Page:Lisbon and Cintra, Inchbold, 1907.djvu/100

Rh the Love tree. "It is the tree on which Judas did hang himself," says an ancient herbalist; but why a tree that is a native of Southern Europe should have received this reputation it is difficult to say. The Love tree as it grows in Lisbon streets and gardens is literally covered, every branch and smallest twigs, with clustering masses of gay purple-pink blossoms, similar in form to the pea. The foliage which develops later resembles the poplar.

A small cable-car line—precursor of the electrico and very ably engineered—lies outside the gates of the Estrella Gardens; it descends the steep Calçada da Estrella, passes the Cortes, climbs from the Rua de S. Bento in the hollow up a lengthy hill of appalling declivity, and finishes its course on the Praça de Camões. This is a sunlit, paved little praça surrounded by high houses at the head of the Rua Garrett, popularly called the Chiado. Here is erected in bronze the figure of Portugal's immortal poet whose name no true Portuguese hears spoken without heart vibrations of pride, Luiz de Camões, the Homer of modern times. The figure holds in one hand his poem, in the other a sword, in accordance with a verse in the Lusiadas, and also with his twofold career of soldier and poet. Grouped round the pedestal hewn in marble are eight statues of his most noted contemporaries in letters.

The life of Camões was no less interesting than his work, though there are conflicting stories of his birth, poverty and many viscissitudes. All his life he seems to have struggled with privation and difficulties, in spite of his having studied at Coimbra and then becoming a member of the court. Here it was he fell in love with Catherine d'Ataïde, the inspirer of one of his well-known odes, but whether she accepted or repelled his vows is not recorded. We are told only that Camões went to fight in 72