Page:Os Lusíadas (Camões, tr. Burton, 1880), Volume 1.djvu/46

 For look! appeareth a flotilla yonder, mosquito-craft that cleave the rolling tide; and with their flowing sails the surges sunder, from the small island next the cont'inent side: The crews rejoicing, in their hope and wonder could gaze on naught save what their hearts had joy'd. "Who may be these?" each ask'ed him in amaze; "What law be theirs, what ruler, what their ways?"

The boats appearèd in a manner new long-built and narrow-beamed, for swiftness plan'd; mats were the wings wherewith they lightly flew from certain palm-fronds wove by cunning hand: The people wore that veritable hue, Phaeton's boon to many a burning land, when work'ed his rashness on the world such ills: So Padus knows and Lampethusa feels.

They come costumèd all in cotton gear, of hues contrasting, stripèd, chequed, and white; one zone-girt cloth around the waist they wear, other they throw on back in airy plight: Above the waist-band each brown form is bare; dag-targe and matchet are their arms of fight: Scull-cap on head; and, as they wend their way, shriek shrilly shawms, and harsh-voiced trumpets bray.