English poem
He o Duque Dom Gemes, derivado
by Luís de Camões (1524–1580)
“He o Duque Dom Gemes, derivado Do tronco antiguo, e successor famoso, Que o grande feito emprende, e acabado A Portugal dá volta victorioso; Deixando desta vez tão admirado A todo o mundo, e o Mouro tão medroso, Qui inda atégora nunca ha despedido O grão temor entonces concebido.
“’Tis ducal Gemes, ’heriting from his sires Of old nobility a name memorious, Who does this mighty deed; and ’s high desires Fulfilled, to Portugale returns victorious. This time a valour which the world admires Leaveth the Moorman in such fear inglorious, Who to the Present is nowise relievèd Of the cold burthen in the Past conceivèd.
“E se o famoso Duque mais ávante. Não passa co’a catholica conquista, Nos muros de Marrocos, e Trudante, E outros logares mil á escala vista; Não he por falta de animo constante, Nem de esforço, e vontade prompta e lista; Mas foi poi não passar o limitado Término, per seu rei assignalado.”
“And, if the famous Duke forbore as wont Catholick conquests farther still to bear, Unto Marocco’s mures and Terudant, And other thousand thorpes the Haven near; Deem not his constant soul of spirit scant, Or wanting energy or slow to dare; ’Twas that his loyalty to cross declinèd The certain limits which his King assignèd.”
More by Luís de Camões
- Canto IV. (Stanza 49: varia lectio)
- Dolour of fell Dislove hath no respect
- E’en as the noble Youth of Roman strain
- Guevara roncador, que o rosto untava
- Hence shall he wend his way, and end the light
- His foll’owers favour with a piercing cry
- In such unfairest odds and chance of fray
- Já Meróe deixa atraz, e a terra ardente