesy he makes request, That they should land, and take whatever they like best. LXXVI. These royal offers to the champions bold, Who traversed many lands, and Ocean deep, Are cordial and sincere ; they simply told Of great munificence, where actions keep An even pace. He sends well-fattened sheep With woolly fleeces, fowls on barley fed At his barn-doors, of choicest fruits a heap Of those in season : still, his good-will shed More lustre on the gifts with such profusion spread. LXXVIL The Admiral well pleased, with glowing heart Received the joyful Moor, and then he thought To send the king some presents, on his part: He chose some purple cloth, most richly wrought, Of vivid scarlet dye, which he had brought On purpose from afar, and to bestow Some corals fine and rare, much prized, and bought At costly prices, corals which below The Ocean are quite soft, but strong, and hardened grow. CANTO JI. 69 LXXVIIL He likewise sends one qualified to treat In Arabic, in amity to bind The noble king, and make excuses meet For Gama, who was forced to stay behind On board his lofty ship : with willing mind The fit Ambassador proceeds on shore, And quickly tries the gracious king to find : With ready eloquence, of which a store From Pallas graced his lips, he thus addressed the Moor: LXXIX, "Most potent king, whose sovereignty conferred By wise decree of high and mighty Jove, By rude and haughty peoples is revered, Since firmness with thy gentleness has strove Not only to inspire with awe but love ; Throughout the East there is no other port So good and safe for mariners who rove Exposed to risks; to thee we now resort Confiding that the truth exceeds the world's report! LXXX, "We are not pirates vile who scour the seas, And rob defenceless ships, or lie in wait, And rush down suddenly in hope to seize Enormous booty from some feeble state, Which they with fire and sword lay desolate : This mighty fleet from Europe sails in quest Of India's distant realms, so rich and great : All this is done at our good king's behest, Whose virtues and renown admiring worlds attest. 70 THE LUSIAD. LXXXI, "Alas! how fierce and cruel men can be, How barbarous their usages and laws! They shut their ports ; the cold humanity Of desert sands, without the slightest cause, The savage brutes deny : what terror draws Such rancour from their breasts? Have we such might, That our appearance many thousands awes? Against so few must force and fraud unite To bring destruction on the objects of their spite? LXXXIL "But thou, most gracious monarch, art so kind, So good and true, that we do all confide Our ships and crews to thee, and trust to find The refuge which Alcinous did provide When wise Ulysses for his help applied : Guided by one from Heaven expressly sent, Our vessels in your harbour safely ride, And this commission makes it evident Thy other virtues are with truth and kindness blent ! LXXXIII. "Nor for a moment think, my gracious lord, That our redoubted captain did not leave His ships and come to thee, but staid on board Because he feared some project to deceive, Or did not in thy loyal truth believe ! In this he must obey his king's command, Which all must most submissively receive, And this forbids our noble chief to land, Or quit his warlike fleet near any foreign strand. CANTO II. 71 LXXXIV, "Since vassals to obey their liege are bound, As in our body limbs obey the head, Thou wouldst not wish, for thou art also crowned With royal diadem, which all men dread, To see a brother-monarch disobeyed: Thou such surpassing favour dost bestow, That Grama and all those by Gama led, Their gratitude to thee will ever show, As long as rivers shall into the Ocean flow." LXXXV. He closed his speech, which was with admiration Received by all, who stood in groups to praise The noble spirit of that valiant nation, Which sent its ships upon the watery ways To distant climes: they pondered in amaze On what of that illustrious king was said, Who such a realm and such a people sways: The courage by the Portuguese displayed Enhances him whose will such vassals thus obeyed. LXXXVL The prince with pleasant countenance replied Unto the Envoy, whom he much esteemed: "You may all dread and terror cast aside, Vain, baseless phantasies, as if you deemed That we are faithless, and not what we seemed: Your high and lofty characters inspired Belief your pledges all will be redeemed, And not like those, by ruthless rancour fired, Who with deceit and wiles against your fleet conspired! THE LUSIAD. LXXXV1I. 6 'Your Captain stays on board; but this no cause Of slightest umbrage gives, since all must bow To royal will, obedient to the laws, Nor, though he- wished to gratify me now, Would I such breach of loyalty allow : Submissiveness I hold in high regard, And thus approval openly avow, Such rules and mandates, howsoever hard, No liege with my consent shall alter or discard. LXXXV1II. u To-morrow when the Sun's resplendent rays Shall gladden earth, my barge, so fast and light, Shall take me, where I' ve wished for many days To go, on board that great Armada bright, That I may thus enjoy the splendid sight Of ships which have the stormy winds defied: Good pilots shall direct your course aright; For any damage suffered I'll provide, Food, ammunition, all your wants shall be supplied." LXXXIX, The Moslem king's discourse was scarcely done, When, weary of his toil, plunged in the deep With radiant splendour crowned Latona's son: The envoy quits the strand, the rowers sweep Across the sea, with eager haste they leap On board the ship, and soon the rumour flies Of gladsome tidings, which will banish sleep From that rejoicing crew, before whose eyes Sweet visions of success, and certain triumph rise. CANTO II. <;> xc, Nor were some splendid fire-works wanting- there r The rockets comet-like ascend on high, Explosive shells the gunners do not spare: With crackers, wheels of various hues, they try To lighten up the sea, the earth and sky, Like thunder comes the sound of this display : The seamen shout for joy, or raise a cry Of noisy mirth, whilst others sing a lay, Or on their instruments melodious music play, XCI. The land responds with artificial fires, Loud shouts of mirthful jollity arise, Resplendent rise the burning wheels in gyres, Whose sparks ascend: resounding to the skies- The mimic shells explode, the rocket flies, The people's laugh and cries are heard afar, The blaze of light upon the water vies, The earth displays aloft a brilliant star, And thus in earnest play they imitate a war. XCIL Just now the restless sky revolving woke Tired, drowsy mortals to life's daily broil, Their heavy slumbers Memnon's daughter broke. The darksome shades before the dawn recoil, Whilst drops of morning dew upon the soil Refresh the flowers, whose scent perfumes the air, And all the world resumes its wonted toil : Melinda's king with all his suite prepare To go afloat, and see the vessels anchored there. 74 THE LUSIAD. XCIIL At early dawn the king embarks in state, Whilst crowds gaze eagerly upon the sight ; Fine purple robes his person decorate, Adorned with gold and silver shining bright, And richly woven silks the eyes delight : No deadly weapons, lances, swords, or bows, Like crescents bent, with which their warriors fight, Are now displayed; a palm-branch each one shows, Such as a rescued realm upon its chief bestows. XCIV. A long, broad, barge, with awnings overspread Of various coloured silk most nicely wrought, The noble king and royal suite conveyed; With them some lords and valiant chiefs he brought : He came attired, as native customs taught, In costly garments richly ornamented, With great magnificence, and splendour fraught: A gorgeous turban on Ins head extended, The simple cotton-stuff with gold and silk was blended. XCV, A robe most rich and rare the monarch wore, Of damask silk by all so much esteemed, Deep scarlet, such as Tyrians dyed of yore, Of finest gold his royal collar seemed; And yet the skilful workmanship was deemed Superior to the gold: with gems encased, His dagger's gilded sheath most brightly gleamed, His velvet slippers were with pearls enchased, And golden ornaments were on the velvet traced. CANTO II. 75 XCVL A silk umbrella, high above his head, Upon a lofty gilded pole they raise ; 'Tis by a menial held, its foldings shed A Avelcome shade, so that the solar rays Burn not the king, nor dazzle with their blaze : A band of harsh musicians on the prow, Most joyous, though discordant, music plays; Some sound the trumpets crooked like a bow, No harmony, but noise, their utmost efforts show. XCVIL With pomp, which well befits his high command, In stately barges Grama leaves the fleet, And rose, at once, the Ruler of the land With homage due, and courtesy to greet : In dress he looked a Spaniard quite complete, In garments made in France he was attired, The silk from lovely Venice, that great seat Of wealth; it was at princely cost acquired, And, charming to the sight, of crimsom most admired. XCVIIL His sleeves, looped up with golden buttons, shine With brilliant lustre, dazzling to the sight; His trowsers' stripes, of gold a glittering line (That metal which blind fortune doth delight To hide from mortals): delicate and white The points which his large doublet closely tied With care: Italian in design, and light, His golden sword he took with noble pride ; A plume was in his cap, a little turned aside. 7<) THE LUSIAD. XCIX, The persons in his suite were gaily dressed In splendid robes of various shapes and hue; One wore a rich and gorgeous purple vest, Some scarlet dyed, some pink or Asia blue; The beautiful enamel justly drew Great praise from all who gazed upon the show ; Admiring crowds enraptured seem to view The Thauma's daughter with her lovely bow, In which well-blended all the different colours glow. The clarion's notes, resounding through the air, Inspired them all with rare delight and glee: The Moorish barks their gaudy awnings flare, Wilh splashing oars the rowers make the sea One mass of foam : with practised gunnery The cannons fire, and their tremendous roar Is echoed far and wide to that degree Increasing all the dreadful din on shore, That many stopped their ears, resolved to hear no more. CL The king is now on board the Captain's barge, And Grama holds him in a close embrace: His courteous phrases (such as regal charge And dignity required) this welcome grace : The noble prince this novel scene surveys In deep astonishment, and glad surprise, He notes the hero's mien, his garb and face, And still regards, with most admiring eyes, The men who came so far, on this great enterprise. CANTO II. 77 GIL In kind and gracious terms he thus addressed The Admiral, and all he could afford To give to them his earnest wish expressed: Provisions he would gladly send on board, And bids them, like his own, to use his hoard: He says no Lusian ever crossed his sight; But still a thousand tongues their fame record, He knows they long had waged a deadly fight In distant lands with tribes of Moorish faith and rite. cm, Through Africa was spread their high renown, And those exalted feats by which they won The fair Hesperian realm, and gained a crown Of glory, bright, resplendent as the sun: Such splendid deeds shall never be outdone: This meed of praise a grateful theme supplied, Replete with wonder all his speeches run, (A tribute justly due to Lusian pride): To this most kind discourse the valiant chief replied CIV. U Thou! most gracious monarch, who alone To us unhappy mortals, tempest-tossed, And buffeted by raging seas, hast shown Compassion and a refuge on this coast, May he who rules the earth and heavenly host, Almighty and Eternal, blessings pour Upon thy head, as thou desirest most, And so repay with noblest gifts, the shower Of benefits received, which far exceeds our power! 78 THE LUSIAD. CV, Thou art the only one in all this land, Where men are blackened by the solar heat, Who dost receive, with kind and gracious hand, The Ocean- wanderers : a refuge sweet Thy goodness proffers with a safe retreat: So whilst the flaming poles the stars shall feed, Or sun with light the eyes of mortals greet, Thy praise I'll speak, where'er I may proceed, That none on earth thy fame and glory shall exceed! CVI. He ceased to speak : the barges quickly row Towards the great Armada, which the king Desired to see ; and as they wished to show Him all the noble ships by turns, they bring The royal barge around, as in a ring : The cannon's loud reports now reach the sky, A sign of peace and cordial welcoming, The clarion's piercing notes resound on high; To this the joyous Moor with cornets makes reply. cm The gracious monarch all the objects noted, With studious care; but still the dreadful sound Bewildered him: his pallid face denoted Great consternation, terror most profound, So much the martial instruments astound: He bade the rowers cease their onward course, And anchor where a fitting place was found, That on the various rumours, and their source He might in perfect ease with Gama hold discourse. CANTO II. 71) CVIIL The Moor indulged in lengthened conversation On various themes, but most of all inquired .About the wars in which the Lusian nation Had fought with those whom Mahomet inspired, And, so much glory and renown acquired: Of Spanish lands he urges him to tell ; Their faith, their laws, and customs he desired To know, the different places where they dwell, And all the routes through which his ships had sailed so well. C1X. "But first, most valiant Captain", he exclaimed, Do thou in terms distinct and clear relate About thy native land, how that is named, The climate, region where 'tis situate, The mighty king, who rules that glorious state, All this we wish to hear! Thy dwelling-place, And lineage high, which thou dost emulate, Explain to us, what wars thy annals grace, Of which we nothing know, but would the glories trace! CX. "Do not forget the winding route to tell, Through which thy noble ships and dauntless bands The boisterous seas and raging winds compel To sail around the world, untrodden lands And seas, the barbarous nations on the strands Of lawless Africa! The hours invite, Apollo checks his steeds with vigorous hands, Until Aurora's charms dispel the night, The winds and waves are calmed, the skies, serene and bright, 80 . THE LUSIAD. CXI. "Nor is less opportune the fond desire, Which urges us -to hear thee now proclaim The grand heroic deeds which all admire: A little glimpse has reached us of that fame, Which sheds such lustre on the Lusian name: Think not the sun sets us so far apart By his resplendent rays, that we disclaim All interest in what thou dost impart, Or that such glorious feats we do not take to heart ! CXIL "The giants erst with impious fury rose Against the gods, who in Olympus dwell, A region pure and clear: with dreadful blows, Perithous, as ancient poets tell, With Theseus, forced the dismal gates of hell : If then against dire Pluto's dark domain, Or heaven itself mere mortals could rebel, To what renown and glory shall attain Such men as boldly dare defy the boundless main? CXIII. "Diana's fane, the master-piece of art Of Ctesophon, and through the world renowned, Herostratus destroyed, because his heart Conceived the hope, by wicked crime to found A reputation with great glory crowned ; But should the cheating love of fame incite E'en men on such a noble mission bound, To highest honors they may claim a right, Whose aim and daring deeds shine ever pure and bright!" THE LIJSIAD. CANTO THE THIRD. THE LUSIAD. CANTO THE THIRD, THE ARGUMENT. Stanzas I. to V. The poet invokes Calliope to aid him in singing the heroic feats of the Portuguese. YI. to XX. Grama describes the various states of Europe, particularly those on the borders of the Black Sea. X. Lapland and Scandinavia. XI. Germany. XII. Bulgaria. XIII. Maeedon and Greece. XIY. and XV. Dalmatia and Venice. XYI. France. XVII. to XIX. Spain and its several kingdoms. XX. to XXI. Portugal. XXII. Viriatus. XXIII to XXVIII. Count Henry of Hungary marries Thereza, daughter of Alphonso, king of Leon, and receives part of Portugal, as her dower. XXIX. to XXXV. Second marriage of Thereza and the civil war between her and her son. XXXVI. to XLI. Siege of Guimaraes, and heroic loyalty of Egas Moniz. XLII. to XLIV. Alphonso Henri ques crosses the Tagus, with a small army, to attack the Moors. XLV. and XL VI. Appearance of Christ to Alphonso, who is proclaimed king of Portugal, XL VII. to LII. Description of the great victory of Ourique, by which the Portuguese monarchy was first es- tablished. LIII. and LIV. Explanation of the arms of Portugal. LV. to LXI. Lisbon is conquered by the aid of the German and the English cru- saders. LXII. Subjugation of Alemtejo. LXIII. Evora. LXIV. Beja. LXV. Palmella and Cezimbra. LXVI. to LXVIIL Total defeat of the king at Badajoz which surrenders to the Portuguese. LXIX. Just punish- ment of Alphonso for his cruelty to his mother. LXX. to LXXIII. He is besieged by the Leonese in Badajoz, and taken prisoner by his own sou-in-law. LXXIV. to LXXVI. His son, Sancho, advances on Se- ville, and completely defeats the Moors. LXXVIL to LXXXIL The last exploit of the aged monarch, who raises the siege of Santarem, and totally routs the Moorish army. LXXXIII. and LXXXIV. His death and the grief of the whole kingdom. LXXXV. to LXXXVIII. Sancho succeeds him, and conquers Silves with the aid of the crusaders, who were on their way to the Holy Land. LXXXIX. Sancho defeats the Leonese. XC. Death of Sancho and of his son and successor. XCI. to XCIII. Deplorable government of Sancho the second. XCIV. to XCV. He is deposed, -and succeeded by his brother. XCVI. to XCVIII. The prosperous reign of king Diniz. XCIX. to CVIII. Alphonso the fourth aids the king of Castile against the Moors. Beautiful episode of his lovely daughter, Maria, queen of Castile. CIX. to CXII. Battle of Tarifa and glorious victory of the Christian Allies. CXIII. to CYII. Description of the dreadful carnage. CVIII. to CXXXY. Pathetic episode and me- lancholy fate of the beautiful and unfortunate Ignez de Castro. CXXXVI. and CXXXVIL- Terrible vengeance of her husband D. Pedro. CXXXVIII. and CXXXIX. Indolence and incapacity of his son Ferdinand. CXL. Punishment of adulterers. CXLI. to CXLIII. The poet concludes this canto by giving instances of the fatal effects of lewdness ; but offers some excuse for the frailty of a Ferdinand. THE LU8IAD, CANTO III. I. Calliope! my heart is wholly thine, Unfold what noble Gama told the king: Breathe now immortal verse, and voice divine Into this mortal breast that I may sing The glorious theme ! Thus he who sole can bring Health to the sick, the great illustrious sire Of thy son Orpheus, never more shall fling Away thy heavenly love, nor feel the fire Which Daphne, Clicia, or Leucothoe can inspire. II. Celestial nymph ! my ardent wishes crown In worthy strains to laud the Lusian name : That so the Tagus, proud of his renown, Throughout the globe to vie in equal fame With Aganippe's rill may justly claim. From Pindus' limpid fount do thou depart, Since great Apollo's drops of dew acclaim Me as his bard, lest I should say thy heart, For Orpheus' fame eclipsed, endures a jealous smart! s 'i THE LUSIAD. III. "All stood in silence, with attentive ear, To listen to what Grama wished to say: He made a little pause, his thoughts to clear, Then raised his head, and spoke in simple way: "Great King! thou dost command, and I obey, Relating our descent, no allegory ; No vaunts of other states shall I display ; Such acts arid feats are foreign to my story, Which only elevates my native country's glory. / i IV. "The praise of other's valour is a theme Which well becomes a man ; but when our own Achievements are displayed, the task might seem Vainglorious, but it is not that alone; I fear to tire before my tale is done, Because, though time be long, most mighty chief. To gratify the wish which thou hast shown, Though hard to cull the vast historic leaf, I will exert my best endeavours to be brief. V. "Be mindful then that what perplexes more Is that the simple truth by far exceeds The highest flights of fiction: naught can soar Above the perils dire and gallant deeds Of those heroic men ; but, as there needs Some prelude, that thou mayest comprehend The various scenes through which my tale proceeds, I must explain how far those lands extend, And then the deadly wars my narrative shall end. CANTO III. 87 VI, "Between the zone where Cancer holds his sway, And clearly marks the utmost northern bound E'er traversed by the brilliant orb of day, And that cold clime where snows and ice abound, Much shunned like that where torrid heats are found, Europa's fair and fertile regions lie: Her northern, western coasts are girded round By Ocean's briny waves; whilst, gliding by, ' The middle sea bathes those beneath the southern sky. < VII, u But, on the side which sees the rising sun, Her limits touch on Asian territory. Divided by that stream, whose waters run From Rhipaean mountains to the Caspian sea, A winding course of great gelidity, And by that horrid sea which saw of old The Grecians rule in proud supremacy: Yet, mariners, to whom these tales are told, Of Troy triumphant naught but ruins shall behold. \ VIII, "In those bleak regions nearest to the Pole, The Hyperborean mountains take their rise, Where JEolus assumes supreme control; His boisterous rage their very name supplies : In vain for them, resplendent in the skies, Apollo casts his rays, for one vast field Of thickest ice his ardent darts defies, Upon the heights perpetual snow's congealed, By dense and chilling frost the very founts are sealed. THE LUSIAD. IX, "Great hordes of Scythians in those parts abide 7 Who erst, in ages far remote, long waged A deadly war with those who occupied The land of Egypt, both of them enraged Because their foes to prove their claim engaged, To be the first of human race and kind: Vain wrath from error not to be assuaged By simple truth, which were not pride so blind, Upon Damascus' plains they might inquire and find! X, "Cold Lapland and bleak Norway's barren lands In misery those regions occupy With Scandinavia's isle, whence came those bands Whose triumphs Italy does not deny. Beneath their wild inhospitable sky, Until the wintry frosts their course impede, On that Sarmatian sea the natives ply Their little trade; the Prussian, Dane, and Swede, Unawed by winds or storms, with dauntless skill proceed, XL "Betwixt this sea, and where the Tanais rolls Its mighty waters, strange and savage nations, The rude Livonians, Muscovites, and Poles Inhabit, all of them once called Sarmatians; In that Hercynian forest's wildest stations, Beneath the German Emperor, reside The fierce Pannonians, and the brave Alsacians, With all the other peoples which abide On lands, the Danube, Elbe, and great Moselle divide. CANTO III. 89 XII. "Between the distant Ister, and that strait So bright and clear, to which she left her name Who died for love, fair Helle, constant mate, The valiant Thracians dwell, whose warlike fame To Mars' regard has always had a claim : But Hemus now, and Rhodope incline Their lofty heads, overwhelmed with deepest shame, Since Moslem emblems by Byzantium shine, And flout the noblest work of mighty Constantine ! XIII, "The famous Macedonians next appear, Whose soil is bathed by Axius' frigid stream: But thou, fair Greece! to freedom ever dear, Whom eloquence and poesy both deem The first and grandest, thou didst reign supreme In learning as in war: with wondering eyes, We gaze on thee as some fantastic dream: Surpassing all, aspiring to the skies, Thy sons ascend to heaven, thy glory never dies! XIV. "And next to these Dalmatia comes in sight, Where erst Antenor raised his mimic walls : Lo! rising from the sea, a vision bright, Fair Venice, which proud memories recalls, A little narrow spot of earth, enthralls : The subject nations, vanquished by its force, Its arts delude ; its energy appals A host of foes soon left without resource ; By arms and cunning wiles her rulers hold their course. 00 THE LUSIAD. XV- "With lofty Alps upon her northern side, The land by Neptune's waters girded round, Great Nature's walls, the Apennines, divide Its centre, once for valiant deeds renowned, Triumphant o'er the world, with glory crowned: But, since bestowed on him who opes the gate Of Heaven, that valour is no longer found : No conquests raised them from their abject state, Because our God preferred the humble to the great. XVI. "Now, turn thine eye upon that ancient Gaul By Caesar's glorious triumphs widely known: Rich provinces by rivers watered all, The Seine majestic, icy cold Garonne, The lovely Loire, the deep and rapid Saone : Far to the south arise the mountains bold, The grave of fair Pyrene, where 'tis shown, If we believe what chronicles have told. The fire made molten streams of silver and of gold. XVII. "Behold that great and noble land of Spain! The head of all the European world, Where many various races came to reign, With their victorious standards high unfurled, Revolving round by changeful fortune whirled: But fortune's wheel, or might, or cunning arts Shall never crush such men, though all were hurled Against their breasts, since fortitude imparts That constancy which does not fail in noble hearts. CANTO III. 01 XVIII. 44 And facing it, the Maiiritaniaii state Lies opposite, as if they wished to close The midland sea by that shor,t narrow strait, Where mighty Hercules' grand pillars rose, The final trophy which o'erwhelmed his foes : The different peoples, whom the waves surround, Display such nobleness, that each one shows, And is throughout the globe so much, renowned, That every nation claims to be the foremost found. XIX, "The Aragonians here maintain their sway, Who splendid fame by conquered Naples gained, The Navarrese, the Asturians, whose array The dreadful shock of Moslem hosts sustained: Galicia's sons in prudent caution trained, Castilians proud, whose rising star restored The monarchy, and by their power maintained, Betis, Leon, Castile in one accord, With fair Granada, all obey one common lord. XX, "The Lusitanian realm, as if it were The head of Europe, now at last you see: Where its most distant limits disappear, You look enraptured on the boundless sea, Where Phoebus sinks in splendid majesty: That noble race, by zeal and valour stirred, Expelled, fulfilling Heaven's just decree, To scorching Africa the Moslem herd; E'eri there beyond the straits, the Lusian arms are feared. 92 THE LUSIAD. XXL "That is my own, most blessed native land, So loved that, should the ruler of the skies Permit me on its soil once inore to stand In safety, after my great enterprise, May I there close in peace my dying eyes! Lysa, and Lusus, who from Bacchus claim Companionship, perhaps paternal ties, The first sojourners to this country came, Whence Lusitania boasts her ever glorious name. XXII. "That country gave the valiant shepherd birth, Who proved himself a man whose feats astound The world, whose fame is not eclipsed on earth; Since Rome in him a worthy rival found, For her brave warriors are not more renowned : Old Time, who doth his children all devour, By Grod's decree runs quick, and lightly round, In his own way, and his appointed hour, Established firmly thus a vast illustrious power : XXIII. U A Monarch, great Alphonso was he hight, Who ruled in Spain, the Saracens assailed With deadly wars, and such all vigorous might, . And artful skill, that myriads were curtailed (For 'gainst his matchless valour naught prevailed) Of life and land, while his triumphant fame From Calpe to the Caspian Sea was hailed With heart-felt joy, and many warriors came To serve the king, and die, or win a glorious name, CANTO III. 93 XXIV, u Yet, they by holy faith were more inspired Than by the hope to gain an earthly prize, Or any honours to be thus acquired, To come away from their own native skies, And leave their homes and all domestic ties: This zeal displayed itself in lofty deeds, Which to the highest pitch of fame did rise ; Their prowess such vast admiration breeds, That royal gratitude to utmost length proceeds. XXV, " Amongst those chiefs, brave Henry, second son Of some Hungarian king, with valiant sword The realm of Portugal most justly won, Though not so grand as we do now record : Nor that alone the monarch did accord As gracious guerdon; but more clearly showed His fullest confidence and dear regard: He his fair daughter Teresa's hand bestowed, And thus to him the prince his bride, and kingdom owed. XXVI, u When he with Hagar's offspring long had fought, And many splendid victories were won, Which other lands beneath his sceptre brought, And all that manly heart inspires was done, Heaven for his guerdon blessed him with a son, Whose matchless force, and vigour in the fight All former feats, and conquests far outshone: Before his lance the Moslems took to flight, His star on Lusian fame reflects a dazzling light. U4 THE LUSJAD. XXVIL "This hero in that great crusade had been, Which won Jerusalem from Moslem hands, And had the waters of the Jordan seen, Which cleansed the God Incarnate, whose commands The world obeys: when those victorious bands Had placed Judea under Godfrey's sway, Great numbers who had ventured to those lands, As they their zeal could now no more display, To their own territories in triumph wend their way. XXVIII. "The aged warrior reached the appointed goal, That barrier fixed by nature's stern behest, And full of years, delivering up his soul To him who gave it, calmly sunk to rest : An only son, of tender age, had blessed In latter days the warrior's fond desire, The destined King, whose countless feats attest, That in his spirit burnt that ardent lire, Which proved the youthful prince was worthy of his sire, XXIX. "Tradition, though perhaps mistaken, says, (It is so hard to ascertain the truth Of what has taken place in ancient days), The widowed dame, her lonely state to soothe, Espoused a lowly-born, though comely youth: His mother, swayed by baneful lust of power, (The fruitful source of misery and ruth), Claimed Portugal to be her marriage dower, And strove from all his rights her orphan son to lower. CANTO III. XXX, "But her undaunted son, who did inherit From his grand sire of Spain his glorious name Alphonso, with indomitable spirit, Would not admit his mother's groundless claim, And on her second nuptials looked with shame: He chafed with rage at all which it involved, v And inly thought some remedy to frame, With prudent courage all his plans revolved, And then at once performed whatever he resolved. XXXI, "The field of Guimaraens is dyed with gore Of friends, and kinsmen ranged on hostile sides; A mother, with maternal love no more, Her son's just claim to rule the state derides, Maternal love her soul no longer guides: In battle-order both the armies stand, Each more in brutal force than right confides, The mother sins to God, her son, and land, For base and sensual love usurps supreme command. XXXII. "0 cruel Progne! Medea famed For magic arts! ye bathed your guilty hands In your own children's blood, although ye blamed Their sires alone, and yet Teresa stands More deeply wicked: nature's sweet commands She outraged: urged by lust, and love of gold, Against her son she led her hostile bands! Seylla for greed her aged parent sold, By both these passions base Teresa was controlled. 90 THE LUSIAD. XXXIIL "At first, the youthful prince, in deadly fights, His mother, and her husband overpowered, While all the realm, which once opposed his rights, Its arms to his victorious banner lowered: Alas! by hateful wrath, and anger soured, The cruel son his mother loads with chains, An odious crime! for which Heaven justly poured Dire vengeance on his head, for God ordains Respect, and filial love, beneath severest pains. XXXIV. "The proud Castilian forces take the field, Determined to avenge Teresa's wrong ; But still the little army will not yield To any foreign foe, however strong, Nor do they shrink from toils or hardships long : With human valour, and celestial aid, (To manly hearts undying hopes belong), A firm resistance to their foes they made, And routed all their troops in serried ranks arrayed. XXXV. "Soon was the prince in Guimaraens surrounded By hostile armies, now so much increased In numbers, that their power appeared unbounded, And all resistance must have quickly ceased, If not by faithful Egas' help released, Who, like a loyal vassal, pledged his word, And risked his life, and thus the foe appeased: His promised word dispersed the mighty horde, The hero's loyalty preserved his tottering lord. CANTO III. 97 XXXVI. "The trusty Egas, who most clearly knew The Lusian prince no barrier could oppose, And all was lost, unless the hosts withdrew, To the Castilian leader singly goes, And promises submission to the foes: The lingering army from the siege retired, Resolved with such propitious terms to close: Alphonso, by a patriot zeal inspired, Refused to yield the crown to which his soul aspired. XXXVII. u At last the time arrived, the fatal day On which the great Castilian Monarch thought The Lusian prince would own his sovereign sway, And that the little realm would now be brought To pay the homage which he long had sought: When loyal Egas saw his plighted word, And solemn compact scorned, and set at naught, By peril's menace he was not deterred, But death to any blot upon his name preferred. XXXVIII. "He hastens with his children and his wife, Resolved his sullied honour to redeem By yielding what he prized above his life : Their feet were bare, and their attire would seem To move the heart to pity; none could dream Of vengeful wrath: "If thou, most mighty King", The hero said, "my great offence dost deem Beyond the reach of pardon, here I bring Myself prepared for death, or any suffering. 98 THE LUSIAD. XXXIX, "Behold my wife, these pledges of our love! But they at least are innocent of guilt If then such sights a generous heart can move To pity, when the blood of men is spilt, The weak though criminal, lo! now tliou wilt Obtain the guilty hands, the tongue which swore So falsely: let these expiate my guilt! Then slay, torment, as Scinis did of yore, Or let Perillo's bull with anguish make me roar!" XL, "The culprit thus before the headsman stands, And tastes the pangs of death, whilst yet alive, Condemned to perish by those bloody hands: His neck lies on the block, he cannot strive Against the fate which human laws contrive : Calm and serene, brave Egas now appeared Before the Monarch, in whose bosom live Rage and compassion; but his heart was stirred. To pardon one who so much prized his plighted word. XLL "What loyalty sublime, and truly great, This Portuguese to his own sovereign shows! Such noble actions grandly emulate The deeds of Zopyrus, whose face and nose Were maimed to deceive his country's foes, Which made Darius weep, who mournful cried, With frequent sighs, that he much rather chose To have one Zopyrus upon his side, Than twenty Babylons in all their glorious pride. CANTO III. 99 XLII, "His gallant warriors brave Alphonso leads, With martial pomp, and glorious laurels crowned; Intent on victory, the prince proceeds Beyond the lovely Tagus, to the ground Where many towns of Saracens are found: On vast Ourique's plain, in proud array, Both armies pitch their camps, and both renowned For valour : though the Portuguese display A smaller front, they stand the hazard of the day. XLIII. "In God alone Alphonso placed his hope, In Him whose laws the universe control : How could his forces with such numbers cope, (A hundred Moors to every Christian soul), If God's designs did not direct the whole? Without His help, it would be rashness thought, And not true courage, such as men enrol In pages of undying fame, for naught Of purely human might against such odds has fought. XLIV. "Five Moorish kings in this great fight engaged, But Ismar was the valiant leader's name, And all of them most deadly wars had waged, Encountered perils dire, and all might claim A brilliant record in the rolls of fame: Their Moslem ladies joined them undismayed, Whose prowess rivalled that illustrious dame, From whom the Trojans erst received such aid, Or Amazonians bold, in manly garb arrayed. 100 THE LUSIAD. i XLV. "The morning dawned serenely bright and cold, The stars dispersing from the azure skies, When lo! a sight most wondrous to behold; Upon the cross the son of Mary lies Extended, right before the hero's eyes! With lively faith, he kneels in admiration, And struck with trembling awe, devoutly cries : - "Great Lord! on Moslems vent thy indignation, And not on me or mine of this believing nation!" XL VI, "With ardent zeal, and pious hope inspired, The joyful Portuguese at once acclaim The prince, so much beloved and so admired, For rightful King: and as the troops proclaim, With loud huzzas, the youthful monarch's name, Their serried ranks advance against the band Of Moslem foes, their battle-cry the same : "All hail Alphonso, Monarch of our land! Let him our homage claim, and willing hearts command!' XLVIL "As when upon some lonely mountain's side, A mastiff, urged by rustic shouts and cries, Attacks a bull, which stands at bay in pride Of lordly strength, and with his horns defies His formidable foe, who, growling, tries To fix his teeth upon the flanks or ears, And at each part exposed all nimbly flies, Till he at last the throat with fury tears, (The brute with anguish roars, his vigour disappears:) CANTO III. V XL VIII. "The Monarch, whom his troops had just proclaimed, With ardent courage marched against his foes, By God and by his people's love inflamed: The little Christian band undaunted throws Itself upon the hosts, who dare oppose Its onset: but the Moors their war-cry raise, And soon the din of battle louder grows, The bugle sounds to arms, the trumpet brays, Each infidel a lance, or bended bow displays. XLIX. "As when a fire upon the arid plains Begins its ravages, by northern blast Increased, in fierce, destructive fury reigns, And soon a noble forest's pride lays waste ; While shepherds from their slumbers rise in haste, Bewildered by the noise, and horrid sight, And trembling, pale, their scanty chattels cast Across their brawny shoulders, and in fright To some near hamlet's huts rush on in headlong flight L. "E'en thus the Moors, astonished, and dismayed, Ran wildly each to his appointed post, In vain and frantic shouts their rage displayed, And sent their horse against the coming host. The Portuguese, advancing boldly, crossed The open space, the deadly spears they threw, Resolved to win the day at any cost : The Moors for succour to the Koran sue, But many thousand men the Christian warriors slew. n>i: :'::..:;, THE LUSIAD. IT. u ln fierce and rude encounters all engage, With force enough to break the hardest rock, The steeds by Neptune's trident made, with rage Inflamed, rush on resistless to the shock, Whilst furious warriors to the conflict flock : The dauntless Lusians eagerly attack Their haughty foes, who answer stroke for stroke; They pierce, wound, stab, they batter, cut, and hack, These struggle to advance, and those to drive them back. LIT, "Now severed heads are scattered o'er the plain, With bleeding arms from living warriors chopped, All lying cold amidst the heaps of slain: The blood from trailing entrails is not stopped, Whilst pallid soldiers have with anguish dropped ; At last the Moslems are compelled to yield, By Lusian skill and courage overtopped ; Nor art nor prowess can the vanquished shield, To crimson red is changed the white and verdant field. LIII, "The Lusitanian chief triumphant stands, Mid richest spoils, and trophies gathered there From those discomfited and routed bands: And then, encamping in the open air, He staid three days, that all might be aware Of the great victory he had obtained. The joyful king gives orders to prepare His royal shield by five small shields sustained, To show five kings from whom the glorious day was gained. CANTO III. 10; > LIV, \ "On these five little shields were nicely laid The thirty silver coins, the base reward For which the traitor Judas erst betrayed, And sold his God, all tending to record The royal gratitude to Christ his Lord. Five coins to each blue shield are duly meted, But, that the whole in number might accord, Those in the middle one are twice repeated, And thus the holy cross was in the arms completed. LV. "And when some little time had passed away, Quite flushed with victory, the king commands Leiria to be stormed. Beneath his sway The place returns once more with all its lands: Arronches also falls into his hands; He conquers Santarem, for nothing shields The foe from great Alphonso's warlike bands ; He holds that place which such rich harvest yields, For limpid Tagus bathes its vast and fertile fields. LVL "When all of these were won, the Monarch soon The lofty Mafra to submission brought; Cold Cintra, in the mountains of the moon, To catch within his mighty arms he sought (Fair Cintra, where the Naiads set at naught The wiles of Cupid, hiding in their springs, And crystal fountains); still, the sweetest thought Of love pursues, and to their bosom clings, For Cupid burning flames into the water brings. 104 THE LUSIAD. LVIL "And thou, Lisboa! with bright gloiy crowned, Of all the sun beholds thou art the queen, Founded by him for wisdom's arts renowned, Whose cunning plots the chiefest cause had been Of Troy's destruction! Thou hast proudly seen Obedient to thy laws, the vasty deep Of rolling Ocean; now, with humble mien, Thou dost obey the valiant hosts which sweep The Moslem foes away, and thy strong ramparts keep! LVIII. "These fleets were by brave, hardy Germans manned, Who, sailing from the Elbe and rapid Rhine, With some from Britain's frigid clime, had planned To drive the Saracens from holy shrine, Inspired by fervent zeal in that design : The valiant warriors saw the great array, And knew Alphonso's fame did brightly shine Above the skies; they thus resolved to stay, And to Ulysses' walls a vigorous siege to lay. LIX, "Five times the waning moon had ceased her course, As oft again she showed her lovely form, Resplendent in the sky: superior force Assaults the place, and spreads war's wide alarm, Till proud Lisboa bends beneath the storm. For struggle fierce and deadly they prepare, Since rage and hate opposing bosoms warm, Unheard of feats the Christian warriors dare, The infidels display the courage of despair. CANTO III. 10.") LX, "Tims Lisbon was compelled to bow her head Submissively, although, in times of yore, When countless hordes of hardy Scythians spread Their conquests, and their sway from shore to shore, The stranger's heavy yoke she never bore. The Ebro and the Tagus were appalled To see their banks, and waters tinged with gore, And Betis' fertile sides were so enthralled, That thence from them the land of Vandals it was called. LXL "And is there any place so great or strong, That it the tide of conquest can oppose, When Lisbon her defence doth not prolong Against the rude attacks of dauntless foes, Whose fame at every instant brighter grows? Lo! Obidos yields, and Torres most renowned, Estremadura, Alemquer, where flows A gurgling stream o'er rocky beds, whose sound Makes music in the ears of those who dwell around! LXIL "He lands beyond the Tagus' noble stream, Where Ceres' yellow harvest most abounds: Ye all obeyed the royal will supreme, And yielded up your fences and your mounds, With all the forts and towns within your bounds ! In vain the Moorish husbandman expressed A hope to keep his farm, and fertile grounds, Since Elvas, Serpa, Moura, and the rest, E'en strong Alcacer, have the Christian power confessed. 106 THE LUSIAD. LXIII. u Unto that noble city, firm stronghold Of brave Sertorius, and his rebel force, Whose aqueduct was raised, in days of old, Upon two hundred arches, from its source To bring the silvery water, sweet resource Of all the people, and adjacent lands, And ages, stood Griraldo, to enforce Submission, comes with his undaunted bands : The city bends her neck beneath the King's commands. LXIV. "Alphonso, ever active, was intent On vengeance for Trancoso just destroyed, And 'gainst fair Beja all his efforts bent: He thought that life's brief span should be employed, So that eternal fame might be enjoyed; But when the place surrendered to the King, His troops, whose thirst for blood could not be cloyed, With furious rage and reeking weapons, fling Themselves upon the crowd, and spare no living thing. LXV. "And next Palmella falls into his power, Cezimbra for its fish so widely known ; There his victorious troops, in happy hour, Protected by the ramparts of the town, Attack the Moslem host, which is o'erthrown With dreadful carnage. Those besieged had seen, And lo ! the victor sees fast swarming down The mountain's skirts, the Moors, who little ween Their foes are ambushed where their trusty friends had been. CANTO III. 107 LXVI. a The mighty lord of Badajos possessed Four thousand horsemen; also had immense, And warlike bands of foot, most richly dressed With glittering gold and costly ornaments, Equipped for bold attack or firm defence. Thus, when some lordly bull, in sportive play Amidst the grazing cows, a stranger scents, And jealous rushes furious to the fray 'Gainst one who quite unconscious treads his weary way; LXVIL "So great Alphonso from his ambush rose, Attacked at once with bold resistless might, And wounds, slays routs the scared, unwary foes. The Moorish king is seized with sudden fright ; To save his life, he takes to instant flight; His troops, quite panic-struck, they know not why, All follow him, fullspeed, in shameful plight; But what compelled this mighty host to fly? Just sixty horsemen won this splendid victory. LXVIII. "The valiant Christian king, without delay, Unwearied by the toils of constant war, Advanced with all his force, in proud array, His numbers swollen by those Avho came afar From all that realm, to hail his conquering star. Strong Badajos he hastens to besiege; Against such men its ramparts are no bar: With skill and valour he pursues the siege, And soon the town submits, and owns him for its liege. 108 THE LUSIAD. LXIX, "But that Almighty Power, which oftentimes Defers the chastisement of guilty men, Expecting due repentance for their crimes, Or for some secret cause beyond the ken Of mortals, and which had the prince, till then, In all his grand career most kindly tended, At last decreed the fatal moment, when His captive mother's curse, so long suspended, Should fall on him who had so grievously offended. LXX. "The prince, surrounded in the captured town By far superior force of Leonese, Who claim it for their own great Monarch's crown, And seek to drive away the Portuguese, With burning rage and wrathful fury sees Their bold attempt to snatch the golden prize. He bursts through all the hostile lines with ease, And, obstinate, the chance of battle tries ; But, vanquished by his foes, in irksome dungeon lies. LXXI, "Thou famous Pompey! cease to grieve in vain, Because thy glorious triumphs all are ended, Or that just Nemesis' decrees ordain Thy great renown in arms shall be transcended By the fair consort's sire! On thee attended, With trembling awe, the frigid Phasis' stream, Syene with its equal shadows blended, Or where Botes' regions frozen seem, And all the line beneath the sun's most ardent beam. CANTO III. 10'J LXXIL "In spite of these, with richest Araby, With fierce Henochians, Colchos ever famed For Jason's golden fleece, subdued by thee, Brave Cappadocians, Judea, which proclaimed One only Grod who love and worship claimed, And soft Sophene, with those pirates bold From vast Cilicia, and the region named Armenia, where two bright rivers rolled Their waters from the Mount, most sacred deemed of old; LXXIIL "Though all the regions, from the Atlantic sea To where the Scythian Taurus lifts its head, Have seen thy banners crowned with victory, Be not amazed because the army led By thee, from dread Thessalia vanquished fled! Since thou shalt see Alphonso trampling down His foes, to be at last discomfited: Thy consort's father tarnished thy renown; His daughter's husband dimmed Alphonso's glorious crown! LXXIV, "When thus the noble king had been chastised By stern award of providence divine, Whose sacred laws he had so long despised, The furious Saracens the siege combine Of Santarem, but fail in their design. The holy Vincent's relics had been laid Upon the well known Cape ; but to a shrine Of more magnificence they were conveyed, When Lisbon to the saint her solemn homage paid. 110 THE LUSIAD. LXXV. "The aged king, of wars incessant tired, And quite exhausted, clearly understands He can no longer do what he desired ; He to brave Sancho, issues his commands To cross the Tagus with his warlike bands : The son with joy the monarch's will obeys, On Seville's noble stream a victor stands, By thousands, fierce and cruel Moslems slays, And with their blood accursed pollutes the watery ways. LXXVL "By this success the youthful prince elated Resolves to strike another heavy blow ; His forces march with vigour unabated To succour Beja, round whose walls the foe Had just commenced beleaguering works to throw. Complete success soon crowned his proud desire ; The Moors sustained a signal overthrow: Such frequent losses filled their breasts with ire, And hopes of vengeance most astounding deeds inspire. LXXVII. "From that huge mountain which sustains the sky, And which Medusa, by her magic art, Compelled a dull and lifeless mass to lie, From Tangier, where Antaeus played his part, And Ampelusa's cape, the warriors start ; The peoples from Abyla also came To join the mighty host, with willing heart: Numidia, once the scene of Juba's fame, The trumpet's martial sounds with deadly rage inflame, CANTO III. Ill LXXVIII. "Great Mir-almuminin his army brings, And enters Portugal, in grand array: With him come thirteen valiant vassal kings O'er whom this monarch holds superior sway: Havoc and desolation mark their way, For no sufficient force can there be sent To guard the lands, and drive the foe away: In Santarem the prince is closely pent, But still the Moors do not succeed in their intent. LXXIX. "The infidels a deadly conflict wage, Employing all the stratagems of war, In vain assaults they vent their furious rage, Their engines hurl huge fragments from afar, They batter with their ponderous rams, nor spare Their secret mines : Alphonso's valiant son Defeats their various plans with prudent care, He promptly sees whatever can be done, His valour and his skill with equal lustre shone. LXXX. "The king, whom age, and long continued toil Had now at length compelled to seek repose, Was in that city whose rich, grassy soil Is watered by Mondego: when fre knows That Sancho is besieged by Moorish foes In Santarem, and stands in greatest need Of timely aid, such numbers to oppose, At once he hastes to mount his warlike steed, Nor does the weight of years relax the hero's speed. THE LUSIAD. LXXXL u He marched with forces, which had long been trained In deadly wars, and soon they rea died the toAvn : The united bands, with fury unrestrained, Upon the hostile Moors rushed headlong down, And they were all completely overthrown. The slaughtered foes lie weltering in their gore : With Moorish cloaks, coats, hoods, and harness strown, 'Midst dying steeds, the field is covered o'er With rich and costly spoils, a most abundant store. LXXXIL "The wretched remnant of that armament From Santarem in deep dejection fled, And back again to their own country went, Save Mir-almuminin, whose royal head, Before the flight, was numbered with the dead : The victors raised their hearts and hands in prayer To that Almighty power, whose guidance led Them on to victory, for Heavenly care Alone could rescue those thus driven to despair. LXXXIIL "Triumphant on so many glorious fields, Our great Alphonso, mighty and renowned, At last to age and toils incessant yields, And reaches that inevitable bound Which closes life's protracted, weary round: A sickly pallor sits upon his brow, In all his frame the fatal signs are found, The icy hand of death has seized him now, To that stern conqueror the unconquered chief must bow. CANTO III. 113 LXXXIV, "The lofty capes and promontories lamented, With poignant grief; and as the rivers flowed Through Portugal, by streams of tears augmented, Their waters covered all the fields just sowed: The realm is crushed by sorrow's heavy load; Throughout the world Alphonso's glorious fame, And wonderous conquests are proclaimed aloud; Alphonso ! great Alphonso ! all exclaim, But echo now, alas ! does not repeat his name. LXXXV. "The valiant Sancho to the throne succeeds, A worthy imitator of his sire In feats of arms and most heroic deeds: He had before displayed his martial fire, When he discomfited in conflict dire The Andalusian king, and Baetis flowed Ensanguined; but his glory rose far higher, When by his sword the Moslemites were mowed, And Beja's menaced walls to him their safety owed. LXXXVI. "But after he had been enthroned, and crowned, And had for many years his kingdom swayed, He marched with mighty forces to surround The famous Sylves, which the Moors obeyed, And where rich fields a goodly tribute paid: In this the king was aided by a band Of valiant German warriors, who delayed Their promised succour to the Holy Land On which the Saracens had laid a heavy hand. 114 THE LUSIAD. LXXXVIL "These brave crusaders had embarked to aid Great Barbarossa in his enterprise, With all the Christian chivalry arrayed In arms, to save the city, where his eyes Our Jesus closed in bloody sacrifice : But royal Guido did not long oppose The mighty Saladin ; without supplies Of water, he surrendered to his foes, For whom a limpid stream in great abundance flows. LXXXVIIL "The hardy heroes of this famous fleet, By adverse winds, and stormy seas constrained To seek a friendly port, and safe retreat, To fight against the infidels remained, By which their holy end would be attained : As, by the succour of a Christian host, His sire Lisboa's noble city gained, Thus Sancho, helped by Germans tempest-tossed, Subdued fair Sylves, which the Moors for ever lost. LXXX1X. "Amidst these triumphs o'er the Moslems won, The brave, victorious Monarch will not rest, But keeps his fixed resolve to overrun The Leonese whose valour stands confessed, As many hard-fought battles can attest ; And soon he forces Tuy to bow down Its neck beneath the yoke, and his behest Submissively obey, with many a town Which humbly yields itself to serve the Lusian crown, CANTO III. 1 1 5 1C, "The palm of victory his glory crowned, When Death, stern conqueror of all, surprised The aged king. Alphonso, much renowned, And much beloved, with prudence exercised The regal power : by him the circumcised, And unbelieving Moslems were expelled From that Alcacer which they highly prized, And still, in spite of all the Christians, held ; But now their baneful rule was wholly crushed and quelled. XCL "When this Alphonso, second of that name, Descended to the tomb, his son succeeded, A second Sancho, doomed to bitter shame, Because his nature, mild and gentle, needed Those harsher virtues, by which vice is weeded: He governed not ; but was by others guided, Whose crimes, unchecked, the public good impeded; The king by all his vassals was derided, And his dethronement was unanimously decided. XCII, "Yet, Sancho was not so degenerate Or cruel as a Nero, who would wed A handsome youth, and, shocking to relate, By horrid incest stained his mother's bed, Fair Agrippina's, till by frenzy led, With fire his native city he destroyed: Or Heliogabalus, for whom were spread The glutton's feasts, and naught but lust enjoyed, Sardanapalus like, whom no excesses cloyed. 116 THE LUSIAD. XCIIL "Nor where the people savagely oppressed, Nor did Sicilian tyranny revive, Nor did, like Phalaris whom all detest, This hapless prince a brazen bull contrive, Inhumanly to roast a man alive : But still, a haughty nation, in its pride, Accustomed with aspiring kings to strive Against its ancient foes, could not abide To see the throne by one less worthy occupied. XCIV, "The realm abandoned thus, by this event, Bologna's Count assumed the reins of power, When Sancho, ever weak and indolent, Had reached his last, inevitable hour: Alphonso, hight the brave, began to tower Above his peers, in kingly rank, and deeds: He first secures the realm; to overpower Some neighbouring lands he then at once proceeds, His lofty spirit far such narrow bounds exceeds. XCV, "From that Algarve, which had been bestowed On him, as marriage dower, the King expelled By arms the Moslems, who no longer showed That warlike energy, which erst compelled Submission from their foes: they now beheld This province, from them wrenched and disunited, Fair Lusitania's realm, more firmly held By Luso's valiant sons, who thus requited The Moors for all the ills by which they had been blighted, CANTO III. 117 XCVL "Diniz next occupied the vacant place, Whose noble qualities, and virtues show A glorious scion of Alphonso's race : His generous gifts with such profusion flow, That Alexander could no more bestow: The realm enjoys secure and perfect peace, The useful arts to highest grandeur grow, By moral customs, laws, and sage decrees, Its wealth, prosperity, and learning all increase. XCVIL "Coimbra was the first to cultivate Minerva's gifts and arts: with deep delight, From Helicon the Muses came, and sat Upon Mondego's banks, enraptured quite, With all the fairy scenes so clear and bright. The fame of this new Athens quickly spreads, Her sons are greeted by the Grod of light, Who wreathes their caps with silk and golden threads, Whilst verdant baccaris, and laurel crown their heads. XCVIIL "This monarch boundless energy displayed In raising castles, forts, and princely halls, Rebuilding towns by time and wars decayed, Surrounding them with strong and lofty walls, Attentive to his people's wants and calls: The thread is cut by fate, his course is run, And full of years into the tomb he falls : The fourth Alphonso now ascends the throne, A great, and warlike king, but disobedient son. 118 THE LUSIAD. XC1X. "He haughtily repulsed Castilian pride, With manly spirit, and unflinching breast, Because the Lusians always have defied Superior numbers, though it was confessed The odds were dreadful. Yet, he would not rest Impassive, when a mighty Moslem host Invaded Spain, and tried by force to wrest From great Castile the lands which had been lost, But rushed with all his power to drive them from the coast, "Semiramis, upon Hydaspes' banks, Did ne'er assemble hosts so vast and strong, Nor Attila's rude, fierce, embattled ranks (The scourge of God), did in such numbers throng To invade fair Italy, as now belong To proud Granada's long and bright array Of chivalry, while with them march along Unnumbered tribes who Mahomet obey, From those Tartesian fields beneath Granada's sway. CI. "The pro ad Castilian Monarch, quite aghast At sight of such a horde of deadly foes, Whose numbers all his forces far surpassed, And scarcely left a hope he could oppose Their onset, more than death did fear to lose Again the Spanish realm: his spirit bends To ask Alphonso's aid; his consort goes, And to her Sire her suppliant hands extends: A daughter thus is sent, the wife of him who sends. CANTO III. 119 CII. "The beautiful Maria enters now The gorgeous palace of her youthful days, Her face most lovely, though her anguished brow No signs of mirth or filial joy displays; Bedewed with tears it inward grief portrays : Angelic tresses o'er her shoulders spread More white than ivory ; with fond embrace And joyous look, the king his daughter led, And heard attentive what the weeping princess said : cm. u The lawless tribes which Africa contains, Whose savage nature none could ever tame, With all the nations over whom he reigns, The sovereign of Morocco armed, and came Resolved to extirpate the Spanish name: So great an armament none ever saw, Since first the ocean bathed the earthly frame : For their fierce deeds, unchecked by any law, Astound the quiet dead, strike living men with awe. CIV. "The gracious prince, to whom thou gavest me In marriage, strives with far inferior force To save his people and his territory: By Moslems menaced, and without resource Or any hope, to thee he has recourse. If thou dost treat his last appeal with scorn, A glorious death must be his only course ; And I, from kingdom and my husband torn, Am doomed to worst of woes, a widow quite forlorn. 120 THE LUSIAD. CV, "Most mighty King! whose aspect was so stern, That Mulucha's warm current was congealed, Thine eye of pity on thy neighbour turn, To aid the lost Castile take thou the field! If thy glad looks of tenderness revealed A father's love, Oh ! let my prayer be heard ! Do not delay, my father dear, to shield Thy child; for if thy succour be deferred, Those whom thou wouldst assist may all have disappeared!'' CVL "Maria tenderly her sire addressed, Like Venus when she urged the mighty Jove To aid her son Aeneas sore distressed, And forced upon the stormy seas to rove. The God could not refuse; but, moved by love And pity, laid his thunderbolt aside, And with a nod did all her wish approve, Regretting only she had not applied For some much greater boon he would have gratified. CVIL "Now squadrons of well-mounted horsemen throng The plains of Evora, where lance and sword Are bright and dazzling as they ride along : Caparisons most rich and gay appeared ; The neighing of their prancing steeds was heard : With shrill and thrilling notes the clarions sound; And thus the people, used to peace, are stirred To warlike rage and fury, whilst around O'er hills and valleys the hoarse trumpet's blasts resound. CANTO III. 121 CVIIL "With royal banner in his front displayed, The brave Alphonso rode, by all admired, In bright and shining panoply arrayed, Superior to them all : his soul was fired With zeal by which the timid were inspired With confidence, a king in look and mien: The hope of certain victory transpired : His lovely daughter by his side was seen, And entered great Castile of which she was the Queen. CIX, "The two Alphonsos, now united, stood Prepared for battle on Tarifa's plain, In front of that enormous multitude Of infidels, whose faith was false and vain, Whom neither field nor mountain could contain: But still the most undaunted spirits sought For aid against such odds, aud all restrain Their fears with one supreme consoling thought, That for his army Christ, their great Redeemer, fought. CX, "The progeny of Hagar laughed in scorn To see confronting their superb array The Christian force, so feeble and forlorn: And, as their ancient name they cast away, And falsely call themselves, for vain display, Brave Saracens of far much brighter fame, They share the lands, quite certain of their prey; With false pretexts, and lies they also came To call their own, a realm to which they had no claim. 122 THE LUSIAD. CXI. "The barbarous, gigantic Philistine, Whom kingly Saul so much, and justly feared, (When, coining to the front of all the line, The lowly shepherd with his sling appeared, And quite unarmed, but brave), the monster sneered, And with his taunts provoked the ragged boy : But soon, a strange and whizzing noise was heard ; Goliath fell, and Israel saw with joy, That naught can save whom God determines to destroy. CXIL u 'Twas thus the vile, perfidious Moors contemned, And scorned the Christian force so weak and slight, Because they did not know themselves condemned, And doomed by that divine, superior might Which puts the deadly powers of hell to flight : Tbe brave Castilian troops against the king Of great Morocco now direct the fight; The Portuguese, who fear no living thing, Against Granada's host their dauntless armies bring. CXIII. "The thrusts of lances, spears, and swords rebound Upon their armour, and sad carnage make, The various war-cries to the heavens resound : These call on Mahomet, the others take lago's name in that important stake: With groans of wounded men the air is rife, The blood, which flows in torrents, forms a lake In which the hapless victim of the strife, Who is not slain at once, by drowning ends his life. CANTO III. 123 i CXIV. "The valiant Lusians soon destroy, and slay Granada's bands, who, worsted in the fight Since neither coats of mail nor steel can stay The victor's arm betake themselves to flight: But not content with victory, so bright, And quickly won, the Portuguese proceed, In their triumphant march, and boundless might, To aid the brave Castilian troops, which need Their help to crush the herds of Hagar's cursed seed. CXV. "The burning sun was now in his decline, Had nearly reached the farthest western bound, When his resplendent rays must cease to shine, And he would plunge into the deep profound, The lap of Thetis, on his daily round : Of that great triumph, which the monarch gained O'er all the Moslems on that battle-ground, Which was with blood and dreadful carnage stained The glorious memory by all is still retained. CXVI. U 0f those who perished on that fatal day, Scarcely one fourth were in the battle slain, But many thousands drowned, and lifeless lay In water which their blood and corpses stain, And thirsty warriors in their goblets drain: Not such the slaughter, nor such blood was spilt By Rome's sworn enemy on Cannes plain, When Carthaginians such great numbers killed, The victors with the rings of knights three bushels filled- THE LUSIAD. CIVIL "If thou so many stubborn souls didst send To gloomy Pluto's dark, and sad abode Beside Cocytus, and by force didst bend The holy city, when the people showed What reverence to their ancient rites they owed, noble Titus! 'twas celestial power, And not thine own, which used the chastening rod ; The wrath of God, by Prophets seen to lower, And Jesus crucified foretold the coming hour. CXVIIL "When this most glorious victory was won, Alphonso to his native realm returned, Rejoicing much at all that had been done, In hopes to find repose so nobly earned. Alas! those hopes were sadly overturned: grief, most dreadful, painful, and profound! By which the gloomy sepulchres were spurned, And she, who naught in life but anguish found, E'en after her decease, as rightful Queen was crowned. CXIX, "0 thou, pure love! who rulest o'er the hearts Of mortal men, with thy resistless might Which such delicious hopes and joys imparts, Thou wast the cause, that cruel death did smite Her lovely form, with dread, vindictive spite. cruel love! why art thou harsh and rude? Nor prayers nor tears avail us in thy sight - Alas! thou dost desire, in tyrant's mood, To see thy impious hands in human blood imbrued. CANTO III. 125 oxx. "Thou, beautiful Ignez, wast then reclined, In sweet repose, in thy enchanting bower, Indulging that delusion of the mind, When youth and love possess absorbing power, Which fortune grants them for a fleeting hour. In much-mourned meadows by Mondego's stream, Which ne'er exhausts thy tears' incessant shower, The name inscribed on thy fond heart doth seem To teach the hills and meads, a never-ending theme. CXXL "The loving prince with fond remembrance clings To thy fair image, which still occupies His inmost soul, whilst every moment brings The dearest hopes, when fairy visions rise, Though he no longer sees thy beauteous eyes: By night, thy charms delicious dreams employ, By day, his ardent mind incessant flies To that deep love which time shall ne'er destroy, While memory affords a fruitful source of joy. CXXIL "To wed the Prince with any lovely dame, Or one of royal birth, they tried in vain : For when, pure love, thou dost the heart inflame, And hast established there thy gentle reign, All other loves are treated with disdain. The prudent father saw, with indignation, The lawless passion no one could restrain: His heir all marriage held in detestation, And his strange conduct caused the murmurs of the nation, 126 THE LUSIAD. CXXIII. "The angry king resolves to take away The life of fair Ignez, whose charms retain His son a prisoner beneath her sway: To quench love's fire he thinks no hopes remain, But death his hands with guilty blood must stain. What fury made thee draw that glorious sword, Which could the rage of frantic Moors restrain, Against a weak defenceless dame? What stirred Such cruel wrath, by dread of vengeance undeterred? CXXIV. "The hapless dame the savage ruffians brought Before the king, whose heart was now inclined To pity; but the cruel people sought, By vilest calumnies, to urge his mind To doom her to the death he had designed. With piteous sighs for mercy she implores, She pines with grief for those she leaves behind ; Her much loved Prince and children she adores, And these, with anguish, more than death itself, deplores, CXXV. "With eyes upturned unto the crystal skies, In meekest attitude the lady stands ; Absorbed in grief, she only lifts her eyes, Because the cruel monsters bind her hands. Dissolved in tears, which no restraint commands, Amidst the sorrows, which her heart oppressed, At thought of those dear orphans to such bands Committed, thus their grandsire she addressed, Whilst love, and racking fears torment the mother's breast : CANTO III. 127 CXXVI. u If wild and brutal monsters at whose birth, No touch of pity Nature doth bestow, If savage birds, who range the air and earth In search of prey, such feelings never know, Yet all to babes, and little children show Commiseration and maternal care, To mitigate blind fortune's cruel blow, A lioness did Ninus' mother spare, A she-woli suckled Rome's twin founders in her lair, CXXVII. U thou, that hast a human face and breast! (If aught of human kind could ever kill A tender maiden by her grief oppressed, Whose only crime, submission to his will, Who in her heart could ardent love instil) With pity on these orphans turn thine eye, Let tenderness for them thy bosom fill, Since me, though innocent, thou doom'st to die, Thy cruelty to me, by love for them supply! CXXVIII. "If thou didst once the Moslem's cursed race Most ruthlessly destroy, with fire and sword, Let gentle clemency restore thy grace To one, who fondly loved, but never erred; But if my supplication be not heard, Then banish me, to some far distant clime, Amidst the Scythian snows, so greatly feared, Or under Lybian suns, without a crime, Let me in constant tears and sorrow pass my time! 128 THE LUSIAD. CXXIX. "Place me were fierce and horrid monsters live, Some lion or some tiger may be found, Who will both pity and compassion give, And thus, these heartless savage men confound Who know not mercy! There with love profound And most sincere, of him, for whom I die, And these dear pledges, life's dull, weary round Shall pass; whilst I a mother's care supply, They will to soothe my grief with fond caresses try. cxxx, "The gracious king to pardon was disposed By her reproach and tears, which pierced his heart: To this the furious rabble was opposed; Resistless destiny still played its part In this sad tragedy. Upon her dart Those cruel men, who cast on her the blame, And every human feeling set apart: Ye savage butchers! did ye feel no shame To draw your cruel swords against a helpless dame? CXXXL "Against the fair Polyxena, the sole Surviving comfort of her mother's age, Pyrrlms, beneath Achilles' shade's control, Which all her loveliness could not assuage, Directs his sword, with fierce relentless rage: And like a patient lamb which meekly dies, The maiden silent stands on life's last stage; But on her mother casts her dying eyes, Who, quite insane, does not her daughter recognize! CANTO III. 121) CXXXII. "The brutal murderers their weapons drew Against that neck, as alabaster white, Which bears those eyes by which she doth subdue, With deepest love, the Prince, her heart's delight, Who crowns his loved Ignez with Queenly right: In blood they bathe their swords, and those white flowers, Which tearful eyes bedewed, impurple quite: Blind fury all their cruel hearts devours, Regardless of the wrath to come in future hours. CXXXIIL "And well mightst thou, Sun! refuse thy rays, To look upon that horrid scene of blood, As thou didst hide thy light, in dread amaze, When to Thyestes served his sons for food By Atreus' hands in human blood imbrued. Ye, lovely valleys, heard the hapless dame, As in the very grasp of death she stood, In thrilling tones her Pedro's love proclaim, While all the distant hills re-echoed back his name. CXXXIV. u As lilies of the valley from the field Untimely plucked, and roughly brought away, Their freshness lose, no more sweet fragrance yield, By maidens worn upon a festive day, And roughly treated in their amorous play, Their colour faded, scent for ever lost; So this fair damsel pale and lifeless lay, Her lovely cheeks no rosy blossoms boast, Her beauty and her charms by ghastly death are crossed, 1J30 THE LUSIAD. CXXXY. "Mondego's daughters, in their shady groves, With plaintive sighs bewailed, for many years, The fair Ignez and her unhappy loves: A rivulet, which sprang from their sad tears, ' Whose very name her memory endears, The fount of love, its crystal waters pours, And thus the emblem of her grief appears: The waters of the rill refresh the flowers, Whose blooming beauty decks pure love's enchanting bowers, CXXXYI. "But soon the dreadful arm of vengeance dire Destroyed the authors of that wicked deed, Most justly punished by her Pedro's ire: When to his father's throne he did succeed, Against them all he made the laws proceed; With Pedro of Castile, whose ruthless mind Delights in scenes of carnage, he agreed To practise what, with cruelty refined, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus combined. CXXXVIL "Inflexibly this Lusian prince chastised All public crimes, with stern and ruthless hand: His love of justice was most highly prized; Of thieves and murderers he cleansed the laud, Nor did he spare the vile adulterous band : The towns and cities flourished in his reign, No criminal such rigour could withstand, More robbers died than those who poets feign, By vagrant Hercules, or were Theseus, slain. CANTO III. \?>\ CXXXVIIL "From Pedro, dauntless, just, unbending king, Sprang Ferdinand, of mild and feeble mind, (Cannot base sons from noble natures spring?) Listless, to any eifort disinclined: His subjects suffered woes of every kind; Castilian armies by such languor seek To profit, and the realm in chains to bind: By frequent forays they their vengeance wreak ; A feeble monarch makes the strongest nation weak. CXXXIX "Perhaps, it was in chastisement for sin In taking Eleanor, another's wife, And quite regardless of the voice within, Which many strive to stifle, till their life Becomes effeminate, when crime is rife, For one who yields himself a willing slave To vicious lust, must not expect to thrive : But this did Ferdinand the more deprave, Because a love debased, to softness binds the brave. CXL. "Upon such crimes a punishment condign The mighty arm of Grod has often sent : To punish Helen's rape the Greeks combine, And Romans vengeance upon Appius vent, The Tarquins are condemned to banishment. When holy David sinned, he was not spared; Not e'en for Benjamin did Grod relent : He punished him whom Sara had ensnared, And wicked Sichem who to ravish Dinah dared. THE LUSIAD. CXLI. "The greatest warriors waver, when they melt With lawless lust, or some unworthy flame : Alcmena's mighty son ignobly knelt Near Omphale, in garments like a dame, Forgot his splendid deeds, and glorious name. Mark Antony, by Cleopatra swayed, For love, abandoned boundless power, and fame: Devoted to a mean Apulian maid, The Carthaginian saw his brightest laurels fade. GXLII. u What mortal shall escape the secret snare, Which love's enchanting hand so gently lays? Who can resist the rosy cheeks, so fair, Where gold and purest alabaster blaze, And all the charm of beauty's winning ways? What heart is proof against those lovely smiles? Can quench the flame, which dazzling beauties raise? Though no Medusa strives with artful wiles To turn us all to stone, that flame our hearts beguiles. CXLIII. "Who hath beheld the glance of beauty's eye, Her ardent gaze, her sweet angelic face, Her fairy form, and hath not breathed a sigh, Unable to resist her charming grace? All those who ever felt the soft embrace Of youthful passion, will with pity hear The tale of Ferdinand, and may efface His guilty weakness with a silent tear, Whilst those, who never loved, seem gloomy and severe! IF 10)1 THE LTJSIAD. CANTO THE FOURTH. THE LUSIAD, CANTO THE FOURTH. THE ARGUMENT. Stanzas I. to VI. Death of Eerdinand, and accession of D. John the founder of the dynasty of Aviz, and assassination of the 'Queen's favourite, and of the Bishop of Lisbon. VII. to XI. The king of Castile claims the crown of Portugal for his consort, the daughter of Ferdinand. XII. to XIII. Fright and timidity of many Portuguese. XIV. to XXII. Un- daunted courage of Nuno Alvares Pereira, the constable of Portugal. XXIII. to XXVII. March of John from Abrantes to encounter the Cas- tilians. XXVIII. to XLIV. Description of the great battle of Aljubar- rota. XLV. to XL VII. Peace is concluded, and confirmed by the mar- riage of the daughters of the Duke of Lencaster, one to the king of Portugal, and the other to the king of Castile. XL VIII. to XLIX. Conquest of Ceuta. L. Death of John the first. LI. Misfortunes of his successor. LII. and LIIL Captivity of the Infant D. Ferdinand. LIV. to LIX. Victories of Alphonso the fifth in Africa, and subsequent invasion of Spain, where the battle of Toro was fought. LX. to LXV. John the second sends messengers over land to India. LXVI. and LXVII. Accession of Emmanuel for whom is reserved the discovery of India. LXVIII. to LXXV. Dream of Emmanuel in which two venerable men appear to him, and declare themselves to be the rivers Granges and Indus. LXXVI. Council of state, summoned by the king. LXXVII. to LXXX. Gama is selected to command the expedition. LXXXI. Honours and rewards conferred upon him. LXXXII. to LXXXI V. Account of Nicholas Coelho and the others companions of Grama. LXXXV. to LXXXIX. Conster- nation of the friends and relatives of the adventurers. XC. to XCII. Lamentation of wives and mothers. XCIII. Gama takes his departure without a last farewell to his family. XCIV. To the end of Canto. Speech of an old man who declaims most violently against the enterprise, and all the ambitious projects of men. THE LU8IAD, CANTO IV. "When after dreadful, dark, tempestuous night, Amidst the boisterous waves, and howling wind, The lovely morning dawns, serenely bright. The gladsome vision fills the drooping mind With hopes a safe and friendly port to find : Before the sun the gloomy clouds retire, And all around breathes rapture unconfined: No sooner thus did Ferdinand expire, Than all the warlike realm displays its wonted fire. i II, "The Lusians ardently desired to have A leader to avenge their cruel wrong, And all the outrage, and the kingdom save From bitter foes, who proved themselves too strong For feeble Ferdinand : Nor was it long Before the people placed upon the throne Illustrious John, to whom its rights belong, As heir, although a bastard, Pedro's son Whose valour, worth, and truth to all the realm were known, 138 THE LUSIAD. III. "That this was certainly decreed by heaven, No one can entertain the slightest doubt, Since clearest signs, and evidence were given. At Evora, this wonder came about : A baby, in the cradle speaking out, Did raise herself, and, lifting up her hand, With great astonishment, was heard to shout: " Long life to Portugal, the happy land, O'er which her Monarch John shall hold supreme command! 1 IV. .. But discord violent begins to spread, The people's hearts by hatred are inflamed, Which to harsh cruelty, and carriage led; In clamours loud the public voice exclaimed Against the Queen, and Count, whom all men blamed, Their friends and relatives are foully slain, The Queen, and her gallant are not ashamed (Now that connubial ties do not restrain) To lewd incontinence to give the loosest rein. i V, "Her paramour dishonoured and abhorred, Was in cold blood dispatched before her eyes, Whilst many others perished by the sword; For when the people in fierce tumult rise, The raging flame of fury quickly flies: A prelate from a lofty tower is thrown, Like young Astyanax, and there he lies, His corpse abandoned, naked, quite alone, For no respect to church or priestly rank was shown. CANTO IV. 139 VI. u Let then the memory be heard no more Of dreadful crimes, and murders perpetrated When Rome beheld her streets defiled with gore T Fierce Marius countless victims immolated, And ruthless Sylla slaughtered all he hated! Now Leonor, whom love and rage incite To seek revenge with rancour unabated, Induced Castile to claim, with all her might, The throne which she maintained to be her daughter's right. VII, "This royal lady, Beatrice byname, Who had expoused the great Castilian king, As Ferdinand's reputed child did claim The realm: he deemed it quite a tempting thing To wear the Lusian crown; and so, they bring Great armies to uphold the Queen's demand, To reign as daughter of the rightful king, And roused by such a cry, from every land And race, in mighty Spain, arrayed for war they stand. VIII. "The brave and rude Brigantes came in swarms, With all that to Castile allegiance owe, From regions conquered by the glorious arms Of saintly Ferdinand from Moslem foe, And those the far famed Cid did overthrow: The hardy peasants who possess the plains Of fertile Leon, no reluctance show ; Throughout the whole Castilian wide domains The eager wish for Avar with lust of conquest reigns. I 4O 'I HE LUSIAD. IX. u Tlie vandals on their ancient fame rely For dauntless valour, and heroic deeds, For still their brave descendants occupy Rich Andalusia, and its flowery meads Which Guadalquivir laves. To them succeeds The tribe of Tyrian colonies, whose isle, Where Cadiz stands, no other glory needs, Besides those pillars, Hercules' great toil ; Her banner still attests his visit to her soil. X, u Toledo, ever prompt when honour calls, A gallant band, her valiant warriors sends, Equipped and armed, from its time honoured walls, Round which the Tagus, after it descends From Conca's heights, in sweeping circle weuds. Nor are the stout Galicians now afraid, A frugal race, but sordid in their hands : Against the Portuguese they had displayed Their strength of old, and now they give most willing aid. XI. "The horrid din of furious war delights The rude inhabitants on Biscay's shore, Unpolished^ zealous for their ancient rights, Proud spirits who an insult never bore, Still less from strangers whom they do abhor : Gruipuscoa and Asturias, which abound In richest mines of finest iron ore, These men their sovereign's banner gather round, Quite resolute to stand upon the battle-ground. CANTO IV. 141 XII. "John, in whose bosom courage ever rose At sight of danger, like the one of old Whose hair his vast, resistless strength foreshows, The Hebrew Samson, does not count his foes, In firm resolve with any odds to close: Although advice he does not much require, The king consults his nobles, for he knows That calm debate may different minds inspire By various modes to gain the end which all desire. XIII. a But some with false, deceitful reasons tried To counteract the universal mind, And sow dissension: thus they sought to hide Their rank, and base disloyalty behind Prudential motives of a specious kind: On worth and truth they turn disdainful eye; With perfidy and craven fear combined, These wretches to their king and country lie; Such men, like Peter, would their God himself deny. XIV, "Those feelings found no echo in the heart Of Nuno Alvares, who boldly took, In all the deadly strife, the dangerous part, Who, when his brothers that good cause forsook, Condemned the treacherous act with stern rebuke: Against the weak, and changeful men he hurled Reproach and menace; then, with furious look, And sword in hand, his lips disdainful curled, He vowed revenge on earth, and seas, and all the world. 142 THE LUSIAD. XV. u Shall it be said that any of this race Of noble Portuguese refuse to wield A sword when honour calls? Shall such disgrace Befall the land, whose glories in the field The palm to none on earth shall ever yield? Who shall this want of faith, and love betray, As if his country's fatal doom was sealed? Will none his valour, and his skill display, And must sad Portugal a stranger's will obey? XVI. "What then! Are you not all of you descended From that heroic band of valiant men, With whose support Alphonso erst defended His little kingdom well and bravely, when They routed all the mighty hosts of Spain? How many standards, captured, from that host, How many victims strewed the ensanguined plain ! Since seven noble earls their freedom lost, Besides the heaps of spoils which were the victor's boast, XVIL "Were not Diniz, and his undaunted son Indebted to your Fathers, and their sires, For all the conquests, and the trophies won, From that same race, whose presence now inspires Such dread, that quenched are all your martial fires? If Ferdinand, by sin and sloth, could fling Such shame on those whom all the world admires, Another prince our former fame will bring, If nations can derive new vigour from their king. CANTO IV. 143 XVIII, "You have a king, whose valour is so great, That if your own with his can only vie, You will defeat the most redoubted state, Much more repel, by force and energy, Those whom you often have compelled to fly : Should this, however, not dispel your fear, And senseless dread, alone I will defy The hated foe, and then it shall appear That strangers never shall o'er Lusians domineer ! XIX, "With this my sword" (which now he partly draws), "And these my trusty vassals, quite alone, Thrice armed with courage in so just a cause, I will defend my country, and the throne, Until these haughty hosts be overthrown : By jealous love for our good king inspired And stainless loyalty, which you disdain, I'll crush the men by lust of conquest fired, As well as all who have against my king conspired." XX, "So when the Roman youths, a little band, Who had survived the sad and fatal day Of Cannae, at Canusium made a stand, And were about, from fear, their arms to lay Before the victor's feet, in deep dismay, Great Scipio then roused each drooping heart ; Upon their swords they swore to cast away Their shameful dread, and act a noble part, To fight against their foes, till life itself depart. 144 THE LUSIAD. XXL "Thus Nuno, with indomitable will, Whose iron grasp the most obdurate binds, Doth his bold spirit, and resolve instil Into those icy-cold and timid minds: His glowing speech an instant echo finds ; Each gallant warrior mounts his noble steed, Their former fears are scattered to the winds, And from the crowds most joyful shouts proceed: Long live our King by whom the nation shall be freed! XXII. "Amongst the people some the war approve, By which their country's freedom is maintained ; Some burnish up their arms, with careful love, Which time and long disuse with rust had stained, Until no single spot or speck remained; Whilst others pad their helmets, or prepare Their coats of mail, and all are promptly trained, Many in robes of various colours glare, The emblems of their love the gallant warriors bear. XXIII, "King John, with that magnificent array, From strong Abrantes' lofty towers proceeds; Abrantes, round whose walls in winding way, The Tagus flows, and bathes the flowery meads From fresh abundant springs. A hero leads The van of armed warriors, one whom fame, Ennobled by such great, heroic deeds, A fit and worthy leader would proclaim Of those, that through the Hellespont with Xerxes came, CANTO IV. 145 XXIV. "Don Nuno was indeed the scourge of Spain, Who humbled proud Castile beneath his lance, As did the Hun in former times obtain Most glorious victories in lovely France, And fertile Italy. But still we glance With admiration on another Knight, Whose high renown no praises can enhance: Mern Vasconcellos was the champion hight, To whom the chief command was given on the right. XXV. u Upon the left or other wing, the head Was brave Antao, Abranches destined Earl: With practised skill, the dauntless captain led, Prepared at once, his gallant troops to hurl Against the hostile ranks. They now unfurl The banner, with its shields, and castles bright, Around the Monarch, eager in the whirl Of fiercest battle to decide the fight, Eclipsing Mars himself by his surpassing might. XXVI, "Now on the battlements the females stand, Fair maidens, sisters, daughters, mothers, wives: Fond hopes, and fears their feelings none command, They vow, weep, suppliant pray for all their lives ; By pilgrimage and fasting each one strives To guard her most beloved. The troops march out, The deadly foes approach, and hope revives, When through the air resounds a joyful shout; But still the bravest droop, and of the issue doubt. 10 14() THE LUSIAD. XXVIL "The trumpets with tremendous blast reply, The pipers play, the drummers loudly sound, Their standards gay the ensigns wave on high, The flags in bright and various hues abound. It was the harvest, when the threshing-ground Glads husbandmen, and Ceres yields her boon, The yellow crop; the sun, in yearly round, Astrea enters, August's glorious moon, When Bacchus' sweetest must from juicy grapes doth run XXVIII. u The proud Castilian clarions shrilly sounded The signal, with discordant horrid blast, Which from Artabro's lofty mount rebounded : O'er Guadiana's waves the echo passed, And they recoiled, such terror did it cast: Both Alemtejo and the Douro heard, The Tagus rushed to sea in frightful haste, The awful din the nursing mothers feared, Their infants who close hugged, by peril more endeared XXIX. "How many cheeks were blanched, and pale with fear! For terror drives the blood into the heart, In gravest dangers, and alarms appear Far greater when our fancy plays a part; But should our furious wrath the wish impart To wrong or crush those whom we deem our foes, The chilling thoughts of peril soon depart; None hesitate with any odds to close, And men no longer dread their limbs or lives to lose. CANTO IV. 147 * XXX. a At last, the hostile armies were engaged, And both with utmost zeal, and fury fought, These for their native land the conflict waged, Those to obtain that rich dominion sought Pereira his accustomed wonders wrought; His bold impetuous onset none withstand, He charged, and trampled down, till all were brought Beneath his feet: with trenchant sword in hand, He carved their earthly graves for those who wanted land. XXXI, "Now through the air the winged arrows fly, Long darts, and spears by stalwart arms are sped. And clouds of missiles darken all the sky: Earth trembles underneath the heavy tread Of fiery steeds ; loud clamours stun the head, Like thunder-claps; with shivered spear and lance The ground is strewed amidst the heaps of dead ; But still where Nuno casts his eagle-glance, He sees increasing hosts with which the foes advance. XXXII, "And frowning brow to brow his. brothers stood, (A sad and cruel sight!), which could not shake His soul, for 'tis no crime to shed the blood Of nearest kinsmen, who their king forsake, And on their country shameful warfare make: But many renegades were not ashamed A part 'gainst friends, and relatives to take In civil war (vile conduct ever blamed), As in that dreadful one which Julius erst proclaimed. 14 THE LUSIAD. XXXIII, U Thou Sertorius, impious Cataline, And proud Coriolanus! with all those Who formed in ancient times the base design By arms their friends and kindred to oppose, Or joined, like parricides, your country's foes, If now, beneath grim Pluto's dismal throne, Your crimes are punished with severest woes, In palliation, let it there be shown, Amongst the Portuguese some traitors have been known ! XXXIV. "By overwhelming numbers sorely pressed, The foremost Lusian ranks at last give way ; There Nuno is conspicuous o'er the rest ; Just as a noble lion stands at bay On Ceuta's mountain-range, without dismay, Beholding huntsmen riding o'er the plain Of Tetuan, eager to surround their prey, Who shoot their shafts, and hurl their spears in vain ; His foes excite not fear, but wrath and great disdain. XXXV. u He casts a lowering look of furious rage; But wrath and courage make him far too proud, To turn his back; they urge him on, they wage, An equal strife ; by spears and darts uncowed, With mighty leap he rushes on the crowd : Impassive thus undaunted Nuno stood, His sword through slaughtered foemen ploughed His course, and dyed the field; the stranger's brood No less with Lusian gore their native soil imbrued. CANTO IV. 149 XXXVI. "The valiant monarch saw the cruel strait In which bold Nuno, and his troops were placed: He watched, and moved about to stimulate The Lusian host; his eye the whole embraced, And all their hearts his words and presence braced. A lioness which, with maternal care, Doth leave her young in quest of food in haste, If some Massylian shepherd rob her lair, With fury raves to find her cubs no longer there. XXXVII. "She rushes frantic through the forest glade, She groans, she roars, her cries and yells resound, The mountains quake, astonished and afraid ; Thus John a band of chosen warriors found, To aid his vanguard on the battle ground: "0 brave and sure companions, knights in arms! Than who none ever can be more renowned. Maintain with fortitude, midst wars' alarms, The hope of liberty, which all your bosoms warms ! XXXVIII. " You see your faithful comrade, and your king, Who rushes on the foe, despite a shower Of spears and arrows, all the arms they bring! Come on, and bravely strike! This is the hour For Portuguese to strive, when dangers lower." The dauntless hero spoke, and four times threw His deadly larice, with such resistless power, And certain aim, that many foemen drew Their latest breath, sad victims whom he singly slew. THE LUSIAD. XXXIX. u This bright achievement with fresh spirit fires Despondent hearts which feel a noble shame : An ardent thirst for glory it inspires, A firm resolve to conquer in the game Of war, and thus obtain immortal fame : Now comes the shock; their swords are tinged with gore, The grandest passions all their hearts inflame, They wound, they slay, themselves at every pore Are bleeding fast, but none the loss of life deplore. XL. "Great numbers to the Stygian lake they send, By winged arrows, swords and lances slain ; Here one who fought most bravely met his end, He was grand master of Saint James of Spain : Another also fell, but with the stain Of cruel chief of Calatrava's knights, Whose sword with many Lusians strewed the plain,* And death those false Pereiras likewise smites, Those renegades to Heaven, their king and nation's rights. XLI. "Some men of lowly birth, and name unknown, As well as some of rank and noble blood, Into the dark abyss profound were thrown, Where famished Cerberus insatiate stood With triple jaws and fangs, in savage mood, And seized departed souls. Castilian pride Was on this day quite humbled, and subdued; Her banners can their shame no longer hide, And victory is on the Lusitanian side. CANTO IV. 151 -XLII, "The dreadful battle now became more fierce; They wound, they slay, they fill the air with cries, Each other's blood they shed ; they cut, they pierce ; Upon the field a heap of corpses lies, The colour fading from their cheeks and eyes: The victors with their swords and lances smite The fugitives, not even rage supplies Sufficient strength to wage a hopeless fight; The proud Castilian King escapes by hasty flight. XLIIL "To his triumphant foes he leaves the field, Rejoicing that he leaves not life behind: The sad survivors to the panic yield, And wings, not feet, their terror makes them find : Conflicting passions rack the inmost mind Of all those warriors, once so confident ; For slaughtered friends their grief with shame combined, Their losses and disorder they lament, The triumph of their foes is what they most resent. XLTV, "But some of them blaspheme, and curse the first Who brought upon the earth detested war, Whilst others loudly blame ambition's thirst Of conquered realms, by which the nations are Reduced to misery, and deep despair : The lust of conquest justice overthrows, Its outrages the people's blessings mar, Then weeping wives, and mournful mothers lose Their husbands, and their sons, and suffer endless woes. THE LUSIAD. XLV, " Triumphant o'er Castile, king John remained Upon the tented field the accustomed days ; There pilgrimage devout, and prayers ordained, And offered costly gifts, in thankful praise To Him, whom all earth's states, and realms obey Great Nuno still with martial ardour burns, He seeks for glory in no other way ; All flushed with joy, inactive ease he spurns, And o'er the Tagus with his valiant troops returns, XLVL "Propitious fate still favoured his design, The project with complete success was crowned : He marches to the Vandals' frontier line, Where ample wealth and richest spoils abound, And very slight resistance would be found. Fair Seville, and the Betis quickly lower Their banners, whilst the feudal chiefs around Are forced to yield, and all the people cower Before the dread assault of Nuno's mighty power. XLVII, u By these arid many other dire defeats The great Castilian realm was much depressed ; At last, both nations longed to taste the sweets Of peace ; the victor granted their request. That welcome peace by Heaven was surely blest, Which had decreed the rival kings should wed Two lovely English sisters, both possessed Of virtues rare: one graced John's royal bed, The other to Castile a joyful bride was led. CANTO IV. 153 XLVIII. "The Lusian King, to war so long inured, For some opponent sought on land in vain: Such indolence was not to be endured, So he resolved to sail upon the main. He was the first who signalized his reign By seeking voluntary banishment, In arms against the Koran to maintain How far the holy Christian element Excelled the dogmas which their prophet did invent. XLIX, "A thousand ships, like birds with spreading wings, Are floating grandly in the silver wave Of angry Thetis, and the wind soon brings Them to that famous spot, to which the brave Alcides once his name and pillars gave, Mount Abyla and Ceuta are compelled To bear the Lusians' yoke, for none can save The herd of Mahomet they thence expelled, All chance of Julian treason is for ever quelled. L. "Grim death did not permit that many years Should pass ere Portugal should be deprived Of her great hero, and to heavenly spheres Removed the glorious king: his sons survived, Bright scions of their sire, and thus revived His noble fame : their conquests further spread To distant regions, and the people thrived Beneath the issue of that royal bed, Illustrious princes all to arms and virtue bred! 154 THE LUSIAD. LI. "But Providence was not to his next heir So gracious, for it mixed prosperity With sad and evil days; it mingled care And doubt with brightest joy, asperity With sweet delight; its harsh severity Still chastened all. Doth any one enjoy Unmingled bliss? It were temerity To count on happiness without aloy ; But most unwonted woes King Edward's peace destroy. LI1. "He saw his saintly brother Ferdinand, Whose ardent soul to highest flights aspired, A lonely captive in a foreign land : That prince, by pity for the people fired, To be himself their hostage was inspired, To gain their liberty he lost his own: As Ceuta, which the Sarracens required, Could not be yielded, Edward must postpone Fraternal love to right, his feelings to his throne. LIII. "Athenian Codrus sacrificed his life, That so his country might defeat its foes, And Regulus, when vanquished in the strife, To guard the fame of Rome, a danger chose ; And to endure the worst of woes. The royal youth a holy martyr died, Against the Moors the gates of Spain to close: Let Codrus, Curtius, loyal Decius hide Their vaunted deeds for one more justly glorified! CANTO IV. 155 LIV, "The fifth Alfonso next ascends the throne, Its only heir, in arms of high renown : The ruthless border warden was o'erthrown And all his haughty pride was trampled down, To bow submissive to the Monarch's frown: But happier far with mpre unclouded fame If he had never sought the Spanish crown, For still the tribes of Africa proclaim This king's resistless might, and tremble at his name, LV. u He could alone the golden apples take, Which only Hercules did gain before ; Ne'er could the infidels the fetters break, But on their necks his yoke they humbly bore. The palm of victory the hero wore, And glorious laurels decked his kingly brow: For great Alcacer wrested from the Moor, When strong Arzila and Tangiers bow Their heads: no efforts can avert the fatal blow. LVL u These noble cities, entered by main force, Give up their walls to his resistless might, Subdued, abandoned, left without resource Against the Portuguese, long x used to slight All obstacles and perils in the fight: Here many feats by valiant knights were done, Most worthy of a place in annals bright, Which all with noble pride may dwell upon, And thus the Lusian fame most glorious triumph won. 156 THE LUSIAD. LVII. "But vast ambition fired Alfonso's breast With boundless lust of conquest's tempting bait r To war with Ferdinand, who then possessed Not only Aragon, but all the power Of great Castile. This was an evil hour For Portugal, since every vassal land Of proud and valiant tribes their legions pour, In prompt obedience to their King's command: From Cadiz to the Pyrenees they take their stand. LVII1, "But John, the youthful prince, would not remain In idle apathy, nor let his sire Alone encounter all the hosts of Spain: His reinforcements, full of martial fire, He marches quickly, as affairs require: Calm and serene, the youth maintains his post, And though his father, after struggle dire, And desperate, retreats before the host, The long and arduous fight is not completely lost. LIX, u 'Twas thus the prince, a most accomplished knight. Of graceful mien, of high and lofty soul, Throughout that dreadful day sustained the fight, And caused most deadly carnage in the whole Array of haughty foes. To like control Octavius Caesar was obliged to yield, Whilst Antony, his friend, remained the sole And glorious victor on Philippics field Where Julius' murderers in stern revenge were killed. CANTO IV. 157 i LX, "But when the dismal night had closed the eyes Of brave Alfonso, and he passed away From earth unto the pure celestial skies, His son, the second John, assumed the sway, The thrirteenth monarch whom we all obey. His name shall be with brightest glory crowned : He strove, (sublime, stupendous task!), the way To find to fair Aurora's native ground, That eastern land to which my vessels now are bound. LXI. ^'Hls messengers to distant parts resort, They traverse Spain, and France, and that far-famed Italian land, embarking in a port* Which in old times Parthenope was named, But now fair Naples, which has oft been claimed, And conquered by contending kings and states, As if, in reckless sport, blind fortune aimed The shafts of destiny: Spain subjugates The lovely realm at last, and now controls its fates. LXII, i; The deep Sicilian sea they sail along, And gliding by the Ehodian sandy beach, Across the midland sea their course prolong, Until the famous lofty banks they reach Where Pompey's dying groans such lessons teach: To gorgeous Memphis' walls their course they wend, Through Egypt where the Nile enriches each Glad year, to Ethiopia they ascend Where many still to Christ their knees in worship bend, lf)H TIIK LUSTAD. LXIII. "They sailed upon that Erythraean sea Which once God's chosen people safely crossed Within a ford, by Pharaoh forced to flee: They skirt the Nabathean hills, which boast The name of Ishmael's son: the Sabean coast, Whose odoriferous, spicy groves attest, That it Adonis' mother honoured most, All this they passed, with Araby the blest, But not its rocky soil, nor sandy desert waste. LXIV. u The envoys enter now the Persian strait Where old tradition clearly testifies To Babel's sad confusion: there the great Euphrates and the Tigris take their rise, And each grand stream those fountains glorifies : They flow together to the Indus deep, Whose future history shall reach the skies : Across that sea no ancient ships did sweep, E'en Trajan was compelled within those bounds to keep, IXV. "They saw some peoples, quite unknown and strange From India, Caramania's vast domain, And great Gedrosia's realm, for manners change And customs vary many monarchs' reign, And all those regions different laws maintain: With toils and hardships they pursued their way Through horrid paths they shall not cross again, These weary men the debt of nature pay, Nor reach the land where first they saw the light of day. CANTO IV. lay LXVL "It seems as if almighty heaven reserved For great Emmanuel this enterprise, And glorious triumph which he well deserved : To this the prince, so favoured of the skies, His constant thoughts and energies applies : When thus Emmanuel to John succeeded, On John's great work he fixed his mind and eyes. And not alone his kingdoms' wellfare heeded, But also to control the Ocean he proceeded. LXVIL "Our monarch (ever mindful of the thought, By which his ancestors were all inspired, Renowned and most illustrious Kings! Who sought To add new realms to those they had acquired), To their great aim, most ardently aspired: Thus, when the sun's rays earth no longer blest. And all the stars their brilliant light retired Beneath the waves by drowsy sleep oppressed, The eyes of mortal closed, and calmly sank to rest. LXVIII. u As on his golden couch the king reclined (For there imagination truly shows Her magic force), and pondered in his mind The load of cares which blood and power impose, His vast design in vivid colours rose, Whilst sweet and welcome slumber sealed his eyes, It could not fancy's glorious visions close, For, though in prostrate lassitude he lies, Still Morpheus fills his mind with wondering phantasies, 10 U THE LUSIAD. LXIX. u He seemed in dreams to soar to such a height, That with his hand he touched the heavenly sphere, And then before his rapt, astonished sight, Unheard of regions, and new worlds appear, With men so strange, and fierce exciting fear: And when his eyes their farthest gaze extend, To where the sun begins his great career, He sees two mountains to the skies ascend, Whence two most limpid, deep, and crystal rills descend. LXX. "Upon the wild and savage mountains stray Wild birds and animals of every kind, With monsters huge, and furious beasts of prey, Whilst jungle, trees, and lofty grass combined A barrier make, where none a passage find : The mountains high all intercourse prevent Between the nations by this goal confined: Since Adam sinned, on fatal knowledge bent, No mortal foot beyond this limit ever went. LXXL "Then suddenly before his wondering eyes, In those two streams, which from the mountains flow. Two men, both grave, and aged, seemed to rise: Their aspect was most venerable, although Uncouth and wild : their strides were long but slow. Great drops of water from their hair run down, And, both their bodies signs of moisture show : Their skins were dark, their beards had densely grown, So long, they showed that they had razors never known CANTO IV. 101 LXXII. "The brows of both were bent, and gaily crowned With branches, and with flowers new and strange ; But one looked wearied, just as if the ground Through which he came was at a distant range : The waters also suffered mighty change In their impetuous course, as Alpheus knows With art his secret current to arrange, To Syracuse from fair Arcadia flows, In Arethusa's arms its hidden waters throws. LXXIII, "This one who greater gravity displayed, In accents clear, the Monarch thus addressed: "0 Thou! whose glorious crown and realms have swayed A vide expanse of earth, by thee possessed, We now, whose fame a thousand tongues attest, Who yet, for countless ages, never bowed Our necks beneath the yoke, by force oppressed, At last the time has come, we cry aloud, When tribute vast shall be by us on thee bestowed. LXXIV. "I am the far-famed Ganges, and my source Is in the distant, great, celestial land ; This other is the Indus, whose long course Begins in those high mountains, truly grand, Which thou dost now behold: it shall withstand Thy utmost efforts, but 'tis doomed by fate To yield at last to thy resistless band, Whose victories thy kingdom shall dilate, Subdue the Indian race, and bridle every state!" THE LUSIAD. LXXV. u No more the grand and sacred river spoke. And both the phantoms vanished into space; Emmanuel from his strange dream awoke, And pondered still on what had taken place, And much perplexed his mind: The brilliant rays Of Phoebus now dispersed the shades of night Through all the firmament with matchless grace, The lovely morning dawns diffusing light, With blushing rosy tints, and flowers purple-bright. LXXVI. "His councillors are summoned by the king Who to them all his wondrous vision told ; The greetings of the holy ancient bring Delight and admiration uncontrolled, And all their souls in rapt amazement hold: The ships of war are ordered to prepare For ocean-service, manned by seamen bold Who brave the roaring seas, and only care To find a different clime, to breathe another air. LXXVII. "And I, who little thought that I should see Accomplished what I cherished in my breast (For my prophetic soul encouraged me With ardent hopes that I should yet be blessed In some great enterprise), I here protest I cannot tell the reason or the spring, Or what the qualities which I possessed That led my gracious and exalted king To choose my humble self for such an arduous tiling. CANTO IV. LXXYIII. a lle spoke in kindest words, which fall so well From royal lips to stir a vassal's soul, And deepest love and gratitude compel: "However hard and dangerous, the whole By countless toils and courage we control : The men, who perish or their lives expose, Shine ever bright and glorious in the roll Of fame, for, though their course may shortly close, The shorter is its span, the greater length it shows. LXX1X. "I choose thee as most worthy to command My noble fleet, and lead an enterprise Of glorious kind, as difficult as grand, And feel quite confident that thou wilt rise Above the arduous work: I greatly prize Thy trust." "At once!" I said, "and undertake To fight Avith fire and snow, the seas and skies, king! all this is little for thy sake, 1 would my life itself could be a greater stake! LXXX. "Let such stupendous labours be supposed As on Alcides, whom Alcmena bore, By harsh Euristheus were of old imposed, The fierce Nemean lion, savage boar Of Erymanthus, Harpies dire, yet more, The dread descent to gloomy realms below, Where Stygian waters bathe the infernal shore! All dangers pain, and woe, that man can know, My flesh and spirit are prepared to undergo." 164 THE LUSIAD. LXXXI. "The King with sumptuous boons rewards my zeal, And is most kind and lavish in his praise, For virtue's commendations make us feel Redoubled ardour, and our courage raise To noblest deeds. My brother Paul displays Fraternal love; he hastens to declare His firm resolve to go, for friendship sways His heart, no less than love and hope to share The fame and glory which will crown our toil and care. LXXXII. "Brave Nicholas Coelho, who had been Long sorely tried by dangers on the sea, Now likewise joins me! both of them have seen Experience in war and strategy, Both wise and valiant in a high degree : A band of youthful mariners supplied The vessels' crews of reckless bravery And fortitude, and this they testified When eagerly for such a service they applied. LXXXIII. "Emmanuel these gallant youths rewarded With costly gifts to stimulate their love For hardships dire, to which they saw awarded Such recompense, whilst royal praises move Their inmost hearts. Thus valiant Jason strove To urge the Argonauts to sail in quest Of that rich golden fleece, and soar above The perils of the Euxine, when the best Of Grecian youths embarked at Jason's own request. CANTO iv. LXXXIV. "In that great city, which Ulysses founded The armament equipped, and fully manned, With much excitement, but with joy unbounded, Was proudly anchored near the noble strand, Where Tagus, rolling o'er the golden sand, Its waters mingles with the boundless deep : No doubts restrain, no dangers fright my band Of warriors, or the seamen prompt to sweep The seas with me, and all the glorious harvest reap! LXXXV. u Along the beach the hardy soldiers crowd, In garb of various shapes, and coloured vest, Of their superior valour justly proud ; The hearts of all with joyous hopes impressed To roam in other lands: the ships are dressed With gaudy flags, and standards, which the breeze Most gently floats above : the men protest That, when their ships have traversed all the seas, Like Argo's brightest stars, to shine they shall not cease. LXXXVI. "When we had thus most carefully prepared Whatever such a distant course required, Our souls demanded care: and nought was spared To meet our death, which holy faith inspired, For death pursues our course with steps untired: To that benign, supreme, almighty power, Whose glance obedience from the heavens required, Our humble prayers, and orisons we pour, That on our enterprize he may his blessings showeiv !<><> THE LUSIAD. LXXXYIL u We then departed from the holy fane, Erected grand and stately on the site Called Bethlehem, which doth the name retain Of that poor place, where Jesus saw the light, An infant God. My word, Great King! I plight, That, when this parting scene once more appears Before my memory (a thrilling" sight! Where all were racked with anxious doubts, and fears), My eyes with anguish swell, and scarce refrain from tears. LXXXVIIL u The people of the city, on that day, Assembled in great numbers: some are friends, Some relatives, whilst many the display Of splendour, which such parting scenes attends. Attracted to the spot. Far other ends We comtemplate: a thousand holy men Accompanied, our gallant crew, which wends Its way on board, a grave procession; then, We pray to Him who is above all mortal ken, LXXXIX, The route was long, and to such risks exposed, That all looked gloomy, sad, and quite depressed, Foreboding that our mortal days were closed: Whilst wailing womens' tears their grief expressed; A frequent sigh came from each manly breast : Wives, mothers, sisters, whom their loving care With deep despondency, and doubts impressed For chilling dread was joined with their despair That, during many years, they must our absence bear. CANTO IV. 167 xc. "One lonely mother cried: U O dearest son! The sole support, and solace of my years, Of wretched life, whose course shall soon be run In hopeless grief, and unavailing tears, Why rob me thus of all that life endears, And leave me desolate to pine away! Why dost thou go ? My heart is racked with fears, That thou wilt perish on the trackless way, And monsters of tlie deep upon thy corpse shall prey! XCI. u A wife exclaims, with long, dishevelled hair: "Most fondly loved, sole treasure of my heart! Since love first placed thy cherished image there. My life itself must cease if once we part: On ocean's furious waves why dost thou start? Why risk a life which is no longer thine. Why thus on me inflict this cruel smart? Why calm content, domestic joys resign To be the sport of sails, and winds upon the brine? XCII. "Such touching words afflicted women spoke, Which love, and kind humanity revealed : Like accents from the old and children broke, Whose feeble helplessness is unconcealed, And vents itself in sobs. Th'adjacent field And lofty mountains, which that place surround, Are nearly moved a sad response to yield, Whilst dark and lovely eyes bedew the ground And tears as countless as the golden sands abound. THE LUSIAD. XCIII. "But we ourselves dare not to lift our eyes To look upon our mothers or our wives, Behold their tears, or hear their piteous cries; For nature all our agony revives, And love against our firmest purpose strives: I then resolved this parting to forego With those most cherished darlings of our lives, For such farewells though they from love may flow, But grieve all those who stay no less than those who go. XC1V, u An aged man, whose aspect aAve inspired, Amidst the crowd was standing on the beach: His gestures gravest discontent respired : He raised his warning voice in ominous speech, His words the vessels could distinctly reach, And speaking (thrice he shook his drooping head) What long experience alone could teach, His breast a torrent of reproaches shed, And his forebodings dire in angry tones he said: XCV, "0 great ambition! vile and base desire Of idle vanity or earthly fame ! Delusive hopes, which sets our souls on fire! We call thee honour, when the mobs acclaim With feeble praise, and gain an empty name What heavy chastisements dost thou impose On all those men, whose breasts such thoughts inflame, What troubles, slights, what dangers, deaths and woes! At every step they feel severe and cruel blows. CANTO IV. 169 XCVL "0 restless perturbation of the soul, And human lifel thou causest desolation, Adulteries, ruin, where thou hast control, Thou art the gulf, which swallows fortune, nation, Empire, and kingdoms by thy fascination! As grand, sublime and lofty, thou art greeted, When thou de serves t only detestation : Thy wicked acts, like fame and glory treated, Illusions spread by which unwary men are cheated. XOVII. "What new misfortunes dire dost thou intend Against these realms or men? Are thy designs To cause them perils or untimely end? What promise of strange lands or golden mines Their minds to thy deceitful snares inclines? Is it some feat, renowned in future days, Achieved with ease, which with such glitter shines? What splendid triumph or great victory? What fame's immortal palms, and bright undying glory? XCVIII. "But thou, perverse, unhappy generation, Which sprang from him whose disobedient will, And sin provoked our dismal condemnation From those bright heavenly realms of light, which fill All hearts with bliss, to banishment where still We linger sadly, man no longer knows The sweets of Paradise, but only ill, The golden age of innocent repose For that of iron changed with war and all its woes. 170 THE LUSIAD. XCIX. "Since them to cheating fancy's wildest dreams With recklessness dost throw the loosened reins, Since glory is a name which ill beseems Ferocity and rage with all their stains, Since fear of death no longer men restrains, Who thus despise that life, which is the best And greatest boon which sinful man obtains. This truth by life's great author was confessed When death's cold agony the lord of life oppressed. C. "Art tliou not close upon the Ismaelite, With whom thou canst in constant Avars engage? If thou for Christ alone dost wish to fight, Why not on cursed Moslems vent thy rage? Will not their many towns, and lands assuage Thy thirst, if thou desirest to have more? Are not these infidels inured to wage Most dreadful wars, like valiant men? What store Of glory canst thou gain by shedding human gore? CI. "Whilst troops to distant regions thou dost send, To seek new foes, thy ancient ones increase At thine own gates: thou may'st indeed extend Thy conquests; but thy people will decrease, And in thy native realm thy power must cease : By perils, both uncertain and unknown, Thou seek'st thy greed of glory to appease, If India, Persia, and Arabia, own Themselves and Africa beneath the Lusian throne. CANTO IV. 171 OIL "Accursed be lie who first did hoist a mast, And spread his sails upon the boisterous sea! Into the deep profound he should be cast, For punishment, if any truth there be In what I hold, and that was taught to me. Let no great bard, nor lofty wit proclaim, Thy praise, nor sounding lyre ennoble thee! Let none admire, let no one spread thy fame, Let dark oblivion blot thy memory and name! cm, "The fire from heaven, by Prometheus brought. Enkindled fury in the human breast, By which foul murders, rapines, rapes were wrought; To mortals this has proved a dreadful pest, Whose deadly poison doth the world infest. How much Prometheus must we all desire, And much the more the earth would now be blest, That thy famed statue ne'er inhaled that fire, Which roused its energy, and taught it to aspire! CIV. ''The wretched youth would never then have tried To drive Apollo's chariot through the air, The architect would not have sought to glide With Icarus, whose name that sea doth bear: His sire denotes a famous river there: On conflict dire, a foul, nefarious deed, Through fire and sword no one would rashly dare: Nor heat, nor cold, nor water mortals heed, Most wretched races all! in strangest course proceed! THE LUSIAD. CANTO THE FIFTH. THE LUSIAD, CANTO THE FIFTH. THE ARGUMENT. Stanzas lyto lV>pThe fleet leaves the Tagus, and Cintra's mountain are seen far away. V. The Island of Madeira described. VI. and VII. They pass the land of the Azenegues. VIII. Their country described. IX. Cape Verde islands. X. The coast of Africa. XI. The land of Gror- gans. XII. Sierra Leone and Cape Palma. XIII. Congo and the equi- noctial line. XIV. and XV. Various stars and constellations. (XVL^to tXVII^ Storms with thunder and lightning. XVIII. Saint Elmo's light. XIX. to XXIII. Description of a water-spout . \XIV. to XXXVI. {Land is discovered, treachery of the blacks, and Microus adventure of Vel- los'o ; in the conflict Grama is slightly wounded. XXXVII. and XXXVIII. Terrible appearance of an enormous cloud, and prayer of Gama. XXXIX. 1 and XL. Description of the Giant Adamastor. XLI. to XLIV. Speech of Adamastor. XLV. He foretells the fate of D. Francisco de Almeida. XL VI. to XL VIII. Heart-rending account of the shipwreck and death of a young Portuguese with his wife and children. XLIX. Gama inter- rupts the Giant to ask his name and history. L. to LIX. Adamastor re- lates his amorous adventure with Thetis, and his sad transformation. LX. Adamastor disappears, and Gama prays to God that his prophecy may not be fulfilled. LXI. to LXIV. Arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, where the natives arc very kind and gentle. LXV. to LXVII . Contra- ry currents overcome by a strong southerly wind. LXVII. to LXIX. They arrive at the river "Dos Reis". LXX. to LXXIL Gama dilates upon the courage and constancy of the Portuguese. LXXIII. to LXXIX. They pass Sofala, and enter a small harbour. LXXX. to LXXXIX. Ter- rible ravages of scurvy. LXXXV. to LXXXIX. Gama makes a com- parison between his own exploits, and those of the Heroes celebrated by Homer and Virgil. XC. to XCIII. The king and people of Melinda are struck with wonder at the adventures of the Portuguese. XCflT. and XCV. Eegret is expressed that Portugal, which can boast of most va- liant warriors, does not possess hards to celebrate their deeds. XCVI. and XCYII. All great captains have been distinguished for their cultivation of Literature. XCVIII. to the end. The poet censures his countrymen for their harshness, and austerity, and their contempt for the Muses. THE LU8IAD, CANTO V. I, "The old man still continued his discourse In shrillest accents, whilst we spread our sails To leave the port so loved, and steer our course To distant climes, with fair and gentle gales: According to a custom which prevails, And yet is never seen without emotion, A shout of u Good and prosperous voyage" hails The parting ships, which now, with easy motion, Are wafted by the wind upon the boundless ocean. II, "The bright eternal sun had entered now The zodiac, where the fierce lion stands, The world, which time consumes, infirm and slow. Had reached six ages since .the seas and lands First issued from their Great Creator's hands; Ten times fourteen, four score and seventeen, The year of grace, when, by our King's commands, Upon the world of waters there was seen His great armada, proud of all its strength and sheen. 12 17