Page:Os Lusíadas (Camões, tr. Burton, 1880), Volume 1.djvu/32

6 Cease the sage Grecian, and the Man of Troy

to vaunt long Voyage made in bygone day:

Cease Alexander, Trajan cease to 'joy

the fame of vict'ories that have pass'd away:

The noble Lusian's stouter breast sing I,

whom Mars and Neptune dared not disobey:

Cease all that antique Muse hath sung, for now

a better Brav'ry rears its bolder brow.

And you, my Tagian Nymphs, who have create

in me new purpose with new genius firing;

if 't was my joy whilere to celebrate

your founts and stream my humble song inspiring;

Oh! lend me here a noble strain elate,

a style grandiloquent that flows untiring;

so shall Apollo for your waves ordain ye

in name and fame ne'er envy Hippokréné.

Grant me sonorous accents, fire-abounding,

now serves ne peasant's pipe, ne rustick reed;

but blast of trumpet, long and loud resounding,

that 'flameth heart and hue to fiery deed:

Grant me high strains to suit their Gestes astounding,

your Sons, who aided Mars in martial need;

that o'er the world be sung the glorious song,

if theme so lofty may to verse belong.