English poem
No mundo poucos annos, e cansados
by Camoens (1524–1580)
Few weary winters pight in worldly pale I lived, the sport of mis'ry dour and dure; So soon my youthful day-tide wox obscure Hardly a five poor lustres told the tale.
I ran o'er lands and o'er long seas made sail, Seeking life's evils or to kill or cure: But what, in fine, our fate shall not ensure Ensure no travails, ban nor bane nor bale.
Portugale mother'd me; the green, the dear Alemquer homed me, but that air pollute Which ever breathed in fleshly vase of me,
Made me the fishes' food in thee, thou brute Sea! beating Habash-coast so greedy-fere, And ah! so distant from my fair countree.