who might in sim’ilar cases danger-fraught
be ventured where the common weal had need;
a twain of wily, well-tried wits he sought,
bade them the Moorman’s craft and trick’eries heed,
go spy the City’s power, and seek to see
whether desired Christians there may be.
Fair gifts he gave them for the Royal hand, 8
to quit the goodly will the greeting show’d,
by him held sure and firm and clear and bland,
whereas ’twas cleanly of a cont’rary mode.
Now all the rout perfidious and nefand,
quitting the Squadron o’er the waters row’d:
With gladsome, joyous gestures, all deceit,
The pair of shipmates on the shore they greet.
And when in presence of the King convey’d, 9
the gifts they gave, and message did present,
far less they witness’d, as ‘bout town they stray’d,
than what they wanted on their work intent;
the shrewd sagacious Moors pretences made
to veil from sight what they to see were sent;
for where reigns Malice there we ever find
the fear of Malice in a neighbour’s mind.
But He, for ever fair, for ever young 10
in form and feature, born of mothers twain
by wondrous birth-rite; and whose wilful tongue
would work the Navigators’ ban and bane —
dwelt in a house the City-folk among,
of form and vestment human; who did feign
to be a Christian priest, and here had raised
a sumptuous altar where he prayed and praised.
There had he limned, figuring aright 11
the Holy Ghost’s high heavenly portraiture;
hover’d a Dove, in snowy plume bedight,
o’er the sole Phoenix, Mary, Virgin pure:
The Saintly Company was shown to sight,
the Dozen, in that sore discomfiture,
as when, taught only by the Tongues that burnt
with lambent fire, man’s varied tongues they learnt.
Thither conducted either Comrade went, 12
where hateful Bacchus stood in lies array’d;
and rose their spirits, while their knees were bent
before the God who sways the worlds He made.
The perfumed incense by Panchaia sent,
fuming its richest scent, o’ th’ altar laid
Thyone’s Son; and now they view, forsooth,
the god of Lies adore the God of Truth.
Here was receiv’ed, for kindly rest at night, 13
with ev’ery mode of good and trusty greeting,
the twain of Christians, who misween’d the rite,
th’ unholy show of holy counterfeiting.
But soon as Sol returning rained his light
on sombre Earth, and in one instant fleeting
forth from the ruddy-dyed horizon came
the Spouse Tithonian with her front aflame:
Return the Moormen bearing from the land 14
the Royal licence, with the Christian pair,
that disembarked by our Chief’s command,
for whom the King feign’ed honest friendship fair
The Portingall, assured no plot was plan’d,
and seeing scanty fear of scathe or snare
when Christian peoples in the place abode,
to stem the salty river straightway stood.
Advised him the scouts dispatcht ashore 15
that holy clerk and altars met their sight;
and how received them the friendly Moor
while Night’s cloud-shadowed mantle cloaked the
light;
Nay, that both Lord and Liege no feeling bore,
save what in kindness took a dear delight,
for, certes, nothing told of doubt or fear,
where proofs of friendship showed sure and clear.
Whereon the noble Gama hied to greet 16
gladly the Moors that up the bulwarks plied;
for lightly trusteth sprite without deceit;
and gallant souls in goodly show confide.
The crafty people on the Flagship meet,
mooring their light canoes along her side:
Merrily trooped they all, because they wot
the wisht-for prizes have become their lot.
The cautious war-men gather on the land 17
arms and ‘munitions; that whene’er th’ Armade
ride at her anchors near the riv’erine strand
the work of boarding may be readier made:
With deepest treachery the traitors plan’d
for those of Lusus such an ambuscade,
that reckless of the coming doom they pay
the blood-debt dating from Mozámbic Bay.
Weighed are the biting anchors, rising slow, 18
while ‘customed capstan-songs and shouts resound;
only the foresails to the gale they throw
as for the buoyed bar the Ships are bound:
But Erycina fair, from ev’ry foe
aye glad to guard and guide her Race renowned,
seen the black ambush big with deadly bane,
flies from the welkin shaft-swift to the Main.
She musters Nereus’ maidens fair and blonde, 19
with all the meiny of the sea-blue race;
the Water-princes her commandment own’d,
for the salt Ocean was her natal place:
Then, told the reason why she sought the lond,
with her whole bevy forth she set apace,
to stay the Squadron ere it reach the bourne
whence ne’er a Traveller may to life return.
On, on they hurry, scatt’ring high the spray, 20
and lash with silvern trains the spumy White:
Doto’s soft bosom breasts the briny way
with hotter pressure than her wonted plight.
Springs Nisé, while Nerine seeks the fray
clearing the crystal wavelets nimble light:
The bending billows open wide a path,
fearing to rouse the hurrying Nereids’ wrath.
Borne on a Triton’s shoulders rides in state 21
with fiery gesture, Dionaea fair;
nor feels the bearer that delicious weight,
superb his cargo of such charms to bear:
Now draw they nearer where stiff winds dilate
the bellicose Armada’s sailing gear:
They part, and sudden with their troops surround
the lighter vessels in the vayward bound.
Girt by her nymphs the Goddess lays her breast 22
against the Flagship’s prow, and others close
the harbour-entrance; such their sudden gest
the breeze through bellied canvas vainly blows:
With tender bosom to tough timber prest
she drives the sturdy ship that sternward goes:
Her circling Nereids raise and urge afar
the threatened victim from the hostile bar.
E’en as to nesty homes the prov’ident Ants, 23
their heavy portion’d burthens haling slow,
drill their small legions, hostile combatants,
‘gainst hostile Winter’s war of frost and snow:
There are their travails given to their wants,
there puny bodies mighty spirits show:
Not otherwise the Nymphs from fatal end
labour the Portughuezes to defend.
Their force prevails; astern the Flagship falleth, 24
‘spite all aboard her raising fearful shout;
boiling with rage the Crew each yardarm hauleth
to port and starboard putting helm about:
Apoop the cunning Master vainly bawleth,
seeing that right toforn upon his route,
uprears a sea-girt rock its awful head,
and present shipwreck fills his soul with dread.
But as loud call and clamour ‘gan uprise 25
from the rude sailor toiling hard and keen;
the Moors are frighted by th’ unused cries,
as though they sighted Battle’s horrid scene.
None know the reason of such hot surprise;
none know in sim’ilar press whereon to lean;
they hold their treach’erous felon tricks are known,
and present tortures must their crime atone.
Lo! with a panick fear themselves they flung 26
in the swift-sailing barklets which they brought:
These high uplifted on the billows hung,
those deep in water diving safety sought:
Sudden from starboard and from port they sprung,
by dread of visionary sights distraught;
for all would rather tempt the cruel tide,
for none in mercies of their foes confide.
Of such a fashion in the sylvan Mere 27
the Frogs, a brood of Lycian blood whilome,
when fall of coming foot perchance they hear,
while all incautious left their wat’ery home,
wake marish-echoes hopping here and there
to ‘scape the perils threatening death and doom;
and, all ensconced in the well-known deep
nought but their small black heads ‘bove water peep:
So fly the Moors; the Loadsman who alone 28
the Ships in deadly imminent risk had led,
deeming his hateful plans to all beknown,
plunged in the bitter depths and swimming fled.
But as her course had missed the steadfast stone,
where every hope of darling life were dead,
eftsoons our Amm’irall doth her anchor throw,
and, near her, furling sail, the rest come to.
Observant Gama, seen this sudden sight 29
of Moorish strangeness, and surprised to view
his Pilot flying with accusing flight,
divines the plottings of that bestial crew:
And when ne hindrance showed, ne the might
of tides that onwards bore, or winds that blew,
yet that his Flagship forged ahead no more,
the Marvel hailing thus he ‘gan implore: —
“Oh Chance, strange, passing strange, that gave no sign! 30
Oh wondrous Godsend shown so clear, so plain!
Oh fellest treason baffled inopine!
Oh hostile Paynims, false, perfidious strain!
Who of such desp’erate devilish design
by mortal wisdom could escape the bane,
unless there throned in Heav’en the Sovran Guard
to weak humanity strong aid award?
“Right well hath proved Providence on high, 31
the scanty safety by these Ports purvey’d:
Right well appearance showeth every eye,
how all our confidence hath been betray’d:
But since Man’s wit and wisdom vainly try
to sound these feints and foils so deeply laid,
O Thou, Almighty Guard! to guard him deign
who sans Thine aid himself would guard in vain!
“And if Thy holy ruth so condescend 32
to save this People peregrine and poor,
who on Thy grace and goodness sole depend,
to force salvation from the false fell Moor;
vouchsafe, O Lord, our weary course shall end
at some fair Harbour, shelter’d and secure;
or show the distant shores we pine to see,
since all this sailing is for serving Thee.”
The piteous prayer smote the loving ears 33
of Dionaea fair; her heart was painéd;
she left her Nymphs, all bathed in yearning tears,
who by her sudden flight perplext remained:
Now she had thrid the lum’inous planet-spheres,
now the third Heaven’s gateway she had gained;
on, onward still to the sixth sphere, the throne
where high All-Father sits and reigns alone.
And, as her way affronting, forth she hied, 34
her ev’ry gesture such a grace expired,
Stars, Skies and AEther’s circumambient tide,
and all that saw her with love-fire were fired.
Those eyne wherein Dan Cupid aye doth nide,
such vital spirits in all life inspired;
the frigid Poles with torrid ardours burned,
and spheres of Arctic frost to flame were turned.
And with more love to move her Sovereign 35
Sire, who aye lov’d her with a constant will,
herself she shows as to the Trojan swain
she showed of old on Ida’s bosky hill.
If her the Hunter who the form of man
lost, seeing Dian in the glassy rill,
had seen, he ne’er had died by rav’ening hound,
erst slain by a sorer and a surer wound.
Wander’d the crispy threads of wavy gold 36
adown a bosom shaming virgin snow:
Her milk-hued breasts with ev’ry movement roll’d
where Love lay sporting but did nowhere show:
Flames with far-flashing fire the Zone’s white fold
wherewith the Boy gar’d ev’ry heart to glow:
while round those columns’ polisht curves were climbing
Desires, like ivy parent-trunk entwining.
A filmy Cendal winds around her waist, 37
which del’icate sense conceals by modest veiling;
and yet not all conceal’d, nor all confest,
the veil, red-blushing lilies oft revealing:
With warmer fondness still to ‘flame his breast
she woos his sight with secret charms assailing:
Now all Olympus shakes with jealous jars,
rage burneth Vulcan, Love inflameth Mars.
The while her angel-semblance showeth blended 38
with smiles a sadness in the sweetest way;
like some fair Ladye by rude swain offended
incautious rough while playing am’orous play;
who laughs and laughing pouts with wrath pretended
passing withouten pause from grave to gay;
thus she, the Goddess who no rival heedeth,
softer than sad before her Father pleadeth.
“Aye had I deemed, mighty Father mine, 39
in whatsoe’er my loving breast preferred,
to find thee kind and affable and benign,
e’en though of hostile heart the hate were stirred:
But as I see thine ire to me incline,
ire undeserv’ed, — to thee I ne’er have erred, —
let Bacchus triumph with his wicked will;
while in his weal I sit and wail mine ill.
“This Folk, these Sons of me, for whom I pour 40
the tear that trickleth bootless ‘fore thy sight,
whose woe, since wish’d them well, I work the more
when my good wishes but thy wrath excite:
For them I weep, for them thine aid implore,
and thus, in fine, with adverse fate I fight:
But now, because my love ill-fortune bears,
I will to will them ill and weal be theirs.
“Yet thus to perish by that wild-beast race, 41
for I have been” Whereon, all lovely flows
the burning tear-drop beading down her face,
as pearled with rory dew fresh shines the Rose:
Silent awhile, as though her plea for grace
the portals of her teeth list not disclose
she had pursued; but ere a word she said
the potent Thund’erer further plaint forbade:
And, moved to pity by such gentle powers, 42
powers made to move the heart of Tyger dure,
with beam
ing smile, as when the sky that lowers
waxeth serene, and clears the lift obscure;
he dries his Daughter’s welling tears, and showers
warm kisses on her cheeks and neck snow-pure;
in mode that had the place been lere and lone
a pair of Cupids had Olympus known.
And, face approaching to the face he prized, 43
whereat the sobbing tears the faster flow;
e’en as some yeanling by the nurse chastised
weepeth caresst with louder feint of woe:
To soothe her troubled bosom he devised
the future fortunes of her sons to show,
unripping thus from Fate’s impregnate womb
He opes the mysteries of the things to come: —
“Thou fairest Daughter mine! throw far thy fear. 44
lest to thy Lusians happen harm indign;
nor deem my spirit holdeth aught so dear,
as the sad waters of these sov’reign eyne:
Thou shalt behold, my Daughter, hear me swear,
the Greek and Roman dimm’d of all his shine,
by Gestes illustrious this thy Hero-race
Shall dare and do in Eastern dwelling-place.
“If glib Ulysses e’er to flee was fated 45
a life-long slav’ery on Ogygia-shore;
and if Antenor’s fortune penetrated
Ulyric bays, Timavus’ fount t’ explore;
e’en if thy pious AEneas navigated
where seas round Scylla and Charybdis roar;
thy nobler scions higher grade shall win,
shall add new worlds to worlds of older men.
“Valvartes and cities and the tow’ering wall 46
built by their valour, Daughter, thou shalt see:
Shalt see the Turk, deem’ed bravest brave of all,
from their dread prowess forced aye to flee:
Shalt see of Inde the free-born monarchs fall
and own their mightier King’s supremacy:
And when, in fine, they wield the full command
shall dawn a Higher Law for every land.
“Him shalt thou see, who now in hurried flight 47
fares distant Indus through such fears to find,
make vasty Neptune tremble with affright,
and crisp his wavy waste sans breath of wind.
Oh Chance ne’er seen! Oh wonder-teeming Sight!
this Quake of Water with plat calm combin’d!
Oh valiant race, with loftiest thought inbred,
whom Earth’s four El’ements must regard with dread!
“This Land, that water hath to them denied, 48
shalt see affording surest Hythe, where spent
by their long voyaging, shall rest and ride
Argosies bound from utmost Occident.
In fine, this seaboard all, that futile tried
death-snare to weave, shall pay obedient
Luis de Camoes Collected Poetical Works Page 5