📔 Os Lusíadas

Since sware the Parcæ unto me, their friend, / they shall adore my name, my favour prize; / and, as their feats of armèd prowess shend / all feats of rival Rome, I lief devise / some mode of aidance in what things I may, / far as our force o'er man extendeth sway.

See Borneo's sea-girt shore where ever flow / the perfumed liquor's thick and curded gouts, / the tears of forest-trees men "Camphor" clepe, / wherefore that Island crop of Fame shall reap.

And as their valour, so you trow, defied / on aspe'rous voyage cruel harm and sore, / so many changing skies their manhood tried, / such climes where storm-winds blow and billows roar; […]

Go see their fleet and arms, their manner view / of moulded metal, ready all to shend[.]

Deeds they shall do so digne memorious glory, / song shall not suit nor Hist'ory hold the story.

That morn to other hythe we made our way / finding the peoples that before we found, / by a broad River, and we gave it name / from the high hol'iday when to port we came.

But now the Moormen, stalking o'er the strand / to guard the wat'ery stores the strangers need; / this, targe on arm and assegai in hand, / that, with his bended bow, and venom'd reed[.]

His speech thus spake the Moor, and took his leave, / he and his meiny where the bátels lay: / formal farewells to chief and crews he gave, / exchanging congees with due courtesy.

Nor far they steppèd when on culm'inant height / where stretcht a gem-enamel'd mead they stood; / Smaragd and Ruby-strewn, so rich the sight / presumed 'twas Paradisial floor they trod.

"And as their valour, so you trow, defied / on aspe'rous voyage cruel harm and sore, / so many changing skies their manhood tried, / such climes where storm-winds blow and billows roar[.]"