This episode begins at the outset of the voyage of Vasco da Gama across unknown oceans. An old man (the Old Man of Restelo) goes down denounce the voyages and the occupants of the ships, arguing that the reckless navigators, driven by greed for fame, glory, and riches, are courting disaster for themselves and the Portuguese people.[2][3]
This is the argument of the Old Man of Restelo against the voyage that Vasco da Gama and his crew were about to undertake:
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94
- "But now an agèd Sire of reverend mien,
- upon the foreshore thronged by the crowd,
- with eyne fast fixt upon our forms was seen,
- and discontented thrice his brow he bow'd:
- His deep toned accents raising somewhat keen,
- that we from shipboard hear him speak aloud,
- with lore by long experience only grown,
- thus from his time-taught breast he made his moan —
95
- "'Oh craving of Command! Oh vain Desire!
- of vainest van'ity man miscalleth Fame!
- Oh fraudulent gust, so easy fanned to fire
- by breath of vulgar, aping Honour's name!
- What just and dreadful judgment deals thine ire,
- to seely souls who overlove thy claim!
- What deaths, what direful risks, what agonies
- wherewith thou guerd'onest them, thy fitting prize!
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96
- "'Thou dour disturber of man's sprite and life,
- fount of backsliding and adultery,
- sagacious waster, and consummate thief
- of subjects, kingdoms, treasure, empery:
- They hail thee noble, and they hail thee chief,
- though digne of all indignities thou be;
- they call thee Fame and Glory sovereign,
- words, words, the heart of silly herd to gain!
97
- "'What new disaster dost thou here design?
- What horror for our realm and race invent?
- What unheard dangers or what deaths condign,
- veiled by some name that soundeth excellent?
- What bribe of gorgeous reign, and golden mine,
- whose ready offer is so rarely meant?
- What Fame hast promised them? what pride of story?
- What palms? what triumphs? what victorious glory?
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- Os Lusíadas, Canto IV, 94-97: Burton's translation (1880)[4]
Portuguese original |
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94
- Mas um velho, de aspecto venerando,
- Que ficava nas praias, entre a gente,
- Postos em nós os olhos, meneando
- Três vezes a cabeça, descontente,
- A voz pesada um pouco alevantando,
- Que nós no mar ouvimos claramente,
- C'um saber só de experiências feito,
- Tais palavras tirou do experto peito:
95
- — "Ó glória de mandar! Ó vã cobiça
- Desta vaidade, a quem chamamos Fama!
- Ó fraudulento gosto, que se atiça
- C'uma aura popular, que honra se chama!
- Que castigo tamanho e que justiça
- Fazes no peito vão que muito te ama!
- Que mortes, que perigos, que tormentas,
- Que crueldades neles experimentas!
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96
- — "Dura inquietação d'alma e da vida,
- Fonte de desamparos e adultérios,
- Sagaz consumidora conhecida
- De fazendas, de reinos e de impérios:
- Chamam-te ilustre, chamam-te subida,
- Sendo digna de infames vitupérios;
- Chamam-te Fama e Glória soberana,
- Nomes com quem se o povo néscio engana!
97
- — "A que novos desastres determinas
- De levar estes reinos e esta gente?
- Que perigos, que mortes lhe destinas
- Debaixo dalgum nome preminente?
- Que promessas de reinos, e de minas
- D'ouro, que lhe farás tão facilmente?
- Que famas lhe prometerás? que histórias?
- Que triunfos, que palmas, que vitórias?
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- Os Lusíadas, Canto IV, 94-97[5]
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