Urania-Venus,[1] queen of sacred love,
Arose and fixed her asking eyes on Jove:
Her eyes, well pleas'd, in Lusus' sons could trace
A kindred likeness to the Roman race,
For whom of old such kind regard she bore;[2]
The same their triumphs on Barbaria's shore,
The same the ardour of their warlike flame,
The manly music of their tongue the same.[3]
Affection thus the lovely goddess sway'd,
Nor less what fate's unblotted page display'd;
Where'er this people should their empire raise,
She knew her altars would unnumber'd blaze,
And barbarous nations at her holy shrine
Be humaniz'd and taught her lore divine.
- ↑ Urania-Venus.—We have already observed, that an allegorical machinery has always been esteemed an essential requisite of the Epopœia, and the reason upon which it is founded has been pointed out. The allegorical machinery of the Lusiad has now commenced; and throughout the poem the hero is guarded and conducted by the celestial Venus, or divine love. The true poetical colouring is thus supported and preserved: but in illustration of this, see the preface, and the note on the allegory of Homer, at the end of the sixth Lusiad.
- ↑ For whom of old.—See the note in the second book on the following passage:
As when in Ida's bower she stood of yore, &c.
- ↑ The manly music of their tongue the same.——Camoens says,
E na lingoa, na qual quando imagina,
Com pouca corrupçao cré que he Latina.
Qualifications are never elegant in poetry. Fanshaw's translation, and the original, both prove this:
————————————their tongue
Which she thinks Latin with small dross among.
