Chapter IX: Canto X

ARGUMENT OF THE TENTH CANTO.

Tethys inviteth the Navigators: The Siren’s prophetick Song, wherein she toucheth upon the principal achievements and conquests of the Portugueze Viceroys, the Governors, and the Captains in India until the days of D. Joam de Castro: Tethys with Da Gama ascendeth a Mount, whence she showeth him the Spheres, terrestrial and celestial: Description of the Globe, especially of Asia and Africa: The Navigators quit the Island; and, pursuing their Voyage, happily reach Lisbon.

ANOTHER ARGUMENT.

_Ás mesas de vivificos manjares,
Com as Nymphas os Lusos valerosos,
Ouvem de seus vindouros singulares
Façanhas, em accentos numerosos:
Mostra-lhes Tethys tudo quanto os mares,
E quanto os ceos rodeam luminosos,
A pegueno volume reduzido,
E torna a frota ao Tejo tão querido._

At tables spread with life-restoring food, }
’Companied by their Nymphs, the Lusians bold } (1–74)
Hear of their Future singular and good, }
And daring deeds in number’d verses told: }
Tethys displays them all that Ocean-flood } (75–143)
Girdeth, and circleth Heaven’s luminous fold, }
Dwarfed to a scanty volume; when the Fleet } (144–end)
Homewards her well-loved Tagus flies to greet. }