Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Asia: Vols. XXI–XXIII. 1876–79. | | | | India: Siam | | Siam | | Luís de Camões (c. 1524–1580) |
| | (From The Lusiad)
Translated by W. J. Mickle
WHERE to the morn the towers of Tava shine, | |
| Begins great Siam’s empire’s far stretched line. | |
| On Queda’s fields the genial rays inspire | |
| The richest gust of spicery’s fragrant fire. | |
| Malacca’s castled harbor here survey, | 5 |
| The wealthful seat foredoomed of Lusian sway. | |
| Here to their port the Lusian fleet shall steer, | |
| From every shore far round assembling here | |
| The fragrant treasures of the Eastern world: | |
| Here from the shore by rolling earthquakes hurled, | 10 |
| Through waves all foam, Sumatra’s isle was riven, | |
| And mid white whirlpools down the ocean driven | |
| To this fair isle, the golden Chersonese, | |
| Some deem the sapient monarch ploughed the seas, | |
| Ophir its Tyrian name. In whirling roars | 15 |
| How fierce the tide boils down these clasping shores! | |
| High from the strait the lengthening coast afar, | |
| Its moonlight curve points to the northern star, | |
| Opening its bosom to the silver ray | |
| When fair Aurora pours the infant day. | 20 | | | |
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