“This the foundation-stone sublimely laid 1
Of the Braganza House, illustrious strain,
Which in estate and grandeur all outweigh’d
Whatever vaunts the high Hispanian reign.
Seest thou him, who with the stout Armade
Cutteth th’ Hesperian sea, forthwith to gain
His brave objective; wends this stout pretender
Azamor town to fight and gar surrender?
2
“He o Duque Dom Gemes, derivado
Do tronco antiguo, e successor famoso,
Que o grande feito emprende, e acabado
A Portugal dá volta victorioso;
Deixando desta vez tão admirado
A todo o mundo, e o Mouro tão medroso,
Qui inda atégora nunca ha despedido
O grão temor entonces concebido.
“’Tis ducal Gemes, ’heriting from his sires 2
Of old nobility a name memorious,
Who does this mighty deed; and ’s high desires
Fulfilled, to Portugale returns victorious.
This time a valour which the world admires
Leaveth the Moorman in such fear inglorious,
Who to the Present is nowise relievèd
Of the cold burthen in the Past conceivèd.
3
“E se o famoso Duque mais ávante.
Não passa co’a catholica conquista,
Nos muros de Marrocos, e Trudante,
E outros logares mil á escala vista;
Não he por falta de animo constante,
Nem de esforço, e vontade prompta e lista;
Mas foi poi não passar o limitado
Término, per seu rei assignalado.”
“And, if the famous Duke forbore as wont 3
Catholick conquests farther still to bear,
Unto Marocco’s mures and Terudant,
And other thousand thorpes the Haven near;
Deem not his constant soul of spirit scant,
Or wanting energy or slow to dare;
’Twas that his loyalty to cross declinèd
The certain limits which his King assignèd.”