Luis de Camoes Collected Poetical Works

by Luis de Camoes

  such liege, oh King! unjust in this alone,

  if ne’er ’twas thine to give him grade and praise,

  ’twas his to give his King a golden throne.

  Long as Apollo bathes with blessed rays

  this ball of Earth, I swear, shall aye be known

  amid the Great and Good his name and fame,

  and thine for Av’arice aye shall bear the blame!

  “See now!” she sang, “another comes in pride 26

  of the Blood Royal, and he brings from home

  the Son, whose name shall sound o’er Ocean-tide,

  high as the Roman’s in best days of Rome.

  The two with warrior arms to hearts affied,

  shall deal to fertile Quiloa dreadful doom,

  and crown a gentler King of loyal strain,

  who ends the Tyrant’s fell perfidious reign.

  “Mombasah-city, with her brave array 27

  of sumptuous palace, proudest edifice,

  defaced, deformed by fire and steel shall pay

  in kind the tale of byegone malefice.

  Thence on those Indian shores which proud display

  their hostile fleets, and warlike artifice

  ‘gainst the Lusians, with his sail and oar

  shall young Lourengo work th’ extremes of war.

  “What mighty vessels Sam’orim’s orders own 28

  covering Ocean, with his iron hail

  poured from hot copper-tube in thunder-tone

  all shall he shatter, rudder, mast and sail;

  then with his grapples boldly, deftly thrown,

  the hostile Ammiral he shall assail,

  board her, and only with the lance and sword

  shall slay four hecatombs of Moors abhor’d.

  “But God’s prevision ‘scaping human sight, 29

  alone who knows what good best serves His end,

  shall place the Hero where ne toil ne might

  his lost young life availeth to forfend.

  In Chaul-bay, where fierce and furious fight

  with fire and steel shall fervid seas offend,

  th’ Infidel so shall deal that end his days

  where Egypt’s navy doth conjoin Cambay’s.

  “There shall the pow’er of man’ifold enemies, — 30

  for only stronger force strong force can tire, —

  and Winds defaulting and fierce injuries

  of Ocean, ‘gainst a single life conspire:

  Here let all olden men from death arise

  to see his Valour, catch his noble fire:

  A second Scaeva see who, hackt and torn,

  laughs at surrender, quarter holds in scorn.

  “With the fierce torture of a mangled thigh, 31

  torn off by bullet which at random past,

  his stalwart arms he ceaseth not to ply,

  that fiery Spirit flaming to the last:

  Until another ball clean cuts the tie

  so frail that linked Soul and Body fast; —

  the Soul which loosed from her prison fleets

  whither the prize eterne such Conq’ueror greets.

  “Go, Soul! to Peace from Warfare turbulent 32

  wherein thou meritedst sweet Peace serene!

  for those torn tortured limbs, that life so rent

  who gave thee life prepareth vengeance keen:

  I hear e’en now the furious storm ferment,

  threating the terrible eternal teen,

  of Chamber, Basilisco, Saker-fire,

  to Mameluke cruel and Cambayan dire.

  “See with stupendous heart the war to wage, 33

  driven by rage and grief the Father flies,

  paternal fondness urging battle-gage,

  fire in his heart and water in his eyes:

  Promise the sire’s distress, the soldier’s rage,

  a bloody deluge o’er the knees shall rise

  on ev’ry hostile deck: This Nyle shall fear,

  Indus shall sight it, and the Gange shall hear.

  “As when some lusty Bull would train and teach 34

  his limbs for cruel fight, with horns he playeth on trunk of

  builder-oak, or mast-like beech,

  and wounding empty air his might essayeth:

  Thus ere his keels Cambaya’s Gulf can reach

  Francisco, fierce with vengeful ardour preyeth

  on Dabul, op’ulent harbour, whets his brand

  and ‘bates the tumid bragging of the land:

  “And soon shall scatter, sailing up the Bight, 35

  of Diu enfamed for siege and battle dread,

  Calecut’s strong Armada weak of fight,

  that trusts to paddles steely mail instead:

  She of Melique Yaz, who boasts her might

  of balls by thee, O Vulcan! scattered,

  shall see her Carvels to the frore deep sent

  where hidden sleeps the humid element.

  “While she of Mir Hosem which, linked fast 36

  with grapples waits th’ Avenger side by side,

  shall sight the lopt-off arms and legs float past,

  sans owner-bodies, o’er the shifting tide:

  Like flamey bolt on Earth by thunder cast

  in blinding mist of blood the Braves shall ride:

  There naught shall strike the shrinking ear and eye

  save fire and steel-flash, shout and slogan-cry.

  “But, ah! that homeward from such wars victorious, 37

  bound for the Tagus of his Fatherland,

  he nigh should forfeit meeds so great and glorious,

  by sad black chance I see in Fortune’s hand!

  The Cape of Storms that guards his name memorious

  shall guard his bones, nor blush shall stain its strand,

  that noble spirit from the world to tear,

  Egyptian strength ne’er tore nor Indian snare.

  “There salvage Caffres shall have pow’er to do 38

  what ne’er could do the pow’er of dext’erous foe;

  and the rude fire-charred club and staff subdue

  whom ne’er subdued ball nor artful bow.

  Forsooth His judgments hide from human view!

  Vain fools who vainly judge what none may know,

  call a misfortune, term a fate malign,

  what is but Prov’idence pure, all-wise, divine.

  Then waxt the woeful wail a sorer strain, 38a

  “Oh, God, what vision in the further days!

  That fair young Prince of Gaul’s imperial vein,

  so knightly valiant, fain of fame and praise:

  I see him fighting, stricken, fallen, slain,

  pierced in front by Cafire assegais: —

  Blush, Albion! blush, when Britons dare to flee

  and leave such Prince such obscure doom to dree!”

  “But, oh! what lustrous Light illumes mine eyes,” 39

  resumed the Nymph, as rose again her tone,

  “there where Melinde’s blood-dyed Ocean lies

  from Lamo, Oja, Brava-town, o’erthrown

  by hand of Cunha, such a deed ne’er dies,

  o’er farthest seas his name shall aye be known

  that lave those Austral Islands, and the shore

  Saint Lawrence hight and ring the wide world o’er.

  “This Light is glance and glare of lucent arm 40

  wherewith your Albuquerque’s hand shall tame

  the Hormuz Parsi’s heart which be his harm,

  refusing gentle rule as yoke of shame.

  There shall he see of shafts the strident swarm,

  in air revolving with recurved aim

  upon his archer, for our God shall aid,

  who holy faith of Mother Church would spread.”

  “There the Salt Mountains never shall defend 41

  corruption from remains of men that met

  War’s doom, and o’er the seas and shores extend

  of Gerum Isle, Maskat and Calayat:

&nb
sp; Till by pure force of arms they learn to bend

  the subject neck, and pay the scot of Fate:

  Compulsion sore this wicked Reign shall vex

  and tithe of pearl that Barem’s oyster decks.

  “What wreaths of glorious Palms I see them weave 42

  wherewith by Victory’s hand his head is crown’d;

  when he sans shade of fear or shame shall reave

  illustrious Goa’s Island world-renown’d.

  See, forced by Need’s hard law his prize to leave,

  he seeks new favouring chance; and, soon as found,

  the taken he retakes; such Arm and Art

  shall conquer Fortune and the self of Mart.

  “Lo! he returns and bursts what dares oppose, 43

  thro’ bullet, lance-plump, steel, fire, strongest hold;

  breaks with his brand the squadded host of foes,

  the serried Moor, the Gentoo manifold.

  His inclyt sold’iery more of fury shows

  than rampant Bulls, or Lyons hunger-bold,

  that Day for ever celebrate and digne

  of Egypt’s Martyr-maid, Saint Catherine.

  “Nor shalt thou ‘scape the fate to fall his prize 44

  albeit so wealthy, and so strong thy site

  there on Aurora’s bosom, whence thy rise,

  thou Home of Opulence, Malacca hight!

  The poysoned arrows which thine art supplies

  the Krises thirsting, as I see, for fight,

  th’ enamoured Malay-men, the Javan braves,

  all of the Lusian shall become the slaves.”

  She had more stanzas sung in Siren-strain, 45

  lauding her Albuquerque’s high renown,

  when she recalled the pass’ionate deed, the stain

  on his white fame that o’er the world hath shone.

  The mighty Captain whom the Fates ordain

  to view his toils win Glory’s lasting Crown,

  should ever ‘prove him kind and loved compeer

  of his own men, not cruel judge severe.

  In days of hunger and of dire distress, 46

  sickness, bolts, arrows, thunder, lightning-glint,

  when the sore seasons and sad sites oppress

  his soldiers, rendering services sans stint;

  it seemeth salvage act of wild excess,

  of heart inhuman, bosom insolent,

  to make last penalty of Laws atone

  for sins our frailty and our love condone.

  Abominable incest shall not be 47

  his sin, nor ruffian rape of virgin pure,

  not e’en dishonour of adultery,

  but lapse with wanton slave-girl, vile, obscure:

  If urged by jealous sting, or modesty,

  or used to cruelty and harshness dour,

  Man from his men mad anger curbeth not,

  his Fame’s white shield shall bear black ugly blot.

  Learnt Alexander that Apelles loved 48

  and his Campaspe gave with glad consent,

  though was the Painter not his Soldier proved,

  nor in hard urgent siege his force was pent.

  Felt Cyrus, eke, Panthe’a deeply moved

  Araspas, by the fire of Passion brent,

  though he had tane her charge, and pledged his oath

  dishonest love should never break his troth:

  But see’ing the noble Persian ‘slaved and sway’d 49

  by pow’er of Passion, sans in fine defence,

  he gives light pardon, and thus gained his aid in gravest case, the fittest recompense.

  Himself perforce the mate of Judith made

  Baldwin hight “Bras-de-fer,” but his offence

  her father, Charles, for troublous times condone’d,

  and gave him life the Flanders’ reign to found.

  Again the Lyre its soul of musick sheds, 50

  and sings the Nymph how shall Soares fly

  air-windowing flags whose terror far o’erspreads

  the ruddy coasted lands of Araby:

  Th’ abominable town, Medina, dreads

  as Meca dreads and Gida, and where lie

  Abassia’s ultime shores: while Barbora fears

  the fate that floodeth Zeyla-mart with tears.

  “And, eke, the noble Island Taproban, 51

  whose ancient name ne’er fail’d to give her note,

  as still she reigns superb and sovereign

  by boon of fragrant tree-bark, biting-hot:

  Toll of her treasure to the Lusitan

  ensign shall pay, when proud and high shall float

  your breezy banners from the lofty tower,

  and all Columbo fear your castled power.

  “Sequeira, too, far sailing for the shore, 52

  of Erythras, new way shall open wide

  to thee, Great Empire! who canst vaunt of yore

  to be Candace’s and the Sheban’s nide:

  Masua that hoards in tanks her watery store,

  he shall behold by Port Arquico’s side;

  and send explorers to each distant isle,

  till novel wonder all the world beguile.

  “Succeeds Meneze; less enfamed his sword 53

  shall be in Asia than in Africk-land:

  he shall chastise high Hormuz’ erring horde

  and twofold tribute claim with conq’uering hand.

  Thou also, Gama! shalt have rich reward

  for ban of exile, when to high command

  entitled, ‘County’ thou shalt be restored

  to the fair region this thy Feat explored.

  “But soon that fatal Debt all flesh must pay, 54

  wherefrom our Nature no exception knows,

  while deckt with proudest Royalty’s array,

  from Life shall reave thee and Life’s toils and woes:

  Other Menezes cometh sans delay,

  who few of years but much of prudence shows

  in rule; right happy this Henrique’s lot

  by human story ne’er to be forgot.

  “Conquer he shall not only Malabar, 55

  destroy Panane and Coulete waste,

  hurling the bombards, which through hurtled air

  deal horrid havock on th’ opposing breast;

  but, dower’d with virtues truly singular,

  he deals to seven-fold Spirit-foes his hest:

  Covetise with Incontinence he shall spurn, —

  the highest conquest in the years that burn.

  “Him, when his presence shall the stars invite 56

  O Mascarenhas brave! thou shalt succeed;

  and if injurious men shall rob thy right

  eternal Fame I promise for thy meed!

  That ev’ry hostile tongue confess thy might

  and lofty valour, Fate for thee decreed

  for more of Palm-wreaths shall thy glory crown,

  than the Good Fortune due to thy renown.

  “Where Bintam’s reign her baleful head uprears, 57

  Malaca humbling with her harmful hate,

  in one short day the thousand tyrannous years

  with bravest bosoms shalt avenge and ‘bate:

  Inhuman travails, perils without peers,

  a thousand iron reefs, and dangerous strait,

  stockade and bulwark, lances, arr’owy sleet,

  all shalt thou break, I swear, all shalt submit.

  “But Inde’s Ambition, and her Lucre-lust, 58

  for ever flaunting bold and brazen face

  in front of God and Justice, shall disgust

  thy heart, but do thine honour no disgrace.

  Who works vile inj’ury with unreas’oning trust

  in force, and footing lent by rank and place,

  conquereth nothing, the true Conq’ueror he

  who dares do naked Justice fair and free.

  “Yet to Sampaio will I not gainsay 59

  a noble valour shown by shrewdest blows,

  that shall o’er Ocean
flash like thunder-ray,

  curded with thousand corpses of his foes.

  He shall in Bacanor make fierce assay

  on Malabar, till owns in terror-throes

  Cutiale, beaten with his battered Fleet

  the dreadful ruin of a rout complete.

  Nor less of Diu the fierce and fere Armade, 60

  the dread of Chaul, daring, proudly man’d,

  with single glance shall fall, till all have fled

  our Hector da Sylveira’s heavy hand:

  Our Hector Portingall, of whom ’tis said,

  that o’er you ever armed Cambayan strand,

  such wrath on Guzerats ’tis his to wreak

  as Trojan Hector wreaked on the Greek.

  “Then shall succeed to fierce Sampaio’s powers 61

  Cunha, and hold the helm for many a year;

  building of Chalé-town the lofty towers,

  while quakes illustrious Diu his name to hear:

  Bassein to him her sturdy standard lowers,

  yet not sans bloodshed, for with groan and tear

  Melique se’eth his proudest estocade

  storm’d not by firebrand but by sway of blade.

  “Next comes Noronha, whose auspicious sway 62

  Diu from the barbarous Rume-warman rends;

  Diu, which beleaguer’d in his warrior way

  Antonio da Sylveira well defends:

  Soon must Noronha doom of death obey,

  when branch of thine, O Gama! aidance lends

  to govern empire, and his fiery zeal

  Fear’s pallid hue to Red Sea waves shall deal.

  “From thine Estevam’s hands shall take the rein, 63

  one raised already to a high degree

  by his Brazilian wars, and trophies tane

  from the French Pyrat homed upon the sea:

  Then dubbed Amm’irall of our Indian Main,

  Daman’s proud Valverte in her panoply

  he scales, the first that open gate to thread

  by flames and thousand fletchers covered.

  “To him Cambaya’s King, that haughtest Moor, 64

  shall yield in wealthy Diu the famous fort,

  that he may gain against the Grand Mogor

  ‘spite his stupendous pow’er, your firm support:

  Thence shall he wend, most valiant conqueror,

  to hem the Gentoo King, in Cal’ecut port

  so let and hinder’d, he and all who hied

  with him, retired in their blood red dyed.

  “Low shall he lay the city Repelim 65

  her Monarch forcing with his men to run;

  then well-nigh reached the Cape ‘clept Comorim,

  another wreath of Fame by him is won;

  the strongest squadron of the Samorim

  who doubted not to see the world undone,

  he shall destroy with rage of fire and steel:

  Be’adala’s self his martial yoke shall feel.