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Bilac, Olavo: The Portuguese Language (Lingua Portuguesa in English)

Portre of Bilac, Olavo

Lingua Portuguesa (Portuguese)

Última flor do Lácio, inculta e bela,
És, a um tempo, esplendor e sepultura:
Ouro nativo, que na ganga impura
A bruta mina entre os cascalhos vela...

Amo-te assim, desconhecida e obscura.
Tuba de alto clangor, lira singela,
Que tens o trom e o silvo da procela,
E o arrolo da saudade e da ternura!

Amo o teu viço agreste e o teu aroma
De virgens selvas e de oceano largo!
Amo-te, ó rude e doloroso idioma,

em que da voz materna ouvi: "meu filho!",
E em que Camões chorou, no exílio amargo,
O gęnio sem ventura e o amor sem brilho!



Uploaded byP. T.
Source of the quotationhttp://www.releituras.com

The Portuguese Language (English)

Last flower of Latium, wild, uncultured, fair,
You are, at once, both splendor and the grave:
Pure gold, the gangue's impurities don't bare
A mine that´s veiled 'mid rocks and graveled.

I love you thus, unknown, obscure and hidden,
A blaring trumpet, lyre of guilelessness,
Whose fury's like the sea that's tempest ridden,
Whose lullabies are love and tenderness!

I love your lush green woods and perfume wrung,
From virgin jungles and expansive sea!
I love you, rude and sorrowful native tongue,

In which my mother said: "dear son of mine!"
In which Camões bemoaned, grieved exile he,
His luckless genius and love's tarnished shine!



Uploaded byP. T.
Source of the quotationhttp://www.antoniomiranda.com.br

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