Littell's Living Age/Volume 149/Issue 1921/Em quanto quiz Fortuna que tivesse

by Camoens

Em quanto quiz Fortuna que tivesse

While Fortune willèd that for me remain
     Some grateful esp'rance of some glad content,
     The joys of gentle thought a longing lent
To pen life's pleasures and depaint its pain;

But Cupid, fearing lest such writ contain
     Lere for the judgments Love hath never shent,
     With darkling tortures 'gan my wits torment
That of his treach'ry I should ne'er complain.

O ye, whom Love's obligeance may subject
     To divers wills! whenso ye read thereof
          Bound in one booklet cases so diverse,

(Which all be truthful; facts without defect,)
     Learn that according as ye have the love,
          So shall ye have the lore, of this my verse.