Luís de Camões (c. 1524–1580)

Translated by Robert Southey

WHEN I behold you, Lady! when my eyes

Dwell on the deep enjoyment of your sight,

I give my spirit to that one delight,

And earth appears to me a Paradise:

And when I hear you speak, and see you smile,

Full satisfied, absorb’d, my center’d mind

Deems all the world’s vain hopes and joys the while

As empty as the unsubstantial wind.

Lady! I feel your charms, yet dare not raise

To that high theme the unequal song of praise,—

A power for that to language was not given;

Nor marvel I, when I those beauties view,

Lady! that He, whose power created you,

Could form the stars and yonder glorious heaven.