Page:Os Lusíadas (Camões, tr. Burton, 1880), Volume 1.djvu/44

18 "For, did not Reason in this matter show herself the victim of unmeasure'd fear, better beseems it Bacchus love bestow on Lusus' children, once his comrade dear: But, let this vain and splen'etick purpose go, since bred of evil stomach; for 't is clear that alien envy ne'er shall turn to woes what weal men merit, and the Gods dispose.

"And thou, O Sire of surest constancy! from the determined purpose of thy mind turn thee not backwards; weakness 't were in thee now to desist thee from the thing design'd. Send forth thine agile herald, Mercury, fleeter than trimmèd shaft, or winnowing wind, and show, some happy hythe where Rest shall joy all weary breasts with news of India nigh."

As thus he said, the Sire of sov'ereign might assented, nodding grave his awful head to Mars' opinion, ever fain of fight, and o'er the Council show'ers of nectar shed. The Galaxy, the pathway glowing bright, the Deities all disparting rose to tread; royal obeisance making, and the road each took returning to his own abode.