Page:Os Lusíadas (Camões, tr. Burton, 1880), Volume 1.djvu/39

 "Immortal Peoples of the starlit Pole, whose seats adorn this constellated sphere; if the stout Race of valour-breathing soul from Lusus springing still to thought be dear, Your high Intelligences lief unroll the writ of mighty Fate: her will is clear, this Deed to cold Oblivion's shade shall doom the fame of Persia, 'Assyria, Greece, and Rome.

"To them 't was erst, and well you wot it, given, albeit a Pow'r so single, simple, small, to see the doughty Moor from 'trenchments driven where gentle Tagus feeds and floods the vale: Then with the dreadful Spaniard have they striven, by boon of Heav'n serene ne'er known to fail; and urged their fortune's ever-glorious claim to victor-trophies hung in fane of Fame.

"Godheads! I leave that antique fame unsaid, reft from the race of Romulus their foes; when, by their warrior Viriátus led, so high in Roman wars their names arose: Eke leave I mem'ries which to meritèd Honour obligèd when for chief they chose that perfect Captain, erst a peregrine foe, who feign'd a Dæmon in his milk-white Doe.