Por cima destas águas, forte e firme, irei por onde as sortes ordenaram, pois por cima de quantas me choraram aqueles claros olhos pude vir-me. Já chegado era o fim de despedir-me, já mil impedimentos se acabaram, quando rios de amor se atravessaram a me impedir o passo de partir-me. Passei-os eu com ânimo obstinado, com que a morte forçada e gloriosa faz o vencido já desesperado. Em que figura ou gesto desusado pode já fazer medo a morte irosa, a quem tem a seus pés rendido e atado?
Tears
Over these waters I sail to whatever lies ahead, to whatever the Fates desire, since I’ve already, somehow, managed to survive the watery tears that fell from my lover’s eyes. It was time to leave: a thousand troubles were, at last, overcome on that sad departure day, but then her streams of love obstructed my way, trying to keep me from sailing away from her. But with obstinate will, I passed through her tears, like one, already doomed, who calmly foresees his death with the fearless despair of certain defeat. So how, when angry, ravenous Death appears, will he attempt to frighten me, when he’s finally got me bound and prostrate at his feet?
translated by: William Baer