Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Holland: Vols. XIV–XV. 1876–79.

Portugal: Mondego, the River

Mondego

By Antonio Ferreira (1528–1569)

Translated by John Adamson

TO thy clear streams, Mondego, I return

With renovated life and eyes now clear.

How fruitless in thy waters fell the tear,

When Love’s delirium did with me sojourn,—

When I, with face betraying anguish deep,

And hollow voice, and unsuspecting ear,

Knew not the danger of the mountain steep

Whereon I stood,—of which my soul with fear

The memory chills! Seducing wiles of Love!

’Neath what vain shadows did you hide my fate,—

Shadows that swiftly passed the happier state

Which now this breast enjoys! Now peace I prove;

For smiling day succeeds the clouds of night,

And sweet repose, and joys, and prospects bright.