M

A
E
C

I R A

YLI P S

TH E H O NE

LE GE N D

O F

Y
\

0
6
O

B R A Z

BY

J DE A L E N C A R
.

THE

g A U TH O R S
'

PE RM I S S I O N,

BY

I S A BE L

BU RT O N

LO N D O N
BI C K

ERS

S O N,

LE I C E S T ER S Q UARE

I
1

88 6

N T YN E H A N S O N A N D C O
E D I N BU R GH A N D LO N DO N

BA LL A

PR E FA C

S
allow my readers to r ema i n i gnorant o f th e
name of S enh o r J de Alen ca r the auth o r of this and
seve r al othe r works ; fo r h e dese r ves t o b e as we l l
known i n E ngland as i n B razil an d it m ust b e th e
r esult o f the usual m odesty o f a really cleve r m a n that
he is n o t so
H e is th ei r r st p r o se an d r om ance w rite r His
style written i n th e b est P ort u gues e o f th e present

day o n e to be learn t an d copie d is i n th o r o u gh

good taste an d feeling I t contains poetic an d
delicate t o uches and beauty i n si m iles yet i t is real
and tru e to life
I cannot th ank h im su f cien tly fo r h aving all o wed
s o incom peten t a t r anslator as m yself t o be the rst
t o int r o duce h i m t o th e B r itish public I have e n
d e av o u r e d to b e a s lit e r al as p oss i ble bu t I cann ot
pretend to d o h im j ustice , fo r o u r h arsh Northern
tongue only tells c o a r sely a tale full o f g r ace an d
m usic i n th e Po r tu gu e s e langu age ; b u t I have
I

C A NNO T

P R E FA C E

iv

don e m y best and i f h e perm it s m e t o tran slate

all h i s works I hop e to do bette r as I go o n
especially i f he will aga i n as h e has already do n e
give m e i nst r ucti o n s i n T u py th e language o f
t he ab o r igin e s
I SAB E L B U RT O N
,

TO S

S AN

S Ko

P A U LO B RA Z I L
,

H I S T O R I C A L A R GU M E NT

T H I S lege nd of the abo ri gines is laid i n Cear a a

n or t hern provin ce o f B razil at that ti m e unknown
and u ncon que r ed
I n 1 603 Pero Co elh o a gentle m an o f Pa r ahyb a
anothe r n orthe r ly provi nce the n already belong i ng t o
th e Portuguese a r rived at th e m ou t h o f th e r iver
Jagu aribe i n C ear a with a comman d o f 8 0 colonists
an d 8 00 I ndian s H e th ere founded t h e rst settle
m e nt i n Cea ra an d calle d it Nova L i sboa
Th i s Pe r o Coelh o was aband o ne d by his c o m r ades
whe n a certai n Jo ao S o ro m e n h o was s ent to h im with
r einfo r cem ents an d w as au th o rised t o pay th e e x
p enses o f t h e expedition by m ak i ng captives o r sl aves
H e did n ot r espect eve n th e I ndian s o f th e Jagua r ibe
r ive r wh o we r e frie ndly t o th e Portug u ese
This p r oved th e downfall o f the growi ng settl e m ent
The natives r esente d s uch ty r an ny Pe r o C o elh o
w i th h is wife and y o ung childr e n was c o mpelled to
y by land to h is o w n p r o vince
I n th e rst exped i ti o n was M a r ti m S o a r es M oren o
a youth fr om Rio G r ande d o Norte anothe r n o r ther l y
,

H I S T O R I C A L A RG U M E N T

vi

prov i nce belong i ng to the P ortuguese H e entered

i nto bonds o f frie ndshi p with Jac a iin a and h i s brother
Poty wh o were ch i efs of th e I ndians o f the seaboard
I n 1 608 by orde r o f Do m D i ogo M enezes h e r e
turne d to establ i sh a co l ony an d i n 1 61 1 h e fou nde d
the fortie d place of Nossa S enhora do Amparo or

O u r Lady of Protection
c
a
i
i
na
wh
o
l
i
ve
d
on
th
e
b
orders
f
Ac
a
rac
u
a
o
J

f
Rive r o t h e H e r o n s nest
set t le d n ear i t with
h i s t r ibe to protect i t from th e I nd i ans of th e i nterior
an d fr o m th e French wh o the n i nfested the c o as t
Poty eventually b ecam e a Christian an d was bap
t iz e d Antonio Phelipe Camarao
H e h i ghly distin
u is h e d h i msel f wh e n th e D utch invaded the coast
g
an d h is se rv i ces we r e richly rewarded by t h e Po r t u
u
s
e
e Governmen t
g
M arti m S oares M o reno becam e a Field Marshal
an d was o n e o f thos e brave Portugues e leade r s wh o
delive r e d Braz i l from the Hollander i nvasion Cear a
sh o u ld h onou r h i s m e mory as that o f a go o d an d
va l iant m an an d th e r st settlemen t by Coelho at
th e m outh of th e Jaguar i be hav i ng p r o v ed a fa i l u re
h old hi m to b e her t r u e fo u nder
My readers will better u nderstand this tale by my
explaining th at th e Py tig u ara s were an ab or i ginal
trib e wh o occupied th e shores betwee n Pa r nahyba a nd
the Jaguaribe o r Rio Grande
Thei r ch iefs were Ja c atin a an d Po ty (afterwards

Camarao the
tw o b r others wh o were rm
a l l i es to the Portuguese They were at wa r with th e
T a b aj ar as another trib e o ccupying th e m o untai ns of
.

H I S T O R I C A L A RG U M E N T
I b ya p a b a,

v ii

and th e interior as fa r as th e province

of

P i auhy
The Chi efs of th ese inlan d people were also two
The rst was I r a p iiam which translate d i nto Portu

u e se
r
means
M
el
Redondo
Roun d H oney a
o
g
wild a n d v i cio u s bee o f th at nam e Th i s fam ou s
bl o odth i rsty ch i ef ru l ed i n Cear a b u t Gr a o De ab o
Big D ev i l was Lord of the T a b aj ar a s i n Piauhy Bo t h
were bitter e ne m i es o f th e Portuguese an d allie d
themselves w it h th e F r en ch o f Maranh ao an othe r
C
n or t h erly p ro v m ce wh o h ad pe netrated i nto and
take n possess i on o f th e lands a s fa r as the m ou ntain
r ange o f I b ya p a ba
.

I R A

E
M
C

A PT E R I
H
E

.
1

W I LD g ree n se as o f my Native Land wh ere si ng s th e

1
2
J and ai a b i rd i n th e fronds o f th e Carna uba palm
Green seas wh ich spar kl e l ik e l i qu i d em e r al d in th
rays of th e orient s u n as ye stretch alon g the sno wy
beaches shaded by th e cocoa t r e e
Be st i ll y e green seas ! an d gently smo o th th e im
u s wave t h at yon ventu r esom e barqu e m a s o ftl
u
o
e
t
p
y
y
glide o v e r th y wate r s
3
Where goes that ha r dy Ja n g ada raft which r ap idly
ies fro m th e Cear a coas t with her b r o ad s ail s p rea d
to t h e fresh br e eze o f land ?
Wh ere goes it , like th e wh ite h alcy o n se eking his
native rock in th e o cean sol i tudes
Three be i ngs b r eath e u po n that fr ag ile plank wh i ch
sc u ds so swiftly o u t far i nto th e open s ea
A wa rr i o r you t h wh ose pale ski n betoke ns t ha t th
blood o f the I ndians does n o t colou r his ve i ns 3 a
,

ll y e ll w r ed a n d g r e e n
C a m a u ba a we l l k no w n Braz ili a n p a l m o f l a rg e s iz e w it h
m a n y t h orn y b ran ch e s a l l t h e w a y u p th e t ru nk i ns t e a d o f b e in g
Wh
E ach b ra n ch t ip is lik e a fa p a l m
p l a i n a n d s m o o th
y o u n g it h s a l a rg e fru it fu ll o f o il wh i ch is g iv e n t o p ig s an d
ca ttl e
W h e n g o wn u p it s fa n l e a ve s d ri ed th a t ch t h e h o u s s
a n d m ak e h a t s
nd m ats
its th o r n y b ran c h e s a r e u se d fo r s t a k e s
it l s o h a s a de li ci u s s m ll b l a ck fru it a d fro m o t h er p art s t h y
ex t ra ct w a x fo r m kin
l
a
m
a
u
a
n
t
h
e
C
b
a
es
d
c
g
3
ng a a a a r ft
f
1

f a na dia is

a sm a

n-

en

I R AQ E M A

child and a m a s tiff wh o both r st saw the ligh t i n the

cradle o f th e fores t and wh o spo r t like b r o thers th e
sons o f th e sam e savage s o il
The inte r mittent breathings fr o m t he sho r e waft an
ech o which rising h igh ab o ve the ripple of the waves
sou nds fo rth
I rag m a l
Th e young wa rr i o r leaning against the m ast r ais es
h is eyes which are xed up o n th e eeting outlin e o f
the shadowy sho r e Fr o m time to t i m e h i s s i gh t b e
1
m m es dim and a tear falls upon th e G i r a o b ench
where frolic th e two in noce nts the compani o ns o f his
misfo rtune
At such m o m e nts h i s soul ies to his lips i n a bitte r
smile
What left he in th at land o f e xile ?
A tale wh i ch t h ey told m e on the beautiful plains
that saw m y b irt h during the hus h of n i ght wh ilst th e
m oon sa i l i ng through th e he avens silvered the pra i ries ;
wh i lst th e b r eezes m u rm ured am i d the palm gro ves
The wind freshens
The surf rolls i n h i gher bill o ws Th e ba r que leaps
u pon th e waves disappea r s on th e horizon Wide
yawns the waste of waters The st o rm broods c o ndor
l i ke with dusky wings over th e abyss
God keep thee safe s t out b arque amidst the b o il
ing billows
God stee r t h ee to s o m e fr i endly bigh t I
M ay softer b r eeze s waft thee and fo r thee m ay th e
calm j aspe r seas be like plain s o f milk
B ut whilst th ou s ail e s t thus at the m ercy o f th e
winds gracefu l b arque waft back to that wh i te beach
2
s om e o f the yearn i ng t hat accompan ies thee bu t
which m ay not leave the lan d t o wh i ch i t retu r ns
,

so r t o f ru de b e n ch fo r s itti ng u p o n in th e Jan g ad a ra ft
2
Ye a rn i n in th e o rig i n a l s a uda dea n u n t ra n s l a t a b l e Po r tu
g u e s e w o r d fo r wh i ch w e h a v e n o e q u iva l e n t ; it m e a n s a s o ft
a ce
a
s a d r e g re t fo r s o m e p e r s o n
l
h
o
r
p
p p y ti m e m i ss e d a n d
as t in fa c
t h e L a ti n des zden u m
p
1

Gzr do,
'

'

'

'

I RA cE M A

C HAPT E R I I

FA R , ve ry fa r fro m that Se r ra which pu r ples the h o r i

zon was born I ra g m a

1
I r a c ema the virgin with the honey lips wh ose h a ir
2
hanging below he r palm like wais t was j etty a s the
3
Gra una bird s wing
4
The comb o f the J etty bee was less sweet t h an h e r
smile an d her b r eath e xcelled the pe r fume exh aled by
5
t he vani l la o f the w oo ds
Fleete r than th e w ikl r oe th e dark vi rg i n wande r ed
6
freely th r ough the p l ains and fore sts of I p ti where
7
he r warl ik e tribe a pa r t o f the great Tabaj ar a nation
lay w ig w a m e d He r subtle naked fo ot sca r cely p r esse d
to e ar t h the thi n green garm ent wi t h wh ich the early
r ains clothe th e gro u nd
O ne day when t he s u n was i n mid day h eigh t sh e
was r epos i ng i n a fo r est clearing The shade o f th e
8
m ore re freshing than th e de w o f nigh t ,
O ityc ica
bathed h er fo r m The a r m s o f th e wild acacia dropped
their blossoms U p on her wet ha ir The b irds h i d den
i n th e fo l iage sang for he r t hei r sweetest songs
I ra c em a left the bath Pea r l dr o ps o f wate r sto od
9
up o n he r li k e th e sweet Mang a b a wh ich blus hes i n
.

lit e ra lly m e n s Li p s o f H o n e y
2
I i n s s p e aki n g o f a t a ll s t r ig h t g ra ce fu l g ure
s e t h e p a l m t r e e a s a s i m il e
r
lly
n
e
a
u
e
g
3 G a zin a i s a b i r d k n o w n b
y it s h i i ng b l ack p l u m a g e a d
1

[r a pe m a
T he nd

i is a littl e b e e w h i ch m ak e s d e li ci ou s h o n e y
5
h e v a n ill a t re e , Ba u m l lza

3
I f a , a d i s t ri c t in C e a ra, in whi ch th e r e we r e sp o t s o f w o n de r
fu ll fe rtil e l a n d
y

7
Ta baj a r a lit e ra lly m e a n s
L o rd o f th e V ill ag e s
3
O ily/d ad , a l e a fy t re e who s e sh a de e xh a l e s a d e li ci o u s fre s h
4

c ty

'

SS

M a ng da ,

t r e e r e se m b l e s

fru it o f t h e M a n g ab e i ra ,
in dia r u b b e r
th e

th e

m ilk

of

hi ch

I n A cE M A

the r e fr eshing dawn dew Wh ilst r eposing sh e r e t s

/ 1
h e r arrows w i th the plumes o f th e Ga r t whilst s h e
2
j oi ns i n th e j o yous s ong o f the fo rest Sab ia perch ed
i n th e nea r est bough
/ 3
A be autiful Ar 1 h e r co mpani o n an d fri e nd play s
nea r he r No w the b i rd cli mbs th e b ranch e s an d
calls t h e virg i n by h er na me ; the n h e slip s dow n an d
4
o f c o l ou r e d straw i n w hich
shak es t h e l i ttle satc hel
t h e wild ma i d carr i es he r pe r fum es h er Whi te th re ads
5
6
he r nee dles of Ju s sara th o rn w ith
of t he C r au tai
wh i ch sh e w ork s th e g rass cloth an d her dye s tha t
s erve to t i nge th e cotton
A susp i cio u s no i s e b r ea ks th e s o ft h arm ony o f th e
siesta
I ra c em a r a ises t h e eye s w h ic h no s un can
dazzl e and h er sight is trou b led
Sta ndi ng be fore her a bs orbe d i n ga zin g u pon h er
is a st rang e war r io r if ind e e d it is a warr i o r and no t
7
H is fac e is white a s
s ome ev i l S p i r i t of th e forest
the sa nds th a t b ord e r t h e s e a his e y e s are s adly bl ue
as the deep
He be ar s u n know n we apo ns, and is cla d
in u nknown cl o t h s
Rapid a s h e r e y e gla n c e w as the ac tion o f I rag ma
An arrow sho t from the b o w a n d re d drops r an d o wn
th e fac e of the u nknow n
-

c,

C a r d o r Gu a r d, th e i b i s of Braz i l, a b i rd o f th e m a rshe s, w i t h
b e a u ti fu l r e d co l o u r

2
S a bza , a w e l l k n o w n b i rd ab o u t t h e s i z e o f o u r t hrus h , w h i c h
I t is t h e
s i ng s b e au ti fu lly , a n d ca n b e t au g h t l ik e a b u l l n ch ,
n i g h ti n g a l e , t h e b u l b u l o f S o u t h Am e r i c a
3 A
7 4 p a r ro q uet
,
4
I h a v e ca ll e d it s a t ch e l , b u t it is a littl e c o ffer o r
Um
b a s k e t , in wh i ch t h e s a v a g e s k e e p th e i r t re a su r es , a n d w h ic h

a cco m p a n i e s th e m a s d o e s a l a d y s d r ess ing cas e in E u rO p e

5
C r rw t a , a b r o m e lia o r w i ld p i ne -ap p l e , fr o m w h i ch ar e dr a w n
b re s n e r th a n t h re a d

5
n s, w h i ch ar e u s e d h er e e v e n
o
u s s dr a , a
e
l
w
it
h
l
r
t
h
r
a
a
m
g
p
j
in the s e d ay s to d ivi de t h e thre a ds in m a ki n g l a ce
7
M aia esp ir il o daor es ta T h e n a tiv e s ca ll e d tho s e e vil s p i r it s

T h os e w ho lived in t h e
C ad -p a r a , : an in vi s i b l e m i s for tu n e
fo r e s t we re m o s t fe a r e df
l
1

'

'

I RA C EMA

th e r st i mpuls e h is n imble h and S ought h is

s wo r dc r os s but pre se n tly h e s m iled
The y ou ng wa r rio r h ad be e n b r ough t up i n th e
rel i g i on o f h is moth er wh e r ein Wo m an i s a S y mb o l o f
tenderness a n d lo v e H e s u ffer ed m o r e in h is soul
than fro m his wou nd
W ha t exp re ss i o n w as i n his eye and wh ole face
w h o knows ?
B ut it m ade t h e v ir g i n ca st aw ay her
1
b o w and U ira g ab a an d ru n to the w arr io r p ai ned at
the p a i n s h e had caus e d The h and s o swift to strik e
m ore r apidly and ge n t ly stau nch e d the d rip p ing str ea m
Then Ira c em a bra k e th e m iir de r o u s arro w S h e
o ffer ed th e sha ft t o t h e u nkno wn an d sh e k e p t the
barbed point
Th e w arri o r S poke
2
D ost th ou break w it h m e th e arro w of p ea ce ?

Wh o t au g h t th e wh ite warr i o r th e t o ng ue o f
I ra g m a s brethren ?
H ow cam e he t o th es e fo re sts ,
w h i ch n eve r saw oth e r w arr i o r l i ke to him

D aughter of th e forests I come fro m afa r : I

co me fro m t h e land wh i ch thy broth ers o nce p os

sessed an d wh ere i n m ine n ow d w ell

Welcome b e the st r anger t o t h e Pr airi e of t h e

Tab aj ara s L o rds o f th e Vi l la g es a nd to t h e W i gwa m
o f Ara ke n fath e r o f I r a m a
g
At

C HAPT E R I I I

st r ange r follow ed th e v i rgi n th r ough t h e glades

Whe n th e last s u n r ays fell upon th e cr e st o f t h e

T HE

lj v

q iv

U zr a ia (a a a ) , u e r fo r a rro ws
2
Gu ebr a r a f r eclza
T o b re a a n a rro w w h a n n d a n w a s
a n ce w h ch c o u d n o t b e b r o en
I t w a s ow ng
a b on d o f a
t o h s c rcu m s a n c e , a n d t o M a r m S o a re s M o r e n o h r o w n g
h is E u ro p e a n co s u m e , a n d d r ess n g a n d p a n ng
ke t h e
a wa
Re d M e n , e n e r n g a s o n o t h e r cu s om s a n d a ng u a g e , h a h e
a c u r e d s u ch a n i n u e n ce o e r h e m
1

'

t i
y

q i

lli

t i

i t

i
v t

ti

t
.

it

i ti

li
t t

i
i

I RA cE M A

m ountains a n d th e tur t le dove cooed forth her rst

l ament fro m t h e forest depth s th ey sighted upon th e
1
pla i n beneath th em t h e great Taba ; farther o n
h ang i ng as it were fro m a rock u nde r the shade o f
3
2
the lo fty Jo a s e ir o the wigwam o f t h e Pag
The ancient m an was seated at the doo r way upo n
a m at o f Carna uba sm ok i ng an d m editat i ng on t h e
4
sacred rite s o f Tupan
The gentle brea t h o f t h e
breez e utte r ed h i s h air long thin an d wh i te
as ocks of wo o l S o statue like w a s he th a t l i fe
only appea re d in his hollow sunk e n eyes and deep
wrinkles
The Pa g e descried n eve r theless fro m afar th e two
forms advan cing h e t h ough t towards a sol it ary tree
wh ose dense fol i age was cast i ng a lon g shadow adown
t h e valley b efore him
Whe n t h e travelle r s en te r e d t h e deep gloo m o f th e
wood h i s e y e m ade like t h e tiger s fo r darkness
recognise d I rag m a and s aw tha t she was followed
by a young warrior o f a strange r ace and a fa r o ff
land
5
Th e Tabaj a ra tribes beyon d I b y a p ab a were full
o f a new race o f wa rr iors pale as th e owe r s o f th e
6
storm an d coming from th e remotest shores to th e
7
banks o f th e M ea ri m
Th e old m an though t tha t it
was one o f these warrio r s wh o tr o d his native gr ou nd
Calmly he awaited
-

vill ag e s ettl e m e t
2
oa sez o a t r e e wh i ch
p rod u ce s th e j oa fru it th e j uj u b e
f
3
P ag p r i e s t Dru i d , m a g i ci a n s o o t h sa y e r o r fe ti sh m a
4
Tu f a n t h e Gre a t S p i r it Thu n d r an d s i nce t h e i r co n
v e r i o n th e C o n se cra t e d H o s t o f th e T u p y I n di an s
I by ap ba t h e S e rr a o r m o u n t a i n r an g e wh i ch b o u n d s t h e
n ce o f C e a ra a n d se a ra t e s it fro m Pi a u h y
r
vi
p
p
6 I n th e r i i n l (2 1w : c m o o e: de bor r as ca
h
e y s ea k o f
T
g
p

w h it e c l o u d s a n n o u c i n g a t o r m a n d t h i s i lit e ra lly
wh it e
t h e o w e r s o f t h e s t o r m
7
M ea zm a r ive r whi ch r i s es in M a ra n h ao a d e m p ti e s
it se l f i n t o th e o ce a n
1

Ta ba ,

'

as

s,

'

I RA C E M A

Th e vi rgin advancing pointed t o t h e st r ange r and

sa i d

H e came fathe r

H e came well
T u p an sent th is g u est to th e

w i g wam o f A ra ke n
1
A n d th u s say i ng the Pa g e passed th e calume t to
the s t ranger and t h ey both e ntered th e w i gwam
The you th took th e pr i ncipal hammock wh i ch was
s u spended in th e cent r e o f the habitat i on I ra c em a
l i gh t e d t he re o f h os p i tal i ty and broug h t o u t food t o
sat i sfy hunger and t h i rs t Sh e produce d the spo i ls
far i nhawate r wild frui t s h oneycombs
o f th e chas e
2
w i n e of th e C aj t i and the pine apple
The virg i n then went to th e nearest spring o f fresh
3
water an d r eturned w i th th e fu l l I g a g aba to wash
th e stranger s hands an d face When the warrio r had
e aten the venerab l e Pag extingu ished th e C a xim b o
and sp oke for th e rst t i m e

4
Thou camest P

I ca m e r eplied the unkn o wn

Th o u e a rn est well Th e st range r is m aste r i n
the wigwam of A ra ke n
Th e T a b aj a r a s h ave a
t housan d wa r riors to defe nd him and wom e n with ou t
n umber to serve hi m
Let h im speak an d all wi l l

obey h im
Pa g e I thank thee fo r thy h o spitality
As so o n
as t h e su n shall be bo r n I leave thy w i gwa m an d thy
1
C a l u m e t o r i g i n a l cax zm bo t h e p i p e o f h o s p it a lity
2
C aj u t h e ca sh e w o f I n d i a a t re e w it h a fru it lik e a n
a p p l e : it i s s i n g u l a r b ec au s e u n lik e o t h e r fru it it s n u t is o u t
This
s i d e a t t h e t o p a s if a sch o o l b o y h a d s t u c k it in fo r fu n
m u s t n o t b e co n fo u n d e d w it h t h e C aj a wh i ch i s a n o t h e r B ra z ili an
fru it l ike a y e ll o w p l u m
3
I g a ;dba a l a rg e e a r th e n p o t o r j a r fo r w i n e o r a n y o t h e r
,

'

'

1iq u o r

Waste

Vim
T upy

T he

s a u ta

ti o n

Br a z il ia n

E re w u b
Pa a io tu
A ug e b e
-

ho sp it a lity
E

T u vi e s t e
V im , s im
Be m dit o

of

w as

g l zs lt
'

T h o u cam es t
I ca m e y e s
Be b l e s s e d
.

I RA cE M A

pra i ries wh ere I s tr ayed but I wo u ld no t leave th e m

with out tell i ng th ee who th e wa r rior i s wh om tho u

h ast m ade t h y friend

I t is T u pan wh om th e Pag se rves H e sen t h i m
a guest and h e w i ll t ake h i m away again Ar a ke n
h as as y e t don e noth i ng for h im He does n ot as k
whence h e com es n or wh i the r h e goes I f he would
sl e e p m ay th e h appy dr eam s descend u p o n h i m ; i f
h e wo u ld s peak Ara ke n l i ste ns
The s t ran g er said

I am of the white w arriors wh o r ai s ed a Tab a on

1
t h e ban ks o f t h e Jag u a ri be near t he sea where dwell
2
t he Pytig u ara s wh o hate thy blood
My name is
3
Ma r t i m wh i ch i n thy ton g ue means Son o f a Warr i or
My race is that of the Great People wh o rst sa w th e
4
lands of thy country
E ven n ow my bre t hren , ro u ted
a n d beaten bac k return by se a t o th e m a r g i ns o f th e
5
6
Parahyba whence t hey came, an d my ch i ef aban
7
d o n e d b y a l l crosses t h e vast reg i o n s of the Ap o dy
O f so m any I alon e r ema i n because I was amongst
8
t he Py tig u ara s of th e A ca r a ii i n the w i g wam o f the
val iant Poty broth er o f Jacatin a who plan ted with
m e th e Friendsh ip tre e Thre e su ns have set s i nce
we w e n t fo r th on the hu nting pa t h I lost s i gh t o f
'

t
r iv e r o f th e p r o vi n ce o f C e a ra : fro m
j
p l e n ty
j ag u a r s m a ll ti g e r a n d
Py tig u ar a s t h e g re t I n d i a n n a ti o n w h o i h a b it e d th e l it
t o a l o f t h e p o vi n ce fro m P rah y b a t o R io Gra n de d o N o r t
w h s e ch i e f w e r e P o ty a n d Ja c un a b ro t h e r
a n d r m fr i e n d
f M a r ti m S o e s M o re n
a nd o f a l l t h e P o rt u g u e s e
Th e y
w r e a t w a r w it h t h e T a b aj ara s a n d th e F r e n ch
3 De s e d a n t o f M rs
T h e P rt u g u es e
5
P r a /zy a a p ro vi n ce s ou t h e a s t o f C e ara o n t h e A tl a n ti c
'3
Par a C al /2 0 a d h is p a r ty
7 T h e S er tao de on /zm do o r u n kn o w n r e i o n s o f R io Gr nd
e
g
d o N o r t e th e m o s t n o r t h e a s t e rl y p r o vi n c e o f B ra il o n t h e
A tl a ti c
3
a l s o c a ll e d A c r a a i
A c au o r
S t re a m o f t h e H e ro n
a r iv e r o f C e a r a
S t re a m o f t h e H e r o n s N e s t s
l

ag

ua r ibe,

th e l a g es

e,

ar

o,

sc

ar

s,

'

IO

I RA C E M A

m yste ry

of

dreams Her hand p r epares fo r the Pa g e

th e drink o f Tupan
The Chr is t ian warri o r c r ossed the w i gwam and dis
appeared in th e darkn ess
Th e great village lay i n th e bottom o f th e valley
wh i ch was i ll u minated by bon res Loud rattled t h e
M arac a Th e savages were dancing and bea t i ng t i m e
to the i r slow surg i ng o f th e savage song The in
sp i red Pa g e h eaded the sac r ed rej oici ng an d taugh t
t o th e bel i evers the sec r ets o f Tupan The principal
1
ch i e f o f th e Tabaj a ra nat i on I ra p tiam h ad de
scen ded from the highest po i nt o f th e I b y ap a b a
Serra to lead th e i nlan d tribes against the Pyt ig u ara
foe Th e wa r riors o f th e valley celebrate the a rr ival
o f th e chief an d th e c o ming ght
The Chr i s t i an youth s aw from a far th e g l a r e o f th e
feast re an d walked on gaz i ng at th e d e e p b l u e

2
cloudless s ky Th e D ead Sta r
gl i ttered upon th e
dom e of th e forest and gu i ded h is r m st e p t o wa r ds
th e fresh banks o f the Ac arati
When h e cr o ssed th e valley as if abou t t o enter th e
forest th e gure o f I ra g m a arose before h i m Th e
virg i n had followed th e stranger l i ke th e soft an d
subtle b r eeze which passes through the tangled wood
withou t stir r ing a lea f

h as th e stranger
Whe r e fore sh e mu r m ured
left the Wigwam o f H ospital i ty with out ta k ing w it h
3
h i m th e Gift o f Retu r n P Wh o h armed the pale faced
warrior in th e lan d of th e T a b aj ara s P
.

ll

il

vi i

I r ap u a m w a s t h e ce e b ra e d Ta b a ara ch e f in C e a r a T h e
o r ug u ese,
in E n g s h R o u n d
w o rd m e a n s M el R edon do in
o ne
He w a s so ca e d a f e r a w d a n d c o u s b e e o f h a
n a m e , wh o se h o n e c o m b s r o u n d
I ra p tia m w a s a b o o d h rs
r b e w e re b e r e n e m e s o f th e Py t ig ti a ra s , a n d
c h ic f, a n d h is
h e r a e s the
The su p p o r e d t h e ren ch o f
o r u g u ese
1

t i lli
M ra nhao
a

on
3

ti

P t

P t

'

li

itt

t t
t i ty

t r The y s o ca ll e d th e P l a r st a r
ility a n d it w a th e i r g i d e b y n i g h t
a h o s p it a b l e I n d i a n cu s t o m

E s t r el l a m ar ia , de a d
a ce o u n t o f it s m m o b

0p r a m /e a a

w ita ,

s a

I RA C E M A

1 1

Th e Ch ristian felt th e j ustice o f he r co m pla i nt an d

his own i ng r atitude

D aughter o f Ar ake n ! N o on e h urt th y guest

I t was a long i ng to s e e h is friends wh i ch made him
leave th e pra i ries o f th e T ab aj ara s H e d i d not take
th e Re t urn G i ft but h e car ri es i n h is h e a r t th e mem or y
.

of

I ra g m a

I f th e me m ory o f I r a g m a dwelt i n th e h ea r t o f
th e stra n ge r it w o u l d n ot su ffer h i m to depart The
wind blo ws not away t h e san d of th e desert wh en th e

sand h as drank deep o f th e wate r of r ain

An d th e virg i n s i ghe d

Th e pal e faced warrior sh ould wait till C au by

return s fr om hu nting The brother o f I ra g m a h as
1
quick ears H e can hear th e Bo ic in in g a amidst all
th e n oises o f th e forest H e h a s th e eyes o f th e
2
O it ib which sees best in th e da rk
C a u b y will guide

h i m to th e banks o f the river o f th e h erons

Ho w long w i ll it b e b efore th e b r oth e r of I r a

m
a returns to th e wi g wam o f A rake n ?

Th e r is i n g s u n will b r ing th e w arrio r Canby to

t h e plain s of t h e I p ti

Thy gues t w i ll wa i t daugh ter o f Ar a ke n b u t i f

t h e return i ng sun br i ng n ot th e b r oth e r o f I r a g m a
it will take th e pale faced warrio r to th e Taba o f th e
.

Py t ig

u ar a s

An d M arti m r eturne d to th e cabin of th e Pag e

The white h a m moc k pe r fu m ed by I r ag m a with
3
Be ij o im
gave th e gu est a cal m an d sweet sleep
Th e Ch r ist i a n was l u llabied t o sleep by th e m ur m urs
o f t h e fo r est a n d the low tende r song of th e I ndian
maid
.

1
2

d ru g

Boicin ing
O zZ zbd, a
19372 2 0232 ,
'

'

r a ttl e sn ake
n i g h t b i rd o f t h e o w l fa m ily
in th e o r i g i na l Bezj ozm o r Beij u im
a,

'

an

r r

o do ife o u s

I R AcEM A

z2

C HAPT E R V

T HE Pr airie cock raises his sc a r let crest fr o m o u t his

h om e
H i s clea r tr i ll a nnou nces th e approach o f
-

day
D arkness st ill c o vers the ear t h but al r eady th e
savage p e o p l e r o ll u p th e ham mocks in th e grea t
Taba an d wa l k towar ds the ba t h Th e o l d P age ,
who had wa t ched all n i ght tal k ing to the stars a n d
1
conj ur i ng t h e bad spirits of the dar kness e ntere d
furtively i nto the w i gwam
2
Lo ! thundered forth the B or e lling th e valley
w ith its booming so u nd
Th e act i ve warr i ors se i z e their weapons and rush
to th e pra i r i es ; whe n all we re collec t ed i n th e large
3
a n d circular O c a ra
t h e ch ief I r a p t ia m s oun de d th e
war cry
Tupan gave t o the great Ta b aj a ra nat i o n a l l these
grounds We gua r d t h e S e rr as which S upply w i th
4
wa ter t he r i vers and the fresh I p tis where grows th e
5
man iva and t he cotton We have aba nd on ed t o
6
t h e barbarou s Po ty u ar a E ate rs of Prawns th e naked
san ds o f th e sea w i th the table lands w ant i ng wood
an d wate r Now t hese shers o f th e beach always
con quered give sea way to the wh i te race th e Warr i ors
.

0:

mac:

ar l

'

p zr zto:

da

es

w i ck e d i m p s

C u m p ir a ,
2

'

or

tr w

th e

sa

v ag e s

ca

ll the s e

sp

i rit s

M u r m ea ns

i
p pe

of
,

wh i ch g iv e s o u t a

b am bo o ,

ll o w ro a r i n g so u n d
2
O rri a a c i rc u l a r s p a ce in th e ce n t re o f a vill g e u p o n wh i ch
al l t h e w i g wam s o p e n
l p zl
s m a ll fe r til e o as i s in t h e p ra i r i e s
M m a is t h r o o t o f m a n d i o c wh i c h is l ik e o u p a rs n i p
b u t l rg e r
T h e I d i a n s d y a n d g r i n d it m a k e b re a d o f it
r
e a t it a s f ri n h a (o r)

P ty u a m e an s a
C om ed r a e C a m a r ao
E a t e r o f th e
or
P aw
T h i w a s a s p it e fu l s o u b riq u e t g iv e t th e Py t ig ua a s
b y t h e i r e n e m i e s b e c a u s e t h e y l iv e d o n t h e sh o re s a n d c h i y
ho

a,

n.

a te

sh

'

ar

E
A
R
A
M
C
i

Fi r e

Tupa n Al r e ady t h e E m
2
b
s
b oa a
h ave s too d u pon t he Jaguari b e r ive r Soo n
th ey will be i n th e pra i ries o f th e T a b aj ara s and w it h
the m th e Po t yu aras Sha l l w e L o rds o f th e Villag es
do like the dove wh o h i des i n h er nest w hile t he
,

serpe nt curls h i mself alo ng the branche s ?

The exc i t ed ch i ef bra nd i shes h is to m ah awk 8 and
Bending do w n
h urls i t in t o th e middle o f th e ci rcle
h i s fo r eh ea d h e hid his eyes ru dd y w ith r ag e
I ra

a
h
t
a
m
i
at lengt h he said
s spok e n
p
The y ou ngest o f the warriors advances

Th e Spar r ow hawk h overs in th e ai r When th e

4
Nha m b u r ise s h e falls fr o m the clou ds and tea r s ou t
h is victi m s heart Th e young Tabaj ar a war ri or s o n

o f t he Ser r a is like th e s p a rro w h a w k

5
The Po g e m a o f war thunde r s and r e echoes The
young warr i o r l i fted u p the to mah awk and in his turn
b r a n dished i t Whirled r apidly an d menac i n g l y i n th e
ai r th e chief s weap o n pass ed fr o m hand to han d
T h e ve n e r able A n d ir a brothe r o f the Pag e let i t
fa l l and sta m ped upon t he grou nd with his foo t st il l
rm an d ac t ive
The T a baj ar a s are struc k by this u nusual actio n
A v o te o f p eace fro m s uch a t r ie d a n d i mpetu o us
wa r r i or
Th e o l d he r o wh o gre w to bl oo dshed as h e

grew in years th e fe r ocious A ndi r a is it h e wh o lets

fall t he tomah awk he r ald of the c o ming struggle ?
U nce rt a i n and s i le n t all gave ea r
And ira th e o l d And ira h as drank m ore blood i n

of

t h e e n e mie s o f

re
h
w
rr
i
r
P
a
o
f
r tu u e se
t
e
o
o
s
g
g
2
E m boa os a n a m e g iv e n t o t h e P o rt u g u e se a n d a ft e rw a rd s
t o a l l s t ra n g e rs o n a cco u n t o f t h e i r t ro u s e r s
I t s lit e ra l me a n i g
is a fo wl W ith fe a t h e rs d o wn its l e g s a n d a ll u de s t o th e E u r o p e a n
p a c ti ce o f we a rin g n e t h e r g a rm e n t s
2
Ta mp a t o m ah a wk
N m ba t h e B ra z ili a n p a r t r i dg e
5
P ara n a t h e g re a t n o i s e m a d e by t he s avag e s o n so l e m n
w a r or t r i u mp h
I t c o nsi s t e d o f cl a p p in g the i r
oc ca s i o n s
h a n ds a n d b e a ti n g p a l m s a cco m p a n i e d b y war crie s or s h o u t s
1

Gu er r ezr os

ae

o,

I RA cs M A

wa r than all the se wa rrio rs wh o n o w gladden th e ligh t

1
at t he feasts of Tupan
o f his ey e s have drank C au im
He has see n m ore com b ats i n his life than moon s
wh ich have stripped h i s b r ow H ow many Po ty u ara
skulls has h i s i mp l acable h and s cal ped be fo r e Ti m e
plucked o ff h i s rst hai r ! And old An d ira n eve r
feared that the e nemy would tread h i s n ative
g rou nd ; h e r ej o i ced at the ir coming and as th e
brea t h o f w i nter revives th e d ri ed tree h e felt youth
return to his decrep i d body when he scented t h e wa r
from afa r Th e T a b aj ara s are prudent They w i ll
2
lay as i de the Tomah awk to play the Memby at th e
feast Let I rap tia m celebrate the com i ng o f th e
E mbo a bas and g i ve them al l t i me to swarm u pon ou r
plains The n And ira prom i ses him the b anq u et of

victo r y
I r a p tia m could n o longe r r est r ain h is fu ry

3
The O ld B at can r ema i n hidden amongst th e
wine jars be cause h e fears the li g h t o f day because
h e d r inks the blood on l y of the sleepi ng vict i m
I ra p tia m carr i es the wa r at th e point o f h is toma
h awk The ter r or which h e inspires i es fo r wa r d with
t h e h oarse boom o f the B or e The Po ty u ara already
trembles as h e hea r s it r oaring in the Se rr a roaring
loude r than the reb ounding o f the sea
.

C HAPT E R VI

M A R TI M st r olls pace by pace am ongst th e tall Joa

z e ir o s wh ich enc ir cle th e wig w am of th e Pa e
g
.

C a u im , w i n e o f t h e C aj tt
M em by , h o rn o r t ru m p e t

A n a l r a m e a ns
Ve l ho M o rce g
t a u n t o f I ra p tra m
'

th e

'

o,

or

O l d Ba t

h e nce

I RA C E M A

I t was th e h o u r in wh ich the s w e et Aracaty comes

u p fr om th e sea and spreads ove r th e ar i d plains i ts
d e licious fresh ness The plant breathes an d a gen t le
shiver u praises th e gre e n tresses o f th e forest
Th e Chr i st i an looks upon the setting s u n Th e
shadow gl i d i ng down the mountains and co v er i ng t h e
valley enters i nto h is soul H e thinks o f h i s native
place an d the beloved ones h e h as left beh ind H e
wonde r s i f h e shall som e day s e e them aga i n Na t ure
all r ound bewails the death o f day Mu r murs t h e
tremulous tearful wave m oans the breeze in t h e
foliage ; even silence is so r rowful
I ra g m a st oo d befo r e th e young warr i or
Is it th e presence o f I ra c em a that d i s tu r bs the

peace o f th e stran g er s b r ow ?
M a r tim looke d soft ly i n t h e Virgin s face
No daughter o f A rake n ! thy presence gladde ns
m e l ike the mo r ning light I t was t h e me mory o f my
native land that b r o ugh t a saudade to my anxious soul

A b r ide awaits h i m there ?

The st r ange r averted h is eyes I r ac m a s h ead
sank u pon h er sho u lder l i ke th e tende r palm o f the
C a r na tib a wh en the rain overh angs th e p l a i ns

She is n ot sweete r th an Ira c ema t h e m aiden o f

th e h o nied l i ps n o r m o r e beau t i ful
mu rm ured th e
guest
The fo r est o we r is beautiful when it has a branch
to sh elte r i t a tru n k r ound wh i ch to e ntwin e itse l f
I ra c ema does n o t l i ve in the so u l o f a war r io r She

neve r felt the fresh ness of his smile

Silen t were both ; thei r eyes fell to the g r ound
They heard nought save th e beating o f the i r h earts
,

v
l ly t

i t i
ll
v i
v
i t i
t
q t
l
v i

A r a ca ty , th e s a a g e s o f th e n e r o r s o ca t h e s e a b re e z e s,
o wa rd s t h e e e n n g
w h ch b o w r e g u a r
o e r the
a e
of
t h e Ja g u a r b e , a n d r e fre sh t h e n e r o r a f e r t h e s co r ch n g h e a t
ra ca is th e u a r e r whe n ce co m e s t h e
o f su m m er da s
m o n so o n , a n d in s o m e Br a z a n p a ce s t h e e e n n g s e a b re e z e s
r e a n s ha n a m e
1

t i

t t

ty
ili

v ll y
i

till

1RAcs M A

T he

virgi n wa s th e rst to speak

Gladn e ss sh all soon r eturn t o th e hea r t of t h e

pale fa ced wa r ri o r b e caus e I rag m a wish es that be fore

n i ghtfall h e m ay s e e the b ride wh o exp e c ts h im

M a r t i m smil e d at the you ng g ir l s a r tl e ss w ish
C o m e i said th e v ir g i n
Th e y cr ossed th e fo r est a nd des ce n ded into th e
valley The w oo d w a s th ic k o n th e h ill skirts ; a
de n se do m e o f da r k gree n foliage protected th e
sylv an shri ne dedicat e d t o th e myste ri es o f ba r ba r ous
r i tes
This was th e sac re d wood o f t h e Ju rem a A r o un d
sto o d th e r ugged tr u nks of th e Tupa n t re e fro m th e
bough s h id den by th i c k greene ry h ung the s acr i cial
v ases ; ashes
o f the ext i nct r e
which h ad bee n
used fo r th e feas t o f th e l a s t n ew m oo n st i ll str ewe d
the ground
B efore e ntering this plac e o f m yst e r y the vi r gin ;
wh o w as lea di ng th e w arr io r by th e h an d hes i t a ted
and appl i ed he r subtle ea r t o th e s ig h in g s o f th e
breeze E ach sligh t noise o f th e fo res t had a mean
ing fo r th e w i ld d aughte r of the dese rt H oweve r
the r e was n oth i ng su spic i o u s in the dee p r es p iration
o f t h e forest
I rac ema signe d t o th e stra nge r t o wait an d be
s i len t wh il st she disappeared i n th e thickest o f th e
wo o d T he s u n stil l hu ng ov e r th e m ou nta i n r idg e
an d n ight be gan t o shr o ud th e sol i tary spot
Wh en t h e v irg i n r eturn e d she b r o u gh t in a leaf
so m e drops o f an unk no wn g r ee n l i quor p o ur ed
from an I g ag ab a whic h she h ad t a ken o u t o f th e
grou n d She presented th e r ude b o wl to the warrior

D rink !
M arti m felt a sl e ep l i k e death take p o ssess i on o f
his eyes ; b u t so on h i s soul seemed full of l i ght an d
s t rength exh i la r at e d h i s h ea rt H e l i ved ove r aga i n
days b ette r and h appie r than any th at he had eve r
known H e enj oyed th e re al i ty o f his b righte s t h ope s
.

I R A cEM A

bough s and t h e l eaves were c r ackled by a li g ht ste p

u nless i ndeed the r eport was th e b uzz i ng of som e
i nsect Slo w ly th e soft sound waxed louder an d wi t h
it th e sh adow became da r ker
I t was a warr i o r
With o n e bo u nd th e Vi rg i n con fronted him trem
bling w i t h fear and s t i ll more w i t h wrath
I ra g m a
excla i med the brave r ecoiling
The Anh a nga 1 hath dou b t l ess d i sturbed th e sleep
o f I ra p tia m th at he h as lost h i mself i n the J ur em a
wo o d whe r e n o warrio r enters s ave by th e w il l o f
,

A r a ke n

It

n ot th e An h a nga bu t th e th ough t o f
I r a g m a t hat d i s t urbed the sleep o f t h e bra v est o f
t h e Ta b aj a ra b raves I ra p tia m hath descended fro m
h is eyr i e t o follow u p th e pla i n th e wh i te crane o f t h e
ri ve r
H e cam e an d I ra c em a ed from h is gaze
The voices of th e Taba r ela t ed i n th e h ear i ng of th e
Ch i ef that a st r anger h ad sat u nder the r oof t r ee o f
w as

A r a ke n

Th e virgi n t r embled The wa r rio r xed upon he r

h is burn i n g eyes
The heart here i n I ra p tia m s breast becam e a t i ger s
h eart I t panted w i th rage H e cam e scenting the
quarry

The strange r is i n th i s wood an d I ra g m a a c

compan i ed h i m I r a p tia m w il l dr i nk all h i s b l ood :
when th a t o f th e wh i t e warrio r sh all l l th e ve i ns of
th e Tabaj a ra Ch i e f perh aps th e daughter o f Ara ke n
m ay lo v e h i m
l
The maiden s b ack p u p i ls ashed i n the dar k and
a sm i le of contem pt dropped fro m her l i ps bit t er as
the g ou ts of caust i c m i l k wh i ch th e E u phorb i a sh eds
Never wil l Ira c ema give herself to the basest of
t h e Tabaj a ra braves Th e sp i r i t of T u pan a l one lls
.

A g h o s t is a l s o t h u s ca ll e d,
A a lza n g a , t h e s p i r it o f e vil
t h e w o rd b e i n g c o m p o s e d o f a il /50, a l o n e , a n d a ng a , a s o u l o r
s i r it
Th u s it m e a n s a sp i rit s i m p l y , a p h a n t o m
p

I R A cEM A

b r east Vile is th e vam pire that h ides fr om th e

l i gh t and drinks the blo o d o f t h e sleep i ng vict i m

D augh te r of A rake n ! provoke not th e O unce
l
The name of I ra p tia m ies farthe r than th e Go an a
lak e when h e s cents the rai n beyon d th e
o f th e
m ounta i ns Let th e wh it e wa r rio r appear an d let

Ira c em a open he r arms to th e Vi ctor

The wh ite warr i o r i s th e gu est o f A ra ke n Peace
b r ough t h i m to th e p l a i n s o f I p u a n d peace guards
h i m h e r e Whoso o ffends th e strange r shall o ffen d

th e Pa g e
Th e Ta b aj a ra ch i ef r oa r ed lion l i ke i n h is r age

Th e fury o f I r a p tia m n o w hea r s only th e ven

n ce c r y
The
st
r
ange
r
sh
all
d
i
e
a
e
g

The daugh t er of A ra ke n is stronge r th an the

Chie f of warr i ors

sa i d I r a g m a se i z i ng the wa r

2
trumpet
She h olds h ere the voice o f t h e T u pan

g od wh o calls on h i s people

Bu t s h e w i ll n ot call said th e Chief s co f n g l y

No becaus e I rap tia m sh all be pu n i she d by th e

h an d o f I rag m a H is rst s t ep w i l l b e th e step o f

d ea t h
The vi rgin with o n e bou nd r etreated as m uch as
The ch i ef st i ll
sh e h ad advance d and d r ew h e r b o w
grasped t he h andle o f his fo r m i dable tom ahawk b u t
he felt fo r th e rst tim e that it was h eavy fo r h i s strong
Th e blo w that w a s about to strike I rag m a
ar m
had already wou nded h is o w n h ea r t H e then k new
h o w easily th e st r onges t brave is o u t o f his very
s t rength vanquished by love

Th e shadow of I ra g m a w ill n o t always h i de th e

s trange r fr om th e venge an ce o f I ra p ua m Vile is th e
warr i or wh o allows himself to be protected by a

woman
Thu s saying th e Chie f vanish ed am ongst th e trees
The virgin always o n the watch r etu r ned to th e
1
Goa n d a l arg e s p e ci e s o f w ild d u ck
2
I n t h e o r i g i n a l l n u bza a w a n t ru m p e t o f l a rg e s i ze

h er

'

I R A cE M A

sleeping Christian ; an d guarded hi m fo r th e r est o f

the nigh t The emotion s so l ately unde r gon e agi t ated
he r soul and ri pened a l l th ose swee t affect i ons o f he r
heart which the stran g er s eyes h ad quickened to l i fe
Sh e lo n ged to protect h i m from all peril to shelte r
h i m as th ough she w ere an i m pe netrable asylum
Then deeds follow i n g h e r tho u gh t s sh e passed her
arm s r ound the sleep i ng warr i or s n eck an d she p i l
low e d h i s head upon he r bosom
But wh en t h e j oy o f seeing th e strange r saved fr o m
th e perils o f the n i gh t h ad passed away t h e th ough t
o f n ew dange r s about to a ri se caused h e r the l i vel i est
di sq u iet
Th e love o f I r a g m a is like th e w i nd o f the

desert sands it kills t h e o wer o f th e fo r est s i gh ed

th e virg i n
A n d slowl y s h e with drew
.

C HAPT E R VI I I

white glea m o f dawn awok e the day and o p e n e d

the eyes o f th e white warri o r Th e m orni ng l i gh t
d i s solve d th e v i sions o f th e n i gh t and d r ew fro m h i s
There r e
m i nd th e r em em b rance o f h i s dream
mained bu t a vagu e se nsat i o n as the pe r fu m e o f the
cactus cl i ngs to th e forest cl u mp e v en after t h e sharp
w i nd fr o m th e mountains h as la i d i t bare i n the
early m orn
H e d i d n ot know whe r e he was
Leavi n g th e sacred grove h e m et Ira c em a Th e
virgin was lean i ng aga i nst a r o u gh trunk i n th e b o l t
H e r eyes we r e o n the groun d ; th e colo u r h ad ed
he r ch eeks an d he r h eart t re mbled u pon h e r lip
1
l ik e drops of dew o n the bamboo fron d
T HE

Ba m bu , th e

we ll k n o w n I n di a n
-

can e .

I RA Q E M A

2 1

No sm i le n o fresh n ess had th e I ndia n m aid ; n o

b u ds n o owers has the acac i a scorched by the sun
n o az u re n o stars h as the n i ght whe n lo u d j ars th e
w i nd

The forest bloom has opened to th e su n r ay ; th e

b i r d s have already sang sa i d th e warr i or

Why

d oes on l y I r a g m a hang her head and rema i n silent ?

The d augh t er o f the Pa g e t r em bled Th us tr e m bles
t he green pa l m wh en i t s bole i s shake n; thus th e r ai n
te ars are showere d fr om it s fron d thus i ts fans quie t ly
mu r m u r

Ca n by the b rave is co m in g to th e Taba o f h is

brothers
The strange r can depart with t h e n o w
,

r is m g

su n

I r a g m a th e n would se e th e
pra i ries o f th e Ta b aj ara ; the n

t o her heart ?

1
The J ur u ty do v e a b an dons

stranger go from th e
w i ll gladness r eturn

th e nest where i n sh e
was born when t he tr e e decays N o m ore s h a l l j oy
v i s i t the breast o f I ra c em a She w i ll re ma i n l i ke th e

bare trun k wi th o u t branches w i th o u t shade

Mar t i m s u p por t ed t h e tremb l ing form o f t he m aiden ;
sh e res t ed wear il y u po n t h e warr i or s bosom l ike th e
yo u ng tendr i l o f th e Ba tin ilh a wh i ch tw i ne s tende r ly
2
r ound th e sturdy b r anch o f th e Ang i co acacia
Th e youth m u rmured

Thy g u est rema i ns maid wi t h th e black eyes I h e

stays to br i ng back upon thy ch eek t h e ower o f h a p

i
n
s
i
f
e
s
and
to
s
like
the
bee
th
e
honey
o
thy
lips
p
p
I ra g m a d i sengaged herse l f fro m th e yo u t h s arm s
and l oo k ed at hi m w i th sa d ness

Wh ite warrio r ! I ra g m a is the daugh te r o f th e

Pa g e an d keeps th e secret of th e J ur ema draught
Th e brave t hat shall possess the V i rg i n of Tupan wil l
d ie
-

A naa /w a a l a r

u r u ty

ge

ce d a

B r ili

az
an do e
p ec es o f
m u ch Pr iz e d b 1 o in e r s a n d

a S

Y
'

ca r

I R A cE M A

2 2

An d I ra g m a

I f th ou sho u ldst die I

Th i s word was a s i gh o f agony The youth s head

fe l l u pon h i s breast bu t s oon h e raised h i s form

Th e warriors of my race ca r ry death w i th t hem

da u ghter of the T a b aj ara s ! They do not fea r it for
t hemselves ; t h ey do not spare it to the i r foes B ut
never u nless i n combat do they leave open the C a
1
m o c im
of the m a i den in th e wigwam o f the ir host
Truth hath spoken by t he m outh of I ra c ema Th e

st range r should leave t he Tabaj a ra ca m p

H e should said th e m a i den like an ech o

Then her vo i ce s i ghed forth

The h oney of I ra g m a s lips i s l i ke t he h oney

com b wh i ch t h e b e e m a k es in t h e t runk o f the Gua
2
b ir o b a
p oison o u s i s i ts sweetness The m a i de n
2
with the blue eyes and sun ny ha i r keeps fo r her brave

i n th e Taba o f t h e pale faces th e h oney of th e l i ly

M a r t i m wi t hd r e w qu i ckly an d r eturned b u t slowly
A word trembled o n h i s l i ps

The g u est w i l l go that peace m ay return to Ira

e
ma
s
bosom
g

A n d h e bears wi t h him th e l i ght of I ra g m a s

eyes and the ower o f h er s ou l
A strange no i se r e echoed through th e fores t Th e
yo u th s glan ce sped i n its direct i on

I t i s Canby t h e brave s cry o f j oy said th e m aid

I r a g m a s brothe r ann ou nces h i s safe ret u rn to t he

prair i es o f the Tabaj a ra

D a u ghter o f A rake n cond u ct t h y guest t o th e

w i gwam I t i s t i m e to depart
1
C a m oczm a l s o ca ll e d C a m ot zm th e u r n o r c h e s t wh i ch s e r v e d
hole
T h e wo r d c a m ot zm m e a n s
a s c o in t o t h e a b o r i g i n e s
to
t o b u ry th e d e a d
f o m co h o l e a m ly r a d e a d a n d
.

'

'

b u ry
2 I n th e
ng en , b
u
p

rig i n a l
itt e r o il
o

Gu a bzr oba

'

'

or

A n dzr oba ,

t re e wh i ch g iv e

t
2
P rt u g u e s e c bal/o do s ol h a i r lik e th e s u n in Tu p y
a dl a
s o t h e y c ll e d t h e y e l l o w h a i r o f E u r o p e an
o

s a

s.

ua r a

I RA C E M A

paced side by s i de l i ke t w o fawns wh o at

th e su nset hour return through the wood to the i r
n i ghting place wh ence t he scent of susp i c i on is b orne
b y t h e bree z e When they reach ed th e Jo a z e ir o s they
s a w Ca n by cross i ng beyond them h i s b r oad sh oulders
bend i ng u nde r t he we i gh t of h i s chase I ra g m a went
to meet h i m
Th e stran ger entered the w igwam alon e
T h ey

C HAPT E R IX

T HE m orn i ng sleep we i ghed down the eyelids o f th e

Pa g e l ik e th e fa i r weather m ists hang a t dayb r eak
over the deep caverns i n th e m ounta i n s i de M art i m
h es i tated , but th e s ound o f h i s step reached the o l d
-

m an s ear an d startled h i s decrepi t fram e

Ar ak e n s l eeps !
m u rm ured th e warrior slacke n
in g h i s p ace
The ve nerable Pa g e rem a i ne d m ot i onless

Th e Pa g e sl u m b ers because T u pan h a t h turne d

h is face t o t h e E ar t h an d th e Lig h t h a t h fr i ghtened away
t h e e v il sp i r i ts of D ar k ne ss B ut sleep s i ts l i gh tly o n
1
t h e eyes o f Arake n like th e smo k e o f t he S ap gras s
I f the s trange r came t o s e e
o n the t op o f the Serra

th e Pa g e speak h i s ears are open

Th e g uest came to tell A rake n th at h e is abo u t

t o g o forth

The s t ranger is Lord in t h e wi g wam of Ar a ke n

all th e roads are ope n t o him May T u pan g u i d e
h i m to th e Taba o f h i s race
Canby and I rag m a cam e u p

Can b y has returned sa i d th e Tabaj a ra b rave

H e b r i ngs to A r a ke n th e best o f h i s game

S ap e ,
o u t l a n ds

l e ave s fo r t h a t ch

co a

rs e g ra s s wh i ch g ro w s

on

w o rn

I RA C E M A

The warrio r Canby is a m i ghty h untsman of th e

m ounta i ns and the forests Th e eyes of h i s father are

proud to dwell u pon h i m

The o l d man opene d h is eyes bu t they s o on closed
aga in

D a u gh ter of A r ake n ! ch oose for thy guest the

1
Return G i ft and prepare the Moq u em for the j ourney
I f th e stranger need a guide C a u b y t h e Lord o f th e

2
Path w i ll accompany h i m
And sleep once m ore closed his eyes
Wh i le C a u b y hung u p th e quarry over th e smoke
I r a g m a took her o w n wh i t e h amm ock o f cotton
fr i nged w i th feathers an d folded it into th e U n i o f
p l a t t e d straw
M art i m awa i ted h er at t h e doorway o f th e wigwam
and t he m a i den came to h i m an d sa i d

Warr i or that t a k est away th e sleep from I r a g m a s

eyes take also her ham m ock When h e sleeps in i t
m a y dreams o f I r a g em a speak with h i s heart

Thy hamm ock m a i den o f th e T a b aj ara s sh all be

m y compan i on in th e w i l ds Le t t h e cold wind of
n i gh t blow ercely i t w i ll protect th e s tran g er with
i ts warmth and brea t he th e sweet perfume o f I rag e m a s

bosom
C au b y went forth to see h is w i gwam wh ich h e had
n ot visi t ed s i nce h i s re t urn I r a g m a depar t e d t o
repare
provisions
for
th
e
voyage
There
rem
a
i
ne
d
p
i n t he ca b i n only th e Pa g e wh o was sleeping alo u d
a n d the youth with h i s sorrows
The s u n was s et ti ng whe n I r a g m a s brothe r r e
t u r ned fro m the great w i gwam
.

M oq u e m , in th e

ri g i n a l

i
ro as t e d t h e i r g m e
h
t
r
yi
wh
e
n
t
y
t
o
o
k
it
u
f
e
g
p
t h e y h u n g it o v e r th e s m o k
S en / or o r m n lz
Lo d
d
h
u
e
i
ll
t
i
r
i
e
s
ca
d
e
g
g
nd an s

B ili
v t
t i t t

fr o m m om e n t
T he
ra z
an
b e fo re a b r g h r e t o p r e e n it s
on a
o u r n e , an d in
he r en s
,

i t
y

e.

o,

of

th e

P a th

is

wh a t

th e

ab o

ri

I R A C E MA

The youth turned to w ards h er H i s l i p was s ilent

but h is eyes spoke O ne tear coursed down h i s man l y
cheek l ik e th e d rops which duri ng the sum mer h eat
t r i ckle over the scarped rock
C a u b y wal k ed o n and d i sappeared i n th e dense
fo l i a ge
Th e bosom o f Ara ke n s daugh te r heaved l i ke th e
overowing b i llow fringed with s u r f and s h e sobbed
a l oud Bu t i n her so u l so dark wi t h sorrow burned
a fa i n t spark wh i ch lit u p her chee k s Thus i n th e
blackness o f n i g h t a r e dra ke g l imm ers over th e
wh i te sands of th e h i gh lan d p lateau

S t ran g er ta k e t he last sm il e o f I ra g m a and y

Th e warrior ca u g ht her in h i s arms a n d placed h i s
1
l i ps to h ers Th e y were as tw i n fr u it s o f th e A r a g a
shr u b both spr u ng fro m th e wom b o f t h e same
ower
Th e vo i ce o f Canby called t he stranger by n am e
a n d I r a g m a rem a i ned c l ing i ng for supp o rt to t h e
tru nk o f a palm
,

CHAPTER X

I N th e silent wigwam m ed i t a t es th e old Pa g e

I r a g m a leans aga i nst the r u gged tr u nk that serves
as a stay H e r large b lack eyes , xed o n th e forest
.

c l ear i ngs and sunk w i th sorrow gaze w it h long an d

t re m u l ou s looks thread i ng a n d un t hread i ng the seed
pearl o f teardrops t h at bede w her chee k s
The Ara perched o n the opp os i te shelf vi ews wi t h
s a d gree n eyes her beaut i fu l lady
From the day tha t saw th e wh i te war r ior tread
Tabaj a ra land sh e had bee n forgo tt en by I r a g m a
The rosy l i ps of th e m a i d never opened n o w t o let
,

4m

m
,

B raz ili a n

sh u b

w it h fru it

of th e

ua

va

fa m ily

I RA cIM A

h e r pick from the m th e fruity pulp o r th e paste o f

1
n or eve r n o w d i d th e sweet h an d
g reen m aize
caress h e r o r sm ooth th e golden plumage o f h er h ead
I f sh e spoke th e beloved name o f her m ist r ess th e
s m i le o f I ra g m a was neve r b ent up o n her n or d i d
th e ear of t h e mistress eve n appear to know th e vo i ce
o f th at companion an d friend wh ich h ad once bee n
s o d ear to h er heart
W o e to h er ! The Tupy n ation c alle d he r Jan
2
da i a because i n h er j oy s h e m ade th e p la i ns resoun d
w i t h h er v i brat i ng song Bu t n ow s a d an d s i len t
becaus e disdained by her m i stress she app ea red n o
m ore t h e beauti ful Jand ai a bu t rath e r th e h o mely
3
U r u tao which k n ows only to groan
Low sloped th e s u n over th e S erra h e i ghts i t s rays
h ardly g i lded the h i g hest crests Th e h u shed m elan
c h o l y of evenin g which p r ecedes th e s i lence o f n i ght
b e g an t o op press th e var i ous sounds o f the p r a i r i e
H ere an d the r e a n i gh t b i rd deceived by th e thicker
darkness o f the fores t screech ed aloud
Th e o l d m an r aised h is bald foreh ead

4
Was it n ot th e cry of th e I nhum a b i rd th at
awoke th e ear o f A r ake n
said h e wonder i ng
Th e ma i de n tremb l ed Already sh e was o u t o f th e
w igwam and back to answe r th e Pag e s ques t ion
I t is the War c r y o f Canby th e brave
Whe n th e sec o n d sc re ech o f th e midnight bird
,

I n dian

r m il / w
2
h
w
i
ch is a n
a a dza a l so wr itt e n N/zm a aza a n d Naan a za
f
to s e ak
a dj e c tiv e t h a t q u a li e s t h e a r a o r m a ca w fr o m n /zm g
p
ra t
n t rm
h a rd r o u g h s t r o n g a n d a r a t h e a g e n t w h o a c t s
in T u p y m e an s
fro m
t h e s o n g o f t h e j a n dai a
ce m o t o s i n g l o u d a n d a r ar a p a r o q u e t
3
Ur ut zo a n i g h t b i r d
4
I n lzu m a a b i rd wh i ch s i n g s r e g u l a r ly a b o u t m i dn i g h t w it h
T h e o r t ho g r a p h y is a n / mm a fro m
a h a r sh u n p l e a s a n t n o t e

a rr/1 0 so lit a r y a n d a m mz a w e ll k n o wn a o t p h ag u s w h i ch t h e
Th u s it w o u l d m e a n
a b o r i g i n e s r e g a r de d a s a b i r d o f a u g u r y
the
s o lit a ry a m m z
t h e u n i co r n b i r d
1

co n ,

'

'

I RA Q E M A

r eached her ear I ra c em a ran towards the forest e et

she never dre w
a s a do e pursued by the hunter :
breath till she had reached the clearing which lay i n
th e wood l ik e a long lake
Th e rs t thing th at met h er eye was M artim sitting
1
tranquilly upon a Sapopem a b ough and eyeing all
that occurred O pposite him a h undred Tabaj ara
warriors with I r ap ua m at their h ead formed a circle
Th e brave Ca n by his eye ashing with ange r an d h is
weapons grasped in h is muscular arm stood up before
th e m all
I r a p tia m h ad demanded th e stranger an d the guide
had answered him si m ply
Slay Canby rst
The daughter of th e Pag e ew like an arrow B ehold
her graceful form shielding Martim from the blows o f
the braves I r a p ua m roared with rage as roars th e
ounce attacke d in its lai r

D aughter o f Ar ake n said Canby i n a whisper

lead th e stranger to the w ig w am A r ake n alone ca n

save h im
Ira c em a tu r ned towards the white
Come 1
H e remained im movable

I f th e stranger will n ot com e I ra c em a will die

with h im
M artim arose 3 but far from following th e m aiden h e
walked straigh t to w ards I r a p ua m His sword ashed
i n the air
Chief ! th e Braves o f my race have n eve r refused
combat I f h e whom th ou beholdest did not seek
it it was because his fathers h ave forbidden him to

sh ed blood in the land o f hospitality

The Tabaj ara ch ie f yelled with j oy ; h is power ful
arm wielded the tomahawk B ut th e two ch ampions
,

1
a nd

is

t re e w it h t h i ck b ran ch e s
m u ch p r i z e d fo r fu rn it u re
o em a , a

p p

T he

wood

is

h rd
a

I R A Q EM A

h ad scanty time to m easu r e each othe r with th e eye

When th e rst blow was being struck C au b y an d
Ira c ema were between th em
I n vain th e daughte r o f A rake n besough t th e Chris
ti a n Vainly did s h e th r ow he r arm s roun d him e n
d e a v o u r in g t o withdraw him from th e combat
On
his side C au b y as vainly strove to provoke I r a p ua m
an d to d r aw u pon himself th e w r ath o f th e chi ef
At a sign fro m I ra p ua m th e warriors seized th e
b r other and sister an d th e com bat beg an
S uddenly the hoarse s ound o f th e Wa r tru m pet
th undere d through th e forest Th e sons o f th e Serra
trembled as th ey recognised th e b oom of the Sea
shell and th e Wa r cry o f th e Py tig u ara s th ose Lords
o f th e S h ores
which th e falle n tree s shade Th e
ech o ca m e from the Great Wigwam wh ich pe r h aps
th e enemy was at th at m oment attacki n g
Th e warriors ew there ca rrying with them t h ei r
Chiefs With the stranger only rem ai ned th e daughte r
.

of

A rake n

C HAPTE R X I

T a b aj ar a warriors r ush i n g t o t he Tab a awaited

1
th e enemy in pa r t o f th e C ai cara o r Curral
The foe n o t coming they we n t forth to seek him
They beat th e forests all around and scoure d th e
plains Th e r e was n o t r ace of th e Pyt ig u ara s ; yet
th e well kn own War boom o f th e Shell from the sh ores
h ad sounded i n the ea r s o f th e mountain braves O f
this n on e doubted
I r a p ua m suspected t h at i t was a st r atagem o f th e
daugh te r o f A rake n to save the stranger and h e wen t
T HE

of b u rn t w oo d a n d th e d e s i n e n ce
W h a t i s m d of b u r n t w oo d
mm wh a t is o r is m a d e
a s t r o n g e n c l os u re of po in t e d s t a k e s a C u
al
1

C a zmm
'

fro m

an

b it

rr

I RA C E M A

st r aigh t to th e wigwam o f th e Pag e ; as th e Gua r a

r uns along the skirts of th e fores t wh en following th e
trail of the escaping prey so d id th e wrath ful warrior
h urry his steps
A ra ke n s a w the great Tabaj ara ch ief enter his
cabin but he did not m o v e Sitting o n h is hamm ock
with c r ossed legs he was giving ea r to I ra c em a
Th e m aide n r elated th e eve nts o f th e eve ning ; b e
h olding th e siniste r counte nan ce o f I r a p ua m sh e
sprang to h er bow and placed he rself by th e white
warrior s side
M artim put h er gently away an d ad v anced a few
steps
The p r otection with which the Tabaj ara m aid su r
r ou nded h im a warrior annoyed h im
A r a ke n the vengeance of the T a b aj ara s demands
th e white warrio r ; I ra p t l a m comes to fetch him

Th e Gues t is th e beloved o f Tupan ; wh o so

m oles ts th e Strange r sh al l h ea r th e voice o f h is

Th under

I t is th e S trange r wh o h as o ffended Tupan

r obbing hi m o f h is Vi rgi n wh o keeps th e dreams o f

the J ur em a draught

The m outh o f I rap tia m lies like the h iss o f th e

2
exclaime d Ira c ema
Giboia
Martim said
I r a p tiam is vile an d unworthy to b e th e Chief o f
bra v es
The Pa g e spoke slow and solem nly

I f the Virgin has yielded the ower of he r Ch astity

t o th e white warrior she will die ; but th e G u est of
1
T h e w o r d d e co m
Gu a r d a w il d dog th e Bra z ili a n w o l f
pos e d w it h g t h e re l tiv e u t o e a t a n d a m fo r a t h e e m ph a t ic
o r v o r a ci o u s e a t e r
d e s i n e n ce is g u a a
c o m e do r
2
Gzboza t h e w il d p e op l e so ca ll e d th e b o a co n s t r i ct o r t h e
l a r ge s t s n ak e in t h e Bra z il s wh i c h ca n e a s il y s w a ll o w a s t a g
a h a t ch e t a n d
T h e w o r d co m e s fr o m
a n y s na k e (t h e
r oo t of o u r
b oa
b e ca u s e th e s e rp e n t s t r ik e s w it h it s fa n gs
l ik e th e b l o w of a h a t ch e t

'

'

I RA Q E M A

31

Tupan is sac r ed 3 none sh all touch h im 3 all sh all se r ve

h im
I ra p tia m
.

r aged ; his h oarse growl r um bled with i n

1
his m uscula r chest like the noise made by t h e S ucury
i n the depth s o f the river

Th e w r ath o f I r a p tia m s ange r will not let h i m

h earken to th e old Page
I t wil l fall upon h im if h e
da r e to withdraw the Strange r fro m th e vengeance o f
t h e T a b aj ara s
At this m omen t th e venerable And ira b r othe r o f
th e Pa g e e ntere d t he cabin H e grasped the terrible
to mahawk an d a still m o r e te r rible fu r y gleame d in
h is eyes

The vampi r e comes to suck I rap ua m s blood i f

2
indeed it is blood and not h oney th at runs in th e
vein s of h i m wh o da r es to threate n the o l d Page i n
h is wigwa m
A ra ke n stayed h is brother
Peace and silence And ira
Th e Pa g e raise d his tall thin stature an d appea red
3
like th e angry viper wh o c r ouches o n th e ground
the better to spring u pon his victim
H is wrinkles
waxed deeper whilst his shru nke n lips displaye d his
white and sharpened teeth

Let I r a p tia m ventu r e o n e step m ore an d th e

wrath o f Tupan shall crush h im with th e weigh t o f
this lean and withe red han d !

At this moment Tupan is not with the Pag

r eplied the Chie f
The Page laugh ed a n d the siniste r laugh s eemed
.

gg
o

s p

h h s
d
od o s fo
s o g h ss g

i a n ti c e r e n t w ic
li e in e e p
S u cu ry or S u cu r zn , a
r ive r , a n d ca n w a ll w a n x T h e w r c m e r m m u ,

n
a n a n i m a l, a n d w r
n
or
r
a
n
r
t
r
n
ti
i
i
r
m
m
e
t
h
e
,
,
y
1

'

be st
a

s o

g of
b d

a : ve za s
T he m e a n i n
q u e t ens s a ng u e e mio m e! 12
th e w r I m p u a m i
r un
I t m u t b e r e m e m e re
ne
t a t I ra p ua m t a u n t e A n i ra a r t e r a ck a u t h is n a m e ,

w ic m e a n
l v a m i re , a n d t i w a s
re t r t
3 I n t h e r i in a l C a n / 72 m m
2

'

52

od

h
h h

s od
o g

o d ho y
d
d
f h
p
hs
.

bo
o

I RA Q EM A

2
3

t o r oll r ound th e enclosu r e like th e bark o f th e

1
Ari r anh a
2
H ea r h is thunder an d let th e warrior s soul
t r emble as th e ea r th i n its dep ths !
Ara ke n p r onouncing these terrible words advanced
to th e m iddle o f th e wigwam The r e h e lifte d u p a
great ston e and stamped with force upon th e grou nd
which suddenly cla v e asunde r
A frightful n oise
which seemed torn from the b owels o f th e earth
issued o u t from th e dark cave r n
I ra p tia m nei t he r trembled n o r turned pale but h e
felt his sigh t growing di m an d his lips lost th eir powe r
o f speech

The Lord o f Thunde r is fo r th e Pag e 3 th e Lord

o f Wa r will be fo r I ra p tia m
The gri m warrior le ft th e wigwam and soo n h is
mighty form disappea r ed i n the twiligh t
Th e Pag and h is b r othe r resumed th ei r conve r
s ation i n t h e doorway
M artim still surp r ised at wh at h e h ad beh eld
could not take h is eyes o ff the deep cavern wh ich
th e stam p o f th e o l d Pag e h ad O pen ed i n th e grou nd
A dull sound like the distant boom o f the waves b r eak
ing upon th e sh o r e still echoed through th e depth s
Th e Christian warrio r r eected 3 h e could n o r
believe th at the God o f the T a b aj ara s h ad give n su ch
i mmen se powe r to his priest
A r ak e n perceiving what w as passing i n the m in d o f
th e st r ange r lit th e C a xim b o and seized the M arac a
o r mystic rattle
.

l g e s t sp ecie s of Bra z ili a n o tt e r

2
Th i s w a s a s t a t g e m p ra c ti s e d by the
T h e h u t w a s b u ilt u po n
Pa g s t o r u l e t h e i r v o t a r i e s by t e rr o r
a r o c k w h i c h co n t a i n e d a s u b t e r ra n e o u s p a ss a g e c o m m u n ica ti n g
by a n ar r o w a p e r t ure w it h th e p l a i n A r ak e n h a d t a k e n th e
p r e cau ti o n t o b l o ck u p t h e t w o e n t ra n ce s w it h s t o n e s a n d t h u s t o
h id e t h e m f o m t h e p e op l e R e m o vi n g o n e s t on e fro m e a ch e n d
c au s e d t h e a ir t o r u sh t h r o u gh t h e n a r o w sp i r a l ch a n n e l w it h a
l o u d n o i s e a s t h e s e a sh e ll m u rm u r s w h e n a pp li e d t o th e e a r
1

A r zr a n a , th e a r
O u r/ e 5 m t r ov d o
'

I RA Q E M A

34

C HAPTE R

X II

day darkene d 3 night was already com ing on

The Pag e returned to th e wigwam and again poising
th e slab o f stone closed with it th e m outh o f the
s u bterranean passage
C a u b y also arrived fro m th e great Taba where h e
an d his brothe r braves had r etired after beating th e
forest i n search o f the Py t ig u a ra ene my
I n the centre of th e wigwam amidst th e ham
mocks s lung and squared Ira c em a spread th e m at
and served th e re mains of th e
o f C a r n a tib a palm
game with th e wines m ade du r ing t h e last m oon
The Tabaj ara brave alone relishe d th e s uppe r ; the
gall wh ich is wrung from th e hea r t by sorro w did not
em bi t te r h is palate
The Page drew from h is calum et th e s acre d sm oke
Th e
o f T u pa n which l led th e depth s o f h is lungs
stranger greedily inhaled th e fresh air to cool h is
boiling blo od The m aiden seemed to sigh her sou l
away like honey d r opping from th e comb i n th e
frequen t sob s th at burs t from h er trembling lips
C au b y soon retired to the great Tab a ; th e Pag
still inhale d th e sm oke wh ich prepa r ed h im fo r th e
mysteries o f th e S acre d Rite
There arise s in t h e n ight silence a vibrating cry
wh ich ascends t o th e sky Mar t im raises u p h is head
and listens Again a si m ila r sound is hea r d Th e
warrior whispers s o that only th e maiden could h ear
hi m
H a st hear d I ra c ema th e Seagull s cry ?

I ra c e m a h as heard th e cry of a bird which sh e

d oes no t kno w
1
I t isthe A tya ty the Heron of t h e Sea and I ra c em a
is th e mountain maid wh o has neve r trodden upon

t h e white beach u pon w hich th e waves break

1
A /y /y s e g u ll
T HE

'

I RA cEM A

35

The beach belongs to th e Py t ig u a ra s th e Lords o f

th e Palm groves
The warriors o f the g r e at tribe wh o inhabi ted th e
seab oard calle d themse l ves Py t ig u ara s Lords o f th e
Valleys 3 b u t th e T a b aj ara s th eir en em ies c o n t e m p t u
o u s l y terme d t hem Po t y u ar a s o r Shrimp Eaters
I ra c ema did not wish t o offend th e white wa r rior
and therefore whe n speaking o f the Py tig u a ra s she
gave them th e warlike name which they had ch osen
for themselves
The st range r r eected and r etained fo r a m om ent
on th e lip o f p r u dence th e word which he was about t o
utte r

The S eagull s song 1 8 th e War cry o f th e brave

P oty th e frie nd of thy guest

The m aiden trembled fo r he r bre t hren Th e fam e
of th e e r ce Poty b r oth e r o f Ja ca tin a h ad s pread
afar fr om th e sea sho r e to th e heights of the Serra
Scarcely was th ere a wigwa m which had n ot panted
w ith a lust o f vengeance
i n almost all o f them th e
blow of h is unerring tomahawk h ad laid a warrio r l o w
i n h is C a m o c im
I r a g m a though t that Poty cam e at th e h ead of
his braves to delive r his friend D oubtless it was h e
wh o had sou nded the Sea shell at th e tim e when th e
com bat began I t was there fore in a tone of mixed
sadnes s and sweetness th at sh e replied

The stranger is saved 3 th e breth r e n o f I ra g e m a

will die fo r sh e will n o t speak

Cast o u t th is grie f fro m thy soul Tabaj ara maid !

Th e stranger i n leaving thy p rairies will not leave i n
them like th e fa m ished tige r a trail of blood
I ra c ema took th e h and o f the wh ite wa rrio r an d
kissed it

Th e st r anger s smile she continued blunts th e

remembrance o f the ha r m they wish m e
Martim rose an d w alked to th e door

Whe r e goes th e wh ite warrior ?

,

36

:
I RAQ I MA

To seek Pot y
f Th e guest o f Ar ake n may not leave this wigwam ,

for th e warriors o f I r a p tia m will kill hi m

A w a r rio r owes his life to God and to h is weapon s

only He will n o t b e protected by o l d m en and

wo m en 1

What is one brave agains t a thousand ? Th e

1
Tamandu a i s brave an d strong yet the cats o f th e
m ou ntain s kill and e at h im becaus e th ey are s o m any
The arm s o f the white warrio r only r each as far as
th e shadow o f h is body th ose o f the T a b aj ara s y
2
high and straigh t as th e An aj e

E very warrior has his day

Th e strange r would not see Ira c ema die yet h e

would m ake h er b eh old his death
M a r tim hesitated perplexe d

I r a c ema will go and m eet th e Py t ig u ar a Chi ef

an d wil l bring to he r guest the words o f his warri o r

friend
Th e Pag e nally awoke fr o m h is reverie
Th e
Maraca r attled i n his righ t h and 3 th e bells ra ng i n
time to b is sti ff slow step
H e called h is daughter apa r t

I f th e braves of T r a p ua m fall u pon th e wigwam

lift up th e ston e and hide th e st ranger i n th e bosom
o f t h e earth

Th e guest m ust n o t b e left alon e

Wait till

I ra c ema returns Th e inh um a has not yet sung

The o l d man agai n sat upo n his h am mock Th e
m aide n went fort h afte r faste ni ng th e door o f th e
w ig w am
.

1
2

Ta v n m a u a , a n t e a t e r
a
we r u l a wk , t h e
A n a/ 9
,

'

po

f h

l o ca l

ea

gl e

I R A cE M A

37

C HAP TER X I I I

daughte r o f A r ake n advances i n the darkness ;

sh e stands an d lis tens For the third time th e cry o f
the Seagull sounds i n he r ears 3 she be nds her step s
straigh t to th e place wh ence i t came and a r rives at
the edge of a l ake H er glance pierces th e darkness
but nds n ough t o f what i t seeks The tender voice
so ft as th e h u m o f th e colib r i bird bre aks th e silence

Poty th e brave s white b r oth e r calls him by the

m ou th of Ira c em a l
E c h o only answered he r

The D aughte r o f his Foes com es t o seek him

because the stranger loves him and she loves th e

s tranger
The sm ooth surface o f th e lake cl ove and a gure
appeared swimming t owards the m argin an d r is m g
from the wate r

Was it Martim wh o se nt I r a c ema since s h e kn o w s

th e nam e o f Po t y his brother i n wa r P

Th e Py t ig u ara chie f m ay speak ; th e wh ite warrio r

i s waiting

The n I r ag m a will retu r n an d tell h im th at Poty

has com e to save hi m

Th e stranger knows and sent I ra g m a to hea r

Poty s tidings

Th e wor ds of Poty will leave h is m ou t h only for

th e ea r o f his white brother

H e must wait the n till Ara ke n le a v es and th e

wigwam r e mains deserted 3 the n will I r a c em a guide

h im to th e presence o f th e strange r
Never daughte r o f the T ab aj ara s h as a Py t ig u ara
brave crossed the threshold o f a foeman s wigwam
save as a conqueror Bring he r e th e warrior of t h e

sea

Th e vengeance o f I ra p tia m h ove r s aroun d th e

wigwam of A ra ke n
H as th e st r ange r s b r othe r
T HE

I RA C E M A

38

brough t Py tig u ara w a r riors enough to defend and to

save him P
Poty reected

Relate M a id o f th e Mountains all th at has

ha p pened i n these prairies sin ce th e Warrio r o f th e

Sea planted foot u po n th em

I r a g m a relate d all
h ow the w r ath o f I r ap tia m had
b u r st forth against th e stranger u ntil th e voice o f
Tupan invoked by the Pag e had appeased h is fu ry

Th e anger o f I r a p tia m is like that o f th e h a t 3 h e

fea r s th e ligh t and ies only i n th e dark
Th e hand o f Poty suddenly closed th e m aide n s
lips 3 h is words sank to a whisper

The Virgin o f th e Forest m u s t h old her breath and

hush her voice 3 th e foeman s ear li sten s i n th e dark

Th e leaves gen t ly rustled as if t r odde n upon by
th e r estless Na m b ti Th e s oun d at rst cam e from
the skirts o f th e forest an d th e n swept towards th e
v alley
Th e valiant Poty gliding along th e gras s
like the cleve r prawn fro m which h e took his n am e
and quickness disappeared i n th e deep lake Th e
wate r withou t a m urmu r bu r ied h im in its limpid
wave
I r a c em a r eturn ed to th e wigwam ; o n th e way sh e
pe r ceived th e sh adows o f many warriors wh o were
1
c r awling on th e grou nd like th e I ntanha frog
A r ak e n seeing h er com e in le ft th e wigwam
Th e Tabaj ara maid r elated t o M artim all th at had
passed between h e r self and Poty
The C hristian
w arrio r r ose u p impetuously t o rescu e h is Py t ig u ara
broth er I r a c em a threw r ound his ne ck her beauti
ful arms
The Chie f does n ot wan t his brothe r H e i s th e
s o n o f th e waters
an d th e waters will p r otect him
Later th e stranger s ear sh a l l listen to the words o f

h is frien d
.

'

I n ta n h a ,

o m m o nl y

ca

ll e d

th e f er m dor , th e

bl a ck s m it h fr og

I RAC E M A

39

Ira c ema it is tim e that thy guest should leave th e

wigwam o f th e Pag e an d th e plain s of th e T a b aj ar a s
H e does not fea r the braves o f I ra p tia m 3 h e fears th e
eyes o f th e Virgin of Tupan

H e will y from them ?

Th e strange r m u s t y from th em as the O itib o

doe s from the m orning star

M artim h astened his steps

U ngr ate fu l brave go slay rs t Ebrother the n

I r a g m a will follow hi m to th e h appy plains
sel f
w here wend th e sha d es of those that were

K ill my broth er sayest th ou , cruel maid ?

Thy trail will guide th e ene m y t o h is h iding

place
Th e Ch r i stian halted suddenly m idw a y i n the wig
w am
and the r e r emained s ilen t and still I ra c ema
fearing to look upon hi m xe d her eyes on his shadow
wh ich th e brigh t emb ers of th e re threw o n t he
broken wall of the wigwam
Th e shaggy dog lying close to th e h ot ashes gave
signs that a friend was approa c h i n g The door i nter
w oven with th e fronds o f th e C a r n a tib a palm was
open ed from with out C au b y entered
Th e C a u im wine h as disturbed t h e spirit o f th e

bra v es They are coming to slay th e strange r

The m aide n arose impetu ously

Lift u p the stone wh ich closes th e throat of

Tupan th at he m ay con ceal th e guest
The Tabaj ara brave uphove th e enormous slab
a n d poised i t o n th e ground

The son o f A ra ke n shall lie across th e Wig w am

doo r an d i f a brave pass ove r his body let h im rise
n o m ore from th e ground
Th e m aiden fasten ed th e door
C a u b y obeyed
A few m o m ents passed The war cry of the bra v es
sou nds closer ; th e angry voices o f I r a p tia m an d
C a u b y r ise ab ove th e re s t
Th ey come b u t Tupan will s a v e h is guest
,

'

I RA Q EM A

4o

At this m oment as if th e th u n der god had h eard

t h e words o f h is virgin th e cave which till then was
S t ill r oared with a dull roar

Listen ! I t is th e voice o f Tupan l

I r a c em a presses th e warrio r s hand and leads h im
i nto the cave They descend together i nto the bowel s
o f the earth
-

C HAPTE R X I V

Tabaj ar a b r aves excited by their copious liba

tions o f foaming C a u im were i nam ed by th e voice
who h ad s o often led the m to victory
o f I ra p tia m
Wine appeases th e thirst o f th e body but b r eeds
anothe r an d a wilder thirst i n the savage min d
Th e braves yell vengeance against th e audaciou s
strange r wh o had de ed th eir a r ms an d wh o h ad
o ffended th e Go d of their fathers and their War Chief
the greatest o f th e T a b aj ara s
Then they leapt with rage an d rush ed abou t in
1
th e dark ness The r e d ligh t o f th e U b ir atan which
shon e i n th e distance gu ided th e m to the cabin o f

T HE

A r a ke n

Fro m time to time th e foremost o f those wh o

came to S p y the enemy raised themselves U p fro m the
ground

Th e Pa g e is i n the fo r est they m urmured

An d th e stranger ? inquire d I ra p ua m
I n the cabin with I ra cema
Th e great chief leaps u p with a ter ric b ou nd an d
r eaches th e Wigwam door followed by his warrio r s
Th e face o f C a u b y appears at th e entrance H is
arms guarded a S pace i n front o f him say wi thi n the
2
r each of a M ar ac aj as spring
1
T h e iro n wood of u him (fr o m p a i w ood a n d a m a n h ard )
2 M a r a ca d is a W l ld ca t
I t m u s t n o t b e c o n fo u n d e d w it h
j
.

I R A cEM A

42

D oes n o oth er ear listen ?

None save th ose o f th e Virgin wh o twice in o n e

s u n has saved th e life of thy brother
Woman i s weak ; th e Tabaj ara is revenge ful 3 an d
1
the brother of Ja c atin a is prudent
Ira c em a sigh ed and lay her h ead upon th e youth s
brea s t

Lord o f I ra c ema stop her ears that sh e m ay n ot

listen
M artim gently pu t away th e graceful h ea d
The Pyt ig u ar a Ch ief m ay speak ; t h e ears th at
listen are friendly and faith fu l
His brother orders and Poty speaks E re th e su n
sh all rise over th e S erra th e Sea Warrior m ust seek
the r ive r plain o f th e H eron s Nests The D ead Star
will guide h im to th e wh ite beach No Tabaj a ra
brave will follow h im because th e I nubia o f th e
Py t ig u ar a s wil l sou nd from th e m ou ntain side

How m any Py t ig u ara braves acco m pany thei r

valian t Chi ef ?
N ot o n e Poty cam e alone with h is ar m s Whe n
th e bad spirits o f th e forest separate d th e Sea Warri o r
from h is brothe r Poty followed h is trail H is h eart
would not let h im r eturn to call th e braves o f his Taba 3

b ut h e sent h is faith ful dog to th e gr eat Ja ca tin a

Th e Py t ig u ara Chief is alon e ; h e m ust n ot s oun d

th e I n ubia which will raise all the Tabaj ara braves
against him

He m u s t do it t o save h is white broth e r Poty

w i l l m ock at I r a tia m
as
h
e
m
ocked
him
wh
en
h
e
p
fought with a h undred men against his w hite brother
The daugh ter of the Pa g e wh o had listened sile ntly
n ow ben t towar ds th e Christian s ear
I ra c em a would sa v e th e stranger an d his brother ;
sh e knows her tho u ghts
The Py t ig u ara Chie f i s
1
j ea a w a s th e c e l b r t e d C h i e f b ro t h e r of Po t y n d a
fr i e n d t o M a ti m S o re s M o e n o H i s n m e is t h a t of a b l a ck
t r e e a l so ca ll d in Bra z il J a ca ra n d a
3

'

u zz

I RA cE M A

taunch an d b r ave I ra p tiam is craft y and treach erou s

1
as the A c a u a n
Before the stranger can r each th e
forest h e must fall and his brothe r mus t also fall with

h im

What can th e Tabaj ara maid d o t o save th e

stranger an d h is brother ? asked Marti m

O n e m ore sun and a nother must rise the n th e

2
m oo n o f o w e r s will app ear
I t is the fea st time
when th e Tabaj ara braves pass th e n ight i n t hE Sacred
Wood an d receive from the Pag e their h appy drea m s
Wh en th ey are all sleeping th e white warrior will
leave th e plains of I p u and will vanish fr om th e eyes
o f Ira c em a but not from her s oul
Martim st r ained th e maiden to his b r east b u t soon
h e gently repelled her The contact o f her bea u tiful
form sweet as t h e forest lily warm as th e nest o f th e
3
Be ij a o r was as a th orn in his heart H e remembered
th e awful warning of t h e Pag
Th e voice of th e Christian repeated to Poty th e
proj ect o f Ira c em a 3 the Pyt ig u ar a ch ief pruden t as
th e Tam an du a took though t an d the n replied
Wisdo m h as spoken by the m outh o f the Tabaj ara

Vi rgin Poty will wait th e m oon o f owe r s

s

C HAPTE R X V

T HE da y was b orn
o f th e nigh t , al r eady

an d dead Th e re companio n
sh one in th e Wig w am of A ra ke n
The stars daughters o f th e m oon rolled th eir slow
and s ilent co urses i n th e blue heaven s awaiting th e
r eturn of their absen t m other
.

yb d h
s oys s e rp e n t s
fo
o
a w ood
oo of o s
ss
h
g b ird

T h e A ea u a n is a S e cre t a r
ir t a t d e t r
t eat
w r is r m ca a , w
r m n,
, and u an ,

2
A l u a a a r or er , t h e m
n
w er
3 Bei a or
j , lit er a ll K i o w e r, th e u m m i n
1

od fo

ood

T he

t r

ea e

I RA C E M A

44

M artim gently r ocked h imself ; and h is soul like

t he white hamm ock wh ich waved from S ide to side
wavered between o n e and an othe r th ought There
th e pale faced virgin awai t e d h i m with chaste a ffe c
tion H ere th e dark maiden smiled upon hi m with
ardent love
Ira c em a leant langu idly agains t th e h ead o f th e
h a m mock 3 her large black eyes tender as those o f
the Sabi a thrush s ough t th e stranger and pierce d h is
s oul Th e Chris t ian s miled
The virgin trembling
1
like th e Sahy bird fascinated by th e serpent be nt her
yielding form and reclined upon th e warrior s b osom
H e st r ain ed h e r passionately to h is heart his lips
sough t he r longin g lip and t hus they celebrated in
th is sanctuary o f th e soul th e hym en of love
I n a dark obscure corner sat th e Page plunged i n
th e conte m plation of things r e m ote from this world
H e h eaved o n e long s a d sigh D id h is hea r t forebode
th at which h is eye s could not s e e ? O r w a s it som e
ill omened presentiment concerni ng th e future o f h is
race wh ich r e ech oed i n th e soul o f A r a ke n ?
N o o n e ever kn ew
Th e Ch r istian gently repelled th e I ndian girl H e
w ould n o t leave a trail o f disgrace i n th e hospitable
Wigwam H e closed his eyes that h e might not see
her and endeavoured to ll his thoughts with th e
n am e and th e fear o f God
Christ l Jesus M ary
A cal m return ed to th e warrio r s breast b ut eve ry
ti me h is eye reste d upon th e Tabaj ara virgi n h e felt
th e blood course th r ough h is veins l ike liquid re
Thus when th e th oughtless ch ild stirs th e live embers
its sparks y o u t an d cons um e i ts esh
The Christian shut his eyes b u t ami d the da r kness
o f h is th oughts th e Tabaj ara virgin eve r arose a n d
eve r m o r e beauti ful I n vain his heavy lids invoked
,

S a hj

'

b e u ti fu l bl u e b ir d
a

I RA Q E M A

45

sleep They O pened despi t e all h is endeavou rs An

i nspiration from Heave n at last descende d upon h is
troubled m in d

Beautiful maid o f th e desert ! th is i s th e last

n igh t of thy guest u n der th e roof of A ra ke n Would
that h e had never co m e the r e ! Fo r thy s ake and for
his own make his s l eep glad and happy
Let the warrio r com mand and Ira c e m a w ill obey

What can she do to make h im glad ?

Th e Christian m urmured low th at the ol d P a g
m igh t not hea r him

Th e Virgin of T u p a n keeps th e dream s of the

Jurema which are sweet an d pleasant
A sad smile was I ra c m a s answe r
The strange r is going to live fo r eve r encircling
1
th e white virgin
N ever m ore will h is eyes behold
th e daughter o f A r a ke n 3 yet h e wishes that S lee p
should clos e h is lids an d that dream s sh ould convey
h im back to th e land of his brothers

Sleep i s th e warrior s rest sai d Martim

an d
dream s are t h e gladness o f h is s oul Th e stranger
would n o t be ar sadness with him from th e Lan d o f
H ospital ity no r would h e leave i t i n th e heart o f
.

I rag m a

Th e virgin sat un mov e d

Go and return wi t h t h e wine o f Tupan

When Ira c ema cam e back the Pa g e was n o longe r
i n th e Wigwam She drew from her bosom th e bowl
2
which sh e h ad hidde n un de r he r Carioba of cotton
interwove n with feathers Marti m seized it from h e r
h an ds an d d rained th e few drops o f bitter green
liquid Presen t l y the hamm ock receive d his torpid
form
Now h e may live w ith Ira c ema an d gath e r th e
.

o i g i n a l 4 in tu a d a i g m T h e s a v age s ca ll a
s u cce ssf l l o v e r ag e ba w h i ch l t e ra ll y m e n s t h e wo m n
s r m e c i cl e s
w ho m t h e m
2
C a r ioba a co tt o n g a r m e t o n a m e n t e d w it h p a rro t s fe a t h e rs
1

In

th e

zea

an

46

I R AQ E M A

kisses fro m h er lips wh ich rip ened the r e amidst

smiles like the fruit i n th e co r olla o f the owe r H e
may love her and m ay savou r th e h oney an d perfum e
o f this love w i t h out leavi ng its p oison i n th e virgin s
b r east
Th e j oy was life only m ore r eal and i ntense T h e
evil was a dream an illusion 3 to h im th e m aiden w a s
an image a sh ado w
Ira c ema with drew silent and sorrowful Th e war
rior s arm s opened an d h is lips gen t ly murm ured h er
na m e
The Juruty itting about th e forest hears th e tende r
She utters h er wings an d ies
c ooing o f h e r m ate
to meet him i n th e warm n est Thu s th e virgin of
the desert nest l ed in th e warrior s ar m s
When m orning cam e it fou nd I ra c ema sleeping like
a b u tter y i n th e pe t als o f th e beautiful cactu s H e r
cheek was suffu sed with th e blushes of m odesty an d
as th e rs t su nbeam sparkles through th e early dawn
o n h er brightened face shon e the happy smile o f th e
bride th e au r or a o f happy love
M artim seeing Ira c ema still pressed t o h is h eart
th ought th at th e dream con tinue d and close d his eyes
not to disturb i t
The Po g e m a tru mp o f th e braves thu ndering t hrough
the vall e y awoke him from th e sweet illusio n H e kne w
th en th at h e was ali v e and a w ake H is cruel han d
s mothered the kiss which e xpanded like a owe r o n
th e bride s lips
Th e ki s ses o f Ira c ema are sweet i n dream s Th e
white war r ior lls his soul with t hem But i n li fe th e
l ips of th e Virgin o f Tupan are bi t te r an d painful like
th e Jure m a th orns
The daugh ter o f Ar ake n h id her j o y i n h er heart
Sh e was hushed and startled like th e bird whi c h fee l s
She quickly withdrew from the
t h e co m ing storm
Wigwa m and plunged i n t o th e r ive r acco r ding to
custom
.

'

i RA cEM A

47

Jandai a n ever returned to th e Wigwam and

Tupan no longer owned his Virgin i n the Tabaj ara
land
T he

C HAPT ER X V I

moon s whi t e disc rose slowly above th e h o rizon

Th e brightness o f th e s u n pales th e virgin of th e
h eavens as the warrior s love blanches th e wife s
chee k

1
Jacy !
O ur m other
exclaimed th e Taba
j ara warriors
And brandish ing their bows they
chanted th e song of th e new m oon dischargin g at her
sh owers o f arrows

Thou art come into the h ea v ens 0 m othe r of

th e braves ! Th ou turnest thy face once m ore t o
behold thy sons Thou bringes t waters to ll th e
r ivers a n d pulp to th e C uj ii nu t

Thou art com e O bride o f th e s u n ! Thy

daughters th e virgins o f th e earth s m ile at thy a p
proach May thy soft light bring love i nto the hear t s
of th e b rave and make fruitful the young m other s
b oso m
The evening was falling Th e wom en and childre n
The youths who h ad n ot
s ported i n th e vast O cara
yet won thei r name by notable deeds were r un ning
races in the valley
Th e warriors followed I r a p iia m to th e Sacre d
Wood where th e Pag e an d h is daughter awaited the m
for th e mysteries o f the Jure m a
2
r
I ac m a had already lit the res o f j oy !
T HE

th e
2

a nd

a cy

oo n

to

wa

mha
/

oo n l it e a ll y r m o t h e r A m o n gs t th e s a v g e s
fe a s t
s a m o t h a d a t t h e ch n g e t h e y h e l d t h e i
l g i
T h e s a v g e s c ll d t h e i r e f ggo t s (o )
A j y fe s t w as a g e a t n u m b e r of e s

th e

de
.

a e

ou

r !

iR A cEM A

48

r emain ed statue like and ecstatic i n th e

cent r e o f a cloud o f smoke
Each warrio r o n arrivi ng placed at hi s feet an o ffer
i ng fo r Tupan O ne b rought th e succulent gam e
2
1
an othe r water o u r a third Pirac e m of the Trahira
an d so o n e ach i n tu r n The o l d Page fo r wh o m
were th e gifts r eceived them with disdain
When all had taken seat rou nd th e Great Fire th e
priest o f Tupan co mm anded silence by a gesture an d
th r ee tim es pronou nced aloud the dread nam e as
th o u gh to ll himself with the God who inspired him

Tupan Tupan Tupan

Three ti mes th e distan t ech oes answe r ed the nam e
I r a g m a came with th e Iga c aba full o f th e gree n
liquor A r ake n decreed to each warrior h is dreams
and distributed the win e of th e J urem a wh ich was to
transp ort th e Tabaj ar a brave to the h appy land
3
The m ighty h unter drea mt that stags a n d P acas
ran to m eet h is a rrows an d transxed themselves ; at
4
length ti r ed o f wounding th em he dug th e Bucan i n
th e ea r th and r oasted s o much gam e th at a thousand
warriors could n ot nish it i n a year
The con queror o f h earts dream t that th e m os t
beautiful o f th e Tabaj ara vi rgins le ft thei r fathers
Wig w a m s to follo w h im slaves to his will and pleasure
Never h ad th e h am mock o f any ch ie f witnesse d th e
reality o f such wild warm visions
Th e h ero s vision w a s of t r em endou s st r uggles an d
fearful combats whence h e always issued V icto ri ous
a n d covered with fam e an d glo r y
A r a ke n

o i g i n a l f a in h a d a ; u a Th i s i s a so r t of ou r l ik e
t a p i o ca wh i ch t h e I n d i n s u s e d t o e a t m ix e d w it h w a t
Pi a re m d e t r a h ir a
Trah i ra is a r iv e r sh P ir a cae m
m e an s sh r o a s t e d
2
Paras (C a z/ ia p a ) a s m a ll r od e n t in Bra z il l ik e a p i g t w o
m o n t hs o l d 3 i t s e sh i s e t e
1
Bu ea n i s a T u py w o d fo r a w a y of g r ill in g e sh w h ich t h e
F re ch of M a a n h ao t u rn in t o hoz ca h e an d wh e n ce co m e s o u
E g li sh bu re iz er
1

I n th e

e r.

ra

n.

r,

i RA cEM A

o
s

The bride led the way ; the two war riors followed
be hin d When th ey had gon e a b o ut the distance o f
a he r on s igh t th e Py tig u ara chief began t o be u n
easy and whispe r ed i n th e e a r o f t he C hristian

My b r othe r had better sen d th e daughte r o f th e

The war r i ors
Pa g e back to th e Wigwam of he r fathe r
could march quicke r without her
Marti m felt a sudde n sadness ; but th e voice o f
p r udence and friendship p r evaile d i n h is heart H e
a dvanced to I ra g m a a n d spoke softly to so o the her
so rr ow

The deepe r th e root i n th e ea r th the ha r de r it i s

to withdraw the plant E ac h step I r a c em a takes o n
th e r oad o f fa r ewell is a r oot which sh e plan ts in

the h eart o f her guest

I ra c m a would accompany h im as fa r as th e b o r
d e r s of the Tabaj ara l and i n orde r to r etu r n with mo r e
calm n ess i n h e r breast
M artim did n o t answer Th ey con tinued their
march an d as they walked th e nigh t fell the stars
paled an d nally th e fresh ness o f dawn gladdened
the forest 3 t h e m orning clouds purely wh ite as c ot
ton appeared i n th e heavens
Poty looked at th e fore st and s top p ed
Mart im
unde r stood and s aid to Ira c e ma

Thy guest n o longe r tr ea ds o n th e land o f th e

T a b aj ara s
I t is t he righ t m oment t o bid h im fare

well

C HA PTE R XVI I

placed h e r h an d u po n the bosom of th e

w hite warrior

The daugh ter o f th e Ta b aj ara s h as n ow le ft th e

land of he r fathe r s and sh e may speak

I R AcEM A

I R A CE M A

5I

Wh at keepest thou wit hin thy bosom beautifu l

daughte r o f the fo r est ?

S he gazed with brimming eyes at th e Christian

I r a c ema cannot tear he rs elf fr om the s tranger

Ye t th us it must be daughter o f Ar ake n Return

t o th e cabi n o f thine old father wh o awaits the e

A r a ke n has no longe r a daughter

Marti m turned towards he r with a h arsh and se v ere
gesture

A wa rr io r of my r ace never leaves th e Wigwam o f

h is h ost widowed o f it s j oy A rake n will e mbrace his

daughte r an d shall n o t cu rs e th e ungr ate ful Stranger

Th e girl hung h e r head 3 veiled i n the long black
t r esses wh ich h ung about he r neck sh e c r osse d he r
beau tiful a r m s over he r b osom and s tood robed i n he r
m odesty Thus th e r osy cactus before ope ning i nto
a lovely ower r etains within its breast th e perfu med
bud
Thy sla v e will accom pany thee wh ite w a rrior

because thy blood sleeps i n h e r bosom

M a r tim tremble d

Th e bad spirits of th e nigh t have disturbed th e

spirit o f I r a c ema
The white warrior w a s d r eaming when Tupan
aban doned his Virgin because she betrayed th e sec ret

o f th e Ju r em a
T h e Christian h id h is face fro m th e ligh t

O God ! exclaimed h is trem bling lip

Both r emained sile nt
At last Poty spoke
Th e Tabaj ara wa rr iors awa ke
Th e heart o f th e bride like that o f th e s t r ange r w a s
deaf to th e voice o f p r udence Th e s u n arose i n th e
h orizon an d his majestic glance descended fr om th e
wooded u plands to th e forest Poty s tood like a
solita ry tree trunk wai t ing fo r his b rothe r t o give
th e signal fo r dep artu r e I t was I ra g m a wh o b r oke
,

s h e n ce

iR A cE M A

52

Co m e ! the life o f the war r io r is i n danger until

h e treads th e Py t ig u ara land
M artim followed th e girl S ilently and sh e it te d
1
befo r e him am ongst th e trees like the timid A c o ty
S o rr ow p r eyed upon his heart bu t the pe r fum e wafted
o n th e ai r by the passage o f the beauti ful Tab aj ara
fanne d th e love i n his warrio r breast S till his ste p
was S low and his b r eathing was O ppr essed
Poty r eected I n h is youth ful brain had lived th e
2
spirit o f an Abaet e
The Py t ig u ara C hief t h ough t
ih
love i s like C au im wh ich drunk with m oderation
fo rti e s th e brave but i n excess weakens the hero s
cou rage H e k new h ow eet was th e T a b aj ara s foot
a nd h e expected th e m oment wh en h e m ust die de
fending his friend
As the shades of e v e n ing began to sadden th e da y
the Ch r istian stopped i n the m i ddle o f t h e fo r e s t
P oty lit the re of hospitality The bride un folded
the wh it e ha m m ock o f cotton fringed wi t h th e feat hers
3
o f th e Toucan an d hung it to the b ranches o f a tree

Husband o f I ra c ema thy hamm ock awaits thee

Th e daugh te r o f A rak e n then went and s a t afa r o ff
o n th e r oot o f a tree like th e solita ry do e wh o h as
b ee n drive n forth from th e sunny plai n by h er u n
g r ateful m ate The Py t ig u ara wa rr io r disappeared in
the th ickest o f th e foliage
Marti m sat silen t and s orro w ful like th e tr u nk o f
so me tree from which the w ind h as torn th e bea u t i ful
4
The passing b r eeze at las t
C ip d which embraced it
bore o n i t o n e murm u r
Ira c em a
I t was the cry o f the mate The wounded doe ew
b a ck to the sun ny plain

r ll y r itt
ra coo
s good s t o g w i s e c l e v e r m a n
w ll k o w b r d w t h go g e o u s p l u m a g e b l a ck ,
l t
o r g w t h l rg e b e a k
o r li b g p l t

w
e n cu l ia , a
A m t], e n e a
2
r n ,
A ba ete m e an a
,
3
n
n
i
i
e
Tm a m , a
i a a
re e n ,
an e ,
ca r e , a n d
an
c m in
C ip ri, a Ll ia n a
1

i RA cE M A

53

Th e fores t distilled its sweetest frag r ance an d w a s

vocal with its m ost harmoni ous m usic ; the s igh s o f
the hea r t mingled with th e whispe r s o f th e wilderness
I t was th e feast o f Love the song o f Hymen
Already the m orning light pierced the dense thicket
w h en th e solem n an d sono r ous v oice o f Poty sounded
a m idst th e hu m and the buzz o f waking life

Th e T a b aj ara s walk through th e forest

Ira c em a sprang from th e arms that encircled he r

and from th e lip s which held h e r captive sprang

from th e ham mock ligh tly t o th e ground like th e
1
agile Z abel e and seizing t he weapons of h e r s p o u s e
led him into th e depth s of the bush
Fro m tim e to time th e prudent Poty laid his ear to
th e face o f earth and his head inclined from side t o
s ide as th e clou d o n the sum m i t o f a rock waves wi t h
e very puff o f the com ing storm

W hat does th e ear o f th e wa r rior Poty hear ?

I t liste ns to th e ying step of th e Tabaj ara H e

2
comes like th e T ap y r tearing t hrough th e forest

2
Th e Pyt ig u ara warrior is like th e O strich which
ies along t h e earth 3 we will follo w h i m like h is wings
said I ra c ema
The Chief shook his head ane w

Whilst th e Sea Wa r rior S lept th e enem y ran

Th ose wh o rst se t o u t a r e n ow near as th e horns

are t o the bow

Sham e gnawed the heart o f M artim

Let the Chie f Poty y an d save I ra c ema Th e

bad wa r rio r wh o would n ot liste n t o th e voice o f h is

brothe r and th e wish o f his bride can on l y die

M artim began to r etrace his steps

The soul of the wh ite wa r rior does n ot liste n to

.

s m a l l b ir d som ewh a t l ik e a p a t idge

2
T he
a we ll k o w n a n im a l a bo t t h e s i z e of a c a l f
h id e i s u s e fu l a d of b u c o l o u r I t i s a l so c ll e d Tap ii el e
1

Z a bel e,
Tapy r ,

r r

'

er

'

T a py r a , a n d Tapy r a m ap or a
3
I n t he ri i n a l E m a , th e S
.

o g

ou t h

A m e r ica n

os t r ich

I R A cE M A

54

h is m outh
The lip

Poty an d his b r othe r h ave but

of

Ira c ema spoke not only smiled

C HAPT E R XVI I I

o ne

T HE fo r est literally trembled as i t e choe d the caree r

o f th e Tabaj ara b r aves
Th e for m o f I ra p iia m the G r eat r st loom s am idst
th e trees H is su ffused eye caugh t sigh t o f th e white
warrior th r ough a cloud o f blood 3 a hoars e and tiger
like roar burst from h is brawny ches t
The Tabaj ara C hief an d his tribe were abou t to fall
u pon th e fugitive s l ike t h e swolle n waves which break
1
ank
o n th e M o c o r ib e s
B ut h ush in th e distance sounds th e bark o f
.

th e I ndian dog
P oty gave a cry o f j oy

I t is Poty s h oun d that guides th e w arriors o f h is

Tab a to save h is broth er
The h oarse sea shell of th e Py tig u ara s b ellowed
th r ough th e forest Th e great Ja c a iin a Lo r d o f th e
S ea shore s was m arching fro m the riv er o f th e h erons
with th e best o f h is braves
The Py tig u ara s receive the r st assault o f th e foe
o n the j agged h eads o f thei r sh afts which they loose d
2
i n showers like th e p orcu pi n e ra is ing his quills
Presently resoun ded th e W a r Po g e m a o f th e Taba
j aras 3 the space betwee n the e nemies was na r rowed
and th e hand t o h an d combat b egan
na
r a iia m
ac
a
i
i
attacked
I
The
h
orrible

gh
t
J
p
.

Al oeo r zbe,
'

no w

ca

ll e d

M u cu n pe , m e an s

to

h ill of s a n d in a b a y of t h e s a m e n a m e
Fo t l e z a th e g e a t s e a po t t own of C e a a
2
I n t h e o r i g i na l C oa rza u po r cu p i n e

it is

r a

k e gl a d 3
l e a gu e fro m

ma
a

i R A cE M A

55

th at o f t e n brave s yet it did n ot exha ust t he

strengt h o f the two great ch ie fs Wh en their tom a
h awks clashed the battle t r e m bled to th e h ear t as
o n e m an
Th e b r other o f I ra cm a cam e st raight to th e
stranger wh o had taken th e daughter o f Ar ake n fro m
th e hospitable Wigwam ; th e tr ail o f vengeance led
h im ; th e sigh t o f his sister ma ddened h im
C au b y
t h e brave furiously assaults t h e e nemy
I ra c em a remained by t h e side o f her warrio r and
spouse She saw C a u b y from afar and cried
Let th e Lo r d o f Ira c ema lis t e n to the prayer o f
h is slave ; l e t h im not sh ed th e blood of th e son o f
A r a ke n
I f th e warrior C a u b y mus t die let it be by
the h an d o f Ira c ema n ot by his
Marti m looked at th e savage with eyes o f h or r o r

"
Would I ra g m a slay he r brothe r ?

Ira c em a would see the blood o f C au b y stai n

h e r h an d rather than th e h an d o f h e r lord becaus e
th e eyes o f I r a g m a dwell u pon h im an d not upon

h erself
Th e battle st ill rages C a u b y gh ts with fury
Th e Christian hardly defends himself but the p oisoned
a rrows fr om th e young wife s b o w save h im from th e
blows o f th e enemy
Poty had already laid low th e o l d Andira and a l l
the braves wh o during the struggle had encounte r ed
h is good tom ahawk Martim leaves to h im th e so n
o f A r ak e n and seeks o u t I r a p iia m

1
ac
a
n
is
a
great
Chief
h
is
Wa
r
collar
thric
i
i
a
e
;
J
e ncircle s h is neck ! Thi s Tab aj a r a belongs to th e

w hi t e war r ior

Revenge is th e h onou r o f wa r fare and Jac aiin a

loves the friend o f Poty

The great Py t ig u ara ch ief up r aised his fo r midable
w as

a v age s m d e
h
o
ll
w
h
i
h
s
r
t
e
a
c
g
of t h e t e e t h of v a n q i sh e d
s (t a ki n g fr o m e a ch o e t oo t h )
w a s a b l a zo n an d a p r oof of v a l o u r
1

S ea

coll a r

u er m
u

T he c
e n e m ie

6
5

I RA C E M A

tomahawk Th e duel be twee n I ra p iia m and Ma r ti m

be g an Th e Christian s sword was shivered by th e
savage s tom ahawk
Th e Tabaj ara Chie f advanced
u pon hi s unarmed adversary
1
I r a c ema hissed like th e Bo ic in in g a and threw
h e r self between he r wa r rio r and th e Tabaj ar a ; at
once th e m assive weapon t r embled i n his powe r ful
right h an d and h is arm fell inanimate by h is side
Th e Po g e m a o f victo ry sounded Th e Py t ig u ara
warrio r s headed by Jacaiin a and Poty swept th e
fo r est Th e T a b aj ara s snatch ed as they ed their
Chief fr om the h atre d an d vengeance o f th e daugh ter
o f Ar a k e n wh o had th e power o f conquering h i m as
th e J and aia prost r ates th e tallest an d strongest pal m
tree by nibbling th e core
Th e eyes o f Ira c ema scann ing th e forest s a w the
ground st r ewed with th e b odies of he r brethren an d
i n the distance th e r em nant of their war party ying
i n a black cloud o f dust Th at bloo d whi c h stai ne d
the ground was th e s ame brave blood which now lit
u p he r ch eeks wi th sham e
The grief d r ops m oistened he r beautiful ch eek
M artim w i thdrew th at h e migh t n o t e mba r rass her
l
s o rrow
H e wished her naked w o e to bath e i tse f i n
t ear oods
.

C HAPTE R XI X

P O TYr etur n ed from pursuing th e foe H is eyes lled

w ith delight when h e saw th e white war r ior safe
Th e faith ful dog followed h im closely still licking
from i t s hairy m outh the Tabaj ara blood of which i t
had drunk its ll I ts m aster ca r essed it pleased
by its courage an d devotion I t h ad saved Ma r ti m
by gu iding s o diligently t h e warriors o f Ja ca iin a
1
A l a rg e S p e c i e s of b o a
.

iR A cE M A

8
5

J atob a th o u th at sawest my brothe r Poty com e

i nto th e wo r ld th e s t ra n ger embraces thee

M ay the l ightning withe r thee 0 tree o f th e

w arrio r P o ty ! w hen h is broth e r abandons h im

Th en the chief spoke as follows

The n Ja c a iin a was n o t yet a w arrior Jatob a

o u r greates t Chie f
was leading th e Pyt ig u ara s to
victo ry A s soon as th e full waters began t o run h e
m arch e d straigh t for th e S erra Arriving here h e
sent for the whole Taba that it migh t b e n earer th e
enemy to van quish them a gain The sam e m oo n
which saw their arrival sh on e upon th e hammock i n
which Sahy h is wife gave h im one m ore warrior o f
his blood The m oo n ligh t playe d amongst the leafage
o f th e Jatob a an d th e smile up on t h e lips o f th e
great an d wise Ch i e f wh o h ad take n its n am e an d

m igh t
I r a g e m a approached
1
Th e turtle dove feeding in th e sands leaves its
m ate w h o it s res t lessly fro m branch t o branch and
coos that the absent on e m ay r eply Th us th e fo r est
girl wande r e d i n search o f he r prop s oft ly hum ming
a gentle t ender s ong
Marti m received he r with his soul i n h is e yes and
leading his wi fe o n th e side o f h is h ea rt and hi s
friend o n th e side o f his stre ng th r eturned t o th e
2
Ranch o f th e Py t ig u ar a s
,

C HAP TE R XX

moo n waxed r ou nder Thre e su ns h ad p asse d

since Martim and I ra c em a h ad been i n the lands
o f th e P t i u ara s Lords o f th e banks o f th e ri v ers
y g

T HE

I n t h e o r i g i n a l K al a
2
R a m /2 0i s a sh e d m a d e
S a p l e a v e s o r r oofe d w it h
1

of m u d a n d s t ick s
til s
e

a nd

t h a t ch e d w i t h

i RA cEM A

59

Cam oci m and Ac araii

Th e st r ange r s h ad hung
th eir h amm ocks in th e large cabin o f the great
c
i
i
n
a
Th
e
brave
C
hief
claimed
fo
r
him
self
th
e
a
a
J
pleasure o f bei ng th e w h ite w a rr io r s h o s t
Poty abandoned his wigwam th at h e might aecom
pany his brother o f wa r to th e cabin o f h is brother
by blood and to enj oy every m ome nt that t h e s e a
w arrior could sp ar e to de vo t e t o fr ie n dsh ip fro m th e
love o f I ra g in a
D arknes s h ad already left the face o f th e earth b u t
M artim saw that it had n ot le ft t h e face o f his wi fe
si nce th e da y o f th e combat
S orrow lives i n th e s oul o f I r a g m a

Th e wife s gladness can come only from h er h u s

band
When thy eyes leave I ra g m a s tears ll

them

Why weeps th e daughter o f th e T a b aj ara s

Thi s is the Taba o f th e Py tig u aras e nem ies o f

her people Th e sigh t o f I ra g m a still sees th e skulls
o f he r broth ers staked round th e Cai cara
h er ears
still liste n t o th e death song o f th e Tabaj ara ca p tives
h er h and still touches arms dyed with th e blood o f

h er fathers
The b r ide place d her two hands on th e warrior s
shoulders a nd reclined u po n his breast

I ra g m a w ill suffer all for h er w a rr io r a n d lord

2
The A t a fruit i s sweet an d pleasan t but whe n
b r uised it s ou r s Th y wife would not th at h er love
sour thy h eart Sh e would l l i t with th e sweetness

o f h oney

Le t cal m return to th e breast o f th e da u ghte r

o f th e T ab aj ara s
Sh e sh all leave the Taba o f h er
people s foes
Th e Christian m a r ch ed straigh t to th e cabin o f
n
ac
i
i
n
Th
e
Great
Chief
was
j
oyful
seeing
hi
s
a
a
o
J
.

T w o r iv e r s of C e a r a, d is ch ar g in g

T h e A fa , cu s t a r d a pp l e
-

in

to

th e

o ce a n

I R A cE M A

60

guest arrive but j oy soon ed from h is warlike brow

wh e n Martim sai d

Th e white warrio r is going to leave thy cabin

Great Chie f

Then there is s omething wanting to h im i n th e

cabi n o f Ja ca iin a ?
Th y guest h ath wante d nothing He was happy
h ere ; but th e voice o f his hea r t sends h im to anoth er

place

The n leave and take all th at is n ee dful for th e

j ourney May Tupan fortify my brother an d bring
h im back agai n to the cabin o f Ja ca iin a that he m ay

celebrate h is w e l l co m in g
Poty arrived h earing t h at th e sea warrior w a s
going h e s aid

Thy brothe r will accompany thee

Will n ot Poty s warriors n eed th eir ch ief P

U nless my brothe r desires that they go with Poty
iin a will lead them to victory
a
c
a
J

The cabi n of Poty will be deserted and sad

Th e heart o f the white brave s brothe r would b e

still m ore desert and sad with ou t him

Th e sea warrio r left th e banks o f th e Rive r o f th e
H erons a nd march ed towards the lan d where th e su n
sets H is wi fe an d friend followed h is steps Th ey
went beyon d the fertile forest range whe r e the abu n
dant fruits breed a swarm o f ies from which i t takes
1
th e name o f M eruoca
They crossed the little st r eam s which discharge
t heir waters into the River o f the Herons and th ey
S ighte d o n the far h o r izon a high m ountai n range
Th e day e xpi r ed ; a black cloud seemed to be a dv a n c
2
i ng from the sea I t was th e U ru b fis th at feast o n
th e dead which th e ocean thro w s u p o n th e beach
an d return with the night to their nests
1
M er it ova m e a n s t h e F l y s H o u s e
I t is a S e r ra cl os e t o
S ob r al fe r til e in a l l t h a t i s u s e fu l a s food
2 U
th e Br a z il ian t u r k e y b u zz a r d
r u hu
,

iR A cE M A

6I

The t r avellers slept at U rubu r etam a

When th e
sun reap p e a r ed it found them o n th e banks o f th e
rive r wh ich rises i n th e S erra gap and descends wind
ing like a serpen t into th e plain I ts mazes deceive
at every step the pilgri m s wh o follow its tortuou s
2
course 3 for which r eason i t was called th e M u n da h ii
Following i ts cool banks Ma r tim o n th e second
sun beheld th e gree n s eas an d the white beache s
where th e m urmuring waves n o w sob and then raging
with fury break i n akes o f foam
The eye s o f t he white warrio r dilated at the v as t
expanse his ch est h eaved This sam e sea also kissed
3
th e w h ite sands o f th e Potengi h is cradle w here h e
r st s a w the ligh t o f Am erica He threw h imself i nto
th e waves an d revelled i n the though t th at h e bathed
h is body i n th e waters of h is n ative country and h is
soul i n yea r ning for it
I ra g m a felt her heart weep b u t soon her warrior s
s mile reassure d h er
Meantime Poty fro m th e t o p o f a pal m tree arrowe d
4
th e savoury C a m o r o p im wh ich sporte d in the little
bay o f M u n da h ii an d prepared the Moquem for thei r
r e fection
.

C HAPT E R XX I

sun had already left the zenith Th e travellers

r each th e m outh o f that r ive r wh ere th e savou ry Tra

T HE

U m hu r eta m a ,

v u lt u r e s

ne

sts

h igh

m o u n t a in

ra n g e

h i ch s w a

rm

s w it h

t o r t u o u s riv e r r i s in g in th e S e rra of U r iib u r e ta m a ;

fro m m m a e a s n are a n d h u o r u a r iv e r
2
Pote ng i t h e r iv e r t h a t wa t e r s t h e c it y of N a t a l a s e a p O i t
t o wn of R i o Gran d e do No rt e wh e re M a r t im S o a re s M o re n o
w a s bo r n
C a m or op im a l a r g e sh t a s t in g l ik e a co d sh
2

M u n da h u ,

i RA cE M A

62

h ira sal mon breeds abun dantly and wh ose banks are
pe opled by sherm en o f t he great Py tig u ara ra ce
They r eceived th e strangers wi t h th at generous
hospitality which was a law o f thei r r eligion and Poty
wi t h th e r espect due to s o great a wa r ri o r an d t o a
b r other o f Ja caiiii a the m os t powe r ful Chief o f th e
1

Py t ig

u aras

To r est th e t r avellers and to dismiss th em wi t h

p r ope r ceremony th e Chief of th e Tribe r eceived
Ma rtim Ira c ema and Poty i n the Jangada and sp r ead
ing a sail to th e bree ze bore th em fa r down th e coast
Al l th e fishermen i n th ei r raft s followe d th eir Ch ief
an d lled the air with a so ng o f lame nt ac c ompanied
2
by th e murmurings o f the U ra ca wh ich imitates th e
sobbing of th e wind
B eyon d th e shing tribe and nea r e r th e S erras was
th e h unting t r ibe They occupied th e borders of th e
2
covered with forests where aboun d ed deer
S o ip
4
th e fat Paca and th e slende r Jacu
H ence th e
dwellers of these regions h ad named it the H u nting
Ground
a
u
ar
a
ss
u
or
Great
Tiger
th
e
Ch
ief
of
these
h
unte
r
s
Jg
h ad a Wigwam o n the banks o f the lake form ed by
th e ri v e r as it n ears th e sea H e r e th e travellers met
with th e same warm r eception which th ey had r eceive d
fro m th e sherm en
Afte r leaving S o ip th e travelle r s crossed th e r i ve r
,

As

s a bor ora:

t r a h ir a s

iv e r T r a h iiy fr o m t r a h i a
w a t e r o r r iv e r i s t h i r t y l e a g u e s

T he

of a s a v g e sh a d
n o t h of t h e ca p it a l of C e r a
2
U r a ea a so r t of u t e w h i h t h e y m a d e of b i g sh e ll s
3
u d
fro m : 00 g m e a n d ip
the
S if e h u t in g g
p l a ce wh e re
No w it is ca ll e d S i p e a n d it s r iv e r a n d v ill g e
)
b e l o n g t o t h e ? a i sh a n d t own sh i p of Fo r t a l e za I t i s s it u a t e d
i a t t h e m o u t h of t h e
o n t h e b a n k s o f m a sh e s ca ll e d j ag u a ra ssf
riv e r
4
a
a
x
P
e
l
o
e
e b ir d of w h ich t h e re a r e fo u r
ne
l
g
m
C
)
(
p
j
d i ffe re n t k in ds ; it t a s t e s a n d l oo k s w h en coo k e d so m e wh a t l ik e
b u t m u ch b e tt e r t h an o u r ph e a s a n t

n am e

ro

e,

ar

iR A cEM A

63

Pacoty o n wh ose b orders ourished the leafy ban ana

waving its gree n plumes
2
Fa rther on is the Igu ape st r eam wh ose waters e n
circle the dunes of sand
I n th e distance c r owning the ho rizon appeared a
high sand h ill snowy white as th e ocean foam Th e
su mmit overhung the palms and cocos and a ppea r ed
3
like t h e bald h ead of the C ondor the r e aw aiting th e
sto r m blowing u p from th e o cean bou nds

Poty knows th e g r eat hill o f sand ? asked th e

Christian
Poty knows all th e land that be longs to the Py ti
gu ar as from the banks o f the gr eat r ive r which form s
1
an a r m of th e s e a to th e ba nks of th e st r eam whe r e
th e Jagua r lives H e h as been already t o the heigh t
o f M o c o r ib e an d th en ce h e h a s seen far at s e a the
5
big l garas o f th e wh ite wa rr iors the ene mies o f m y

b r oth er wh o dwell i n M eari m

Why ca llest thou th e great sand h ill M o co r ibe P

The sherman o f the beach wh o puts o u t to sea in
6
J angadas there where the Aty ies is s a d because h e
is far fr om h is cabi n where sleep th e childre n o f h is
blood Whe n h e r etu r ns and h is eyes r st behold
t he hill of san d g l adness r eturns to th e m an s bre ath
Th en he says that the hill of th e sands gives j oy
1

of th e Pa co b s I t r i s e s in th e S e ra of Ba t u
p s i t s e l f in t o t h e o ce a n t w o l e a gu e s n or t h of
q
a l so ca ll e d Pa eoe ir a a n d M a r a i s t h e in d i g e n o u s
b a a n of Bra z il a sh ru bby g ro w t h so m e te o r t we lv e fe e t h i gh
a n d as t h ick as a m a n s thig h y e t so soft t h a t it m a y b e cu t do wn
w i t h a s in g l e s t r o k e of t h e s w o rd
T h e w o rd
l g w p e a b a y d i s t a n t t w o m il e s fro m A q u iras
wh ich i s c o m m o n in Braz il m e an s wa t e r w h ch e n ci rcl e s
2
T h e we ll k n o w n a n d m o s t r o u s b ir d of th e e a g l sp e cie s
w it h a v e r y h a d sh a r p b ea k t h t w ill p i e rce a b u l l s h id e
Th is i s th e P r n ahyba th e
R io g u e f r m
m h aeo a o m a
m a i n r iv e r of Pi a u hy a n d lit e r a ll y m e n s
a r m r u n n in g fr o m

Pa coty , r iv e r
r it e, a n d e m t ie
A u iras Pa eoba ,
1

a u

the s e a

l g rir a : , b ig
6 At
y , ea u

ca n

s g ll

oes

m e an in

th e

sh ips of th e Fre nch

i R A cE M A

64

The she rm an says w ell ; thy brother like him

is h a ppy when h e sees the m ountain of sand
M artim and Poty ascended th e head o f M o c o r ib e
I ra c em a followed with h er eyes her s p ouse wander
1
ing like the Ja g an a n r ound th e beauti ful bay wh ich
earth for m ed to recei v e th e sea O n h e r way sh e
collected th e sweet C aj iis which appease th e warriors
thirst and gath ered deli c ate sh ells to o r nam en t he r
n eck
Th e t r avellers dwel t i n M o c o rib e three suns Then
Marti m directed h is steps beyo n d it Th e wife an d
frien d followe d hi m t o th e bank o f a r iver wh ose
banks were o v e ro w e d a n d covered wi t h mangrove
The sea entering into it for m ed a basin o f clear
c rystalline wate r which appeared almos t scooped out
o f th e stone like a vase of pottery
Whilst reconnoitring th is place th e C h r is t ia n w a r
rio r began to r eect To th e present tim e h e h ad
ma r ched without any obj ect and h e h ad allowed
H e ha d
h is steps to guide h im where th ey would
n o othe r th ought except to absen t himself from th e
Taba o f th e Py t ig u ara s th at he migh t th e bette r
sooth e the sorrow i n I r a g m a s h eart Th e Christia n
knew by experience th at travel cures a Saudade b e
cause the soul rests wh ilst the body m oves Bu t
now seated on th e beach h e pondere d
Poty cam e

The wh ite warrior th inks ; th e breast o f his bro ;

ther is ope n to r eceive his tho u ght
Poty s broth er thinks that th is is a better place than
th e margins o f j agu aribe fo r th e Taba o f th e warriors
I n th es e waters th e big Ig aras th at com e
o f his race
from th e far o ff land m ay lie sh eltered from wind an d
s e a : hence th ey can fall upon M earim an d destroy

t rh e n

wa e

b ir d
s car l e t a n d

m ,

r ar
e
,

'

ca l l e d

g re e n

in A frica

l il y t ro tt e r
-

h e re

i R A cEM A

66

C HAPTE R XX I I

P O T Ysaluted h is friend and spoke as follows

E r e th e fathe r o f Ja ca iin a and P oty th e valian t

warrior J atob a ruled over all the Py tig u ara wa rr io r s
the G r eat Tomah awk o f th e Nation was i n the r ight
l
h an d of Bat u ir e t
th e H ead Chie f Sire of Ja to b et
I t was h e who came along the s ea beach t o th e rive r
o f th e J aguars and expelled the T a b aj ar a s i nto th e
i nterior an d dictated t o each tribe th e li m i t s o f its
lands Then h e e nte r e d th e in ner r egion s a s far as
th e Serra which t ake s his n ame

2
W h e n his stars were m any s o many th at h is
Camoci m n o longe r co ntained all th e nuts that mark
th e n umbe r o f his years his body began to inclin e
earthwa r ds h is arm sti ffen ed like th e branch o f th e
unbending U b ir a t a n an d h is eyes grew da r k H e

the n called t h e warrior j atob a and said Le t my son

take th e Tomah awk o f the Py t ig u ar a Nation Tupan
wills not that Bat u ire t sh ould ca rr y i t any m ore t o
war s in ce h e h a s take n fr om him th e st r eng t h o f h is
body th e use o f his arm and the ligh t of h is eyes
B ut Tupan has been good to hi m S ince h e gave hi m

a son like the warrior J atob a

J atob a took th e Tomahawk o f th e Py tig u aras

Ba tu ire t assumed th e sta ff o f h is old age an d s e t
H e crossed th e vast u ninhabited regions to th e
out
luxuriant prairies where ru n th e wate r s that com e
fro m th e quarte r of the n ight A s the old warrio r
dragged his limbs along th eir banks and th e light o f
h is eyes would not let h im b ehold n or the fruits n or
,

l b ra t e d s n i p e T h e so u b riq u e t of t h is gre a t
I t is a l so t h e
C h i e f s i g n i e s t h a t h e w a s a b ra v e s w im m e r
n a m e of a v e y fe r til e S e r r a a n d t h e r e g i o n w h i ch h e o ccu p ie d
2
T h e s a v a g e s c o u n t ed t h e i r y e a r s
S a a r es t r el /a s e ao m a zia r
by t h e h e li a ca l r i s i n g of t h e Pl e i ad e s an d a l so by k e e p i n g a
c a sh e w n u t of e a ch sp r i n g
1

Ba t u zr ete,

ce e

I R AcEM A

67

th e t rees no r th e birds of th e air h e said i n his sad

ness Ah ! my bygon e days !

The people who heard h im w ept over the r uins

o f the Great C hief ; an d si nce then
wh oeve r passes

by that spot repeats his words Ah ! meus te mpos

passados 3 for whic h r eason the river and th e prairie
1
are called Q u ixeramobim
2

Ba t u ire t cam e from the Pa th o f the H e r ons

as far as th at Se rra which tho u s eest i n th e distance
and the r e h e r st lived O n the topmost peak the o l d
war r ior made his n est as high as ies the hawk to
pass th e r em nant o f his days speaking with Tupan
H is son already sleeps u n de r the earth wh ilst h e
even during th e last moon was thinking at his cabi n
door to await th e night which bri ngs the Great Sleep
All th e Py t ig u ara warrio r s wh en the voice o f wa r
a w akes th em visit and beg the old man that h e will
t each the m to conque r ; for n o othe r warrio r eve r
knew to gh t as he did Thus the trib es call him n o
m ore by his nam e but kno w hi m as th e G r eat Wise
3

M an of War M a ra n g u a b
The chief Poty wants to visit the S e rr a to s e e his
m ighty Grandsire 3 b ut befo r e day falls he wi ll b e
back in th e cabin of h is b r othe r H as he any o the r

wish ?

Th e wh ite w a rrio r will accompany his brother

H e wants to embrace the Great Chie f of th e Py tig u ara s
Gra n dfather of Poty an d to tell th e old m an that he
lives again i n h is grandson
M artim called I rag m a and they both set o u t
,

t r a n s l a t e d i n t o Po r t u g u e s e m e an s Ah !
m e u s o u t r os t e m pos 3 in E n g l ish
A h ! m y o t h e r ti m e s
2
C a m in h o do: g r ea r o r i gh t of th e h e r o n s in T u py is
A r a r ap e a vill a g e in t h e p a r i sh of Ba t u ire t n in e l e a g u e s fr o m
t h e ca p i t a l of C e a r a

3
M a r a ng u a h m e a n s t o w a r a n d w is e m a n
M a ra n g a p e
v e l e a g u e s d i s t an t fr o m t h e ca p it a l is n o t e d fo r it s b e a u t y a n d
fe r tili t y
1

Q u ix er a m obim

i RA cE M A

68

gu id e d by the Py t ig u ara to th e S er r a o f M ar a n g u a b
wh ich loomed above the horizon They followed th e
cou r se o f the river to th e place wh e r e it is j oined by
1
the stream o f Pirapora
The cabin o f th e o l d wa r rio r w as clos e to one of
those beautiful cas cades whe r e th e sh leap i n the
m idst o f th e b ubbling foam Th e waters h e r e are
fresh and sweet like th e sea breeze i n th e h ou r o f
h eat m u r mu r i ng amongst th e palm lea v es
Ba tu ir e t w as sitting upon o n e o f th e casca de r ocks 3
th e bu rning s u n r ays fell full u pon his head which
2
was bald and wr inkled as the Genipapo
Thus
3
sl e eps the Ja b u rii at th e edge o f th e tank

Poty has arri v ed at th e cabin o f th e great Ma r

father o f Jatob a and h as brough t his white
a n g u ab

b r othe r t o see th e gre atest Wa rrior o f the Nations

Th e o l d m an only opened his heavy eyelids and
passed a long but feeble look from the g r andson to
the st r ange r Then hi s ch es t h eaved and his lips
murmu r ed

Tupan Wills that these eyes should s e e be fore

be ing que nched th e White H awk S ide by S ide with
4
th e N ar s ej a
Th e Abaet e d r opped his head o n h is chest and
spoke n o m ore n o r m oved again
Poty an d M ar tim su pposing that h e slept r espe ct
fully withd r ew n ot to distu r b the r epose o f one wh o
,

Pir ap o r a , a r iv e r of M a ra n gu a p e , n o t e d fo r t h e fre sh ne ss of
i t s w a t e rs a n d th e e x ce ll e n ce o f i t s b a t hs Th e y a r e in th e
e n v ir o n s of t h e C acho e i r a s (ra p i ds , ca t a r a ct s , o r w a t e r fa ll s ),

a n d a r e ca ll e d th e
T h e w or d m e a n s
Ba t hs of Pi ra po ra
"
sh l e a p
2
Gen ip ap o, a w e ll k n o w n Bra z ili a n t re e, w hos e fr u it p rod u ce s
a d a r k d y e w it h wh i c h th e I n d i a n s u s e d t o t a tt oo t h e m s e lv e s

3
a ba r a , a l a r g e cra n e
y
1
O g a w ao br a m e , t h e w h it e h a wk , w h il s t Na r s q a is t h e s n ipe
Ba t u ir e t t h u s ca ll in g th e s t ran ge r, a n d sp e a k in g of h is g ran d s o n
a s a s n ip e by co m p a riso n , p r oph e s i e d t h e d e s t ru ct io n of h is r a ce
by th e wh it e s I t w a s t h e l a s t w o r d h e spo k e
1

'

'

'

iR A cEM A

69

had don e such deeds duri ng h is long life I ra g e m a

wh o h ad bathed i n th e n earest Cachoeira came t o
m eet them bri nging combs of the pu rest h oney in a
1
leaf o f the T a io b a
Th e friends w ande r ed about the ou r ishing environs
till the shade o f th e m ou ntai n dark en ed the valley
Th ey the n retu r ned to th e spo t where th ey h ad le ft
th e M aran g u a b
The old man was still th ere i n th e sam e attitude
with his h ead ben t o n h is chest and h is crossed
knees supporti ng his foreh ead Th e ants we r e r u n
2
ning u p his body and th e T u in s were uttering
a r oun d him and settling upon his bald h ead
Poty placed h is hand o n th e o l d m an s h ead an d
felt that h e was dead H e had died o f o l d age
The Pyt ig u ara Chief th en i nton ed th e Song o f
D eath 3 presently h e wen t into th e cabin to fetch th e
C a m o g im wh ich was lled to overowing with nu ts
Martim counted ve tim es v e h andfuls
o f C aj ii
M eanwh ile I rag m a gath ere d i n th e forest th e
3
Andiroba with which to anoin t th e body of th e old
man in th e Cam o c im wh ere th e duti ful hand o f his
grandson placed h im The Funeral Vase r emained
suspen ded to th e cabin roo f
They the n planted th e Or tiga o r l arge stinging
n ettle before th e doo r way to defen d against a n i mals
4
th e aban doned O ca
Poty bade a sorro w ful farewell
t o these scenes and retu r ned with h is companions to
th e bo r ders of th e s e a
.

Ta ioba ,

d re ss

b ush w it h l a rg e l e a v e s fro m

l oth i g
n

ho s

t re e

an

d aha ,

l ittl e
Tu im in Bra il is a k in
2
A n d ir oba , a l ar e t r e e , n a t iv e
iv e a itt e r o il
a r m a ti c n a t u r e , a n d
4
0m , u e , ca in, wi wa m
2

ca ,

g
g

d of

s
g

p a ro t
of Braz il wh ich
r

is

of

an

i R A cEM A

7o

C HAP TE R XX I I I

F O U R m oons had lighted the h ea v ens si n c e I ra g m a

h ad left the plains o f I p ii and three since sh e had
dwelt in the Wigwam o f h e r husband by the sh ore o f
th e sea
Gladness dwelt withi n h er soul Th e daughter of
th e forest was happy as the swallo w th at abandons its
paternal nest and goes forth t o build a new h om e i n
I rag e m a
the land where th e o w e r season begins
likewise foun d there o n th e sea sh ore a nest o f love
the h eart s new country !
S he wandered over th e beauti ful plain s like the
h umming bi r d h overing amongst th e owers o f th e
acacia Th e ligh t o f early morning foun d he r already
clinging t o th e S houlder o f h e r husband eve r smil
1
ing like th e E n r e d ig a which twines round th e tree
trunk and which co v e r s it with a new garlan d every
m orning
M arti m wen t o u t to hun t wi th Poty H e th e n
separated himself from h er in o r der to have th e plea
sure o f r eturning to h e r
I n th e m iddle o f a gree n pasture h a r d by was a
beautiful lake to wh ich th e wild girl u sed to direct
he r ligh t step I t was th e hour o f th e m orning bath
Sh e would cast hersel f i nto th e wate r an d swim with
th e white herons and th e s c arlet Ja g a n a n s Th e
Py t ig u ar a warriors wh o ch anced to co m e th at way

called this the

Lak e o f Beauty becau se it was
bathed i n by I r a g m a , th e m ost b eautiful o f th e race
O f Tu pan
An d from that time till n ow moth ers com e from
afar to dip thei r daughters i n the wate r s o f th e Por
,

r per

n r ed i a , a c e e
r

t r e e t ru n k
-

h ich

en

t wine s

t g l e s ro u n d

a nd e n an

i R A cE M A

aba ,

wh ich they suppose have the vi r tue of making

th e virgins beautiful and beloved by th e braves
A fte r the bath I r a g m a wandered to th e skirts of
the Serra of M ara n g u a b where rises th e rive r o f th e
2
Marreca s
There i n the cool shade g r e w the most
s avoury fruits o f th e count ry ; sh e would collect a
plentiful supply an d r ock herself i n th e branches o f
the M aracuj a tree wait in g for Marti m to return fro m
h u nting
Her fancy did n ot al w ays h owe v er lead he r to th e
3
Je r a r a h ii b u t often to th e opposite side close to th e
4
lake O f the Sapiranga wh ose wate r s a r e said to i nam e
the eyes Near it was a wood thick an d leafy with
clumps o f M u r itys which formed i n th e middle o f th e
plateau a large island o f beautiful palms I r a g m a
5
loved the M u r itya p iia where the wi n d ble w so ftly
Here S h e stripped the pulp from the r ed Coco to
make refreshing drinks m ixed with th e bee honey
w hich the warriors liked to drink in the gr eat heat o f
the day
O ne m orning P oty guided Ma r tim to t h e chase
Th ey m arched towards a Serra which towers on th e
O pposite side t o M ar a n g u ab i ts twi n S ister
Th e
highest peak bends like th e h ooked beak o f th e
6
m acaw and hence th e war r iors named it A ra t an h a
a ng

s b e a u t y ; i t i a l a k e in a d e li gh t fu l spo t
d i t a t o n e l ag u e f o m th e C it y N o w i t i s c ll e d A r r o n ch e s 3
its b a k s i s a d e c y e d v ill a g e of t h e s a m e n a m e
o
2
M r r e s w il d d u k s
3
iv
Th is p l ce is e v e n
r h
e r of t h e w il d d u ck s
e
7
fo r its d li cio u s f it s e sp e ci a ll y t h e b e a u ti fu l
now
n o tab le
o n ge s k n own a s t h e o ra n ge s of Je ah"ii
4
a n d t h e y a l so c a l l by
re d e y e s
S ap i a ng a w h ich m e a n s
t h i s n a m e a ce r t in oph t h a l m ia in t h e No t h I t i s a l a k e c l os e
t o A l ga d i co No v o a bo u t t w o l e agu e s fro m th e C p i t a l
5
T h e word
M u ity ap a w h e r e t h e r e i s n o w a s m ll t o w
is fr o m m u r ity p a l m a n d ap u a m a n is l a n d o r c l u m p
6 A r a l a n h a fr o m a r a r a a m a ca w a n d t a n h a t e e t h
A
fe rt il a n d cu ltiva t e d S e rr wh ich is a co n t in u a ti o n of M a r n
p
e
u
g
1

P o r a ng

a ha

mean
r

ca

ra

ru

'

ra r

ra

iRA cEM A

72

They m ounted by t he side o f Guaiuba whence th e

wate r s descend i nto th e valley and they wen t to th e
stream whe r e the Pacas a r e t o be fou nd
Th e s u n sh on e on th e Macaw s Beak only wh en the
2
h unte r s descended from Pacatuba t o th e plateau
From afa r th ey saw I r a g m a wh o cam e to wait fo r
them o n the ma rgin o f he r lake th e Po r ang aba Sh e
cam e towa rds them wi t h th e prou d step of th e h e r o n
stalking by th e water s edge
O utside h e r Cari oba
sh e wore a belt o f M an iva the ower s o f wh ich are an
emble m o f fruitfulness A festoon o f th e same owers
twi ne d roun d he r th r oat an d fell over he r m arbl e
b osom
Sh e seized the h and of h er husban d and ca r ried i t
to he r lips

Thy blood lives i n th e bos om o f I rag m a Sh e

will be th e mothe r o f thy s o n

saidst th ou ? exclaimed th e C h r istian with

o
j y
K neelin g down h e th r ew h is arm a r oun d h er an d
kissed h e r m utely th anking Go d fo r this great happi
n ess
When h e a r ose Poty spoke
Th e happiness O f th e young b r ave is a wi fe an d
a frie nd ; th e r s t gives gladness the s econd gives
strength Th e war r ior without a spouse i s like a tree
lacking leaves and owers ; n ever shall h e behold its
fruit Th e b r ave withou t a frien d is like th e s olitary
tre e waving i n th e midst o f th e p r ai ri e with each blas t
Th e happiness of th e
o f win d 3 it s fr uit n ever ripens
st r ong man is th e O ffsp r ing which is born to h im an d
which is h is pride E v e iy war r io r of h is blood is o n e
bran ch mo r e to r aise u p h is nam e to th e s ky like th e
,

h i ch m e an s wh e n ce co m e t h e w a t e rs of th e
v ll e y is a rive r r i s i n g in th e S e rr a o f A ra ta n h a a n d cross in g
t h e v ill a g e of t h e sa m e n a m e s ix l e a gu e s fr o m th e ca p it a l
2
b e d of t h e Pa ca s
Th er e is n o w a n e w b u t im
Paca tu ba
por t an t v ill a g e in a b e au t ifu l v a ll e y O f th e S e rra o f Ara ta nh a
1

Gu a iu ba ,

i R A cEM A

74

C HAPTE R XX I V

r ace o f Tupan fo r th e
colou r s of his n ation
They rst traced upon th e skin black lines like th ose
1
o f the C o at y
whence came th e n ame o f th e War
painting art Th ey also varied the colours an d
m any warriors were covered with emblem s o f th ei r
deeds
The strange r having adopted th e country of h is
spouse and his frien d was expecte d to pa s s through
this cerem ony i n order t o become a redski n warrior
and a s o n of T u p a n With this intention Poty had
provided for himself the necessary O bj ects
I r a g m a prepared the dyes the C hie f dippi n g i n
the m th e feath ers traced over th e warrior s body th e
red an d black lines th e Py tig u ara colours H e the n
drew on his foreh ead an arrow an d said
As th e a rr o w pierce s th e hard trunk s o th e
warrior s eye penetrates the soul of th e people
O n th e arm a h awk
A S the Anaj e swoops from th e clouds so falls the
warrior s arm upon the en emy
O n th e left foot th e r oot o f a p al m t r ee
As th e littl e root supports i n the grou nd th e lofty
pal m tree th us th e rm foot o f the war r ior sustai n s
his fr ame
O n the r igh t foot a wing

2
As the wing of th e M aj o y cleaves the ai r thus
th e eet foot o f the warrior h as n o equal i n th e
I T was customary amongst the
b rave to wear o n his body the

ra c e f

s m a ll fo x lik e a n im a l a racoo n w hos e h id e h a s a

d w i t h b l ack s t ri p e s C o ty r a h e w h o p i n t s 3 coa ty d
r ed g o
t o p a i t ; coa ty a ho h e w ho is p in t e d His tO iy m e n ti o n s t h
f ct t h a t M a r ti m S o a r e s M o re n o p a i n t e d a n d d r ss e d l ik e th e
s a v a ge s of C e a ra wh il s t h e w a s l ivi n g a m o n gs t t h e m
2
M aj y s w a ll o w
1

C oaty ,
r

un

i R A cE M A

75

th en took th e fe a t li e r v a n e an d pai nted a

l ea f with a bee upon it : he r voice m urmu r ed thro u gh
her s miles
As the bee makes h oney i n th e black h eart of th e
J acarand a s o sweetness is i n th e breast o f th e bravest

warrior
Marti m opened his arm s and lips to receive th e
body an d s oul o f his w ife

My brother is a gr eat warrior o f th e Py t ig u ara

n ation
H e wants a nam e i n th e language o f his

n ew country

The na m e of thy broth e r shall be called by w h a t

ever part o f h is body thou im p o s e s t thy han d upon
exclaim ed I ra g m a
C o a tyab o
Thou h ast said it I am th e painted warrior
th e warrior o f th e wife an d of th e frien d
Poty gave to h is b r other the bow and the tom ah awk
which were the n oble ar m s of a brave I ra c m a h ad
prepa r ed for hi m th e plu mes and orna m ented belt
w orn by illustriou s Chiefs
Th e da u gh ter o f Arake n fetched fr om th e cabin the
m eats o f th e feast and th e wines of the Genipapo an d
M a n dio ca The warriors drank C opiously an d dance d
j oyous dances Whilst th ey revolve d round th e b o n
r es they sang songs of gladness
Poty chanted
As the Cobra Snake whi c h h as two heads and only
o n e b ody so is th e friendsh ip of C o a tyab o and P oty
I r a g m a took u p th e r efr ain
A s th e oyster wh ich leaves not th e rock until
after death s o is I t a pema j oined to her husband
The war r io r s chanted

As th e Ja t o b ai i n the forest s o is th e wa r rio r

C o a tyab o betwee n his b r othe r an d spouse 3his branches
e ntwine with th ose of th e U b ira ta n and his shade
p r otects th e humble grass
The r es of j oy burn t u n t i l m orning ca m e an d
with them lasted th e Feast o f the Warrio r s
I ra g m a

76

i R A cEM A

C HAPT E R X X V

still
r
eigne
d
in
th
e
cabin
du
r
ing
th
e
whole
tim
e
Y
J
O

whilst th e ears o f corn r ipened an d waxed yellow

O n ce at break of day th e Christian was strolling by
th e b orders o f th e sea H is s oul was weary
The h umming bird satiates i t self with honey an d
perfume 3 i t then S leep s i n i ts lit t le white n es t o f
cotton u ntil anothe r yea r comes r oun d with its Moo n
Like it th e warrior s soul is sated with
o f Flowers
h appiness 3 it wants sleep an d r epose
H unting and excursions i n th e mountains with h is
frien d by his s ide th e tender caresses o f th e wi fe
1
awai t ing h is return th e pleasant C ar b e to i n th e Wig
wam porch n o longer awakened i n h i m emotions as
they were wont to do H i s h eart began to speak
H is eyes w an
I r a g m a was s porting on th e beach
dered from her over the sea s vast expan se
La rge white wings we r e seen h ove r ing ove r the blue
w aste
The Christian kne w that i t was a big Igara o f
m any sails s uch as were constructe d by h is b r eth r en
and the Saudade o f h is coun try wrung h is b r east
H igh r ose th e su n 3 th e warrior o n th e S h ore
followed with his eyes th e white wings a s th ey ed
I n vai n th e wife called hi m to th e h u t i n vain sh e
displayed to his eyes h er gr ace s o r o ffered hi m th e
b est fruits o f th e count r y Th e warrior n e v e r m oved
u ntil th e sail disappeared behin d the h orizon
P oty returned fr o m th e S erra where for th e rs t
tim e h e had b ee n alon e
H e had left serenity o n
his brother s countenance and n ow h e foun d the r e
so rr o w M arti m we nt forth to m ee t him

Th e great Igara o f th e white Tap uia is o n th e

sea
Th e eyes o f Poty s brothe r s a w them ying
.

C a r be o,
ca b in w h e r e

so r t of e v e n i n g m e e t ing of
t h e y u s e d t o co n v e rs e

th e

I nd i a n s

in

l a ge
r

i RAcE M A

77

t owa r ds the banks o f th e Mea r im They are th e

1
allies o f th e Tu pinamb as and the e nemies O f h is
a nd my r ace

Poty is lo r d o f a thous a n d bows ; i f C o a tyab o

wishes h e will accom pany hi m with his b r aves to
t he banks O f th e Meari m t o conqu er th e T a p tiitin g a

and his friends the treache r ous Tupinamb as

When i t is tim e Pot y s brother will tell h i m

The warrio r s returne d t o th e cabin whe r e I r ag ma
w as
The sweet song to d ay was S ilent o n th e wife s
lips
She wove am idst h e r sigh s the fringe o f th e
m aternal h amm ock broader an d thicker th an th e
m arriage cot Poty wh o sa w her thus occupied sp ok e

Whe n th e Sabi a sings it is th e season o f love

When silent it m akes th e nest fo r th e little o n e : it is

th e tim e for work

2
My brothe r speaks like th e Ran annou ncing th e
rain b u t th e Sabi a which m akes its nest does not

know i f it will sleep i n it

The voice O f I ra g m a t rembled H e r eye sough t
Martim H e was thinking The words o f I ra g m a
passe d over him like th e breez e u pon th e smooth
sur face o f th e rocks n oiseless an d ech oless
Th e su n still sh on e on th e s ea beach and th e sa n ds
reecte d its arden t rays bu t n eithe r th e light wh ich
came from heave n nor that wh ich ea r th gave could
drive darkness fro m the Christian s soul E ve ry m o
m en t th e twilight deepened on h is foreh ead
Ar rived from th e banks of the Aca raii a Py tig u ara
war r ior sent by Ja ca iin a t o his b r oth e r Poty H e had
followed th e wa r rio r s t r ail as far as th e Trahiry
w hence th e Fishe r men had guide d him to th e Wigwam
.

Y
i p i a m bd m e
s f t h e rs O f t h e T p ys a form id b l e
A ft e r n
a t io
t h p i m itiv e b ra ch of t h e g e t T py r ace
h e o i c e s is t ce n t b i g a b l e t o x p el t h e Po t g u e s fro m
B h i a t h y m ig r t e d t o M r h ao w h e re t h e y fo me d a ll ian ce
w it h t h e F e n ch w ho o v err t h e s e re gi o n s
R a n f og
1

n,

an

an

e n

an

r u

a an

I R A cE M A

s
7

Poty was a l o n e in th e porch

H e r ose up a n d ben t
h is hea d to liste n with m ore gravity and respe ct t o
th e words wh i c h his brother had sent him by th e
m outh of th e m essenger

Th e T a p u it in g a wh o was i n th e Meari m cam e

through th e forests as far as th e beginning o f th e
I b y a p ab a where he had m ade an alliance with
I r a p iia m to gh t th e Py t ig u ar a nation
They are
c oming down t h e Serra to th e banks o f th e river
w here th e h erons d ri nk and where Poty r aised th e
T ab a of h is warriors
ca
i
i
n
now
su
mmons
him
to
a
a
J
de fend the lands o f o u r fathers and his people want

their greatest warrior

Th e warrior must return t o th e banks o f A c a ra ii

an d h is foot m u st n ot rest u ntil i t has trodden th e
oor of Ja c aiin a s Wigwam When h e arrives h e will

say to th e great chie f j a ea zfn a s hr e th er h a s a r r iv ed

w
a
r
s
a t th e Ta ha o
h
i
s
r
r
i
o
an
d
h
e
will
not
lie
f
Th e messenge r departed
Poty arouse d himself an d walke d towa r ds th e
plains guided by th e trail of C o a tya b o H e m et hi m
far beyond wandering am ongst th e r eeds and rushes
1
which border th e banks o f Ja cara t u y

Th e white T a p u ia is i n t h e I bya p ab a to help th e

T a b aj ar as against Ja ca iin a
Poty is h astening to
defend th e land o f his broth e r s and th e Taba where
sleep th e C a m o c in s o f his fathers H e will kn ow h ow

t o conquer quickly in order to retu rn to C o a ty ab o

Po ty s brother goes with h im Nothing separates
t wo warrio r frie nds wh en sou n ds th e I nubia of w ar

My b r other is great like th e sea and good like

th e s ky
Th e two friends emb r aced and m arched with th ei r
faces turned to the qua r ter o f th e r ising s u n
'

a ea r a tuy , a

l ak e

nea

th e

p re s en t t own of C e a ra
.

i R A cEM A

79

C HAPT E R XXVI

W A LK I N G ever walking th e bra v es arrived at th e

borders of a lake which was i n th e plateau land
Th e C hristian sudden l y stopped and turned h is
face to w ards the sea Th e sadness left h is h eart and
rose to his forehead

My brother s foot has taken r oot i n th e Land o f

Love said th e Chief
Le t him remai n Poty will

quickly r eturn
P oty s brothe r will accompany him H e h as said
it and h is word is like the a rr o w o f Poty s bow 3 wh en

it whistles it has already pierced the mark

D oes my brothe r the n wish th at I ra g m a should

accompany him to th e banks o f the A ca ra ii

We go to gh t he r brothe r s The Taba of th e

Py t ig u ara s would only be to her a scene o f pain and
sadness
The daughte r o f the T a b aj aras should

r emain

What th e n does C o a tyab o await ?

Poty s brothe r is a ficted because th e daughte r o f
th e T ab aj aras m ay b e sad and abandon the Wigwa m
without awaiti ng h is return
Before departing h e

would wish to soothe the spirit O f th e wi fe

P oty took though t
Th e tears o f Woman soften th e warrior s heart as
th e morning dew softens th e Earth
My bro t her is wise Th e h usband must go with

o u t seeing I r a g m a
The Christian advanced Poty bid hi m stop From
1
th e Alj ava which I ra g m a had adorned with black
and red feathe r s an d had placed on her h usband s
shoulders h e selected an a r row
The Pyt ig u ara drew the bow 3 the eet a rr ow pierced
-

A Z/a v a , Ara b ic

and

Po r t u gu e s e

wo rd

fo r

q u iv er

iR A cEM A

80

a Go ia m u m which was running o n th e banks of th e

lake and stopped only where the feathers would not
allow it to ente r fa r the r
The wa r rior thrust the arrow into th e g r ound with
th e prey transxed an d turned towards C o a tyab o

M y bro t he r m ay n o w s e t o u t contentedly Ira

m

h
will
follow
his
trail
arriving
here
a
s
e will see
;
g

h is a rro w and obey his will

M ar ti m sm iled 3 and breaking a b r an ch of th e M ar a

cuj a th e ower o f r e me mb r ance h e twined i t r ou nd

the arrow and advan ced followed by Poty
Soo n th e t w o warrio r s disappeared amongst th e
t rees ; t h e heat o f th e s u n h ad already dried thei r
footsteps o n th e banks of th e lake I r a g m a became
uneasy and followed her husban d s t r ai l as far as
the tableland
Ge n tle S hades al ready m ottled the
prai r ies wh en sh e reached th e brink o f th e lake H er
eyes detected t h e arrow o f h er h usband th r ust i nto
the groun d and th e pierced Go iam u m with th e broke n
branch and they lled w ith tears

H e comman ds I ra e m a t o go backwards like th e

Go ia m u m and t o keep his r ememb r ance like the
M aracuj a which r etains its owe r unti l death
Th e daughter o f the T ab aj ar as slowly retraced he r
steps b ackwards withou t tu r ning her body and n ever
taking he r eyes o ff th e arrow o f h er warrior till
S h e r eached the cabin
H ere sh e s a t down o n th e
t hresh old an d ben t her forehead on her knees till
sleep soothed the pain i n her breast Ha r dly had th e
d a y broken whe n S h e directe d her hasty steps to th e
lake and a rr ived at its bank The arro w was still
there as it had been the evening before Then h e h ad
n ot returned
Fro m this time till th e bath hour instead o f seek
ing th e lake o f beau t y where hithe r to s h e had bathed
w ith such pleasure she cam e to that which had see n
1

Goia m u m,

l a rg e

Br a z il ia n

c ra

b w h ich

co u i s e s

b a ck w ards

i R AcE M A

all next day he r agile nge r s wove a beauti ful

cage of straw which s h e lined with the s oft wool O f
1
th e Mongu ba to r eceive he r companion and fr iend
O n th e following dawn the voice o f th e Jan d aia
awoke he r Th e beautiful bi r d left its mistress n o
m o r e eithe r because i t could never weary of seei n g
he r afte r s o lon g an abse nce o r because i nstinct told
i t t h at sh e n eede d a companion i n he r sad solitude

and

C HAPT E R XXVI I

eve n ing I ra g m a s a w fr om afa r two wa rr io r s

advancing o n th e s e a beach H e r h ea r t he a t more
quickly
A n instant afterwards sh e fo r got in th e a r ms of h e r
h usban d th e many days of y earning an d desolatio n
which s h e had passed i n th e solita ry Wigwam
Again h e r gr aces an d endearm ents l led the eyes
o f th e Ch r istian , and gladness once m o r e dwelt i n his
soul
Like th e dry plain wh ich when th e th ick fog
comes grows g r ee n agai n and i s spangled wi t h
owe r s , so the beauti ful daughter o f th e forest revive d
at th e r etu r n o f her husband and he r beauty was
ado r ned with s oft an d ten der smiles
Martim an d his b r o th er h a d arrived at th e Taba of
Th
ey
led
Poty
s
iin a as th e I n iib ia w a s sounding
c
a
a
J
t h ousan d bowme n t o the comb at A gain the Taba
j ar as in spite of the alliance with th e white Tapuias
we r e overcome by the brave Fyti
o f th e M ea r im
gu aras
Neve r had such an obstinate gh t been fough t

O NE

t re e w it h it s fru it fu ll of do wn y co tt o n lik e t h a t
o f th e S u m a iim a o n l y b l a ck wh ic h g iv e s its n am e t o p ar t of
t h e S e rr a of M aran gu a p e
1

M ong

u ba , a

iR A cE M A

83

no r had s o dispu ted a victo ry bee n w on o n th e plains

wate red by th e A car a ii an d th e C am o g im
The
valou r was equal o n both sides an d neither n ation
would h ave bee n victo r had not th e God of Wa r
al r eady decided to give these sho r es t o th e r ace o f
th e wh ite warri o r allied to the Pyt ig u ara s
I mmediately afte r t r iumphing the C hristian r e
turned to th e s e a bea ch whe r e he had built h is Wig
wam H e felt anew i n h is s oul th e th irst o f love
an d he trembled to think th at I ra g m a migh t h ave
dese r ted the place which h ad fo r merly been peopled
by h appiness
The Christian love d th e D aughte r o f th e Fo r e s t
once m o r e as at rst when it a ppeare d that tim e
could n ot exh aust h is hea r t Bu t a few sh ort su ns
su f ced to withe r these owers o f a heart exiled fro m
its country
1
The I m b ii s o n o f th e m ountains i f it spri ng u p
i n th e plai ns whe r e the wi nd o r th e birds h ave born e
its seed nding good and fr esh ground may pe r hap s
o n e day dom e
itself with green foliage an d bea r
owe r s
But a S ingle breath of th e s e a su fces to
withe r it 3 the leaves strew th e g r ou nd th e blossoms
a r e carrie d away by th e breeze
Like th e I m b ii o n the plain s w a s th e h ea r t o f th e
white warrio r i n the savage land Friendship an d
love h ad accompanie d hi m and sustained h im fo r a
tim e 3 n ow h oweve r fa r from h is hom e an d h is peop l e
h e felt h im self i n a dese r t Th e fr ien d an d th e wife
did n ot su fce any longe r t o his existence full o f
great an d noble p r oj ects o f ambition
H e passe d the suns on ce s o sh ort n ow so long
o n th e beach listening t o th e m oaning o f th e win d
and th e s obbing o f th e waves H is eyes lost i n th e
i mm ensity o f th e ho r izon sought b u t i n vain to espy
1
I m bzi a fru it g r o w in g a b u n d a n tl y o n th e S e rra of A ra rip e
n o t o n th e sho re 3 it is s a v o u ry a n d r e s e m bl e s t h e C aj a (se e n o t e
1 page
.

i RA cEM A

84

u pon th e transpa r en t blue the whitenes s o f a sail

wan dering ove r th e seas At a short distance from
th e cabin at the edge of th e ocean was a du ne o f
1
sand
The she r me n called it Jacar ca n g a o n
account o f its resemblance to a c ro codile s head
From the boso m o f th e wh ite sands scorched by th e
a r den t su n owed a pu r e fr esh wate r ; thu s pain dis
T o th is
tils sweet tears o f r elief and consolation
hill th e Ch r istian would r epai r an d r em ain th ere
meditating u po n h is destiny S ometimes th e i dea o f
r eturn ing to h is own count r y and people would cross
h is mind b ut h e knew th at I ra e m a would accompany
him and this thought gnawed h is h eart E ach step
that took I rag m a fa rth e r from he r native plains n ow
that sh e n o longe r could nestle i n h is h e art, was to
r ob he r of a p ortio n O f her life
Poty knows th at Martim desires to be alone an d
disc r eetly withdraws Th e wa rr io r knows what a ficts
his b r othe r s soul an d hopes all things from tim e
which alone harde ns the wa rr io r s hea rt like th e core
o f th e J aca r and a
I r ag m a also avoids th e eyes o f he r h usband b e
cause s h e al r eady pe r ceives that th ose eyes s o much
loved are t r oubled at he r sight and instead o f lling
with deligh t at her b eauty as fo r m erly n ow seem to
turn wea ri ly away B ut her eyes n eve r ti r e o f follow
ing a p ar t and at a distance , h e r Lo r d and Wa rrior
wh o had m ade them captive
Woe to he r !
The blow h ad struck h om e to
2
h er hea rt and like the Copaiba wounde d in th e
co r e s h e shed tea r s in one continu ou s strea m
.

h
i
ll
of
w
h
i
t
e s n d o n th e b e a c h a t
j
f m e d fo r a fo u t a in of p u re fre sh wat e r T h e wo rd
cr o cod il e s h e a d
2
C op a iha a so rt O f so v e r e ig n b a l s a m00p ay v a
1

a ca r aca ng a ,

C e a r a,
m e an s

I RA Q E M A

85

C HAPTE R XXVI I I

O N C E th e sobs o f I ra g m a r eache d th e C h r istian s

soul H is eyes sought he r all arou nd an d could not
n d he r
The daugh te r of Ar ake n was si tting at some dis
tance upon th e t u r fn rass i n th e m idst of a g r ee n
clump of U ba ias 3 we eping veiled he r b eautiful face
and the teardrops that r olle d down her cheeks on e
afte r another fell upon h e r b osom wh ere th e o ffsp r ing
Thus fall th e
o f love already breath ed an d grew
leaves of the ou r ishing tree b efo r e th e r ipening o f
its fruit

What w r ings th e tears from th e hea r t o f Ira

em
a
?
g

1
The Caj uei r o weeps and is s ad when it becomes
a d r y t r unk
I ra c ema lost h e r happiness whe n he r
Lord sepa r ated from h e r

Am I not near the e ?

The body of C oa tyab o is h e r e bu t h is soul ies
t o th e Lan d o f h is Fath ers an d seeks th e wh ite virgin

wh o awaits him
Ma r tim w a s grieved
Th e l a rge black eyes th at
t h e I ndian xed o n him pie r ce d h im to th e h eart s
co r e

The White Wa rr io r is thy h usband 3 h e belongs

to th ee
The beautiful Tabaj ara sm iled i n h e r so rr ow
Ho w long is it that h e h as withd r awn his spirit
from I ra g m a ? O nce h is feet guided him to th e
cool Se rr as an d th e glad tablelands ; h is foot loved
to t r ead th e land o f happiness and t o follow th e steps
o f h is wife 3 now h e seeks alo n e th e sco r ching sands
because t h e s e a which m u r murs the r e com es from th e
plains wh ere h e was bo r n an d th e h ill o f sand b e

c ause fr om its top h e can descry th e passi ng Ig ara

1
T h e t re e of t h e C aj a
,

86

i R A cE M A

I t is his anxiety to gh t th e Tupinamb a w h iC n

gu i des the wa r rio r s steps to th e bo r de r s o f t h e s e a
said th e Christian
I r ag m a continued
His lip has dried towards his wife as the suga r
cane when th e great s uns bu r n 3 it th en loses its
swee t h oney and the withered leaves play never
m ore i n th e wind N ow he only speaks to the s e a
beach b r eeze that i t may carry back his voice to t he

Cabi n o f h is Fathe r s

The voice o f th e White Wa rr io r is only calling h is

b r othe r s to defend the cabin o f I ra e m a an d th e

lan d o f his s o n wh en the enemy S hall com e !

The wi fe shook her h ead

When C o atyab o walks i n th e plains h is eyes avoid

th e fruit of th e Genipapo and seeks th e white th orn 3
its fruit is savoury but it has th e C O l Q U I of th e Taba
j aras The tho r n bea r s a wh ite ower like the cheeks
I f th e birds sing his ea r n o longer
o f th e pale virgin
cares to listen to th e sweet song o f th e Gra tina b u t h e
1
opens h is soul to the c ry o f th e Ja p im becaus e it h as

golden feathers l ike th e hai r o f her whom h e loves

Sorrow dini s th e sigh t o f I ra g m a an d embitters

her lip But gladness will soon r eturn to t h e wi fe s

soul as th e gree n leaves bud again o n th e tree

Wh en th e White Warrior s s o n h as left th e bos om

2
like th e A b a ty a fter it has
o f I r a g m a s h e will die
yielded its fruit Then h e will h ave n othing to detain

him i n a foreign land

Th y voice burns daughte r o f Ar ake n like th e

winds which blow i n th e great heat fro m the dese rts

2
Wouldst th ou aban don thy husband ?
o f Ico
D oes the white warrior s e e that beautiful Jacaran da
which rises to the clouds ? At its feet sti l l lies th e

e s
2

im
p
f
a

go l d en b ird w it h b l a ck S p e ck s whos e

t o s u ffe r

na m e si n i
g

s r ice
so u t h e as t e rn po r t ion of th e p ro v in ce of C e a r

A ba ty m e a n
a

I RA Q F
ZM A

87

dry r oot o f the leafy my r tle wh ich eve ry winte r bea r s

foliage an d red berries to e mb ra ce an d cove r its b r othe r
tree I f it did not die th e Jacarand a would not h ave
s u n enough to r each th at height
I rag m a is the Folh a
1
escura which creates da r kness i n C o a tyab o s soul
She must fall that gladness m ay shine withi n h is

b r east
Th e Christian t h re w h is a r ms r oun d the wais t o f th e
beautiful I ndian an d strained he r to h is hea r t H is
l ips sough t h e r s in a kiss but i t was h arsh and bitte r
,

C HAPT E R XXI X

th e bath H e follows th e t rail

sand an d asce nds th e h eigh t o f
ng a
H
e
r
e
h
e

nds
th
e
wa
r
rio
r
on
th
e
sum
r
ca
a
c
a

J
m it standing up r ight wi t h his eyes straining and h is
arms st r etched towards the b r oad seas
The Py t ig u ara follows his gaze an d discovers a
large Igara ploughing th e g r een w ate r s an d d r iven o n
by th e wind

I t is the great Igara o f my brothe r s Nation sent to

seek him
The Christian sighed

They are the White Wa rr io r s enemies of his r ace

wh o s eek fo r a war o f vengeance the S ho r es o f th e
b r ave Pyt ig u ara n ation They we r e r outed with th e
Now t hey
T a b aj ar as o n th e banks o f th e C a m o g im
com e with the i r fr ie nds th e Tupinamb as by t h e way

o f th e s e a

My brother is a Great Ch ie f What th inks h e that

his brothe r Poty should do P

PO T v r etu r ned from
o f C o a t yab o in th e

y r tl e wh ich th e I d ia n s ca ll C a p ixu n a o r
d ark l e a v e d I ra cem a u s e d it a s a sy m b o l of t h e e n n u i s lie
p rod u ce d in h er h u sb an d
1

Fol h a

cr ea m

th e m

I RA cEM A

88

S um mo n th e Hunters

the S o ip an d th e Fishers

th e T r ah iry We will h asten to en counte r th em

Poty awoke th e voice o f the I nubia and th e two
wa rr iors s e t o u t fo r M o c o rib e
S oo n th ey s a w hastening from all pa rts th e b raves
to respond to th e
o f Jag u a ras su an d C a m o r O p im
War c ry The brother o f Ja caiin a wa r ned them o f th e
enemy s app r oach
1
Th e g r eat M araca t im ew upon th e waters along
th e coast which exte n ds as fa r as the m a rgins o f th e
2
Pa r nahyba
The moon began to inc r ease 3 when the ship left
th e waters o f th e Mearim contrary winds drove it
i nto th e high seas far beyon d its destin ation
The Py tig u ar a warriors i n o rde r n o t to sta r tle th e
en emy hide them selves amongs t th e Caj ueiros an d
follow th e great I gara along the sho r e D u r in g th e
day the wh ite sails a r e conspicuous and by night th e
ship s lights pie r ced th e s ea s darkness like r e ies
lost i n th e forest
M any suns they ma r ched thus They pass beyon d
th e C a m o g im an d at las t they t r ead th e beautifu l
2
s h o r e s of th e B ay o f Pa rr ots
P oty s ends a wa rr io r to the gr eat Jacaiin a and p r e
pares fo r th e combat M artim w h o h ad m ounted
th e hil l o f sand kne w that th e M a r ac atim would seek
sh elte r u nde r th e lee o f t h e land and wa rn s h is
brother
4
Th e su n was al r eady r ising Th e Guaraciaba
wa rr io r s an d thei r friends th e Tupinamb as r u n along
of

l arg e sh i p w h ich r i s e s a t t h e p r o w L ittl e

b o a t s o r can o e s w e re ca ll e d I gara m e a n i n g l a dy of th e wa t e
2
P a r eza hy ha a l a rg e r iv e r of Piau hy o n t h e n o r t h c o a s t o f
Bra z il
2
I t is t h e Ba y of J e rico a c o a r a a n d
Ba h ia (to: p ap ag a ios
a nd i s o n e o f th e be s t
Ba y of t h e p l a i n of t h e p a rr o t s
m e an s
p ar t s of C e a ra
1
Th e s e w e re th e F re n ch
Gu a r a cia ba m e a n s y e ll o w h a ire d
s e ttl e rs a t M a ra n h ao
1

a r a ca t im
[M

is

r.

i R A cEM A

When they we r e r eturning th e Chief o f the Fishers

wh o swims in th e s e a waters like the agile C a m o r O p im
from whom h e took h is name casts h imself int o th e
waves and dives Befo r e th e foam had passed away
from the place where h e disapp eared the e nemy s
canoe h ad sunk as i f it h ad bee n s wallowed by a whale
Th e n ight cam e and brought with i t r epose
A t dawn o f day th e M a racatim was ying i n th e
h orizon towa r ds th e banks of the Mearim Jacaiin a
a r rived n o t i n tim e fo r the gh t bu t for th e feast o f
victory
At the sam e hour th at th e songs o f th e Pyt ig u ar a
warriors were celebrating th e conques t of the Guara
c iab a s th e rst s o n born to th is Lan d o f Libe rty b e
gotten by th e blood of the wh it e r ace s aw the light i n
th e plains o f Po rangaba
,

'

C HAPT E R XX X

I R AcEM A

though t th at h er bosom would bu r st She

sought the banks o f th e rive r whe r e g r ows th e C oqueiro
palm and clasped th e trunk o f th e tree till a tiny cry
i nu ndate d h er whole being with j oy
Th e young m other proud of s o m uch happiness
t ook the tender o n e i n her a r ms an d with him cas t
h erself i nto th e limpid waters o f the r iver Then s h e
gave him the delicate b r east an d h er eyes devou r ed
h im with sor r ow an d love

1
Thou art M o acyr th e fruit o f my anguish
The Jand aia pe r ched at th e top o f th e palm tre e
r epeated M o a c yr 3 an d fro m that time the frie ndly
bird united i n its song the n a mes o f b oth mothe r and
.

s on
1

l l / oa ey r

d e s in e n ce

or

o f s ffe in g fr o m
m e a n in g
t h a t co m e s fro m
s on

m ea ty ,

pain

and

ir a ,

i R A cE M A

Th e i nnocent S lept 3 I ra g m a sigh ed

Th e Ja ty m akes h oney in the sweet smelling

1
trunk o f th e S a s sa fra x 3 during th e m onth o f owers
i t ies from branch t o branch collecting th e j uice t o
ll th e comb b ut it does n ot taste its swe etness s
2
r eward because th e I rara devou r s i n one n igh t the
wh ole swar m Thy m other also child o f m y sorro w
will n eve r taste the j oy of seeing th e s mile o n th y

lips
Th e young m othe r fastened ove r her sh oulde r s a
2
b r oad s wath e of s oft cotton which s h e had m ade to
car r y h e r child always fastened u pon he r hip S he
the n followe d over th e sands the t r ail of he r spous e
wh o had bee n gone th r ee suns S he walked gently
n o t to awake th e little o n e
th at slept like a bird
u nde r th e m aternal wing
When s h e ar r ived at the great hill o f sand s h e
s a w th at the trail o f M artim and Poty continued
along the b each and guessed th at they we r e gone to
the war H e r hea r t sighed , but he r eye s sought th e
face of he r bab e
Sh e tu r ne d her face back towa r d s th e M o co r ib e

Th ou a r t th e H ill o f Gladness but for I r a g m a

th ou b r ingest nothi ng b u t so r row

Retu r ning th e mothe r placed th e still slee ping
child i n h is fath e r s h am m ock widowed an d s olitary
i n th e cab i n ce ntre
Sh e lay down upo n th e mat
w h ere s h e h ad slept since th e tim e he r h usban d s
arm s h ad ceased opening to receive her
The m o r ning light e nte r ed th e cab in
I r ag m a
s a w th e sh ade o f a wa r rio r com e in with it
Canby w as standing i n th e doorway
.

w
e ll k n o w n t r e e g r o w in g b o t h in No r t h a n d
f
S o u t h A m e r i c a m u ch u s e d in m e d i ci n e
2
I n fr a a ki n d of b u sh dog w h ic h a tt a ck s b e e h iv e s a n d
d e v o u r s th e h o n e y
2 Fa x a
v u l ga rl y ca ll e d Ty poia ; s wa t h in g o r s wadd l in g
cl o t h e s
1

a s sa r a x , a

I RA C E M A

2
9

The wife o f Ma r ti m sprang u p with o n e bound to

p ro tect h e r child H er b r othe r r aised h is sad eyes
from th e h am mock to her face , and spoke with a still
sadde r voice
I t was not vengeance which d r e w th e wa rrio r
C a u b y to the plains of th e T ab aj aras 3 h e has already
forgiven I t w a s a longing to S e e I ra g m a wh o took

away with h e r all his gladness

Then welcom e be th e warrio r C a u b y to th e cabi n

o f h is brother
said th e wife emb r acing h im

Th e frui t of thy boso m S leep s i n this h am mock

an d th e eyes o f Canby long to beh old it

I r ag m a opened th e fringe o f feathers and sh owed
th e b abe s fair face C au b y contemplated it fo r som e
ti me and the n laughing said
1
H e has sucked th e soul o f m y S ister
and h e
kisse d i n th e m other s eye s th e i mage o f th e ch ild
fearing lest his touch m igh t h u rt it
Th e trembling voice o f th e gi r l cried

D oes Ar ake n still live u pon the ea rth P

Hardly 3 since m y sister le ft h i m his head bent

upon h is bosom an d i t r ose u p no m ore

Tell h im th at I ra g m a is already dead th at h e

m ay b e consoled

C a u b y s sister prepa r ed foo d for th e warrio r and

slung in th e porch th e h ammock o f hospitality that
h e might repo se after th e fatigues o f the j ourney
When th e t r avelle r was r efresh ed h e a r ose with these
words
Say where i s I r ag m a s husban d and C au b y s
b r othe r th at th e braves may exch ange t h e emb r ace

o f friendship ?
Th e sighing lips o f th e u nh appy wife m oved like
th e petals o f th e cactus o w e r sti r red by a b r eeze
.

C h up ou tu a

t o s u ck a n
i t r e se m b l e d t h e
sp irit

p iter ,

h il d in Tu py i s ca ll e d Pita ng a f o m
d a h g a so u l s u c k so u l
C au b y m e a n t t h a t
m o t h e r a n d h a d a bso rb e d a po r ti o n of h e r

a lma.

1 R A cE M A

94

chose wives and begot i n thei r tu r n nume r ous O ff

spr ing A ra ke n had b u t t w o children o f his o l d age
I r a g m a is fo r hi m like th e do v e which the hunter
has stolen from its nest Alone r emains with the O ld
Pa g e th e warrior C a u b y to sustain his ben t fram e an d

t o guide h is t r em ulous steps

Canby will depa r t wh en th e shade shall leave th e
face of I ra c em a As lives th e nigh t star s o lives Ira

m
O nly th e eyes o f he r h usband
a i n h e r sor r o w
g
can banish the darkness from h e r b r o w
GO i n
orde r that h is S ight may not wax dim at th e sigh t o f
,

'

C au by l

b r other will depart to please h e r but

h e will r eturn every tim e th e Caj uei r o owers to feel

i n h is heart the child o f he r bosom

H e entered th e cabin I ra g m a took th e ch ild
from th e ham mock an d b oth m other an d s o n r e
m ained p r essed t o the hea r t o f C au b y H e the n
passed th r ough th e doo r an d soon disappea r ed amid
the t r ees
I r a g m a dragging along he r trembling steps a c
compan ied hi m for som e distan ce till h e was lost to
sigh t o n the skirts of the forest Then sh e stopped 3
w hen th e cry of th e Jand aia accom panied by th e
i nfant s wail recalled h e r to th e cabin 3 only th e c old
sand upon which sh e had sat kept the secret o f th e
tears which it had d r ank
Th e you n g m othe r gave h er child the breast bu t
t he bab e s m oan was not h ushed The scanty m ilk
refused to ow
The blood of th e unh appy girl h ad been thinned
by th e ever o w in g tea r s o f which he r eyes h ad not
wearied an d non e came to he r bosom whe r e the rst
n ourish ment o f li fe i s formed
1
Sh e dissolved th e white C ar im a n and p r epa r e d
I rag m a

C a r im a n ,

ea r ie,

to

ru n ,

s t ra i n e d m an d io ca a po rr idg e of m and io ca ; fro m

and m a m
m a n io c
,

iR A cEM A

95

ove r the r e th e Ming ao to n ou r ish h e r s o n When

th e s u n gilded the mountain crests S h e set out to
war ds the fo r est ca r rying o n he r bosom the S leepi n g
child
I n the thickness o f the wood was fou nd the lai r of
the absent I rara 3 th e p ups still small we r e wh inin g
and rolling over o n e anothe r The beautiful Tabaj ara
crept softly u p to it Sh e made fo r he r child a cradle
o f a soft bough o f the Mar acuj a an d sa t down near it
Sh e took o n e by o n e into her lap all the p ups o f
t h e Ir ara and abandoned to th eir famish ed m outh s
h e r bosom beautiful as the re d Pitanga which sh e
had anointed with the h oney o f the bee The hungry
young ones fastened upon it and greedily d r ained he r
breasts
I ra g m a felt pain h ithe r to u nknown to h e r ; they
At last h owever her
S eemed to exhaust her life
b osom began to swell an d th e milk S till tinged with
the life u id o f which it is formed gushe d forth
Th e happy m oth e r cast away th e little Ir aras and
full o f j oy appeased the hunge r o f the babe H e is
o
f
n o w doubly M o a c r
s
o
n
f
th
e
o
pain
once
born
y
I ra g e m a an d s econdly nou r ished by her
Th e daughte r o f Arake n at last began to feel th at
h er veins we r e drying u p an d withal he r life em
bittered by s orrow rej ecte d the nourishm ent which
m ight h ave r esto r ed he r st r ength Tears an d sighs
h ad alike banished the sm ile an d th e appetite fro m
h e r beautiful m outh
.

so r t of po rr idg e of wh ich th e Bra z il ian s a r e v y

fo n d ; i t i s m a d e of m an d i o ca o u r s u g ar e ggs cinn am o n & c
1

M ih g do,

er

i RA cE M A

6
9

C HAPT E R XXX I I

f
a
S
prings
o
u
t
th
e
fo
r
est
O
declines
p
J y
an d runs towards th e Wigwam doo r
I ra g m a sitting with he r child upon h er b osom
basks i n th e su n s r ay fo r she feels the cold sh ivering
th r ough he r frame O n seeing th e faith fu l m essenger
She woul d
o f her h usband hope r evived in h er heart
h ave arise n to meet he r Lo r d and War r io r but he r
weak limb s refused to obey h e r will
She fell helpless against a W ig w a m p r o p
licke
d
th
e
i
nanimate
h
and
an
d
j
umped
play
a
J py
fully to make th e child laugh with little barks o f j oy
At ti mes it rushed to th e forest ski r ts and barke d t o
call its m aste r and then i t r an back to th e cabin to
fondle the m othe r an d the child
At this tim e Ma r tim was t r eading th e yellow prai r ies
1
Poty marche d
o f Tauap e 3 his insepa r able brothe r
by h is side
2
E igh t moons had sped since he h ad left the beach
Afte r conquering the Gu arac iab as i n
o f Ja c a r c a n g a
th e Bay o f th e Parrots th e Chri stian wa rr ior le ft fo r
th e banks of the M ea r im whe r e live d th e savage allies
o f the Tupinamb as
Poty and h is war r iors acco mpanied him
After
they had crossed th e owing arm o f th e s e a which
2
c om es from th e Serra o f T au a t in a
an
d
bathes
th
e
g
4
plains whe r e m e n sh for Piau they nally saw th e
T HE

su n

T a u ap m e a n

p l a ce of y e ll o w cl a y

M a r a n gu a p e
2
M oon : ar e m o n t hs ,

It

is

on

th e

roa d t o

Tau a t ing

hyb

Pa r a
a

1
P ia u ,
Piau

of

hy

a,

s u n s a r e d a ys
a S e rr
in t h e p r o vi n ce of Pi a u hy wh e re r is e s th e
as

iv e r
a sh w h ich g iv e s

its

n am e

to

th e

r iv e r a n d p r o v in ce

I RA cE M A

8
9

Suddenly between th e b r an ches o f the t rees his eyes

beheld sitting at the Wigwam doo r I r a g m a with h e r
b oy in h e r lap an d th e d og playing about th em H is
h ea r t carried h i m th ere with a bou nd an d h is wh ole
soul r ush ed to his lips
,

I ra g m a

Th e broken h ea r ted wife and m othe r could only

open her eyes on hea r ing th e beloved voice O nly
with a great e ffo r t sh e can r aise th e babe in he r arm s
and p r esent i t t o the fathe r wh o gazes at i t with
ecstatic love

Receive th e so n of thy blood Thou h ast a rr ived

i n time 3 already my b reasts h ave n o n ourishment fo r

him
Placi ng the child i n th e pate r n a l a r ms the unhappy
m othe r fainted away like the Je tyca 1 wit h it s uprooted
bulb T h e h usban d then s aw h ow pain an d sor r ow
h ad withe r ed her fo r m 3 b u t b eauty still dwelt there
2
like pe r fum e in th e fallen owe r o f th e Manac a
I r a g m a rose n o m ore fr om th e h am mock whe r e
th e aficted a r m s o f M artim had placed he r Th e
hus b and whos e love w as b orn anew with pate r nal
j oy surrou nded her with ca r esses wh ich lled he r
s oul with its form er happiness Bu t they could n o t
bring h e r back to li fe The stamen of he r owe r was
broke n for eve r

Le t the b o dy o f thy wife sleep at the foot of th e

palm tre e which th ou lovedst Whe n th e b r eeze o f
the s e a shall sigh am ongst its leaves I r ag m a will

th ink it is thy voice whispe r ing through h er hair

He r lip becam e silent fo r eve r 3 th e last spa r k faded
away from th e darkening eyes
P oty supported h is brothe r i n his g r eat s o rr o w
Ma r tim felt h ow p r ecious i n m isfo r tu n e is a t r u e
-

'

wh i ch g iv e s g u m
owe r we ll k n o w n in Pa r a Th e y a l so ca ll b y
t h is n a m e t h e m os t b e au ti fu l g i r l in a t rib e o r a n y t h in g O f
p l e a s u re co n ne cte d wit h a fe as t
ee

I R AcE M A

99

frie n d ; he is like th e h ill which shel t e rs from th e

1
h ur r icane the t r u nk o f th e st r o n g h a r dy U b irata n
2
pie r ced by the C O p im
The C a m o g im r eceived th e corpse o f I ra e m a,
which steeped i n a r om atic spices an d sweet herbs
was bu r ied at th e foot o f th e palm t r ee o n th e r ive r
banks M artim broke a b r anch o f myrtle the leaf o f
s adness
and laid i t on t h e last r esting place o f his
wife
The Jand aia pe r ch ed at th e top o f th e palm t r e e
sadly repeated
,

I ra e m a

From that tim e th e Pytig u ara wa rr io r s wh o passed

by th e deserted Wigwam an d wh o h ea r d th e plaintive
voice o f th e devote d b ird i ncessantly calling fo r its
m istress withdrew with their souls full o f sadness fr om
th e palm t r ee whe r e sang the J and aia
And thus it happened th at on e day th e r ive r wh ere
th e palm tree grew and the p r ai r ies th r ough wh ich
2
th e r ive r winds , c ame to b e called C ear a
,

C HAPT E R XXXI I I

Caj uei r o owe r e d four times since Ma r tim had

left the sho r es o f Cea ra beari ng with him in the fr agile
ba r k h is little s o n an d t h e faith ful dog The Jand aia
would not leave th e land wh ere r ested its frien d an d
m ist r ess

T HE

I n t h e o r ig in a l Ven da v a l , wh ich is th e w in d t h a t b r in gs
sh ips ho m e fr o m t h e W e s t I n d ie s I t is n o t c on s t an t , a s t h e
t ra d e w in d , y e t it ge n e ra ll y ra n ge s b e t wee n th e sou t h a n d n o r t h
1

we s t

C op im , a w h it e a n t, c o m pos e d o f ( 0, a ho l e , a n d p ith , a s t in g
2
C ea r h i s c o m pos e d O f eem o, t o s i n g l ou d , a n d a r a, a p a r ro q u e e t
T h e a bo v e is th e l e ge n d wh ich ga v e th e p ro vi n ce it s n a m e
2

I R A cE M A

I OO

The rst Ce a r ense still i n his c r adle thus becam e

an E migrant fr om his Fathe r land D i d this an noun ce
th e destinies o f th e race to be ?
Poty with h is warrio r s awaited o n th e r ive r banks
The Christian had p r omised t o r etu rn 3 every m orning
h e climbed th e s and hill and st r ained his eye s hoping
fo r a frien dly sail to whiten the sea hor izon
M artim at last r eturned to the land which h ad o nce
seen h is h appiness and which n o w sees h is bitter
regre t When h is foot p r esse d th e h ot wh ite san d
there spread through his fram e a re wh ich bur ned
h is hea r t : it was the re o f co nsum ing m em ory
Th e a me was extinguished only whe n h e stood o n
th e place where his wife slept because at that moment
1
h is hear t o v ero w e d like th e t r un k o f th e Je ta hy in
the great heats a n d r efr esh ed h is g rie f wi t h a sh owe r
o f tears
M any wa rr iors of his r ace a ccompan ied th e wh ite
Chief to fou nd with h i m the Chri stian M a yr i There
cam e als o a Pries t o f his Faith black robed to p l ant
the Cross u pon th is savage soil
Poty was the rs t who knelt at the foot of th e
S acre d Wood H e woul d n ot allow anyth ing again to
part himself and his white b r other ; fo r this reason as
they h ad but on e h eart h e wished th at both m igh t
h ave th e same God
2
H e r eceived i n baptism th e nam e o f th e S ain t
wh ose day it was a nd of th e K ing he was abou t to
se r ve ; besides these two his o wn translated i nto th e
tongue of his new b r ethren
H is fam e increased and it is still the pride o f th e
land in which h e rst s aw th e ligh t
The M ay ri wh ich Ma rtim founded on th e ri v er
banks within th e shores o f Cear a ou r ished Th e
w ord o f th e t r u e God budded in the savage land and
,

1
e

e t a hy ,

xu de s
2

k in d of

H y m e n aea

A n t o n io Ph e li p e C a m a rao

fro m wh ich

y ll o w
e

um

M A NU E L DE

@ bron it l t

of

M O RA E S

the S t hziitt t utb

G
lit iiturg

BY

M
J
.

P E R E I RA DA S I LVA

T R A NS LA T E

R I C HA R D F

A ND

D BY

I SA BE L

BU RT O N

LONDON
SQ UAR E

A U T HO R

iv

S P RE FA C E

D iccionario Biog ra p h ico e Bibl io g r ap h ic o Po r tuguez

e Braz il e ir o th at Manuel de M oraes belonged to th e
C ompany O f Jesus at S ao Paulo and th at h e w a s
ga r otted at the Act o f Faith D ecembe r 1 5 1 64 7
O ther writers wh o h ave sough t to preserve his nam e

especially myself in th e supplement to my Var des

I llustres do Brazil durante o s tem pos c o l o n ia e s ( The

Wo r thies o f Braz il i n h er Colonial
h ave done
n othing but r epeat th e n otices given by th e A b b a de
D iogo Barbosa Th e fact is th at despite all o u r r e
1
search we h ave bee n u n able to procure othe r details
Thus th ough th e existe nce o f M anuel de Morae s
cannot b e contested it i s evi de ntly i mpossible to
write a regular biographical study o f h is caree r We
want precise in fo r mation to set o ff an d to des c r ibe

H is t o ria Ge r al

do Br a z il by M F A d e Va rn
h a g e n (La e m m e rt Rio d e J a n e i o
p i t s (v o l i p 4 1 0) a
do cu m e t a dd re ss e d t o th e C r o wn b y th e citi z e n s of 8 21 0 Pa u l o
s t ro n g l y co m p l a i i n g of t h e J e su it s in t e rfe i n g wit h t h e s l a v e s
W e r e a d : I n a l l t h e v ill a g e s a b o u t Pe r n a m b u c o t h e re w a s n o t
an
I n d ia n o r a Ge n til e w ho d id n o t go o v e r t o th e (D u t ch )
e n e m y ; a n d w it h t h e m w a s t h e ir S p i it u a l g u i d e
t h e Pa d re
M a n u e l d e M o r a e s w h o in d u ce d a n d p e s u a d e d t h e m t o c o m m it
t h i s o u t ra g e m a ki n g h i m s e l f th e g r a t e s t h ere ti c a n d pos t a t e
t h a t th e C h u r ch of Go d h as k n o wn in t hos e d ys
Vo l ii p
Pa d r e M a n u e l d e M o r e s w ho f o m a
4 2 in fo r m s u s t h a t
J e s u it b e ca m e a C a lv i is t a n d in t e rm a rr i e d w it h w om en of t h a t
s e c t w a s t h e re fo e b u rn t in e fgy a t t h e A u t o d a F o f L isbo n
o n A p ril 6 1 6
He a ft e rwa r ds r e p e t e d a n d g a v e h im s e l f
42
u p t o t h e (Po r t u g u e s e ) r e s t o r e r s of Pe r n a m b u co ; t h e l a tt e r r e
c o m m e n d e d h im t o L i bo n w h e e h e w a s co n d e m n e d p e r p e t u a ll y
t o we a r th e h ere t ica l d r e ss w it h th e u s u a l a m e s a n d w a s fo r
e v e r s u sp e n d e d fr o m ho l y o r d e r s b y t h e A ct o f F it h of De ce m
be 1 5
T h e l a tt e r a l so fo u n d g u ilt y of J u d a i s m
ve
o t h e r in h a b it an t s of Pe rn a m b u co Tr a m hztor s Note
1

T he

r n

A U T HO R S

PR E F A C

th e physiognomy th e li fe and th e deeds O f a man

who appea r s to have bee n o f some em inence in h is
day
D esi r ous howeve r O f p r esenting him to th e r eading
world and of lling u p th e outlines o f a ch aracte r
whos e individuality was s o original and cha r acteristic
I have resolved to t r eat th e Paulista a uth o r in the
sam e way as I p r oceeded with th e P o r tuguese poet
J e r onym o C o r t e r ea l ; i n th e latte r case h owever
olde r authors had left fo r m e a biog r aphy fa r less
d efective
The Chronicl e of C o r te r e al will thu s b e supple
m e n te d by that O f M anuel de Mo r aes
Th e fo r m e r
o ffered a picture o f th e Portugues e people and society
during the last days of D om Sebasti ao u ntil Spain
i mposed upon u s h e r y oke Th e latte r will contain
description s o f th e stirring events which distinguish ed
th e seventeenth centu r y i n S ao Paulo and i n th e
Jesuit Missions o f La Guay r a ; i n Pernambuco an d
i n th e wa r s with the H ollande r s 3 i n th e Low Countries
an d i n th e em igration o f th e Portuguese J ews ; i n
Portugal and in th e b l o o d s t a in e d tyranny O f th e
I nqu isition U pon th e sam e p age th e r ealities o f
h istory and the vaga r ies o f fancy mus t m eet an d
gree t o n e anothe r Bu t is not this th e most p opula r
branch o f ou r m ode r n literatu r e the fo r mula i n highes t
e steem with the public o f the n ineteenth centu r y ?
,

M
P
R
I
RA
A
S
I
LVA
E
D
E
J
.

vi ii

A WO RD

BY T HE

T RA N S L A T O R

T r ansl ations th e publishers assure u s are not

popular i n E n gland S O much th e worse Surely a
good tale imported from a foreign source is worth a

dozen o f the imsy sensation n ovels r u n o ff for

th e u se o f the m omen t ephem era which h ave only
th e dubious m erits o f e xciting a m o r b id i nterest and
o f being r ead in three volumes withi n th r ee h ours
,

TRI E S TE

Vo72e7/zbe r 30,

884

M A NU E L D E

M O RA E S

C HAP T E R I
O LD

AO

U LO

B r az ilian t r aveller o f o u r mode r n day wh o runs

u p by th e Santos and J undiahy Railway to S ao Paulo
th e capital of a great province also s o named nds
b u t little that can suggest wh at was th at very heroic
city i n the earlier years O f the seven teenth ce ntury
There is th e sam e enchanting atm osphere at times
portentously lust r ous an d t r ansparent 3 the sam e g rate
ful m ixtu r e o f t r opical an d temperate vegetatio n th e
banana rust l ing i n th e cool S h adow of th e pine an d
the palm 3 the sam e glo r ious day u n de r th e Tropic o f
Caprico r n wh ose line passes withi n a m ile or two
o f the subu r bs and th e sam e brigh t healthful night o f
Central Europ e colouring th e cheeks an d strength en
i ng th e frames o f th e inh abitants
But th e st r eets a r e n ow laid down with m acadam 3
the O ld stockades an d walls which defended the young
settlem ent h ave m ade way for h ouse an d homestead 3
the rivers an d r ivulets have been bridged ; the tene
m ents formerly r estricted to a doo r and a single

window outside and inside t o a but and a ben

h ave becom e double storeys with painted fa g a de s
T HE

M A N U EL

M O RA E S

DE

and m etal balconies and glass pi neapples 3 th e baby

h
t
c
i
t
o
o
d
illage
h
as
grown
an
d
th
e
city
is
u
o
v
y
p
fast extending itself towards its north ern and eastern

faubourgs the Lu z an d th e Braz

Th e people h ave changed even m o r e Th e long
h ose th e t r unk breeches the slash ed doublets and
th e ap p e d felt hats o f two h und r ed yea r s ago are
n o w gone clean gone
Th e m en a ffect Bismarck
hats and p a h ta l e h s eol l e mts ; whilst the fai r s e x a p
pears in th e shape improve r s the chignons and th e
pink and white pigm ents prope r t o th is o u r section o f
t h e seventeenth century
Th e celeb r ated Marti m A lfo n so de Souza afte r
wards th e he r o o f Po r tuguese I ndia rst visited this
charmi n g site i n 1 5 32
Guided by th e frie ndly Re d
Man h e scaled the fo r m idable grani t e h eights known

a s the
S er r a do Ma r th e E aste r n Ghats of M i d dle
Brazil an d following th e cou r se o f th e st r eam s w h ich
turned inlan d towards th e fa r west h e r eached th e n o w
fam ou s plains o f Pi r atini nga and th e wigwam s in
habited by his ally the Caci qu e T y b e r ica
Pres ently M artim Affonso c r eated D onato r y o f a
grant which with a hundre d leagues o f m aritim e
fron tage extende d to an u nknown depth i n th e in
t e r io r built th e fortied village o f S ao Vicente at th e
m outh of a strea m o r r athe r a l a goon ch an n el which
e nte r s th e B ay O f Santos I t was peopled by natives
an d lab o r iou s settlers m any o f the m scions o f illus
t rio u s families 3 and all we r e entitled to boast that
they h ad founded th e r st Portuguese colony in th e
B razil
S ao Vicente h oweve r soon gave p r ecedence to
Santos which o riginally a M ise r icordia a h ospital

f
organ ised like that o Lisb on became a po r t o n th e
no r the r n o r S helte r ed side o f the islan d separated
from ter r a r ma by a r ive r like s e a a r m
Thus it
was less exposed t o th e fury of the Atlantic which
had swept away old S ao Vice n te an d t o the attacks
,

M A N U E L DE

M O R AE S

torn t o rags an d strips by th e b l ack fa n gs o f its

rocky bed
Th e Po v o ag ao o r village o f S ao Paulo showed by
it s p osition th e m aster han d o f the Jesuits who afte r
years of stormy discussion h ad s ucceeded i n tran s
ferring to it th e rights an d privileges O f th e ruine d
townsh ip Santo A n dr e 3 and thu s th e r eligious had
thriven by th e death an d de cay o f the lai cal settle
m ent Th e site o f th e successful rival was a ridge o f
red clay ab out a m ile i n length by h alf th at breadth
bou nded o n th e n orth by th e wide and O ften ooded
valley o f th e Ti et e o r Good wate r river a n a fuen t
O n th e east u nde r a
o f the m ighty Paran a Plata

precipitous slope ows th e T a m a n du ata h y

th e

stream o f th e ant eater
a narro w but deep an d
dangerous feeder of the main artery 3 while to th e west
is th e valley of a similar but even smaller feature th e

A n h a n g ab a h ii B lack devil wate r a b r anchlet of th e

.

'

T a m a n d u a t ah y

D uring th e rst thi rty yea r s o f th e seven teenth

century S ao Paulo contained only three o r fou r
hundred h ouses fo r the m ost part sim ple cottages
walle d with pis o r rough concrete an d roofed with
th atch o r tile 3 o f these h ardly o n e in ten belonged to
families in easy circumstances wh ilst fou r o r ve large
ch urches m ade th e m ean h abitations look m eaner s till
No n eat ch acara o r vil l a rose from th e orch ard an d
th e garden which n ow co m bine th e j asmin e an d th e
rose th e pink a n d t h e myrtle Th e long streets were
traced with tolerably straigh t lin es 3 th e cross alleys
were compelle d by the slopes to use th e rudest steps

bullock s blood a deep re d sand

o f granite and
ston e brough t from the neighbouring m ountains
Whe e l ed ve hicles were o f course u nkn ow n and th e
m ules were so m etimes engulfed in the mu d holes th at
yawned betwee n th e pavem ent slabs
Com manding th e em inence wh ose feet we r e wa s hed
by th e Ta m an du at a h y and on th e highest and mos t
,

O LD S A O PA U L O

pictu r esque sit e r ose th e convent of th e C om pany o f

Jesus now th e palace of the President an d b al l of th e
Chambe r o f D eputies Th e double storeyed frontage
tasteless and almos t barbarous as indeed appear to be
all th e arch itectural e ffo r ts of th e Jesuits in the Brazil
formed two sides o f th e m ain squa r e O n the n orth
w a s the habitation o f the Fathers 3 to th e east at righ t
angles stood th e m odest church of th e O rder with
its sh ort an d substantial belfry
Beh in d thei r long
an d rambling building the riverine valley banks were
planted with fruit trees especi ally th e orange the
guava and th e delicious Jabotic aba my r tle
F r om
this vantage g r ound the eye ranged ac r oss the valley
o f th e Ti et e bound o n the e ast by th e h eights wh ich
bear th e P enh a church a n d on th e north by th e
Serra da C a n t e re ira
o f the potte r s wife the last
o ffsets o f th e g r eat an d fam ous Mantiqueira range
I n th ose days th e population consisted o f about
three thousan d souls ; a fe w were pure Portuguese

s om e we r e Mam elucos o r h alf breeds white an d

I ndian 3 others we r e m ulattoes and neg r o slaves whilst
th e m aj ority were free an d catechised abo r igines
Already the m onastic orders had built fo r them selves
h ouses 3 the m ost impo r tant howeve r was the I n sti
t ute of Saint Ignatius de Loyola 3 an d st r ingen t o r ders
fro m th e h ome capital h ad recom mended to th e
authorities civil an d m ilitary the support an d p ro t e c
tion of th e J esuits as the apostles of th e I ndians an d
th e rm e s t stays o f the alta r a n d the th ron e
The several classes were distinguishe d by thei r
professions an d h abits T h e P o r tuguese either born
i n Europe or i n th e Brazil busied themselves with
commerce and barter with building houses and lay
ing out plantations and with similar primitive indus
tries 3 th e slaves were con ned to h usband ry and t o
personal services Although held th e least r espect

able o f all classes th e Mamel u cos we r e th e auda

c io u s explo r ers o f the far weste r n wil ds
They co n
,

MAN U E L

DE

M O R AE S

t in u all y

excite d European covetousness by discovering

m ines o f gold an d other metals an d by bringing back
with the m thousands o f captives o r as th e te r m the n

was
res c ued m en whose lives th ey we r e by l a w
permitted to purchase
Frequent and furiou s we r e th e contests between
these laym e n and th e J esuits wh o strove to defen d
the hapless indigen s and to p r eserve th e rights an d
privileges o f th e savage freeman The Regulars n e v e r

feared to resist th ei r b r other Conquistadores wh o

unde r a variety o f p retexts converted to th ei r o w n

u s e the persons and property o f th e

I ndians an d

Gentiles
Th e Fathers were assisted by th e respect
o f th e people by th e superstitious belief o f th e age
and at rst by th e public co nviction O f thei r pure
i ntentions Bu t prese ntly the successo r s o f th e early
Thaum atu rgi an d Apostles S h owed that th eir defence

o f th e
native was limited to prese rving hi m fro m
all except them selves ; whilst hands were wanting to
oth ers thei r o w n lands were tilled and their co ffers
were lled t o o v erowing This monopoly o f precious
labou r led to discontent a n d th e latter engendered a
succession o f tu mults which ended i n th e rs t e xp u l
s ion of th e Jesuits from S ao Paulo

Th e cate chised I ndians kn own as

Caboclos
formed a separa t e clas s at once sub m issive an d de
v o u t ; S im ple
active an d i ndustrious I t was c o m
posed ch iey o f m echanics agriculturists m usician s
a nd singers All learne d th e o f ces an d delighted in
th e feasts o f th e Church i n S plen did ceremonies an d
e specially i n lo n g an d pompo u s procession s 3 briey
i n all things w h ich appealed to t h e eye o f sense
They obeyed and revered th e Jes uits as their fath ers
an d friends their m asters an d protectors th eir m edi
They listened
c in e m e n and their guar dian angels
to their counsels they atte nde d th e sch ools i n which
th e Portu guese language and gr amm ar we r e taught :
t h ey sought to u nderstan d th e exp l anation o f the
,

M AN U E L

M O RA E S

DE

th e Gentiles and th e slaves wh o viole ntly beat thei r

breasts severely scourge d themsel v es an d wearied o u t
e ve ry saint o f the calen dar with p etitions fo r p ity an d
protection An d h o w describe th e j oy an d en thusiasm
with which they h eard th e triumph o f Po rt ugal and
Spain united u nde r th e sceptre of Ph ilip o f C as tile ?
Such was th e state o f a ffairs when on an April
evening of 1 62 8 two m e n walked down th e slope
upon w h ose summit rose th e Jesu it conve n t an d
began to pace to an d fro u nder th e my r tle avenue s
bordering th e T a m a n du ata h y
B oth wore the h ab it o f th e Jesuits 3 o n e h owever
h ad passed the age o f forty at which time m e n b egin
t o die 3 hi s h air was already waxi n g iron gr ey and his
h ead som ewhat bald
A sympathetic an d amiable
countenance eyes full o f loving kindness an d gentle
m an ne r s d istinguish ed fr o m his fellows th is Fathe r
E usebio de M onse rr ate
Conversing with h is compan ion wh o had l ittle
exceeded th e rs t score o f years th e priest n o w
ngere d th e big black beads o f a lengthy rosary en d
ing i n a large m etal cross ; th en stoppe d for a m om ent
th e better to listen and to r eply with short and guarde d
words No w h e r aised h is eyes to h eaven the n b e
xed them upon the youth as i f to read th e secrets o f
h is soul Tall vigorous an d framed for activity was
the j unior still a Novice i n th e Company 3 bu t n ow
weighe d down by sorrow h e was apparently r eadie r to
con fess himself than to keep u p a r egular and co n
s e cu t iv e exchange of th oughts
Linge r ingly died o u t th e dayligh t after th e s u n had
bu r ied itself behin d tall Jaragu a the saddle back front
i ng th e Penh a m ou nd The lates t splendours o f t h e
west were reected eastwa r ds i n bands o f pink an d
g reen which seem ed to rise an d spire upwards as th e
c ri mson glow waxed cooler 3 an d present l y they gave
way to a soft neutral tin t based upon a vaporou s
grey and tinged with the faintest e me r ald whe r e i t
,

O LD s Ao PAU L O

m e t th e ro s e c o l o u r of th e zenith A sweet se a b r eeze

from th e east sporting with the owers an d the leave s
refreshed an atmosphe r e still h eate d by the breath o f
n oon and dispersed the mists whic h began to gloo m
ove r th e h umid lowlands Nature prepared to take
her res t 3 th e timid dove ushed by th e softes t so u nd
arose from the path and s ought amid th e branches a
safe roosting place whilst u pon the boughs o f a blasted
pine t r ee the large dark brown b uzzards gathered to
repos e thei r pinions after the long laborious ights o f
the ho urs o f ligh t
Th e b ells o f the Jesuit Cam panile s truck seve n as
the two me n whom we h a v e described neared th e
st r eam Both revere ntly raising their felt hats wit h
e norm ous aps broke o ff speech to ad dress th e Mo s t
H igh H aving crossed themsel v es after p r ayer th e
Fathe r took th e han d o f the N ovice and thus a d
dressed h im

Thou wouldst the n quit th e house o f Go d and

give u p th e servic e o f r eligion and th e Com pany ?

I feel n o calling fo r th e ghostly state replied the

youth atte mpting to kiss the h an d that was with

d r awn
D oth not the Lord guide H is own crea

tion ? h e r esum ed after som e moments o f silenc e

I f H e grant n ot to m e the will an d the vocation

i t is that He de s t in e t h m e fo r another ca r eer

Thine e nd will be mise r able my son r ej oined

th e Padre
Th e Almighty o r daine th n o tyranny
H a r dly H e g ra n t e th co n v iction that the stray s heep
m ay be gathe red i nto the fold o f the Church H e
c r eateth me n free th at they m a y be r esponsible for
will and deed
Th e
Bu t thou wilt be wretched
C ath olic C hurch is th e d ivi ne r eason the sole salva
tio n o f mankind ; an d there can b e n o r est fo r him
wh o a b a n do n e th he r and wh o p l u ng e t h into th e

de pths o f th is world o f woe

Why the n did not Go d sow i n my he ar t th e seed
an d a rden t aspi ration fo r a priestly life
o f l o n g in g
o

M AN U E L

I O

M O R AE S

DE

an d for th e rigorous discipline demanded by th e h oly

I ns t itute ? inquired th e you t h with an outburst o f

b itterness th at betrayed th e excitemen t of h is spirit

That thou mayest learn t o subdue th e passion s

wh ich agitate man kind r eplied th e elder

Th e
greater is his gain wh o s acr i ce t h h imself i n th e
struggle an d wh o c o n q u e re t h th e u nruly instincts o f
nature an d youth

And o f what value can b e such m ock piety ?

m ur m ured th e youth
The J es u it s m iled sadly r eading th e depths O f h is
companion s thoughts and reaching a falle n tree h e
sat u pon i t drawin g to his si de th e unhappy Novice

Liste n to m e said th e Fathe r with ki ndly a c

c ents
I too h ave passed through thine age ; I t o o
h ave felt boiling i n my bosom th e passions which I

perceive i n thee passions which drove m e from th e

path o f true h appiness h ere and wh ich threatene d
to do s o hereafter I also like saintly Ignatius d e
Loyola th e founder o f o ur h oly I nstitution foun d
myself engaged i n th e extravagan t and disorderly
struggles o f life I too h ave fough t like a s oldie r
have t r avelled like a pilgrim h ave su ffered h u nger
an d thirst peril im prisonment an d exile I as well
as oth ers learned t o m y cost was taught by th e
experience o f evil sincerely to r epent m e o f my mis
deeds an d th e Eternal took pity upo n m e H e
O pened for m e i n due tim e th e eyes o f rea s on an d
H e le d m e to seek r efuge an d repose of body and
soul i n H is sacred h ouse M ay God b e merciful t o
thee also and S h ow th ee i n ete r nity His i nnite c o m

p assion !

Ah ! let m e also taste th e j oys o f m y youth

exclaimed th e Novice
Le t N ature follo w i n m y

case as she did i n thine her legitimate caree r

Th e Padre looke d at him an d s a w despite th e
words which betrayed a r m r esolution tears starting
from his eyes H e j udge d this e xal ta tion of fancy t o
.

1 2

CHAPTER
T

II

N OVI C E

HE

M E A N W H I LE Ma n uel de M oraes for such was th e

n am e o f ou r Novice afte r leaving th e J e s uits C los e
w a l ked quickly towards the cen tre o f th e se ttlement
B orn i n th e earlie r years o f th e seven teen th
ce ntury the you th h ad been b r ought u p by his father
Jos de M oraes fo r th e lab orious li fe o f a Jesui t
m ission e r I t was th e parent s settled convictio n
that this was the h appiest condition o f m an an d th e
position at once th e m ost brilliant a n d th e mos t
useful t o society O p en to the only s o n with wh om
Providen ce h ad blessed him
Jos a n ative o f M inh o in P o r tugal h ad there
m arried I gn ez da DOre s and d r iven by poverty fro m
h ome h e h ad sought fo rtune with her i n distan t
B razil Guided by the Jesuits whom h e fe r ven tly
admired h e had applied himself to agriculture in th e
captain cy o f S ao V i c ente an d h e h ad achieved th e
reputation o f an h onest man His fa m ily numbere d
b esides Manuel three young daughters wh ose ten
der minds were trained b y thei r m other t o tread the
path s of h onour an d r eligion
h
ad
himself
i
n
t
r
usted
h
is
b
eloved
s
on
to
th
e
s
o
e
J
care of th e C ompany an d m ore esp ecially to Padre
Eusebio de M onserrate his old frien d an d protector
Th e b oy had sh own early t alen t NO studen t
excelle d him i n acuteness an d penetration i n desire
to please an d i n willingness t o learn H e h ad won
the estee m o f h is teache r s by his scholarly turn of
,

T HE

N OVI C E

mind an d by the regula r ity o f h is li fe although h e

h ad often in curred thei r blam e by opposing an d
resisti n g the disciplin e and th e m ystic devotion in cu l
c a t e d by th e Fathers o f th e C ompany
Eusebio de M onse rr ate at tempted to b end this
lo fty will and t o m odify th e eviden tly mun dane
tenden cies o f th e Novice H e failed as we h a v e seen
M anuel de M oraes resolved to y th e holy h ouse
an d h e h oped to ob tai n th e paren tal consen t by
S h owing his father that advice an d warni ng were in
va in
The nigh t b ecam e stormy The sunse t breeze
pre s ently fell t o a profoun d calm Lightnin g fro m
the south east ashed over the horizon an d ros e i n
gerbe s and j ets in balls an d globe s o f re as th o u gh
produce d by art an appearan ce wh ich th e electri c
uid often assumes in th e H ighlands o f the B razil
At rst a thi n warm r ain drizzle d through th e air b u t
the dro p s soon becam e heavier an d th e black clouds
threatened a tor r ential down fall
Grave th oughts ha u nted th e No v ice whom th e
importan t s tep which he had j ust taken h ad made
more than usually susceptible o f impression s from
wi th ou t H o w wou ld h e b e re ce ived b y h is father
wh en th e latter cam e t o learn his headstrong plan s
an d proj ects ? H ad Padre E usebio broken the
tidings t o h is p aren t ? What career wh at adventu r es
awai t ed h im n o w that he n o longer b elonge d to th e
ock o f Sai nt Ignatiu s ? W oul d th is entire lib erty
this plunge into the depths of laical society a wo r ld to
h im u tterly unknown b e really wh at his fan cy p ain ted
it ? Would i t b e be tter suited t o h is cha r acter an d
amb itio n than th e religiou s community wh ich had
sh elte r ed him to th e age of twen ty four ?
D es cending a steep S lop e wh ich led to th e hill
whe r e h is father s h ouse stood o n th e edge o f th e
s ettlemen t he h eard loud cries an d un usual sou nds
p r oceeding fr om th e lowe r depth s of a w r etch ed alley
,

MAN U E L

M O RA E S

DE

Though una r med , h e was dressed in th e black

s outan e of the O rder 3 and his high spirit h urried hi m
a t on ce i n the di r ectio n o f the voice whi ch seemed
t o call fo r assistan ce An d did n ot the Je suit garb
len d h im a m oral force superio r t o all physical
s trength P
Turnin g th e corne r o f a gloomy b y st r eet h e foun d
h imself fronting a group O f four m en an d a girl whils t
th e dense S hade preven ted m ore m inute O bse rvation
Approaching them s uddenly h e cried out sh owing
th e cross o f his r osa ry

Stop ye S inn ers ! i n th e n am e o f God stop !

M ore e ffectual th an th e sword was th e N ovice s
resolute exclam ation
Three o f th e m en at once
took to ight 3 the fourth fell u pon his knees before
the young priest and th e wom an wh o u ttering lou d
shrieks had been dragged along th e ground h as tene d
to follow h is exam ple
B oth p ou r ed forth at th e
s am e time expressions o f gratitu de an d kissed th e
Jesuit habit

What hath h appen ed ? inquired Manuel de

M oraes i n consoling accents h astening t o r ais e
them

Padre exclaimed the m an i n a calme r tone

I
am a poo r C a r ij 6 an d this m aiden is m y daugh ter

H ere was o u r ab ode p oi nting t o a p auper shanty

Thre e whites burst i n th e door tore my C ora fro m
h e r be d an d dragged her into th e street I awoke
with a start an d embrace d m y girl wit h a father s
arms which are s tronge r th an th e best o f weap ons
We were struggling whe n you r Reve r ence cam e u p

an d saved u s

And whose blood i s this ? asked M anuel seeing

red stains upon th e I ndian s head face an d cotto n
shirt
I t i s a small matte r 0 my prese rve r
exclaimed
th e I ndian pressing his lips t o th e h an d of h is

delive r e r
O nly a few t r aces of the cudgel I t i s
,

M A NU E L

DE

M O R AE S

his way meditating on the struggle of th e two r aces

th us placed faced to face o n e fated to disappear from
th e surface o f ea r th the other des tined to break away
from the p restige and authority with wh ich th e Fathers

th
e
Company
attempted
to
r
epress
its
sem
i
ba r
of
barous instincts
He dimly felt that i n th e b attle of li fe th e weaker
b r ain an d body m ust m ake room fo r the st r onger an d
th at thei r dest r uction was but a m atter o f time Th e
sen timental feeling i n favou r of a doomed race stole
ove r him H e was tempted to return into th e b osom
o f an O rder wh ose obj ect was t o save so :m any h elp
less souls an d to p r otect s o m any lives rendere d i n
t e re s t in g by thei r feebleness an d by thei r i nnocency
o f li fe and faith
B ut eith er false sh am e fo rbade h i m to r etrace his
steps o r an in nate but ill de n e d aspiration which
blinded his r eason and attracted h is ambition to th e
u nknown world of society comp elle d h im to wo r k o u t
h is fate
I mme r sed i n such reverie h e r each ed h is hom e A
pro foun d quiet hovered ove r the settlem ent 3 n ot a
ligh t shone in the streets 3 n o t a door n or a wi ndow
stood open Th e sky waxed still m ore gloomy ; th e
r ain became thicker 3 the wind blew i n s udden gusts 3
the lightning gleamed with lurid re an d th e thunder
still distant muttered its ominou s p r om ise to app r oach
Th e family o f Jos de M oraes was n ot r ich i n the
gifts o f fortune yet i t kn ew n o wan t ; the indust ry o f
its Chie f supplie d it with all the necessaries an d wi t h
some of the comfo r ts o f l ife The fath er whose age
m ight have been between forty v e an d fty years was
seated i n a R a te or net hammock and around h i m
stoo d his wi fe and three young daughte r s apparently
listening to h is words The furniture consisted o f a few
stools and benches a Gir a o o r rough platform on four
poles 3 som e wooden hooks to which were suspende d
various implement s and a l arge water j ar of r ed pot
,

T HE

N OVI C E

occupied the corner

Finally a table o f rough
planking near th e m iddle O f th e r oo m supported a
lighted candle i n a woode n ca ndlestick and the cold
r em nants o f a m eal
Th e fr u gal s u pper had j ust en ded and th e family
was r eceiving the blessing o f its Chief be fore r etiring
to rest
Louvado sej a nosso S e nh o r Jesu Ch r isto
B
o u r Lord Jesus Ch r ist !
lessed
b
e
ej
aculated
th
e
(
)
s o n using th e no rmal J esuit formula an d reverently
kissing th e hands o f his fathe r an d m othe r

What ! out o f th e Holy House at such untimely

h ours ? Thou bringest to us h a d tidings o f evil

Th e sudden question which sou nde d like a dire
om en caused M anu el to tu r n pale H ow an nounce
h is desertion o f th e Company to a fathe r whose m ind
clung s o lovingly to th e blessedness o f ecclesiastic
life to th e con v ictio n that nothing equalled the r eli
i
g o u s mission ?
Before attempting a r eply h e tried to dep r ecate the
e ffects which m ust result fro m h is disclosures by a ffe c
t io na t e inqui r ies addressed to th e family afte r thre e
days o f absence
J os de Moraes assured h i m i n a few curt wo r ds
that all we r e i n full h ealth o f s oul and body and
again dem an ded th e caus e o f this u nexpected visit
Th e s o n felt that the tale must b e told as briey
as p ossible
Already Jos de M o r aes h ad been dis
pleased by h is u nwillingness t o exchange the n oviciate
fo r th e brothe r hood th e secon d degree o f th e O rder
an d th e necessa r y p r eliminary to th e Priesthood Th e
fathe r h ad eve r kept h is s on eve n fr om th e earliest
age at th e m ost r espectful distance breeding fe ar
where love should h ave been 3 yet whe n profou ndly
irritated at time s by th e reports o f the Jesuits which
r each ed his ears he expected th e youth to open h is
h eart as to a friend an d he chafe d as at a grievance
when th is was n o t done
t ery

M A N U E L DE

M O RA E S

B efore answe r ing y o u my belove d fathe r said

M anuel kneeling upon th e ground i n th e presence o f
h is pa r ent an d clinging to h is hand with extrem e
a ffection befo r e answe r ing you I ventu r e to i mplore
you r pardon
H earing th ese wo r ds Jos de M o r aes snatched
away the hand which his son was still h olding to h is
lips r ose to h is feet an d reti r ing a few steps assumed
the ste r nest aspect an d exclaimed i n his h a r shest tones

What c r ime hast thou committed to dishon our m y

blood ? I m ust know it before God m ay pe r m it m e
i n my ignorance t o pronounce thy p ar don
The unhappy M anuel then beca m e ce rtai n th at
Padre Monserrate had n ot p r epa r ed his fath e r fo r th e
blo w about t o fall upon h im Te r ried by this u n fo r e
s een circum stance h e stood silen t fo r som e m inutes
and th e voice w hich attempted to utte r a r eply expired
o n his lips
Noth ing rem ained fo r J os de Mo r aes b ut to o r de r
afte r a glance which seemed t o dive into h is son s
though ts that the truth an d th e wh ole t r uth b e at
on ce told
Bending h is h ead i n deep grief wh ilst tears r olled
s l owly down his cheeks M anuel ej aculated with th e

m ost painful e ffo rt

Fathe r I h ave sinn ed against thy

will ; I h ave failed in my o w n desire to obey the e

Th e paren t raised h is han d to a bro w from which
time h ad already bare d the hair D espite his sudden
a fiction h e drew h imse lf u p proudly his eyes gleamed
his lips s e t rmly an d th e expression of his c o u n t e
n ance foretold th e comi n g storm

Then they have expe lled thee fr om the Com pany ?

h e p r esently cried in de spai r

N o Senh or r eplied Manuel whose voice s u d

d e n l y recove r ed s omething o f it s rmn ess

My
condu ct i n the h ouse o f th e h oly Fath ers has ever bee n
correct They will th emselves assu r e y o u th at I bea r

amongst them a spotless nam e

,

MA N U E L D E M ORAE S

com posu r e Jos de Mo r aes , app r oaching his so n an d

y ielding to him after a st r uggle th e han d which th e
Novice seeme d to implore At length the fathe r gave
way less h oweve r to p r ove a ffection than to encou rag e
the youth in telling the wh ole t r uth

Fathe r par don m e rst r epeated M anu el

Pro
m i s e m e you r forgiveness and I will open to you all

my h e a rt

Co nfess thou rst ! exclaimed the o l d m an again

r eti r ing fr om his s o n and showing evident sign s o f a
fresh outbreak o f wrath
Silence r eigned i n th e r oom
Neith e r the s o n dared to speak because the fathe r
h ad n o t e ncouraged h im with a gesture o r by a word
o f kindness ; n or would the old m an afte r th us givin g
expression t o what h e m ean t deign to continue th e
dialo g ue
M eanwhile th e house do g whose tail began to wag
as th e noise O f angry voices subsided app r oached
M anuel to welcom e him home afte r th e faithful fashio n
o f its hardly used kind

B e off cried th e wrath ful o l d man with a erce

glance at the a ffection ate beast wh ich h e drove with a
kick from o n e en d o f th e r oom to th e other
Th e dog restraining a b o w l rose slowly and crept
sadly towards the street door its usual station There
it crouched down still h owever keeping a watchful
eye u pon th e scen e whose purp ort it seemed to divine
At length with the desire and h ope o f ending th e
cruel sce ne i n whi ch h e took s o prominent a part
M anuel resolved to speak o u t H e hum bly ben t h is
h ead and wi t h fr eque nt pauses thus expressed him
self

I never found in myself a vocation for the pe a ce

ful life of the Cloister for th e caree r o f the Religiou s
M any years h ave I struggled to overcome my will to
b en d my spirit to repress my longings for th e world
and fo r wo rldly existence ; to stie th e c r ies of my
,

THE N OV I C E

2 1

s o u l to silence the voice that sum mone d me to anothe r

destiny I can not belong to th e Company o f Jesus as
o
u
Si
r
have
r
esolved
and
as
I
i
n
obedie
nce
ough
t
y
t o do Fathe r I p r efe r to abandon th e Soutane to
leave the Or de r an d to assist you i n the l abou r s o f

your life

Neve r
cried th e o l d man with vehemence
I
h ave dedicated thee to Missiona ry life fo r thy good
fo r th e service of God for th e love o f Religion and fo r

the h o nou r of thy fam ily

That li fe Sir I will n o m ore lead This Soutane

n o w belongs to m e not this ga r b is n o longe r mine
I
have left the house o f the Company 3 I h ave bidden i t
fa r ewell fo r ever God r efuses t o accept vows which

are n ot fro m th e hea r t and soul

Thes e decided terms expressed i n a voice not less
r m excited t o th e highest degree th e i rr itation of
Jos de Moraes Withou t hesitating a moment h e
r eplied to his so n s re to r t by one even mo r e stubbo r n
and dete r mined

I no longe r o w n thee t o b e my ch ild Fly fro m

my p r esence 3 leave at once this h ouse which thou
h ast disgraced and wh ose doo r shall fo r eve r be shut

against th e e
M an uel would have spoken b u t th e e rce n e s s o f
h is fathe r made his hea r t sink H e looked towa r ds
h is mother wh o d r oppe d sobbing u pon a bench 3
towa r ds h is siste r s wh o like doves i n the p r esence
O f th e hawk cowered an d clung togethe r close r an d
close r
My dea r est m othe r
were the tea r ful accents
wh ich burst from his lips
The m other half r ose to embrace he r son when th e
o l d man wh o with outstretched a r m stood poi nting
to th e door frigh tened he r once m o r e to her seat

O Manuel ! cried the m ise r able parent ob ey

thy father r etu r n to thy duties an d

I t can not now be murmu r ed the Novice

,

M AN U E L

2 2

M O R AE S

DE

Silence Senh ora

c r ie d th e father cutting sh o r t
the thread o f he r words
H e wh o standeth th e r e is a
lost man 3 h e is n o m o r e o u r so n B e with hi m h is

fath e r s cu r se an d the u nfailing wrath of Heaven

D ona Ignez could say n o mor e Sh e s at over
w h elmed i n submissive grief like the Virgin o f th e
D olours wh ose soul was r ent by woe ineffabl e wh ils t
full o f that evangelic and holy resign ation o f wh ich
on ly t h e scion s o f celes tial bi r th are capable
The n Manuel ros e from his knees H e attempted
t o app r oach his father wh o d rove h im away forcibly
H e tried to speak whe n an expressive gesture com
m an d e d silence
Approaching h is m other h e took
her h an d but th e o l d m a n tore i t away i nst antly
befo r e th e son could touch it with his lips

cried th e
GO forth to thy fa t e th o u w r etch !
m addened father
M a n uel s a w th at su ch excite m ent could n ot be
calm ed th at naught rem ained b u t to q u i t th e h ou se
He opened th e street door and before c l osing it for
th e last ti m e he turn ed aga in u pon his parents eyes
full o f tea r s a look praying for love an d pity A

sudden bu r s t o f s obs an d a cry o f Farewell ! an d

God be with th ee ! i n th e voice o f a broke n h ear t
were the response Th e o l d m a n e n de d th e scen e by
r u nnin g to th e door and fa s tening it upon his s o n
w h o foun d him self homeless and in th e s treet
,

MA N U E L DE M O RAE S

i n a hopeless and e nforced idle ness wh ich p r eying o n

h is V itals made life hateful
M anuel frankly summed u p for h is frien d the events
o f th e eve ning and th e state o f his affai r s 3 whilst
Antonio applying th e m oral to his o w n case unde r
stood that n ow was the tim e t o link togeth er their
fortunes an d n d m eans o f facin g th e world so n e w
t o both
I nstead of sleeping the you ng men spent th e r em nant
o f the nigh t in co n versation and reverie an d th ey had
n o t com e to any resolution before th e rst pale r ays
o f dawn descen ded u pon th e glooms o f earth
Th e
s torm had worked o ff an d th e day p r omised to be
brigh t and calm
As th ey still sat upo n th e sam e bedstead i n earn est
talk a lou d noise was hea r d coming fr om th e road a
confusio n of brawlin g voices all speaking at th e sam e
time and i n th e highest tones O pening the n earest
shutte r th e friends s a w tramping before th em a little
colum n composed of som e th irty whites and Mam e

l u co s
followed by about double the number o f
Redskins
They we r e habited i n wayfarers c o s
tume broad bri mm ed hats of bre o r skull caps o f
the thickes t woolle n stu ff cotton j ackets breeches
and sandals 3 th ei r rough uppe r coats we r e twisted
rou nd thei r waists an d small canvas b ags hung by
th ei r sides
All carried arms lon g matchlocks
swo rds an d matchets o r side k nives and th eir r eck
less countenances and m artial swagger sh owed what
erran d was theirs The two youths at once u nde rstood

tha t before them was a Ban deira a Com mando o f

adventure r s such as the Portuguese of 5 5 0 Paulo had
i n those da ys begu n to organise
The group halted i n fron t o f the cottage occupied
by Antonio da Costa a n d th ere began to debate
so me important matte r with more of loudness an d
violenc e than before

N 0 need of m o r e p r ate , exclaim ed a stento r ia n

,

T HE

R AI D O F

M A T HE U S C HA GAS

oice drown ing th e lesse r sounds about h im

Ma
theus Chagas o f th e Stigmata knows the way bes t ;
h e is a backwoodsman t o th e backbone ; we ough t
t o p u t ourselves in his hands N o Bandeira is o f u s e
with out a head 3 let Matheus Chagas be acclaime d
o u r Chie f
Shouts of applause followed these words and most

o f th e adventu r ers cried

Viva Math eus Chagas
Then broke through th e crowd a sh ort stou t gu r e
whose bullet sh ape d h ead and ban dy legs showe d
h is s trength whilst a sca r seaming a sunb u r nt face
whos e breadth at th e j aw was nearly double that at
t h e eyebrows proved that h e had seen service His
h orny hands grasped a m ighty r e piece whilst a
h uge knife slung to h is side hi nted th at h e was ready
t o see service again
This personage was th e Senh or
M atheus Chagas suddenly transfo r me d by th e a ccl a
m ation s o f his companions into a Comm andant

F r iends !
he exclaim ed with emphasis afte r

returning thanks fo r his promotion

I will lead
you all in a bee lin e t o Peru We sh all nd o u r
meat i n the bush o u r sh i n the streams water to
quench our thirst savoury fruits to r efresh us shady
t rees to shelte r u s from th e s u n an d Pagans i n nu m
b e r s to seize and to sell I hope to H eave n we shall
enter th e land o f th e Spaniard m o r e happily than
Aleixo Garcia who m they scandalously an d c r uelly
r obbed and m u rdere d, and that we sh all carry o ff
K now ye not that
m any a load of gold an d S ilver
t h e Caciqu e T au b ixi advised th e Portuguese o f S ao
Paulo to m a r ch upon all th ese rich es an d to assist
h i m against th e Castilians wh o wanted only to
plu nder th e prope r ty o f th e Pagans and to slay their
wives an d childre n P

Bravo ! b r avo
Viva M ath eus C hagas
And
all applauded with voices rising i n cadence to a
s c ream and a yell

Fo r m u p th en and fo r wards ! continued th e

v

MAN U E L

M O R AE S

DE

ery speaker
Thi r ty leag u es h ence o u r troubles
b egi n Till the n a j ourn ey of roses After th at
Pagan r ascals p oste d behin d trees cha rges of th e
jaguar o n th e bank biting of th e rattlesnake i n th e
h ollow But never you fear ! All these dangers are
k nown to m e I se r ved wit h o n e o f th e m e n whom
M arti m A ffo n so sent to th e far west u n de r th e
1
Captai n Jos S e de n h o wi th th e vie w o f aiding
Aleixo Garcia an d of whom few escaped the fray
Friends let u s be m arching
Alth ough only legends of Aleixo Gar c ia an d me re
tales o f the P eruvian Spaniards superior t o all i n
audacity declared th e existence of gold and S ilver
m ines i n the boso m of th e far west an d although o f
these not one had been discovere d by th e Po r tugues e ;
ye t the idea O btaini n g general c redence spoke to their
g reed o f gain and drove the m to endure th e severest
t r ial s o f life
to plunge i nto the den sest fores ts t o
c ross th e m ost dangerous rivers
an d to cli mb th e
m ost precipitou s m ountains
Much owed the crown
o f Portugal t o these bands o f daring m en
They
con quere d whole tracts of territory 3 they overlappe d
with their frontiers those o f th e Spaniards ; th ey
formed n uclei o f villages an d settlements which wit h
time became towns and cities ; an d they opene d
l i nes o f road to th e farthest west from th e s e a shore
u pon which European s had begu n to establish them
selves M any o f these unknown braves ende d th eir
days i n th e desert 3 whole troops disappeared with out

d e T i cho in h is w o k u pon Pa r g u a n d t h e H i s t ori a

re l a t e s t h e f t of A l e ix o Ga c i
A g e n ti a
(l ib i ch a p
w ho s e n t t o e x p l o re by M a ti m A ffo so l os t h i s l fe a t th e
h an d of Ga bo t o (C bo t ) w h il s t t h e l a tt e r b e ca m e m a s t er o f t h e
s ilv e r m i s T h e s m e a u t ho rs sp e a k of t h e in vit a ti on of T a
b ixi a n d Pa d re T i cho t e ll s t h e t a l e of S ed e n h o a n d h is s ixt y
I t is v e y u
m os t of w ho m p e i sh e d wit h t h e ii C h i e f
me
l ik e l y t h a t t h i s m os t a m i a b l e of e x p l o r ers j u s tl y e n titl e d E l
b e n Ga bo t o w u l d h a v e b e e n g u ilt y o f s u ch an a t rocit y
1

Pa

ne

a e

a,

n,

'

Tr a n s l a tor

A ot e

M A N U EL

M O RAE S

DE

to th e cheek o f th e Novice wh o turning to his frien d

w hispered that they had better withdraw
But th e
latter bade him disregard th e j eering o f th e crowd 3 th e
die o f destiny was now cast
Then all resumed th ei r way alon g th e le ft bank of
th e Ti et e t i l l at a clearing farth er down they fou n d
roughest craft u ntrimm ed tree trunks
s ix of the
lashe d togethe r with creepe r s a s r opes an d resem
bling th e m ode r n Jangada o r Catamar an o f th e North
Brazilian coast U pon th ese they embarked slung
t h ei r goods an d provisions that they m igh t n o t b e
washed o ff by th e waters and casting loose the cords
wh ich bou n d th e craft to thei r poles slowly paddled
d o w n stream
Th e T i t river woun d its long length like a
gigantic serpent with im mens e horizontal folds i n
reaches bends an d h orse shoes whose silvery mi r
rory surface oft e n glittered through the verd obscure
o f th e a v e n u e d
v egetation
H ere were lawn like
s lopes tena n ted by patriarchal trees o f I ndian nam e
the wild g th e Cabiun a o r b alm t r ee th e t owerin g
J atob a th e foliage d Ga b ir b a th e iro n wood and the
J acarand a o r r osewood Th ere ridges o f h igh lan d
slope d to th e banks and bore upon their backs crests
o f th e denses t pri meval forest whos e colum na r h o l e s
an d m ighty arms were laced and hung w ith a thousand
l l ia n as beau tiful parasites lit u p by sparks o f owers
an d di ffusing through th e air deliciou s odours Th e
cries o f the navigators and th e splashing o f th e little
eet startled hosts o f birds which ed for refuge i nto
the inne r depth s H ere m oaned th e J urity dove a s
th ough lamenting th e death o f he r young 3 th e r e
s creame d th e pa rr oquet winging h is way high in air 3
th ere th e vibrating and sudden n ote o f th e A r apo nga
o r bell bird resembled
th e stroke o f th e hammer
1
u pon
the anvil
Now th e n imble Coti a sprang
1
T h e w e ll k n o wn Ago u t i c a ll e d b y t h e Bra z ili a n s a v a g e s
,

Ac u ty

Tr a n sl a tor

Note

T HE

RA I D

O F M A T HE U S C HA GAS

frightened u p the bank ; then th e chatter o f th e mon

keys suggeste d th e sco ffs and j ee r s o f a c r owd whi ch
was amusin g itsel f with seeing the adventurers pass by
E very nigh t th e canoes were m ade fast to tree
trunks o r t o poles planted i n th e ground and res
were lit against th e dam p nigh t air an d th e ou nce
and boa whilst th e si m ple su ppe r o f m aize m anioc
an d wild meat m ade u p fo r the fatigues o f the day
a n d supplied s t r ength fo r th e labours of th e mo rr o w
Afte r setting a watch th e wearied men wrapped i n
t hei r cloaks slept u nde r th e twinkling ligh t o f th e
stars Again at dawn th ey r ose regained thei r Cata
m arans and pursued their dange r ous way
Game was abundant an d it was not S pared O ften
durin g the day th e sharp crack o f th e r e piece an d
the whistle of th e bullet rudely disturbed th e silence
o f th e wilderness
In th e m orning an d at night fall
h ooks were thrown o u t an d soon d r ew o n S hore a
prodigiou s variety of delicious sh , especially th e
Surubim o r sturgeon o f th e Brazil th e Bag r e th e
R o bal e an d th e D ourado o r gold s h
Th is lente n
fare was varie d with th e esh o f gallin aceous birds
th e Penelope an d th e C u ras so u an d with venison an d
t h e meat of large rodents th e Moc o th e P aca an d
th e Capivara o r wate r hog
Afte r eigh t days o f sublim e m on otony th e a dv e n
t u r e r s r eache d the rst Salto o r fall o f th e st r eam
ac r oss which ran a wall o f r ock proj ected by buttresses
A p ortage was here m ade ; th e dis
o n eithe r side
m antled catama r ans carried upon th e men s shoulde r s
t o smooth waters belo w th e leap were once m ore p u t
together Th e b r eaks we r e r athe r r apids th an falls
dashing an d
o r cataracts ; but th e a rr owy wate r s
foaming through the steep stoned b r eaches o f the
r ock wall the hollow whirlpools an d the heaped u p
r idges o f the cu rr ent would have dash ed to pieces
any c raft clum sily h andled wh ilst sh ooting th e ma u
Th e r ough ness of th e banks an d t h e
v a zs p a s
.

'

M A N U E L DE

6
3

M O RA E S

necessity of cutting path s added m uch to th e toils

a n d fatigues of th e band : th e weaker h owever foun d
strength and support i n the e nergetic presen ce an d
i n th e pe r sonal experience of Mathe us C hagas
O ne day th e piercing whistle of a wild b east r an g
through th e luxurian t waste and was answe r e d by a
second whi ch excited th e attention o f every man
Matheus Chagas r ose and com m anding silen ce with
a gesture sai d i n un de r tones to his followers
The Re d Man i s near 3 b eware of his ambush ; h e
i s cunning as th e wolf deadly as th e serpe n t P ush

o n and s ilence !
Then m aking for th e S hore th e Chief chose o u t
th ree Carij o s wh om he sent to reconnoitre th e forest
These m e n plunge d without delay int o th e matted
u nderwood 3they crept snake like upon their sto m achs ;
they sh eltered the mselves behin d the t r ee trun ks an d
th ei r naked bodies passing over th e dried leaves left
n o soun d and advanced with th e rapidity o f the deer
Reaching the foot of a hillock s om e ve hundred
ya r ds fro m th e place where the adventu r ers s tood
ready fo r o ffence o r defen ce th e Carij o s once more
l ay down at full length
A sepulch r al silence brooded ove r th e scene 3 n o
cry o f bird o r beast no m urmur o f th e water n o
whisper o f th e breeze The burning s u n da rted his
angriest beam s dri v ing into the gloom o f the fo r est
every being that had life
Th e Carij o s applied their ears to the gr ou n d an d
asked from it intelligen ce o f th e afa r o ff Two a r e
the B ooks which Savages study with profou ndes t
attention 3 Earth wh ich reveals what passes aroun d
the m 3 H eave n which tells the m th e v a aries o f th e
a t m osphere an d the igh t of tim e After a quarter o f
an hour passed i n th e exercise o f every perceptive
faculty th e scouts aros e slowly an d t wo o f them r e
s p o n d e d with a move m ent o f th e head t o the expres
Then th ey in spected t h e
s ive gestu r e of th e third
,

MAN U E L

2
3

M O R AE S

DE

th e C hief to accompany his friend B oth youths with

th e eight adventurers concealed i n th e r ea r took th e
di r ection pointed ou t t o them by th e Carij o scouts
P r esently M anuel an d Antonio scaled a high an d
broken headlan d 3 and reach ing th e summit h eard in
th e low gr o u n d beyond a p r olonged wh ooping and
yelling which showed the savages to b e near
Th e Novice raised hig h his arms clasping in his
hands the c r oss and the r osa ry ; then closely followe d
by his friend h e s tr aightway walked towards th e
voices Not a S ign o f a human being appeared b e
fore o r behi nd the m
The slope led to a level which r an along th e rive r
bank Hardly had they advanced ve h und r ed ya r d s
when they found th em selves the ce ntre o f a wh ooping
swarm o f s avages armed with ston e knives and
hatch ets clubs tomah awks and bows n ea r ly eigh t
feet long All we r e nake d an d b r on zed Th e only
dress was a tulip shaped coronal of s carlet a n d yello w
feathers fastene d b y a st r ing to thei r b r ows and a
si mila r kilt hanging fro m t h eir waist
Both th e youths felt their blood r u n co l d and thei r
esh creep i n the presence o f thes e cannibals wh o
1
s eemed to regard the m as meat fo r the Boucan Then
M anuel raising h is head and h ands on c e m ore dis
playe d the c r oss a n d began i n Portuguese a dis
cou rs e to wh ich th e I ndian s len t all attention th ough
apparen tly without understandi n g i t H umbly bend
i ng and with a r m s crossed like a penitent upo n h is
b osom Antonio da Costa ma intaine d a rm and r e
s igned demeanour Both thus repre sente d th e parts
in trusted to th em Th e Pagans all p r essed fo r ward
t o exami ne thei r t w o visito r s Som e applied t hem
selves to th e improvised J esuit felt his soutane wo n
dered at h is hat bent down t o look at h is big sh oes
and were awed at his gestu r es an d h is in c o m p re h e n

1
T h e fra m e o n w h i ch m e a t w a s s m o k e d ; h e nce o u r
buc
ca n e e r
T r a m /a tor s Not e
,

'

M A T HE U S C HA GAS

T HE RA I D O F

33

sible words O the r s applied themselve s to th e acolyte

whom they treate d with less ce r emony the chief amuse
m ent being to pull hi s beard

A m an o f peace pompously exclai med Manue l

I would b r ing to you peace an d teac h you th e

r eligion o f th e only God th e C r eato r o f the u niverse
Leave O s avages ! this wande r ing erring life which
is s o r apidly hu r rying you to perdition The only S on

of God died upon Golgotha

The Pagans i nte rr upte d h im by a few quick words
i n th e Gua r an i tongue Som e O f thei r responses
escaped Manuel but h e caught th e general tenor o f th e
com munication having studied th at language i n th e
h ouse of th e Company Th e savages exchanged s u s
i
c
i
n
th
at
th
e
whole
scen
e
was
a
sna
r
e
i
ntende
d
o
s
p
to dr aw the m to destruction Manuel the n addressed
the m i n thei r moth er speech

Ye s I h a ve companions b ut they shall remain far

fro m y o u and they shall wo r k you n o ha r m Mes
s e n g er s o f peac e and seeking to befriend y o u
we

com e h ere to address you

Th e Whites are bad th ey a r e ve ry bad they are
exceedingly bad They a r e liars ve r y liars excessive
liars We we we do not believe y o u responde d
o n e o f th em

Make yourselves easy conti nued the Novice

Th os e w h o come with m e a r e good an d kind

S igns and sign als passed betwee n th e savages an d
s ome o f them felt the two youths to ascertain if they
bo r e concealed weapons N 0 arms being fou nd h e
wh o appeared to b e th e Chief of the t r ibe said to the m
r esolutely
we are a st r ong Tribe a la rge and
Pa g e (fathe r )
a valiant o f a truth we are a great Nation Near us
a r e o u r wigwam s an d o u r forts o u r wives and children
m edicine m en
Th e
o u r divining rattles and o u r
Whites are bad they are ve r y bad they are exceeding
b ad But we will do you n o hu r t Take you r way
.

MA N U E L DE

34

M O R AE S

and go fo r th from amongst us 3 neve r com e again o r be

i t at you r p eril : we will not loo k upon th e pale face
The Red skins disappeared su ddenly as they had
sh own themselves 3 an d th e young men recovering
from their agitation h eard throughout th e fo r est r e
strident
whistlings
which
showed
that
th
e
foe
ea
e
d
t
p
though u nseen was not o ff his guard Then retracing
their steps they fou n d hidden behind a tall t r ee th e
eigh t scouts that followed them

H ave a care ! said a C a rij d

They are m any

hundred bows 3 if they d o ubt u s we die

All returned i n safety t o th e adventurers w h o
anxiously exp ected them Math eus Ch agas hearin g
their accou nt gave orders t o h alt for a day and a
n igh t until th e savages sh ould h ave r etired far fro m
th e stream Then they once m ore p r oceeded o n thei r
j ourney vigilantly an d wit h eve ry p r ecaution known
to the woodsman
Already th ey h ad t r avelled two m onths upon the
Ti et e with out m eeting other adventures wh en they
perceived that th e stream was widening o u t ex
c e s s iv e l y spreading over extensive plains ooding th e
fo r ests an d running with gr eater violence than usual

Two day s afte r wards appea r e d in front a broad

whos e fa r the r
o r lake o f extraordinary dimension s
sh ore was n ot easily seen
said o n e o f t h e
T is th e great river Paran a

we n o w enter its waters

C a r ij Os ;
I mpo ssible to describe th e might and magnicence
After traversing th e lands o f
o f this glorious s t ream
M a t tO Grosso Minas Geraes an d th e northern pa r t of
th e captaincy of S ao Vicente an d receiving tributaries
of an imp ortance almost equal to i ts own the Paran a
formed at the place discovered by our ad v e nture r s a
v ast an d beautifu l bay fe d on o n e side by th e Rio
Ti et e on th e other by the S u cu r iii and th e Pardo
streams The frail craft escaped th e fury of th e winds
by hugging the left bank an d in calme r weath e r cro s sed
,

C HAPTE R I V

N OVI C E S

T HE

IRS T

M I S FO R I U NE

L O R ET O was th e settle m e nt that lay befo r e th e Paul

ista adven tu r e r s I t was one of the last built by th e
Jesuits an d o n e of th e n ea r est t o th e dis puted fro n
tiers o f Spain and Po rtugal I n 1 5 5 7 th e Govern m ent
o f Paraguay h ad fou nded Villa Real at th e j u nctio n
Villa
o f th e r ivers Paran a and Piqu i ri and i n 1
577
Rica o n the Ivahy These villages were stocked with
Gentile Gua r an is A s howeve r thei r catech esis and
civilisation prospe r ed b u t slowly unde r the civil
auth orities th e Gove r n men t o f th e metropolis ceded
to th e Jesuit m issionaries th e two Aldeias above
m en tioned with auth o r ity to organise others
Th e Jesuits soon prospered in th e work of conver
sion and p r esen tly dispersed th ei r obedien t ock o v e r
th e uppe r r egions o f the Paran a To thei r i nt r epid
an d exclusive e fforts during th e rst yea r s o f th e
seven teenth cen tury Santa Maria Maio r o n th e
I g u a s sri S ao Francisco X avier at th e e m bouch ure o f
t h e I m b ib e ra b a A r canj os i n T a yo b a Santo Ignacio
on
th e I q u a te m y S ao Ped r o o n the Pin a e s and
Lo r eto o n the Piraj 6owed thei r existence
These ch ildren o f Saint Igna t ius did n ot spare
th emselves S miled u pon the m th e i dea o f sa v ing
t h e souls and o f cham pioning th e r igh ts and liberties
They foun d th e m ost
o f Pagans m ade Cath olics
fertile o f soi l s c u t by n umerous st r eams and exten d
in g o n b oth sides o f the Paran a artery from th e
I g u a ss n and th e I g ar e y rivers t o th e Pa r a n ap an en a
.

T HE

M I S F O RT U N E

N OV I C E S F I RST

37

and th e Pardo
I mmense n umbers o f wild tribes
became s emi civilised an d these comm uni t ies began
t o found an indepe ndent state i n th e heart o f Portu
Thus rose the pro
g u e s e an d Castilian America
vince o f La Guayra n om inally subj ect to the crown
o f Spain but really as will b e seen a th eocratic des
p o t is m perhaps th e most a ctively evil o f all gove r n
m ents whose best action is rarely for good
Th e Padres persuaded th e H om e Gove r nment t o
forbid th e e ntrance o f E uropeans whateve r migh t b e
thei r nation lest t hey should corrup t th e i nnocen t
savages At th e head o f each settlement was placed

a Cura and as m any Fathe r s an d B r ethren as were

n ecessary for its direction Th e Curate was th e prin
c ip al authority civil and ecclesiastic and as executive
Chief o f th e M is s ion h e administered th e oath o f obe d
ie n ce t o th e sund r y functiona r ies chose n amongst
the converts E ach Al deia possessed a Cor r egido r o r
Chief o f Police and his Lieutenan t two Alcaides a
Standard beare r seven Administrators a Secr etary
and various C aci ques o r Chiefs besides o fcers o f th e
m iliti a corp s organised drilled an d disciplined by th e
Padres Th e little society was to l d o ff to its several
duties with military st r ictn ess These applied them
s elves t o agriculture which consiste d of suga r cane
mat o r Paraguay tea wh eat cotton beans m aize
i ndigo an d tobacco ; those worke d i n th e farinh a
mills in th e smithies at th e carpen ter s bench an d
at other handicrafts Thus they form ed a com munity
wh ose duties and r ights were perfectly e qual being in
fact n on e 3 an d in the dull routin e of h opeless obed
ie n c e th ey were permitted to m ake a ce r tain p r ogress
which soon reached its h e p /u s u l tr a
The J esuits received i n thei r vast storehouses all
th e produce o f th e Aldeia This material was rafte d
down t o Santa Fe and B uenos Ay r e s and at ti m es i t
was shipped directly to Spain an d barte r ed fo r articles
A poll tax of a dolla r pe r
o f n e c e s s it v and com fort
.

MA NU E L DE M O R AE S

38

head was annually taken from each catechised savage

T his su m rightfully belonged t o the H ome Govern
men t b ut the C uras wh o had charge o f the statistic s
defr aude d th e Crown by n o t including i n their lists
those i n o fce minors u nder twenty years and even
the sick
Th e r em ai nder a considerable amoun t
was remitted t o th e Gene r al o f th e O rder residen t at
Rome and con tributed to e r ect palatial buildi ngs an d
t o exten d fa r an d wide t h e powe r and inuence of th e
I nstitute
At thei r labou r s which were taskwork mark ed o u t
day by day m en women an d children we r e all apart 3
only the m ar r ied O ccupied the sam e habitations an d
separate quarters were provided for widows and bach e
lors fo r girls an d children

The Curates i n th e Reduction s o f La Guay r a

were s ubj ect t o th e gr eat Jesuit College o f Asuncion ,
capital o f Pa raguay which held au thority ove r all th e
various nuclei of the C ompany settle d i n th e valleys
o f La Plata and its tributaries
Whe n C o r doba was m ade th e Head qua r ters o f th e
O rder the Principal assisted by th e ordin ar y an d
three extraordinary Councillo r s there too k u p h is
r esidence an d th ence ex t ende d h is autho r ity through
o u t South Am erica
The colleges contained seminaries
for i nstruction secondary as well as primary and pre
s e n tl y th e Spanish Captaincies o f B uenos Ayres Para
guay an d Tucum an could n umber i n thei r b osom
s om e th r ee hundre d 1 Fa t h e r s a nd o n e hund r ed lay
B rothers besides a h os t o f Novices
Th e M ission villages were all built o n o ne an d th e
sam e plan The houses o f e qual siz e an d sh ape
with mud walls an d red tiled roofs were su rr ounded
by compou nds The streets we r e dispo sed in st raight
lin es converging to a great square 3 o n th e right and at
th e h ead of the latter stood the ch urch with th e
campanile th e Jesuits h ouse and th e public m aga
zines ; wh ils t t o th e left were th e ce m etery and t h e
.

M AN U A L DE

4o

M O RAE S

Fathers prevailed u pon their ocks to abando n thei r

h omes to fall back upo n th e lowe r river and th ere
to build new Redu c tions less e xposed to the r aids o f
thei r M ameluco foes
We h ave already s aid that Loreto was th e outlyi ng
M ission v illage of th e Spanish dom in ion s I t con
t a in e d eigh t streets with a total o f abou t two thou
sand souls Th e prairies arou nd i t were care fully
cultivated an d sh owed all th e signs of prosperity
D om estic animals fed i n peace ; th e converts lived
t r anqu illy under th e com mu nistic r ule o f the Fathers 3
a n d n ot a single accide nt h ad from th e very begi n
ning tro u bled the pe r fect orde r o f peacefu l an d quiet
Loreto
Curious to say th e P ortugu ese o f S ao Paul o eve n
the explo r ers and l ib u s t e rs knew n othing o f th e
s ituation and th e state o f La Guayra from th e day
whe n its M issions passed into the te m poral spiritual
an d exclusi v e power o f the C ompany They still b e
l ie v e d rmly i n th e last r eports th at the Gentiles longed
for Por t ugues e aid again st th e Spaniards an d th at
th e latte r possessed stores o f gold and silver ext r acted
wi t h out toil from the adj acent lands Th e Castilians
i n point o f m orals we r e pe rhaps n o better than th e
h eath en except that they we r e s om ewh at less cruel
The Paulistas h oweve r were ani m ated by a furious
h atred engendered partly by th e rival i nterests o f
neighbourho od i n Europe an d Am erica and pa r tly
because at that tim e their fatherlan d had bee n r e duce d
to a province o f th e Spanish crown I n 1 5 8 0 Philip
th e Secon d b r ought it violently u nder his yoke an d
bequeathe d it to h is su ccessors with traditi ons o f
ter r o r which i rr itating the Lusitanian race against the
rule o f its rival and co n queror continually excite d
the m t o r ise an d to st r ike th e blow fo r in de p e n
dence
The greates t induce me nt the n for th e Paulist a s t o
a ttack the mission of La Guayra was t o destroy t h e
,

T HE

M I S F O RT U N E

N O VIC E S F I RST

Spania r ds n ot t h e converts ; yet they had n o in t e n

t ion of spa r ing the latte r no r o f forfeiting the p r ots
t o be de rived fr om enslaving and selling thei r cap
,

t iv e s

M ath eus Chagas afte r learning from his spies th e

state of Loreto forbade his comrades to bet ray their
presence by th e smallest S ign and h e proposed to
the m an attack upon the village which h e believed
to contain extrao r dinary weal t h All applauded the
i dea except Manuel de M oraes wh o wished rst to
a s certain i f the i ntended victims were friends o r foes
and thus to avoi d th e possibility o f com mitting a n
u nscrupulous cri m e Th e l ib u s te rs sco ffed at h is
At length o n e m o r ning whe n
q ualms o f conscience
M ath eus Chagas s aw th e greate r pa r t o f th e p o p u l a
tion at work ou tside th e village and those inside i t
com pletely o ff their guard h e left s ome o f his leas t
u seful men an d am ongs t the m th e Novice to prote c t
th e ca m p and he m a r che d o ff p r epared t o give
battle
The Com mando r st m et upon th e ope n plai n som e
fty co nverts wh o at th e sigh t o f th e e nemy ed to
th e village They were followed by the l ib u s t e rs
a n d all ente r ed at th e sam e time with an in fernal
di n and o utcry The indige ns de fended the mselves
wi t h the courage of despai r but their weapons were
i n th e armoury ; the foe n eve r ceased t o esh h is
swo r d a nd a fe w hours put th e Po r t u g u e s e in pos
session o f th e settlemen t which was at once deserted
by its owners The sudden o nslaught had te r ri ed
th e Fath ers and the Guaran is M uch blood had bee n
s pilt i n the affray an d i n th e pursuit whilst many o f
t h e c onverts found the mselves pinioned and bar r ed
The adventurers the n pro
u p i n their o w n homes
c e e d e d to examine the village which they had wo n
I n th e magazines they fou n d r ations r ea r ms a ni
m un ition weapons clot h and clothes a r dent S pirits
They took from th e Church
a n d othe r valuable sto r es
,

'

M A N U E L DE

42

M O RA E S

lam ps and ch an delie r s o f silve r an d they hailed wit h

loud vivas th e appearance o f such valuable booty
B ut th ey were disagreeably surprised not to s e e a trace
o f the Spaniards whom they supp osed al so to i nhabi t

th e Reduction
M atheus Chagas gave th e strictest orders fo r m ain
taining disciplin e H e sum moned fr om h is cam p
th ose left i n charge H e counted an d separated the
wh o were for th e m ost part o l d Caciques
c ap tives
women an d ch ildren all powerless to y 3 and h e placed
t h e p ris o n e r s di v ided into gr oups u nder the charge of
sentinels H e then procee d ed to collect th e booty
an d to take th e strongest m easures against the possi
b il it y o f desertion and of losing t h e frui t s o f victo ry
Well knowi ng als o th e impruden ce o f lingering in
a h ostile land an d wish ing to quit th e V illage as s oon
as possible h e proceede d to set apart what could be
carried o ff B ut when th e booty comprising j ewels
a r ms clothing animals and prisoners cam e to be
divided all th e adventurers agr eed i n prefe rring th e
sam e articl e and thei r r ivalry nearly led them to
blows Th e Chief at length managed t o curb thei r
pretensions and passi ons by opening a kind o f lottery
for the less valuable obj ects reser v ing th e m ore pre
cions for distributio n at S ao Paulo
Each libuster r eceived an al most equal sha r e
M o r aes h owever refusing to j oin th e lottery took as
h is portion th e O ld m en the wom en and chi l dre n
wh o were u nable t o m arch H e wanted n one o f t h e
ill gotten gai ns and h e r esolve d to free all his
prisoners H e proceeded at once to set food before
th e w r etches and to console thei r s orrows
They
received his ch arity with transports o f gratitude and
they were th e m ore th ankful as th ey expecte d th e
worst fate from th e Mamelucos o f S ao Paulo wh om
th e Fath e r s h ad described to the m a s a m ixture o f
lust and fe r ocity unsoftened by th e least t r ace of piety
o r r eligion
,

MAN U E L

44

M O R AE S

DE

front others closing upon the an ks and others again

h urrying to th e rear till every road was cut o ff
Then began a m el e withou t order command o r
discipline
Th e adventurers u nderstood whe n too
late th at th ey had allowed th e enemy to enter th e
V illage at nigh t and thus to C o O perate with those
rushin g to i t s relief Each m an fough t as b es t h e
co u ld witho u t being able to guess the number o f hi s
ene m ies o r to divi ne th e r esult o f th e combat Thei r
ranks were thin ned by th e bul let th e ar r ow an d
th e sling stone ; th eir ears were stunne d by th e re
and the clam our of th e foe ; their comrades were
wounded their friends were killed a far an d near
before beh ind an d o n b oth S ides Felling blows of
heavy clubs th e sh arp cutting of the sword blade and
stabb ings with kni fe and dagger followed the rst
attack and ended i n a system o f duels corp s a
cor s m a n t o m an , th e m ost cruel and de a dl
all
p
f
p
y
struggles
I t was a ter r ible spectacle lit u p at times by t h e
r oaring ames that de v o u red the village and which
caused the settlemen t to shudde r as with torture ;
groans and cries shrieks an d sh outs r e ech oe d loudly
t h e clang and clashing of th e sword and th e rolling
and reverberation o f th e m usketry The fu gi t ives
tripped an d s tu m ble d over the bodies o f th e live an d
the dead Th e ways were choked with loaded h orses
and m ules Po r tuguese a n d M am e l u co s C ar ij Os and
Guaran is kni fed o n e another almost without knowi ng
their victims The struggle lasted t ill Aurora s m ile d
her rays and lit u p wi th thei r white ligh t all the
,

rm a m e n t

Then lay disclose d a ter r ible scen e o f dest r ucti on

From the i nne r m ost st r eets of th e village to n o small
distance i n th e n eighbouring prairie where th e a d v e n
t u r e r s vanguard h ad exten ded th e ground was S pread
with carcases o f m an and beas t with scattered loads
a r ms and lost booty all drip ping with blood and
.

T HE

N O V I C E S F I R ST

MIS

F O RT U N E

45

bl ackene d by akes of burning substances wh i c h

whirling through th e air fell upon th ose whom the
combat had disabled
Few of th e l ib u s t e r s succeeded in saving them
selves by igh t ; th e greate r part lay dead upon th e
eld o f battle ; rare were the pri s oner s an d these
were all m ore o r less severely wounded : t h e Guaran is
h ad con q u ered an d h ad revenged the affront put
u pon t hem Their auth orities took measures to e nd
th e struggle an d t o save what th ey c ould O f th e
v illage by
quenching th e re ; they colle c ted th e
obj ects s natch ed fro m th e grasp of the e nemy 3 they
restored order to the people an d they superintende d
the burial of those wh o h ad fallen
M any o n both
sides were found stark dead
Ma t h eus Chagas A n
tonio da Costa and several n otable adven turers lost
th eir lives ; and lastly four o r v e wo unded Paulistas
were take n from am ongst the slain and lo dged in j ail
M a nuel de M o ar e s was one of t hese u nfor t unates
H e had receive d an arrow woun d i n the arm and h is
leg was pie r ce d by a ball 3 th e dange r was not great
but h is su fferings were long an d acute
The capti v es were com mitted to those i n charge o f
th e H ospitals for treatmen t an d s urveillance t ill t hey
Wh en M oraes was
c ould be trie d for their crim e
restored to health h e learne d with grief an d a si nk
ing heart that h is com p anio n s in m is fo r tune had all
die d o f thei r wou n ds
,

C HAPTE R V

TH E

NO V

IC E S

EC OND

M S FO

RT U N E

trial of Manuel de M oraes soon ended S undry

C aciques an d wom en gave evidence i n h is favour an d
recounted h is h uman e c on duct during th e days whe n
th e Paulistas occupied the V illage Such testi mony
togeth er with th e dress which attached hi m to th e
Company o f Jesus had its du e e ffect ; th e tribun al
before which h e appeared sentence d h im t o banish
m ent from the Reduction and to be placed i n th e
Th e latter wa s
h an ds o f th e P rovin cial at S anta Fe
charge d with th e du t y o f im posing th e penan ce proper
fo r o n e wh o i n h is n oviciate h ad abandoned th e h oly
I nstitute of S t Ignatius an d had enlisted u nde r th e
l ib u s t e r in g ag of th e Paulistas
Accom panied by armed Guaran is M oraes was trans
porte d by lan d to Villa Rica distant n ot less than
s e v e nty leagues from Lore t o H ere th e Fathers o f
the College kept hi m con ned for m ore than two
m onth s awaiting the rafts w hich were being made
ready to tra n sp o rt th e ar t icles m ost i n demand at
Villa Real
This done h e embarked u nde r th e
ch arge o f Cialdini a lay Brother o f the Com pany
with a crew o f thirty Guaran is wh o acted as guards
and b oatmen
Th e li t tle otilla lade n with th e exports o f th e
Reductions desce nde d th e river I vahy betwee n i ts
avenues of forest giants entered th e Paran a and
presen tly reaching th e Great I sland was towed u p th e
m outh o f th e Pi quiri
At last it safely made Vi ll a
Real wh ich r eposed softly upo n the margin of th e
T HE

8
4

M A N UE L

M O RA E S

DE

skies : th e re ection of th e sun ath wart the glancing

wate r sm oke fell upon th e polish ed sides of t h e gorge
i n sudden sh owers of ligh t which by day seemed th e
playing o f shee t lightning whilst i n th e obscurity o f
nigh t they appeared to be vast walls built o f the whitest
stone
I t was v ain for man s voice to S peak the r e : th e
pu ny accents were drowned in the m onstrous but ma
f
s
t
i
c
music
o
th
e
cata
r
act
th
e
word
of
comman
d
e
j
given by ete r nal Nature hersel f
For m ore th an three m o nth s Moraes soj ou rned at
Villa Real employed by h is Father D irec t ors in th e
s ervice o f th e ch u rch and of th ings sa c red
Not th e
less persisten tly h owever did he refuse to r ej oin th e
I nstitute of S t Ignatius th ough h is heart was lade n
with th e mos t g r ateful a n d reg retful me m ories o f th e
welcome which h e had received o f th e i nstr u ction
which h e had O btained and o f th e friendships wh ich
h e had won
He the n set out by land with a large caravan o f
I ndian s an d loaded beasts to th e village o f Santa
M aria Maior built al m ost at th e em bouchure wh ere
the S 5 0 Francisco is absorbed by th e Paran a belo w

the Se v en Falls
Here as th e n avigation had lost
its perils all e mbarked in n ew r afts for Santa F
Moraes th ough perm itted th e s ociety o f Father C ia l
dini whose edifying discourses soo n gained h is s ym
pathy was as strictly guarded as h e h ad been at
Loreto
About a month was spent in descending th e Paran a

t o the T r es Barras the Three M ouths where i t r e

c e iv e s the waters o f th e Parag u ay and its in u e n t s th e
Pilcomayo and th e Bermej o
M anu el de Moraes was t hrown i nto ecstasies by
these varied and sublim e scenes an d especially by th e
dazzle an d the gla m our of th e m agnicent stream
O n either side were v irgin forests loftiest domes of
g reen which proved th e in nite ferti l i t y of th e soil ;
-

T HE

N OVI C E S SE C O N D

M I S F O RT U N E

49

mighty rive rs wh ich added themselves to th e Parana

already itself a sea ; birds of every size an d shape
an d h ue th e ibis th e toucan the spoonbill an d
giant cranes th at bellowed as they ed from th e plash
i ng of th e oar into th e b l ack r ecesses O f t h e splendid
woodlands 3 and huge caym an s basking upo n t h e
sunny sands and p l unging wh en disturbed into the
vasty deeps thei r homes an d their castles
Ye t m ore delicious than th e clear an d limpid days
were th e nigh ts spent on th e bosom o f these soli t ary
E dens What pictures o f so ft an d tende r beauty were
disclosed when the pale rays o f th e m oon pie r cing
with shaft s of l ig h t t h e thick foliage o f th e av e n u e d
trees overhanging th e wate r s glittered upon the phos
n t surface forming a mosaic work o f silver
h
o
r
s
c
e
e
p
and gold an d lit up th e r eection o f a horizon wh ose
voluptuous and undulating contours were d r awn with
a m aster s touch upon the liquid g r ound
They passed many a site th en desert and u n e x
l
o r e d but presently to be occupied by new J esuit
p
Missions when th e O ld should be n o longer tenable
Still on both S ides are to be seen th e ruins of Corpus
Christi C a n de ll ar ia I taqui S anta Clara T r inidad
S an Cosm o an d others which owed their existen ce
to th e Paulista r avagers o f No rthern La Guayra B ut
whe n o u r he r o looked upon them they we r e b u t th e
lairs and th e asylums o f wild beasts
The voyagers soo n m ade Santa Fe where M o raes
was r eceived with pate r nal kindness by th e Provincial
This good Fathe r enj oined u pon
o f th e I nstitu te
h im such penances and serious m editations as m igh t
decide a return to h is vocation when th e Company
forgetting al l his s hortcomings would r eceive h im
wi t h open arms B ut despite exh ortations ad v ice
and three years compulsory residence in th e conven t
M anuel persisted i n keeping rm to his purpose The
Fath ers th en r esolved upon sending him th r ough
S pai n to Rom e hoping that th e General o f th e C o m
,

'

M A N U EL DE

o
5

M O RAE S

pany would be m ore successful a n d th at the I nstitute

would not lose a youth whose varied talents an d solid
learning we r e evident to all wh o conve r sed with h im
M anuel left Santa Fe for Buenos Ay r es i n a launch
wh ich plied regularly betwee n th e tw o po r ts o f th e
P a ran a and th e Plata H e lived i n th e house o f th e
C ompany whilst a convoy was being p re p ar e d fo r a
eet of merchantm en sailing to Cadiz they we r e
e sco r ted by two Spa n ish b r igantines of wa r especially
charged to defen d th em against the squadrons an d
p rivatee r s o f th e Netherlands wh o the n in fested th ese
s eas
A violent Pampero aided th e voyagers by dr iv m g
them out o f th e dangerous wate r s of th e Rio de la Plata
into th e bosom o f th e Atlantic Here Moraes again
found hi mself i n fron t o f an othe r porten t of Nature
th e ocean 3 i mmense p r ofo u nd tran quil o r agitated
according to th e crises o f th e currents an d th e will o f
th e win ds The virgi n forest th e wild u n navigable
rive r th e savage b east the stupen dous cata r act th e
picturesqu e h omestead th e vast prairie an d the lofty
m ountain such we r e th e feat u res o f the Am erica n
dese r t a wonde r o f nature in which th e beautiful
th e sublim e th e varied an d th e i nnite were all ha r
m o n io u s l y ble nded with out th e aid o f art
No w h e
contrasted with th es e m aj estic scenes th e ocean
wh ich could groan like th e wind wrung woods which
could foam like the basin o f th e cataract wh ich could
roa r a n d r age like th e j agua r an d th e S u ru c u C Li s e r
pent an d which could change place an d colour form
an d phys iognomy r apidly as the varying atmosph ere
wh ich we things o f ea r th i nhale
B efore th e rst breath of th e s outh eas t t r ade th e
sh ips rapidly m ade northing al t hough th e swiftes t we r e
oblige d to awai t from ti me to tim e those th at lagged
beh ind n umbe r and u nion b eing th eir chie f defence
agai nst pirates and enem ies Sailing togeth e r like a
eet an d constantly exch anging signals with th e two
,

'

M A N U E L DE M ORAE S

52

be fo r e they could r each i t a re b r oke ou t i n the fore

m agazine and the w r etched crew had th e fatal and
h or r ible choice o f b eing bu r nt o r d r owned by the
waters wh ich rush ed like a torrent through th e leak
The a ir resounded with shrieks of despair with h eart
ren ding groans and with pie r cing c ries fo r pity an d
assistance A n infernal ana r chy r eigned o n board 3
no one c o mmanded non e obeyed
Som e cast them
selves recklessly i nto the waves , trusting m ore t o th e m
than to th e inside of th e ship 3 oth e r s leapt into th e
gigs that were slung to the davits alongside cut th e
l ashings an d co m m itted th emselves t o fate
N ot a
fe w seizing benches a n d planks dropped overb o ar d
careless where wind and tide might b ear them
Th e D utch launches succeeded i n saving several o f
these u nfortunates th ough m any m ore e ng u l fe d b y
th e waters perished i n the agonies of despair Am ongs t
those w h o es caped was M an uel de Mo r aes But th e
S a n ta A m hr es io was not des ti ned to r eward the victors 3
in an inc r edibly short time sh e became th e prize o f th e
ames an d th e billows
The audacious Batavians m ade u p fo r th e loss by
s eizing others o f th e convoy which fou nd n o m eans o f
escape ; and they n oisily applauded thei r own feats
and t r iumph
1
H enry Lo n q was th e captain o f the squad r on wh ich
had falle n i n with this good fortune H e was a gallan t
mariner who s ucceeding i n 1 630 W il l e ke n s Piete r
Heyn an d Pater swept th e sea o f Spanish and Portu
u
g e s e cruisers and trade r s caused u nheard o f losses
seized a vast number o f h ostile galleons and spread th e
terro r o f h is nam e far and wide ove r th e oc ean H e
at o nce orde r ed the useless c r aft to be burned an d th e
,

I n Du t c

h t h e n am e is w itt e n H e n d r ick Lo n cq
T he
Po t u g u e s e s i m p li e d t h e u n p r o o u n ce a b l e Ba t vi n n m e s
Pi e t A d i
V a d e rb g a n d S cop fo r Pie te rs o o n A d i s
1

r an ,

W a r d e n b o r ch

or

ur

W e e r d e n b u rg

h,

a nd

S ch k p p e

as

r en

Tr m zs l a ter

z,

T HE

N OVI C E S SEC O N D

M I S F O RT U N E

53

valuable prizes to be carried i nto Recife and to b e

placed i n the hands of the authorities wh o administe r ed
t he N e th e rl a n de r Gove r n ment o f the B r azil O f th e
t e n captu r ed , only fou r rem ained seawo r thy an d to
the m were transfer r ed with a gua r d o f D utchmen the
ca rgoes and th e prisoners taken out of the others
Th en w a s seen a melan choly spectacle heartrending
for th ose una ccustomed to such r everses the six co n
d e m n e d craft we r e red and they sank i n the m idst
o f r oa r ing c r ackling ames and th e lou d h ur r ah s o f
th e Hollan de r s wh o delighted to witness t h e work o f
destruction
When th e captain s orders were carried o u t th e
four galleons made sail fo r Pernam buco an d soon
e nte r in g th e po r t o f Recife (the Reef) they r eport ed
them selves to th e Cou r t o f D i recto r s o f th e D utch
Wes t I ndian Company A l l the prisone r s h aving been
plunde r ed of their prope r ty were cast loose to m ake
a livelihood as they best could
I t was th e yea r o f g r ace 1 632 whe n M anuel de
M o r aes thus fou nd h imself th rown u pon a hos tile
s trand
Th e fr ee world to which he h ad aspi red opene d
itself to him u nder th e m ost i n auspicious conditions
The m o r n of life broke with a sickly ligh t through
clouds o f bitte r ness pain and grie f ; an d thu s sore l y
an d sorrowfully began h is pilg r image S ince th e day
whe n caprice o r th e u nde ned longings o f th e soul
had torn him fr om th e peace an d inn ocence o f th e
cloister to e ndu r e th e e ndless v icissitu des an d th e
m is fortun es wh ich his unhappy destiny had p r epa r ed
fo r h im
,

C HAPT E R VI
BE A

In

TR I X

BR O DE C HE V I U S

Po
r
tugal
o
v
erwhelmed
by
the
0
8
,
5 ,
D uke o f Alva , and betraye d by her

hosts o f th e
n ational de
had
become
at
th
e
Co
r
tes
of
Thomar
a
r ac
n
e
e
g
y
m ere province o f Spain
fr o m that tim e th e P hilips of
Cas tile h ad taken pride i n trampling her u nder their
feet and in overwhel ming am idst misery and degra
dation he r me mo r ie s of past glo r ies an d of he r oi c
deeds
Th e H ollanders wh o h ad won their indepen dence
fro mS pain tho ught only o f s natching away the T r ans
atlantic p ossessions o f seizing the colonies and of
an nihilating th e m aritime com m erce of their ancien t
mist r ess
They held a s Spanish all th e r egions i n Asi a Africa
and Am e r ica which had belonged to i ndependen t
Portugal and excited by t he hope o f plun der th ey
did not s p a re those wealthy la nd s I n 1 65 1 th e vari
o u s cities of the Low Countries r aised a st r ong and

well mon ie d company afterwards ent i t led

of th e

West I n dies with th e view O f extending th ei r c o n

quests into the New World Thei r High M ighti nesses
the S tates General o f the U nite d Provinces approve d
o f the statutes passed by the body an d gave i t full
r ight o f i nvading occupying an d enj o ying whateve r
con quests it might make for t he space of thirty years
d ating from 1 62 4 Afte r that tim e it was boun d to
transfer all its possessions to Govern m ent an d to r e
c e iv e as an i ndem nity the value o f its m unitions o f
1

56

M A N U E L DE M O R A E S

thias de Albuquerque Governor o f th e Captaincy ;

wh o h ad only twenty se v e n me n o f rei n forcements
from Por tugal was drive n from th e Porto do Recife
th e latter being attacked by land an d cannonaded by
A fter burning h is
s e a to take refuge in the interior
magazines an d th e sh ips i n po r t he fell back upon
th e mainland an d establishe d h is h ead qua rters at
th e A r raial o r fortied village do B om Jesus o n th e
oth er side o f th e Capibar ibe river
Little by little the H ollanders spread th emselves
over Perna m buco They were he r oically O pposed
by th ose born i n th e land an d by th e Portugues e
colon ists u nder the valiant commandan t M athias d e
Albu qu erque an d by the friendly Redskins whom th e
I ndian Phelipe Cam ar ao o r P o t y (th e Shrimp ) b oldly
led to th e eld Th e glorious fort o f 8 21 0 Jorge was
burned down 3 th e he r oic village do Bom Jesus was
raze d t o th e groun d 3 an d fair O lin da was reduced t o
ashes The Company continued i ts career of con
quest and b oth Brazilians an d Portug u ese retire d
northward and s outhward abandoning to th e D u t ch
those territories wh ich they had invaded Th e States
General also did not neglect t o sen d o u t a m ple S ti p
plies o f soldie r s and warlike gear an d to appoin t
brave and active o fcers t o th e several commands
A nd perhaps the libe r ality o f th is proceeding so ra r e
an d s o exceptional amongst conquerors an d colonists
in those tim es contributed n o t a little t o reconcile
t he Braz ilian Creoles to th e rule o f heretics an d
,

'

in de l s

The i rr econcilables o f the land wh o could n Ot

perforce bent
o r wh o did n ot succeed i n escaping
th e neck to the H ollander s yoke Th e Cou r t o f
D irectors had forbidden public worsh ip i n th e C a t h o
l ic church es which were converted into P r otestant
chapels and with difficulty th ey perm itted mass to b e
c elebrated in th e open spaces an d elds u nder th e
s u n o f heaven an d in th e air o f libe r ty
Bu t afte r

BEA T R I X BR O DE C HE V I U S

57

w ards commerce was m on opolised by th e int r uder

h eretic o n enemy and privatee r o n h eretic 3 an d th e

P ortuguese had n o occupation left to them b u t t o till
th e groun d an d to sell fruit an d vegetables
S uch was th e condition o f th e Recife when M anuel
d e Moraes landed th ere an d s ought s ome m eans o f
subsis t ence fo r hi msel f Th e settlem en t was divided
into th ree distinct qu a r ters The stores arsenals
business h ouses and p r incipal habitations O f cial and
private occupied the land tongue w h ere th e Capi
b ar fb e j oined by th e Bib e r fb e rive r ows into t h e
Atlantic The secon d quarte r ove r spread th e I lh a
d e Antonio Vaz for m erly a desert and s w ampy islet
o r rath er a peninsula formed by the many arms of
th e for m er stream
Beyond th e Capibaribe and
the Bib e r fb e the suburbs extende d i nland without
1
b r idges to con nect the m with t h e island o r eve n
with the port Th e stream s were crossed i n canoe s
and rafts 3 thus also were transported th e sugars an d
brandies made i n th e interior an d sent to th e Com
n
a
s
agents
wh
o
bought
them
at
a
tariff
xed
by
p
y
the m selves
M oraes s a w at once that o f scanty use t o him
would be th e education wh ich h e had r eceived i n th e
Jesui t I nstitute of S EO Paolo o r the p r ecious gifts
o f intelligence which Provide n ce had bestowe d upon
h im
Evidently nothi n g b u t m anual labou r would
h ere furnish th e m eans o f life H e resolved to begin
with out delay an d h e h ired hi m self as a e l d hand
t o a Portuguese wh o held lan d o n th e left bank o f
the Bib e r fb e
D ays m onths and years lagged o n w ithou t h is
nding the m eans to better his destitute condition
I n 1 636th e Company h ad substituted fo r t h e various
Chiefs an d Generals o f th e Cou r t o f D irecto r s Johan n
'

D u t ch b u ilt t w o b r idg e s o n e fr o m th e R e c i fe t o t h e
A n t o n i o Va z a n d t h e o t h e r fr o m th e l a tt e r t o t h e m a in l a n d
t h e n ca ll e d S ch o o nzig t n o w Bo a V is t a Tr a n sl a tor s Not e
1

T he

'

MA N U E L D E

8
5

M O RA E S

Moritz von Nassau Siegens popularly known as Count

and
no
soon
er
had
th
e
latte
r
aurice
f
Nassau
o
M
3
,
take n th e r eins o f government th an the whole D utch
colony seemed t o bor r ow new life S outhwards th e
frontiers were e xtended e v en beyon d the great Rio
1
d e 8 5 0 Francisco an d n o r thwa r ds almost to th e
Ma r anh ao
Nassau was a b e n e c e n t monarch To
promote th e study o f the country h e b r ough t with
him naturalists like Piso o f Leyden and the famous
German Marcgrave h istorian s like Gaspa r Barl
l i t erati lik e Plante architects like the b r othe r s Post
a nd artists o f th e Flem ish sch ool wh o h ad gai ne d a
name i n E urope By his persuasion th e C ompany
O pened free trade to Neth erlanders gen erally keep
i ng u p m on opoly only i n certain h an ds so as to e n
r ich the colony o f Recife H e prosecute d corrupt
fu nctionaries He restore d order to th e nances
H e imp r oved th e public ad m inistration H e t eor
H e put an end to th e arb i
g a n is e d th e m ilitary
t ra r y abuses of th e subaltern authorities
He per
m it t e d th e Jews to build synagogues
and th e
Portuguese t o atten d thei r churches and solem n
processions He fou nded sch ools fo r th e heath en
H e restored fugitive slaves t o thei r proprietors on
condition that the latte r sh ould s w ea r fealty to hi s
Government H e b uilt forts at Penedo i n th e S 5 0
Francisco river at P orto Cal v o i n th e Isle of
Anton io Vaz 3 and at many oth er strategical points
I n the head quarter islan d h e traced the streets of a
new City and laid out fo r h imself a palace named

Vr ig b u r g ( the place of r epose

with towers at th e
wings an d with an O b servatory by its side I t was
con nected with Recife by a bridge that S pann ed th e
united waters of th e Capibar ibe and th e Bib e ri b e H e
c alled th e n e w city M auritia an d it soon becam e r ich
i n buildings an d grou nds H is liberal rule presently
1
H i gh l a ds of
Fo r a fu ll d e s c r ip ti o n of t h i s t i v e r s ee m y
T i n s l e ys Lo n do n 1 8 69 7 ra s l a to s A nt e
t h e B a z il
,

'

"

6o

MAN U E L

D E M O RA E S

h ad saved hi s daughte r asked M oraes h is name his

profess i on and h i s a b ode and prom ised neve r t o fo r
ge t his h eavy de b t of grat i tude By degrees th e g i rl
r ecove r e d l i fe and as ki ng to see t he m an wh o h a d
sa v ed h er fr om destru ct i on expressed h er admi r ation
of an d g r atitude fo r h i s courage and k i ndness
Ass i stance was now at h and an d th e people bro u gh t
a l i tte r i n wh ich B eatr i x was carried h om e wh i lst
Manuel proceeded to h is paupe r qua r ters E i th er
t h e excitemen t o f th e m om ent o r th e wet clothin g
wh i ch h e had wo r n s o lo n g banishe d sleep fr om h is
eyel i ds and durin g th e n i gh t h e suffered a l l t h e
tortures o f a v i o l en t b urn i ng fe v er
Gloomy an d
wretched h ours witho u t a fr i endly hand or voice to
n u rse or ch ee r th e s i ck m an were those th at passed
t i ll day broke an d th e warm r ays o f th e s u n lit u p
the windows of his h ovel
H e attem pte d to r i se b u t felt an i nexpress i ble
weakn ess
H e wa i ted res i gned till the i ncreas i ng
warmth sh ou l d resto r e h i s stre ngth whe n h e h eard a
k nock at th e door an d th e greet i ngs o f a kin dly but
un kn own v o i ce W it h d i f cul t y h e aros e and w i th
d rew the rusty bolt at onc e r etu r ning t o th e paupe r
cot wh i ch ac t ed as b e d
H i s visitor was th e o l d Netherlande r whose daughter
t h e i nva l i d had s a v ed M anuel could hardly answer
h i s ques ti ons ; a n d Br o de c h e v iu s leav i ng a s l ave t o
wa i t u p on h i m w it h m oney and many i nstruct i ons to
take care of h im hurr i e d away to call a phys i c i an
Return i ng h o me he was quest i oned by h is daugh ter
wh o wo u l d not hear o f her preser v er be i n g n urse d by
any o n e but h erself ; and who determ i ned to repay
h er li fe by restoring h i m t o health u nder he r fa t her s
roof Bro d ic h e v iu s co u ld refu se her noth i ng Beatr i x
was t he on l y ple dge o f love bequeathed to h i m by th e
best o f wives and s h e h ad full powe r ove r his h eart
B ro k e n i n s pir i t by h is be r eavem en t h e had qu itt e d
Amste rdam a s a m ember of Cou nc i l t o t he We s t
,

B E AT RIX

BR O DE C HE V I U S

61

I ndian Company h e had then estab l ished him self at

Rec i fe and there h e ex i sted only fo r the gir l s u r
round i ng h e r happy fresh you n g l i fe with all th e
pleas u re an d luxury wh i ch th e fondness of a father
can sugg est
Th e result w as that M anuel w as borne away i n a
l i tter and pres e n tly fou nd himself com fortably i n
sta l led in th e h o u se o f Br o de c h e v iu s whe r e a phy
s ic ia n took h i s case i n hand
Th e fever assum ed a
m a l i gnan t type and dang e r ous proportions B eatrix
o fte n v i s i ted th e i nvalid ; at t i mes insisting wh en
M oraes was deaf to t h e n u rse upon h i s taking th e
remedi e s prescribed and e nco u raging h i m with so ft
words swee t v o i ce an d sympa t het i c looks sh e a p
p e are d an ange l who stood by his p i llow and g u ide d
his w i ll
Beatrix then aged twen ty was tall an d gracefu l a s
th e g i rls o f h er c o un try ; her long blonde h air r ip
pl i ng ove r a broad pure brow announced her N o r th
E uropean or i g i n Large bl u e eyes and r egular fea
tures s e t i n a perfect oval lips an d chi n somewhat
fu l l a complex i o n o f clea r est wh it e an d r ose and a
calm r etired express i on made the charac t er o f h e r
bea u ty ra t he r mo r e stately than is consiste nt w it h
fem i n i ne soft ness an d delicacy Like th e Sea queens
of o l d whom th e Church conve r ted to sa i nts g rac i ou s
in t h e i r d i gnity as com m and i ng o f presence th e
ser i ousness of her demeanour i m posed mo r e respect
than inspired love She h ad l i t t le o f th e Southern
swe e tness which characte r ises t h e w o me n o f Raphael
and Murill o he r face and gu r e suggested rathe r th e
ide a o f the maj estic pr i estesses as fancy pa i nts the m
a m ongst t h e ancie n t Gauls
He r blue eyes neve r
wore th e h um i d expressio n o f love m u ch less were
they l i t up by the l i g ht o f p ass i on ; but t here was
s om eth ing i n thei r look whi ch sa i d t hat if eve r
Beatr i x y i elded her h eart to th e keep i ng o f a love r
he r a t tach m ent w o uld rise to th e d i gnity o f perfect
,

'

62

M AN UE L

d e v otion ,

DE

M O RA E S

li fe long constancy M oraes s o on yielded

h i mself to th e direct i on s o f h i s h o s t ess an d learned
for th e rst t i m e in h i s l i fe t h e migh t an d powe r o f a
wom an wh o can ben d th e w i ll an d who can convert
t h e adm i rer i nto th e s u b m i ss i ve slave
H e fe l t r e
sto red t o health when he xed h i s eyes upon th e fa i r
presence ; i n he r a b sence h e lost heart an d strength
as though sh e carr i e d away with her th e l i gh t o f hi s
li fe A l ready h i s heart wh i spered that B eatr i x was
necessary to h i s e x i stence and by slow degrees a
v i o l e nt pass i on master i ng every faculty r u l e d h i s
h eart and h ea d h i s body an d so u l
Nor l ess d i d t h e g i r l adm i re t he grace ful ways o f
her yo u n g pat i ent ; h i s m anners wh i ch were t h ose
th e i nteresting an d p i ctu r esq u e
o f Na t ure s Nob i l i ty
lang u a g e sh ow i n g an educat i on far ab ove h i s presen t
cal li ng ; t h e generous thoughts wh i ch l i tt l e s u ited
th e l owness o f his presen t con di tion an d th e p u r i ty
o f m orals an d rel i gion tha t proclaime d th e i n noce nce
of h i s so u l an d the virginity of an u ncorrupted hea r t
B ut wh at i n h im from th e beg i nn i n g was th e head
long pass i o n o f love com menced i n Bea t rix with th e
sympa t hy restra i ned by r eas on
M anue l s b osom
b o il ed over with ery m adden i ng tho u ghts wh i c h
bro u gh t with them as much pain as pleasure Th e
g i r l was a t tach ed b y a sen t i ment o f affec t ion wh i ch
only d i d j ust i ce to t he a d m i rable qu ali t ies t he m any
in t ellect u al a n d moral g i ft s of her preserver
H er
g e ntle vir g i nal fon d ness p assed from her brain to h er
b osom where it grew i n warmth and las t l y i t worked
i t s way i nto her heart l i ke t h e d rops wh i ch h ollow o u t
th e ha r dest stone Th us wi t h s l ow steps and we
m i g ht almost say with a reasonable and phi l osoph i c
progress her app r eciation took t h e form o f fr i endsh i p
a n d fr i en dship th e guise o f love ; each phase being
accompanied b y a correspond i ng change o f th e
n a t ura l and p hys i ca l sen t i ments t i l l th e latte r asse r te d
the i r full and comp l ete ascendancy
of

64

M A N U E L DE MO RA E S

Finally com pa r ing th e H ollan ders o f Recife wi t h t h e

Po r tugues e o f S ao Pa u lo h e held the P r otestants t o
be m o r e earnest m en and m ore deeply i m bued wi t h
the spiri t of t heir c u lt t han th e Cath olics
These fatal th oughts le d by degrees to a S pir i t u al
i ndi fference a cruel and dest r oy ing scept i cism wh i ch
weakened and r elaxed every b r e o f h i s soul M i g h t
not als o m u ndane l ove h ave served to produce th i s
u nhappy state an d to d e t ach h im from th e pure an d
h oly r el i gion o f Rome wh i ch o f all C hristian cre eds
s peaks m ost to man conce r n i ng E ternal Life an d shows
h i m most ca r efully th e n oth ingness o f th e creature i n
presence of the Creator th e Suprem e Au t h o r of th e
world ?
,

C HAPT E R VI I

NO VI C E

BE A T R I X A ND T HE

LE

AV E S O U T H A M E R I C A

S W I FT LYand h appily th e days o f Manuel de M oraes

r an by
H e applied hims e lf t o th e duties o f h is
c al l i ng
H e stud i ed th e arts and th e letters o f a new
land H i s l i vel i est p l easures were i n th e contempla
t i on o f h is love whe n h eart an d s oul we r e whelmed
in a tide of i ne ffable delight
The lovers h ad n ot opened t o each othe r th e
secrets o f t he ir breasts no r h ad wo r ds b et rayed th e i r
p as s i o n ate longings Ye t each pe r fectly understood
t h e o ther s thoughts fo r eye am ed back its answe r to
eye and the m o st trivial conversatio n bo r e th e bu r de n
o f i n timate sentiment
We have al r eady observed that M anuel s love was
o f a far m o r e S ou t h e r n an d physical type wh i ch co m
m a n de d hi m through t h e material senses subj ugate d
h i m by its very na t ure and bel o nged to earth an d to
th e r eg i on o f reality i t was the r e fore frail and in co n
stant as m an Bu t th e a ffect i on o f Beatrix see med t o
be t h e longing o f s o ul fo r soul h oweve r clogged by
m o r tal clay The g i rl s feel i ng was the deeper b e
cause i t was th e fr u it of r eason and co nv i ction ri p ened
by th e inst i ncts o f her nature wh i lst its pure an d holy
i nspirat i on crowne d her soul with a h eavenly aureole
Yet n o t o n e but bo t h lo v ed tru l y and fon dly as the ir
several nat u res pe r m itted and th e strength o f m utual
sent i men t drew th e m togeth e r withou t o ne thought o f
t he obstacles wh i ch bes et thei r path
M e anwhile C o u n t Mau rice h ad raised a st r o ng
.

66

MA N U E L D E

M O RA E S

fo r ce ,

intending to spread Batavian r ule o v e r th e

so u the r n cont i nent
I n May 1 637 h e em barked
th r ee thousand and t w o h u ndred D utch men a c c o m
by
a
thousan
d
Redski
ns
upon
a
ee
t
of
t
hirty
n
i
d
a
e
p
t wo wa r sh i ps ; and th e ar mada sa i l ed with orders t o
attack that most i mportant posit i on the Bah ia de S ao
Salvador
Th e eet en ter i ng th e great and picturesque bay
lan ded a stron g fo rce an d made a viole nt assault wh il st
th e c i tizens de fended th emselves w i t h th e u tm ost gal
lant r y
Th e i nvade r st ormed th e works known as
t h e Alberto F i l i ppe B arth o l om e u and Rosar i o ; b u t
attempt i ng t o carry t he care fully for ti ed con v ent o f
t h e bare footed Carm elites h e was s o dough t ily me t
th at perforce h e fell back A fter los i ng at leas t eleve n
hundred m en h e saw that t h e s i e g e m ust be raised
u nless all w
o u ld per i sh
Thus foiled the fa m ous
otilla r eturned t o Rec i fe Its disast r o u s fa i lure caused
the deepest d i sappo i ntment to the Pr i nce Count ye t
with the tenac i t y o f his Nor t h ern sp i rit h e thought
only o f collecting a st il l stronger force
Through
o u t h is ca r eer
indeed he n eve r lost th e hope o f
annex i ng th e Captain cy of Bah i a to th ose po ssessions
o n th e South American cont i nent wh ich were th en
entitled Netherlande r in contrad i st i nction to what was
st i l l Por t u g uese Bra z il
I n t he States h owever th e Pr i nce Count was o p
1
posed by h i s i nveterate enemy Ar t ich fsky a Pol i sh
general wh o had been m ilit ary governo r o f Per
n a m b u c o befo r e th e C ompany h ad p l aced i t u n d er
M aur i ce of Nassau A va l i ant sold i er h i ghly d i s
t in g u is h e d dur i ng th e rst occupa t ion o f t he country
h e had r eti r ed from Rec i fe u po n t h e arrival o f h i s
success o r ; h e reta i ned th e best o f r eputations i n
H olland an d h e lost no opportun i t y o f revenging
hi m self for the sl i gh t th u s offere d t o h i s services an d
,

Th i s

is th e

r th o g r a p h y

of

th e

or

ig i n l
a

7 i a izs l a t ol
'

Note

68

MA NU E L DE M O R A E S

Br o de ch ev iu s h aving r esolved to r etu rn to Amste r

with all h i s h ouseh old an d th at t o o by the rst

eet , conded th e plan to h i s d aughte r an d bade h er
Beatr i x received th e tidi ngs
m ake all prepa r at i ons
wi t h grief an d bit t erness ye t s h e d i d n ot oppose h er
fa th er s proj ect
Sh e becam e m ore r ese r ved with
Manuel de M oraes and at the sam e t i me sh e con
But th i s n ew ph as e
c e a l e d fr o m him h e r m otive
could not escape th e lover s e ye an d h e torm ente d
h i mself with doubts and ques ti ons Was s h e weary
ing o f th e a ffect i on which sh e m ust have perce i ved
al t hough words h ad n ot decl ared i t P What co u l d h ave
caused th e change ? An d even s u pposing the cal c u
la t ed but melancholy an d pens i ve coldness to a r ise fro m
secret s u ffer i ng wh ence could i t h ave or i g i na t ed ?
Vainly d i d Moraes a t te m pt to tea r th e ve i l wh i ch
c onceal ed th e g ir l s sorrow whilst h er eve r i nc r eas i ng
r eserve we i ghed h eavily upon h i s h ear t Th e days
bec a m e dark and sombre aft er s o many o f l i gh t an d
s u nsh ine perfum ed by love and b e au t i e d with blissfu l
r eve r ies an d deliciou s dreams
M an u el resolved to take a dar i ng step ; h is past
h appiness i ndeed , rendere d th e present ch ange in
supporta b le H e felt that an explana t i o n was now
necessary wh atever m i gh t be i ts re sults
A some t h i ng u nknown had s i lenced th e mu t e
lan g uage wh i ch expresse d the ir m ut u al feel i ngs ev i
d e n tl y i t was best to bare h i s hear t be fore B eat ri x
a n d l o yally t o declare h i s love t o trus t the l i ps w i t h
that which th e eyes h ad m ore eloq u ent l y told H e
w a s oft e n a l one w i th t h e g i r l an d th u s t h e ch ance was
n ot want i ng S tee l in g h i mself to the task he as k ed
her bo l dly and openly what was t h e m ean i ng o f h e r
sad ness what m i s fortun e had happened what calam it y
was expected ? Beatr i x would at r st have k e pt he r
secret Bu t M oraes pressed h is ques tions w i t h the
r m r e so l v e o f be i ng satised an d acce n ts o f grie f
came fr o m his heart as h e cri e d
dam

T H E Y L EAV E S O U T H A ME R I C A

69

Tell m e for pi t y s s ake tell m e all 1 Th ou li tt le

k nowest how I love t hee h ow I adore thee
Th e b urning words d i d n o t startle t h e g i rl Sh e
reected that aft e r h ear i ng such a confess i on sh e
was bou nd t o answer h i m as open l y an d as loyally
Thou g h sh e str ove to appear ca l m h e r saddene d
brow betrayed her ; and at t i mes her accen ts fa l tere d
and th e vo i ce e x p i red u p on her trem b l i ng l i ps
Sh e to l d him i n b roke n words th at her fathe r had
ann ou nced h is r et u rn to H ol l and by th e rst eet ;
t hat sh e was to leave Pernamb u co fo r ever ; that both
m u st n o w part

Part ! part !
h e ej ac u lated as o n e st u nned

And I remai n here when t h ou goes t ? Ah d wha t

are the n my hopes i n l i fe ?
All th e force o f passion n o w ne r ved his so u l : h e

u
forg ot pr u dence respect and gra t i t de everythi ng
b u t the i nn e r vo i ce o f love wh i c h u rged h i m on

Why d i d fate ever thro w m e i n thy way ? h e

cont i nued with t he r eck l ess ness o f one who has cas t

the d i e
Why hast t hou taught m e to love thee
1 wh ose h eart tranq u i l and i ndiffere n t h ad n eve r

learn t what love was ?

Long had B eatrix been accustomed to read hi s looks
and g est u res to see h is secre t i n h i s coldness an d h i s
warmth i n h i s sorrows an d his j oys The myster i es
of pass i on h owever carefully h i d d en cannot esca p e
a woman s eye Yet n o t less was she st artled by th e
wa r mth and vehemence o f h is words A t rst sh e
She t hen attem p t ed
fe i gne d n ot to un derstand h i m
t o change th e s u bject B ut as M oraes on l y i ns i s t e d
the more sh e was drive n to th e last reso u rce an d
sh e re p l i e d in sad and measured tones
Reasons all t he s t ron g er for o u r part i ng ! I w il l
n o t dece i ve thee
I a lso love thee and per hap s
a s thy words declare
n o t less deeply t han t ho u do st
th ou d os t I a l so shall be u nhappy when th e broad
s e as r oll betwee n u s Bu t I w i ll t ry t o forge t thee ;
,

M A N U E L DE

M O RA E S

do thou t h e sam e
Banish a l l th ou ghts o f m e
do ubt l ess i n t i me we shal l live d own th e folly wh i c h

commo n sense con dem ns

I do n ot u nders t an d t he e im petu ously excla i med

Wh y ca l l Love folly ? H ow d oth re as o n

Moraes
condem n 1 t

Thou dost not reect n or did I s aid a vo ice o f

i ne ffable t e nderness wh i le Beatrix gently took h is
h and a n d ra i sed h er tearfu l eyes to h ea v e n
We
i mprudently allowe d o u r hearts to m e e t our s ouls t o
comm u n e togethe r wi t hout looking to the fu ture w i t h
o u t foresee i ng h ow i m possible i t i s th at we sh ou l d
b ecome one I am a Protes t an t th ou a Ca t ho l i c ; a
m i gh t y gulf y a w n e th between thee and me My Pe ople
can not forget t he persec u t i on s an d the h o rro r s o f wh i ch
you r s we r e guilty B lee d i ng wounds gap e betwee n

t he tw o Faiths

I m poss i ble ! imp o ssible !

i nterrupted M oraes

I mi ght have borne w i th t h is par ti ng h ad I n ot

k nown m ysel f be l oved M y gr i e f woul d h ave k i lled
m e s t i ll I sh o u ld have e ndured it Bu t n o w n o w
that all is happ i ness n ow that nat u re s m il e t h upo n m e
now that th e Angels o f Heaven s p ea k to m e i t is im
poss i ble S o t h ou an d I may n ot part Whatever
place conc e al thee I w il l nd thee o u t I w i l l fol l ow
thee to t he wo r ld s end E verywhere shalt thou m e e t
m e m e wh o breathe with thy breath l i ve w i t h t hy
l i fe and am ready to di e wi t h the e or to d i e for thee
Bu t wh at serveth all th i s
asked B eatr i x wh o
th ough as m uch ag i tated as h e w as r eta i ned the pow e r

of appea r ing ca l m
i f we can never be u n i te d i f
w e are t o b e p arted b y Rel i g i o n an d Mank i nd by
Trad i tion an d Soc i ety ? I can not becom e a Ca t hol i c
Thy m ayes t not deny thy fa i t h E ve n i f love i n a
m oment o f weakness should t r i umph o v er thy c o n v ic
t ions s ho u ld m ake the e a renegade wou l dst tho u
expec t long t o es ca p e th e pains of perj u ry th e pen al
t i es of r emorse ? W o uld not these su fce to w i th e r
.

'

MA N U E L D E

72

M O RA E S

tremble She s a w cl early tha t M an u el was blinded

Bu t
by h i s pass i on and hu r r i ed on to a fatal e nd
h i s love h i s devo t i on showe d a depth and a heat
wh i ch necessar il y a t tered her self love wh ich exalte d
h i gh i n her eyes a l over capable o f such sacrice
S t il l sh e was n ot s o hoodwinke d b y th e i nst i ncts o f
h er sex that sh e co u ld n ot foreshadow from afar th e
fa t al co nsequences o f such en t hus i asm

Change o f Bel i ef s h e said

d e m a n d e t h rm
con v i ct i on n ot su dden hallucinat i on I t m u st b e th e
work of the h ead n ot of th e heart Th e s oul m ust
conrm a n d suppor t i t Lo v e is t rans i ent wh e n i ts
s p ell i s pas t whe n t h e b l oom wears o ff t he n w i ll
Repentance thu nder at t he door Ho w I sh ould con
d e m n myse l f were I to ca u se t hy eternal m i sery
Fear not res p on ded M anu el
only a l lo w m e t o
go w i t h thee to thy hom e i n H olland so th at th o u

mayest j u dge th e truth o f m y w o r ds by my dee ds

Beatr i x prom ised to g i ve h is praye r du e reection
an d begge d t o be left alone They pa r t ed i n th e
greatest ag it ation
And now tha t Manuel de M oraes had told his l o ve
i t sp u rned all th e bon d s of reason I t su b j ugated h i s
whole m an i ntellectual as well as m oral H e b ent to
i t as one yield i ng himself prisoner o r rather as a slave
w h o hugs his manacles and his fetters h o l din
g them
t o b e h i s h i ghest happ i ness bel i eving i n th e m as
h i s m an i fest i nevitable des ti ny and lov i ng them as
th e best o we r of especial del i gh ts and rever i es a nd rosy
d ream s
Beatrix w e nt far deeper in th ough t H er heart
was won by h er lover s h e a rt ; b u t h e r reason also
spo k e and i t spoke only o f dange r to come Th e
s t r u g g le o f s mil i ng love and t r e m b ling fea r lled h e r
m i nd an d w earied her sp i r i t
Sh e intrusted h er secret to h er fathe r c o nfessing
t h a t h er h ear t and soul belon ge d to M o r aes that sh e
could n eith er leave h i m n o r h e forget her and that n o
.

T H E Y L E A VE S O U T H AME R I C A

73

oth e r m an sh o u ld ever b e h er h usband No r d i d sh e

n eglec t t o conde h er suspic i ons t hat h is love was
about to change h i s Cathol i c fa i th fo r Calvinism w it h
the so l e obj ect o f accom panyi n g h er and o f l i vi ng fo r
h er
Br o de ch e v iu s h i ghly e steemed the s av i ou r o f h i s
only daughter H e appreciate d h i s remarkable in te l l i
g ence h i s rare l y e ndowed m i nd and h i s spir i t capab l e
o f t h e m ost m emorabl e act i ons
H e had no obj ect i on
t o h i m as a son in law ; n e it h er r i ches n or rank were
a ny t h i ng i n t h e g oo d o l d father s eyes b l it arti c i a l
d i st i nc t i ons the g ar b o f t he m an n ot th e m an Th e
only o bstacle to the u n i on a ppea r ed t o b e t he di fference
o f fa i t h
and t h i s wou l d b e smoothe d over only by
Manuel s abj u ring t h e Ca t hol i c re li g i o n and adoptin g
Ho l lan d as h i s h ome But h e also held i t necessary
t o prove th e s i n cer it y a nd t he convict i on with wh i ch
M oraes wou l d face th e di f cult i es o f th e posi t i on
H e advised Beatr i x to hope from tim e th e p r oofs o f
h er lo v e r s tr u th an d t o allow h i m t o accompany h er
whe n i t wo u l d be easier to observ e and to j udge h i m
E arly i n 1 639 t h e H o ll anders e et sa il ed fro m th e
coas t o f Pe r nam b u co All t h e pe r sonages o f o u r tale
embarked upon i t aband o n i ng th e B razilian sh o r es
and Manu el de Moraes took leave o f A m e r ica w i th
th e r m i nten t i o n of n e ve r again s e e ing h is na t iv e
lan d
.

'

'

74

C HAPT E R VI I I
M A R R I A GE A ND R E PE

N TA NC E

T HE yea r h ad n ot died o u t since th e r e t u rn of B r ode

c h e v iu s an d h i s da u ghter to Am sterdam b efore Man u el
de M o raes a b j u re d t h e Ca t h o l i c religion and em
b raced Protestant i sm : h e m a rrie d Beatr i x w i th t h e

consent, and nal l y th e adop te d

o l d H ollander s
cou nt r y b ecam e h is h om e
.

H appily at rst spe d th e days i n t he b os om of this

q u i et am i able famil y
Alth ough th ere was scan t
a t tracti o n for M oraes i n his new faith h e p u nctua l l y
obeyed th e ord e rs an d h e scr u pulous l y fu l l l ed a l l th e
du t i es enj o ined by th e Church o f Calv i n The change
weigh ed n o t h eav i ly u p on h is soul because th e h o u r
M ore
o f repen t ance and r em orse h ad n ot yet stru ck
ove r th e ch arm ing spous e wh o ever sh owed som e
p r ec i ou s quality before u nknown an d wh o me t h is
ery love w i th a rare abnegation o f sel f a nd an
e x treme devo t i on s t ill held h i m by a w it chery as
delightfu l as i t was n ovel
Fam i l ies o f d i s ti nction visite d at th e i r h ou se ; th e
choicest o f society sough t th eir friendsh i p an d th e
m ost agr eeable i ntercourse was always open to th em
M o r aes made the acquaintan ce am ong othe r s o f m any
P o r tugu es e Jews wh o had escaped from the p e r s e c u
tion o f the i r Governm en t an d o f the H oly O f ce
Condemned by t h e u nj u st m i sconcept i ons an d th e
stol i d prej u dices o f p u bl i c op i n i on wh i ch so rare l y
m eans augh t b u t p u b l i c i gnoran ce many h ad fo u n d
shelter and liberty to worsh i p the i r own God amongst
.

76

M A N U E L D E M O RA E S

th e Jews o f Arab i a and U r i el d a C os ta th e th ird wh o

h ad born e ci vil o f c e in L i sb on and h ad conformed to
th e r el i g ion o f Rom e This h owever would n o t have
preserved h i m from th e bloody t ri bunal ever panting t o

o
f
r
a bapt i sm
pur i fy r el i gious fai t h by the baptism
e
wh i ch b u rned al i v e th e v i c t ims o f thei r atr o c i ou s
s u perst i t i on
Th e Jewish fam ilie s carefully p r ese r ved i n th eir
Ne t herland h om e th e Portuguese tongu e and th e
custom s of th e i r S e p h ar dim e an cestors they for med
a free commu n i ty b u i ld i ng th eir synagogues perform
ing th eir cerem on i es and k eeping ho l y t he i r Sabbath
days the i r Pasch and th e i r other trad it iona l fest i vals
All t h at Man uel saw am ongst th e Protestan ts o f
H ol l an d together with th e h i sto r y an d th e ac t ual
sta t e o f the ex i led Jews co n t r i buted to strengthen h is
n ew fa i th a n d to fend o ff the i ne v ita b le day o f remors e
About th i s t i m e bro k e o u t th e Portug u ese r e v o l u
t ion o f 1 64 0 Th e banish ed Hebrews applauded t h e
g l oriou s ri si n g of th e Lusi t anians eage r to assert t h ei r
i ndependence an d t o shake o ff the ha t ed yoke o f
S pain M an uel de Moraes i nspired by th e happy
event and excited by pa t r i o t ic m em o ries published
i n the sam e year a m em o i r de fend i ng th e r ights o f
Por t u gal an d of t h e D uke o f B r aganza wh o was called
t o t he throne u nde r th e h i storic n ame of D om Jo ao IV
H e presented a copy t o Di ogo de M endon c a Furtado
the d i ploma ti s t accredited to H ollan d Pr i n t ed a t Ley
den and i n th e Cast i lian t o ngue i t b ore for t it le P r o
3
gnos t i co y R e spuesta a u na perg u nta de u n Cabale r o

m u y i l u stre sobre la Cosas de Portugal

These events began to r emind h im o f what h e was
and o f whence he came H is o w n writings lled h im
w i th yearni ng for his o w n c o unt ry and doubts at r s t
1

S e e Ba rl aeu s ,
De Re b u s Va riis
2
S e e Ta ill a n d i e r, q u o t e d a b o v e
3
F o re c as t a n d R e p ly t o th e q u e sti o n
s o n ag e u p o n t h e Affa i rs o f P o r t u a l
g
1

o f an

I ll u st ri o u s

Pe r

M A RR I A G E

A ND

R E P E N T AN C E

77

timid con ce rn i n the h on esty an d th e dignity o f h i s

change o f Faith c r ept into h is soul Ga t her i ng strength
by slow degrees the harassing u ncertain t y b ecam e a
self accusat i on i n th e court o f h is o w n conscience I t
e nded in a self condem na t i on which was repentance
M eanwhile h e was to a l l appearance happy i n hi s

h ome none m ore so A fa th er in law full o f good

ness and a ffection ; a beaut i ful gen tle and devoted
wi fe a fortune a ll su f cie n t for h i s s t a ti on a reputa
t i on fo r grav i ty an d i ntell i gence fr i ends wh o sough t
an d rece i ved his com pany w i th pleasure wh a t wanted
h e m ore fo r happiness i n th i s world ?
S o th o u gh t h e himself at rst nding n oth ing i n
h i s path but r epose an d pleas u re owers an d per
fu mes
Bu t pas t the rs t days of happ i ness t he sma l l
s ti ll vo i ce th a t cam e from h i s sp i r i t gradual l y awoke
an ag i tat i on o f m i nd wh i ch incessant l y g r ew ; i t pre
s e n t l y l led him with a nameless gr i e f w i th m ourn i n g
sadde r an d deepe r than m an m ourn i ng for th e loss
o f what is deares t to h i m
At last it stole away w it h
h is h app i ness all th e vi v aci t y wh i ch h ad dist i ngu i shed
h i m an d i t left h im to withe r like a b r anch lopped
from t h e parent tree
Manuel would fain h ave h i dden his wound fr o m
th e wo r ld m ore espec i a l ly fro m the w i fe whom h e
st il l adored w h o was th e only be i n g o n ear t h fo r
wh om h e wo u ld have sacriced h is l i fe ; bu t th e
s p iritual and m o r al change t h at affected he r husban d
could n ot escape the eyes o f B eat r ix Nor was i t l ong
befo r e sh e i nstinctively divin e d t he cau se and without
a h int o r a word fr om Manuel alth ough s h e q u es
t io n e d h i m i n every m an ner about t he tru e m o t i ve o f
the melanch oly which weighed h i m down in spi r it
Sh e tr e mb l ed ; he r wo r st p r esen t iments were n o w
realis e d The li g h t o f li fe was about to s e t i n the
oute r glo o m o f l i felong expiation Remo r se would soon
que nch his ery love h i s enthusias t ic passion wh ich
a t rst h ad bee n th e j oys o f the senses ra t he r than t h e
m ysterious a fnity of m i nd and soul All he r domest i c
g

M A N U E L DE

78

M O RA E S

h a p p i n ess v a n ish e d l ike a h appy dream wh i ch w i th

w ak i ng ends for e v er
Yet she cou l d not compla i n
h e h ad n o o t her love ; h e
o f in g r a ti t u de on h i s part
pre fe rred t o h er n o o t h e r wom an h e s t i l l adored her
with a l l h i s heart ; h e st il l lavished u pon her t he sam e
m arks o f fon d and del i cate attachment
B ut th e
ph an t om was n ot to b e la i d H e was strugg l i ng i n
t he stern grasp o f Repentan ce o f Rem orse aga i nst th e
u n i on to wh ich h e h ad o ffered u p what h is now O pen
i ng eyes wel l s aw sh ould n ot and could n o t be sac
r i ce d by m an
H e was h el p less i n th e conv i c ti o n
t hat h e had cast away t h at w h i ch is b e t ter t han reason
t han l ove than l i fe i tself
She t u rned angr i ly ercely upon h ersel f whose
weakn ess had accepted t h e i mposs i b le sacr i ce w i th
Beatrix was presen tly
o u t apprec i a t i ng i ts i mmens it y
i nfected by th e sadness and th e m oral dej ec t i on th at
preyed u pon Manuel ; and b o t h mourne d apar t over
what n o com m u n i cat i on co u ld e i ther s oft e n or con
s ole E ach took a d i fferent path both became soli
tary isolate d b eings connected by soc i ety and th e
w orld sep arate d by a n i mmensity o f sorrow w h i ch
w i t h drew th em each from other as tho u gh they h ad
b ee n accompl i ces i n a d eed o f sham e
They ever avo i ded sweet m ut u al condence Bu t
th e i ntimacy o f do mestic l i fe was s ti ll th ere an d
th o u gh both feared explana t i ons s u ch remarks as
thes e cou l d n ot at t i mes b e a v o i ded

I am th e ca u se sa i d Bea t r i x to h er h usba n d on e

day o f th e angu i sh o f s p i r i t wh i ch thou art now

end u ring

Th ou l repl i ed Moraes ; believe me th ou art

m i staken ; ra t her s a y thou art m y only Guard i an
Ange l O nly last n i gh t I dreamt th a t a fr i g ht fu l
m ons t er was r ush i ng at m e ; I k new m y danger as
i f I had bee n awa k e but I co u ld n o t m ove han d o r
foot
Thou cames t to my aid ; th e m onster ed ;
t hy hand s aved m e

Thou hast sacriced th y life to m e sh e p u rsued

'

'

M A N U E L DE

8o

MO RA E S

what I w a s if I am b ut the shadow o f my fo r me r se l f

i f my intellect be paralysed th ou als o canst conso l e
m e cans t save m e ; fo r thou alon e canst bind m e t o
th i s l i fe Restore to m e thy soul ; give m e back thy

a
i
t
h
which
is
l
i
e
t he fai t h i n thy love l
f
f

I h ad d reamed sh e broke in
that we shou l d
both h ave found happ i ness in the same path The
p eace an d quiet o f a home life h ave cha r ms fo r me
Say, wh at sacrice
t h y spirit re vo l t e th aga i nst them
wo u ldst thou have m e m ake to exceed those th at

thou madest for m e ?

N one ! n one ! cried M oraes ; i t is fo r me t o

repeat i t and prove to thee my devot i on I f th o u
wou l dst see me l i ve cease to suffer O my soul ! Par
don m e an d pas s over th ese i nvoluntary outb r eaks
Tho u art not to be blamed n o r am I : he r e n o fa u lt
attaches to e i the r of u s
Bu t th e lives o f M oraes an d Beatrix we r e still m ore
saddened by th e want o f ch i ldren th e r eal tie to
ex i stence the bon d wh ich exceeds i n lasting streng t h
all o t her h um an sen t i ment wh ich compels the pa r ents
to self preservat i on and to a fellowsh i p of labour fo r
th e fut u re o f wh at they hold dearest
Thu s th e u nh ap py couple p i ned away i n secret
s t i ll lov i ng and st i l l beloved yet b oth the prey of end
less gr i ef The prostra t i on of s p i r i t into wh i ch Beatr i x
had fa l len was yet greater t h an t he m elancholy which
had m as t ered Man uel The la t ter bore t he blow i n
h i s m i nd and sou l ; i t was dea l t b y repentance by
r emorse but the s t rong will o f Manhood was able
phys i cal l y to s t and u p b e fore i t The sorrow t hat
dwe l t in t h e hear t of Beatrix fell u pon t he more frag il e
fra m e o f Womankind and he r h eal t h dec l i ned palpab l y
e nough t o alarm all a r ound her Her colour before
fresh as th e b r eezes o f the n orth lost its br i lliancy
He r eyes i n happ i er days s o fu ll o f l i fe and love were
now faded an d l i feless H er st r e ngth departed from
her That form ta l l and sl i gh t as th e palm tree o f
the dese r t bending and graceful as the cygnet th at
,

M A R RI AG E A N D R E P E N T A N C E

81

lides ove r th e bosom of the lake sh owed the saddes t

s i gns of decay a general look of phys i cal su ffer i n g
wh ich a f i cted th e m any wh o esteemed an d loved her
Th e change was n ot lost upo n o l d Br o de c h e v iu s
H e saw h i s only h i s dearly beloved dau g h t e r dying o u t
o f h i s sight without kn owing wha t was underm i n i ng
h e r health and w i thout be i ng able to divi ne th e cure
Man uel wept l i ke a ch i ld forgetti ng i n his love and
i n th i s new sorrow all th e m e l ancholy wh i ch had o p
p r essed his o w n sp i r i ts H e a t tempted to console he r
by every fond decei t swea r ing to her that he no longe r
felt the sad impression s wh i ch e r st h ad com e upon h i m
that h e was wholly reconc i led t o th e state o f l i fe wh i ch
h e had chosen as one r ich i n pro m i ses o f m oral u t i li t y
and that wi thout her ex i stence would be impossible
H e c o nj ured he r to ha p p i ness and length o f days by th e
love wh i ch sh e had bestowed u pon him an d by h e r p i t y
fo r o n e wh o had dedicated himself to h er w i th all t h e
stren g th o f h i s h eart and w i th all th e powers o f h is so u l

M oraes she sa i d to hi m a b out n i g htfa l l approach

i ng a lattice that looked o u t upon t h e sea ar m bath i ng
Amsterdam an d gaz i ng upon a pale star that sh im
me r ed ove r the sh o r t an d m i sty Northern horiz o n

seest th ou th at m e l ancholy o r b ? Th a t is my ex i s t
ence Shortly it w i l l drop from th e r m a m e n t an d
i t s place shall kno w i t n o m ore : i t w i ll be e n g ulfe d
I was hap p y as
in the gloo ms of th e unseen wo r ld
long as I s aw thee happy by m y side But I caused
thy m i se r y and I mus t pay to H eave n th e pe na l ty o f
Thy bra i n i s st i ll ha u nted by though t s
m y selsh ness
Thy m i nd dwe l leth u p on
o f noble and pat r io t ic duties
the senseless sac ri ce which was made i n the h our o f
passion Th e cruel tortures eve r awa i ting h i m wh o
a b a n d o n e t h h i s Fa i th and that of h i s forefathers have
n ot ce ased to be thy portion And t he m oment th ou
shalt be free thou wilt ret u r n t o th e b osom of thy
Church a st r aggle r but no t lost tho u wilt r ecover th y
sere n it y by a pen i te n t and ho l y life ; th ou wil t m a k e
atone m ent fo r t h y s in and e v e r l o o k down u po n all
g

M O RA E S

M AN U E L D E

82

e arthly things which bar th e soul o f man from com

m u n e w it h h i s M aker

Fo r p i ty s sake fo r thy sake fo r my sake ! h e

i nterrupted
What care I fo r th e Faith of Rome ?
I s not tha t of Calv i n eq u ally C hrist i an and far m ore
s u i ted to t he d i gn it y an d th e free wi l l of Hu m an
Nature ? No I have neve r repe n t ed ; I acknowledge

n o remorse I h ave told thee s o often how often !

Why w i l t tho u not believe m e ?
Beca u se I read the s ecret of thy heart b etter t h an

thou canst con t i nued Beat ri x ; beca u se I am a

woman and I love th ee be t ter than th o u cans t lo v e
thyself God so made m e that I m ust e i th er h ave
passed hear t wh ole t hrou g h th e world o r o nce h aving
g i ve n away my h eart that I could not b u t expect fro m
h i m wh o accepted the g i ft an affect i on too e n t i r e and
exclusive t o know an idea wh i ch did n ot centre i n m e
O n th e day when I rst saw h ow thoughts and yearn
i ngs for th e pas t affected th ee i nvolu n t ar i ly (I kn ow
it was a g a i nst t hy w i ll nor n e e ds t th ou as sure m e of
it ) when I saw thy m i nd an d sp i r i t fa i l i n the strug g l e
w it h sent i ment an d pe n i tence alth ough thy heart was
still full o f love fo r m e o n th at day I felt t h at m y
hours in th e world were n u mb ered and th a t I h ad n o
o n e to look t o bu t to my G od
M an u el was too dee p ly affected to ve nture u pon a
re p ly and th e dy i ng w i fe ret i re d to th e pr i vacy of her
chamber
H er sufferings were n ot long The decay o f h er
strength was complete d by a nervo u s fever U seless
cares were lavished upon her ; n o phys i cian wou l d
m i n i ster t o a d i sease wh i ch h e d i d not u nde r stan d
An d thus she passed i nto e t ern i ty Her last momen t s
were g rief full but resi g ned sh e could n ot but mourn
over her early dea t h an d her l ost o l d age Sad an d
sorrowful was t h e farewel l wh i ch she bade t o a h u s b an d
and a pare n t wh om s h e loved w i th all h er heart ;
wh i l st w i t h t h e natural p i ety o f h er s oul sh e co m
mended herself t o t h e c are o f her E t er n al Fathe r
o

M A N U E L DE MO RA E S

84

h earted exclusive attachm ent o f th at ado r ed bein g

wh o h ad allowed herself t o d i e when s h e found that
every part of his sou l was n o t h e r o w n
H e was fa r distant fr om his native land wh ose
i m age wou l d at t i mes ri se before h i m ; h e kne w
nothing o f th e parents and sisters wh om h e h ad
abandoned a step w hich n o w l e d to th e deepest
grief ; h e h ad separated himself fro m th e H oly
Roman Cathol i c fa i th th e o n l y o ne wh i ch consoles
man i n s o rrow and which spea k s t o th e h e art w i t h
per suasive elo q uence ; hi s lot was cast in th e s o c i ety
o f s t ra ngers wh o could n eve r be t o him wh at h i s own
should have b een Such were h i s presen t m iseries
and what h 0pe o f the future was he ent it led to h old ?
As h e left the house tha t had s o long been h is h o m e
h i s heart was br oken to s ee th e change in i t H e tore
h i mself away from t h e un fort unate Br o de ch e v iu s
leav i ng w i th h im all th e r iches of which h e m igh t have
c la i me d a part
H e took lodgings in a retired part o f
Am ster dam , that he m i gh t be alone with his sorrow
Th e City h ad already r isen to i mp o rtance by its
industry an d com m erce
I t was cut by a n h und r ed
canals upon whose banks stood noble build i ngs an d
w h ose waters bore a j ostling array o f sh i ps
I ts
prosper i ty was i ncreased by tra f c with th e col o nies
o f which H o l land had despo i led Portugal du r ing the
s i x t y years vass al age o f th e latte r u nde r th e three
Ph i lips o f Castile R i ch an d rare cargoes were in c e s
s a n t l y sh i ppe d o ff to th e Braz i l to A fr i ca an d to Asia
by the Cape o f Good H ope
I n its stree ts an d
w i thin its walls gathered an active ind u strious an d
e nterp r is i ng peop l e wh o h ad lea r ned to tame an
i n g rate nature and an inclement clime an d t o crea t e
art i c i al beauties and immense wealth which gave i t
an aspect at once c o m fo r table pr o spe r o us and im
pos i ng
All that Manu el m ost admired i n th e works of m an
began t o lose n ovelty an d charm in propo rt i on as
,

T HE

N OVI C E S T H I R D T R I A L

memo r y reca l led to

85

h im

th e scenes o f th e past Was

n o t th e tro p i cal na t u r e m ore su b l im e ? was n ot there
m ore del i ght to th e eye i n the v ir gin forests of S ao
V i cente i n th e m aj estic rivers Paran a T i t an d La
P l ata in the splend i d aspect of th e h eavens and i n
the pure del i cious atmosphere o f Ce ntral Amer i ca ?
What human art was wor t hy to loose the sh oe tie o f
Nat u r e ? What compar i so n was th ere between an
art i c i al city compelled t o fort i fy herself with dykes
against th e overwh elming sea an d th e ri ant plain
u pon wh i ch r eposed the Rec i fe o f Pernambuco o r
the beau t i ful he i ghts that b o re his native vil l age o f
S ao Paulo ?
I n the contras t upon which his mind now dwelt
t he race o f man followed th e climate Th e taciturn
gravity of th e Hollander h o w eve r industr i ous and
th e avarice of th e H ebrew, th o ug h
e n t e r p r is m g he be
act i ve an d energetic did not gain when compared
w i th th e j o v ial and l i v e l y cha r acter of the Portuguese
o r w i th the i n nocence and th e virtues o f th e nat i ve
Am er i can The m oral and r el i g i ous qualit i es o f th e
Protestant m in i s t ers fath ers of families men o f th e
world im mersed i n domestic care s an d business
c ould h ave l i ttle att r action fo r one who had a p p re ci
ated th e mystical an d h oly self s acri c e o f th e Jesu i ts
those mortal den i zens o f h eaven r athe r than o f earth
spend i ng l i fe whol l y i n th e prac t ice of wha t m i gh t
awa i t the m in th e fut u r e i n th e exercise of l o v i ng
charity an d o f perfe ct philanthropy ; m en wh o ex
posed themselves to th e greatest perils even u nto
M a r tyrd o m that they m ay br i ng wi th i n th e fold o f
t h e C hurch a h erd o f th e vilest nom ads
Aft er the world l y b e reviewed the S pir i t ual side ;
h e loo k ed wi t h the eye o f a ph i l o sopher r athe r than
d i vin e upon the two c r eeds Calvi n i stic an d
of a
Cath o li c I n th e former h e s aw r evealed the pride and
self su f cie n cy of man which u nder p r etext of l i berty
o f conscience and fr e e j udgment w ould comm u n i cate
.

86

MA N U E L DE MORAE S

d i rect wi t h h is Creator d i sdai n i ng all m ed i ati o n an d

Wo u ld interpre t by the ligh t s o f ignorant o r half learned
caprice th e di f cult i es o f th e D ivin e Law an d th e
myste r ies o f th e H oly E vangel
Whereas C at h o
l ic is m fa r w i ser h ad organ ised a grad u ally p r o g r e s
s i ve Church eve r adapt i ng i tse lf to t he wan t s o f each
generat i on she h ad raised Mankind acco r ding t o i ts
d ese rts wh il st at th e same t im e s h e bowed th e h u ma n
spirit i n the pre sence o f th e S up r eme Finally s h e
explained to h e r votaries th e sac r ed text an d d ogm as
in the s i mplest of fo rm s and th e be tte r to pr ese rve
th e indiv i d u a l it y o f th e Br i de o f Chr ist s h e inculcated
obed i ence to a S i ngl e Head
A g a in w h a t te m e r ity in th e di r ect add r ess o f t h e
c r eature t o the Creator ! H ow m u ch ar rogan ce in
ban i sh ing all pomp from t h e t em ple ! W ha t co n tu
macy in rej ect i ng t hos e admirable m en wh ose d e d i
cat i on t o ascet i c l i fe and t o th e j oys o f ete rn ity ha d
ra i sed them to th e r ank o f sa i nts ! H ow m uch o f
cr i me i n that r evolt a ga i nst th e success o r of S t Peter
to whom Protestants pre ferred t he rule o f s ome be i ng
raised fro m the dust devo i d o f prestige so m e s el f
constituted p r ophet an d he res i a r ch l i ke Lu th e r and
Ca l vin ! H i s i maginat i on d welt w i t h de light u pon
the ch aracter o f th e Ca t h o l ic Chu r ch at on ce gra ve
seren e and a t trac t i ve ; u po n th e m any sided na t u re
o f that anc i ent and venerable creed wh i ch r ej oiced
soc iety wi t h t h e pom p o f it s solem n i ti es ; wh i ch by
the soft sadness o f i t s ch an ts and hy m n s rem in ded
Man o f h i s noth i ngness ; which l i g htene d th e da r k
f
a
n
d
l
aces
h
i
s
soul
Con
ess
i
on
Com munion and
f
b
o
p
y
wh i ch b y the Last Sacraments at th e drea d h our o f
D eath prepared him for E te r nal L i fe contri te an d r e
s i gned ex p ect i ng the Di v i ne pardon an d th e i n n i te
m ercy wh i ch never abandon the h apless chil dren o f
Ada m
Th e c o nsequ en ce o f h is r eecti o n s w as a deluge
o f r emo r se ove r wh elming his sp i r i t
This e xistence
,

'

M AN U E L DE M O RA E S?

88

the basi n below ? Wh ere th e swelling st rea m s o f

m ature age wh i ch r eposing upon beds o f owe r s an d
blossoms de li gh ted the eyes and ta u gh t the gazer to
look u p to Nature s prim al source a n d to contemplate
the o mn i potence o f th e U niversal Arch i tect ? Alone
and deep i n these thoughts h e paced along a cana l
i n the n eigh b o urhood o f Am sterdam Already n i gh t
had spre a d her b lack m antle over th e rm am e n t and
had w r apped h im in h er gloom b efore h e perceived
tha t it was t i me for him t o en d his walk
Suddenly th e silence o f the a i r was interrupted by
th e soft accents of a woman s s o ng accom pan i ed by
an i nstr u ment wh i ch h e h ad known i n h i s yo u th
and wh i ch h e had n ot heard s i nce leav i ng th e dear
Braz i lian sho r e I t was the Portuguese gu i ta r wh ic h
m ur m ured a m elancholy soun d l i k e th e distant h ar
m ony o f th e harp Attracted by a sym pathy h e
could n o t r esist M anuel approached th e cottage
whence th e mus i c came H e listened to th e w o rds
o f th e melody and i nvolu ntarily h e t r embled h ea r ing
that the y were Portuguese pronounced by P o rtuguese
lips Wh o was th e angel that wh i spered i n h i s ears
th e s o ng wh i ch h is ch il dhood had love d an d what
m i gh t they exp ress ? A ffec t ion passion o r th e m ad
n ess of love ?
Lit t le by l i ttle h e d i stinguishe d th e wo r ds h e lost
th e strength t o stand and h e sank suppo rt i ng h i mse l f
upon a stone
T o h i m it was a se r mon r athe r tha n a s ong ; a re
p r o o f n o t a rhyme a pen itential p salm n o t a hymn
a cu r se r athe r than a blessing The following were
the verses wh ich fell fr o m th e minstrel s lips in r ap t
and h ea r tfelt tones

we e t e s t fa ith O b l e s se d cre e d
Dra i n e d w it h o u r m ilk in i n fa n cy
Bl e n t w ith o u r s o u l s wh e n ch il dre n t rai n ed
T o p ra y a ro u n d a m o t h e r s k n e e
O

T H E N O V I C E S T H I R D T R I AL

89

p o w e i o f li fe , wh a t p o w e r o f l o ve
F ro m o u t o u r hea rt s t h y t h o ug h t s ca n t e a r
W ha t cha rm o f c h a n g e , w h a t m ig h t o f ti m e
T o t o uch th e h ea v e n ly g i ft s h al l da re ?

W ha t

'

Pl a ce m e wh e re e v ery w o e i s m i n e
T h i rs t hu g e r j a il a n d s t ra n g e r l a n d
Ye t sh a ll m y s o u l h o ld fa s t th e b o o n
T ill De a t h e xt en d his icy ha n d
,

Th o u l e g ac y o f p ric e l e s s wo rt h
By H e a ve n b e q u e a the d to e r r i ng m a n
Tho u p le dg e t o m a n t ha t Go d is Go d
Th o u s e cre t o f th i m m o rt a l p la n !

Live s the re o n e ar t h a t h i g so vil e

Tha t o n t h e a s h e s o f his s i re s
C a n h e a p re p ro ach a nd m a k e t h e i r c re
T h e vi cti m o f h is l o w d e s i re s ?
n

6
.

it o e r th e e r th to ro a m
Like o n e ccu rs t w it h e n d l e s s c u rse
W it h o u t a w i fe a ch il d a fri n d
T o d u ll t h e p a ng o f d i re re m o rs e
His b e

spi r it o f m an th e Creato r h as placed a mys

o f impressing h i m
te rio u s bre fo r th e p u rp o se
the fantas tic the s uper
t hrough the s uperst i tious
natural o f beat i ng d o wn h is van it y and of proving
t he d i ffe rence o f th e two s ubs tances which compo se
him t he one a fra i l vile frame bo r n o f depravi t y ; th e
o t her an imm aterial e te r nal e sse n ce a s p ark o f th e
D iv i ne re to wh i ch i t will y u pwards when freed
from its tenement o f dus t
Howeve r robust and s t u bb o rn be t h e s pir i t it
trembles be fore t he sudden s i ght of a corpse it b e nds
c on t rite in the pres e nce o f a to mb and it is lled w i t h
so m b re th o ugh t b y a C ro ss desc r ie d in the fo r est o r
In

th e

M AN U E L DE

M O RA E S

desert e d a s w a s by the peopl e

o n th e r ive r bank
Israel th e God Man who sacr i ced H i msel f fo r th e
Salvation o f t h e World T he u nexpected mus i c o f th e
Church bell a m elanch oly Cant i cl e heard at u nlooke d
fo r m i dn i gh t h ours a s olem n M i serere ch an t ed u nde r
the Te m p l e dome wh o can resist these inuences n o r
feel the sudde n pain ful e m ot i on that shakes th e limbs
that freezes th e bl o od t hat com ma nds th e m ind that
prostra t es th e S p i r i t a n d that com pels th e m os t
scept i cal s o ul to rel igi o us th ough t a n d to m elancho l y
m us i ngs ?
Manuel de M orae s fel t on e and all o f t hese im
press i ons as h e h eard t h e Port u gu ese gu i ta r and th e
song doubtless re p eated by som e ban ish ed daughter
of I srael wh o w i t h h er fa it h h ad preser v ed the p i c
t u r e s q u e language o f her sires u pon th e shores of
the N orth ern Sea an d u nder th e fr i g id Ba tavian air

Renegade ! renegade ! cri ed a vo i c e fr o m his

bosom plunging h is wh ole b e i ng i n a o od of p ain ful

cruel r emorse
Renegade ! rene g ade ! were th e
t errible accen t s wh i ch thundered i n h i s ear
With
o ut a
wife a ch ild a friend ! was not such h i s
solitary exile U pon ea rt h ? H ad t he ver ses b e en ex
p r essly directed and applied to his o w n case ? Wa s
n o t t his accident th e fore r un ner o f th e wrath o f
H eaven ?
H e h ad n o t bodil y strength e n ou g h to bea r th e
v i ole n c e of his em o t ion s Los ing h is s e n ses h e fe l l
u pon th e turf wh i ch clo t hed t h e h um id soil
H ours
an d hours rolled b y be fo re h e r e turned t o l i fe n o r
was any g oo d Sa m a r it a n acc i den ta lly l e d t h ere t o p u t
forth th e han d o f charity an d t o s ave h im fr o m h is
da nger
Al r eady th e h o rizon was be c o m ing visible under
th e pa le b r assy li g h t th at fore r uns th e N o rther n m o rn
putting t o i gh t the sh ade m elting t h e gloom s wi t h
its tepid b r e a th o f life an d p r e se ntl y pou ri ng t h e
o o d o f da y ov e r th e i m me nsiti e s o f ea r th a n d a ir
-

M A N U E L DE

2
9

M O RA E S

th at active form of ir r eligion which m ocks and sco ffs

H e i s surrounde d by so many
a t all things sac r ed
sensual del i gh t s b y s o m any novel pleasures an d by
s o many charms of th e inte l l ect an d the imag i nation
wh i lst the re an d fervo u r o f youth assist t hem t o
absorb him and to lead him ast r ay fr o m the r oad to
heaven The world tempts h im with her si ren sm i les
and scenes Nature speaks to h i m w i th all her witchery
of
i
ld
i
ng
the
wide
horizon
w
it
h
so
m
any
p
i
ctures
g
ecstasy ; the warbl i ng o f th e bird is s o s weet th e
pe r fume of the ower is s o i ntoxica t ing ; soc i ety o ffers
t o h i m noth i ng but fr i endsh i p and l ove an d Fancy
pa i nts ex i stence w i th the ra i nb ow h u es o f a poet s
dream But let him doub l e th e S tormy Cape wh i ch
fo r ms t h e h alf way s t age o f his E art hly j ourney o f th e
years wh i ch h e m ay expect to live The n indeed as
he looks out into the future t h e view sadly changes
the hor i zon na rr ows to a span an d th e sho rt v i s t a
before h i s eyes end s in a shro u ded corpse a co f n
and a hollowed grave wi t h D eath an d th e gloom s o f
Chaos b r ood i ng arou nd O u nh appy ! I t is n ow th at
Relig i on m ust ligh t e n th ese terrors ; it is Faith th at
must sow th e seed of H ope o f rm trust i n th e D ivin e
i
ty
which
alone
can
pa
r
don
th
e
waste
f
years
th
e
o
p
abuse o f li fe th e neglect of oppo r tun i ties o ffe r ed only
t o be thrown away
Such were the t h ough t s wh i ch led Manuel to seek

th e Church o f his forefathers

Here h ap l y h e

soliloqu i sed
I m ay nd some rest from a d i sease

w h i ch knoweth no cure
H e was sh ocked a t th e aspect o f th e H oly H o u s e
where t h e ri t es o f Rom e were celebrated by the fai t h
fu l few wh o h ad not c o n form ed to the Calvi nism o r
t h e Lu t heranism o f H olland
I t h ad n one of th e
splendour o f th e Temple an d i t h ardly showed th e
decency wh i ch we expect i n the place where m e n
assemble to addres s th e i r Maker Th e exte r nal a p
a ra n c e w as alm o st s e cular ; it was a meeting house
e
p
,

'

T HE

N O V I C E S T H I R D T R IA L

93

a fane and th e curse o f th e fanatic Calvi n seeme d

t o b e set upon its b row
T r embling with exc i t e ment h e pushe d open th e
C hurch doo r almost convuls i vely
Within he fou n d
h i mself front i ng three altars adorned with statuary
an d tapestried w i th symbol i cal owers t ypifying
O n on e s i de was t he vase of
e ternal L i gh t an d Life
h o l y wate r which wash es away the s i ns o f m an Th e
pr i ests were irit o n in g th e so l em n Mass an d t h e fumes
o f in cens e m i ngled w it h th e vo i ce o f pra i se the cho i r
an d t he m elody o f the organ wh ilst w i n ged Ange l s
an d p r ostrate Sa i nts seemed to intercede fo r the r e
pent i ng s i nner the s ac r ed vestments of the Relig i o u s
and their acolytes m et h i s eyes and th e vene r able
accents o f the Lat i n tongue str u ck u po n h i s ear
These were t h e details o f a spectacle wh i ch even with i n
that pauper h ouse breath ed all t he Majes t y o f th e o n e
t r ue Church
D oes not th e traveller weary and fo ot sore with
tread i n g th e burn ing sands u nde r a ery s u n rej o i ce
w i th a l l his hea r t at the s i ght o f an oasis i n the
A r ab i an desert ? Is there augh t more del i ciou s to
o n e wh ose tongu e is parche d an d whose limbs are
relaxed by devour i ng thirst than the melody o f th e
crys t al spr i ng bub bling fr o m the h il lside ? S u ch upon
th e tortured soul o f Manue l was th e e ffect of th e well
known never forgot t e n s cen e A sweet sense o f rel i e f
stole on h i s sp i r i t as though th e goal of Salvatio n
were in vie w a r ay o f l i gh t pie r ced th e dark sec r ets
of his i nner be i ng and t h e dew fro m o n h i gh shed
bal m ove r his wou nded and b r oken heart
H umbly the pe ni t en t b o wed h i mself down to ea rt h
H ope r e t urned with th e voices of the celebran t s an d
t he p r esence o f th e alta r s ; with the aspects o f th e
S aints t he mu t e langua g e o f t h e symbolic owers an d
ornaments and th e h arm oni o us peal i ngs o f th e organ
H e raised to th e th r on e of th e E te r n a l th e cry o f h i s
r epentance and fr o m th e depth s o f his soul h e im
no t

94

AN U E L DE

M O RA E S

the imme ns i t y o f D i vi ne com passion D uring

several h ours h e k nelt m ot i onless u ntil r m i n h i s
re s o l u t i on to repen t h e felt that H eaven was vouch
s a n g a som eth i ng of i ts i nnite mercy t o h i s vows o f
a new l i fe o f a be t t er fu t u re N or d i d h e leave th e
h o l y prec i ncts t i ll t hose wh ose duty i t was t o clea r
t h em h ad annou nced t hat th e d o ors were about to be
closed
At length h e had fou n d th e theriac which co u l d

counteract the p o i son o f h i s sp i r i t

Wh at n o w

wh i s pered t h e in ner voice

what penance w i l l it
enj o i n in order t o c o m pl e te the cu r e to restore
e te r nal heal t h
l
re d
o
p

96

M A N U E L DE

M O RA E S

forehead w i t h sa l i ent protu berances and deeply

Wr i nkled across ; l i vely and spark l i ng eyes ; cheeks
and ch i n furn i shed with a thick sh ort cut bea r d
wh i ch was beg i nn i ng to wh i te n ; an aspect o f a u s
t e r ity wh i ch commanded respect and wh i ch could
b e i mpos i ng as i t was d i gn i ed
That sou t ane that sc u ll cap wh i ch h e had n ot
seen since h e left th e Rio de la Plata r evived th e
rem inisc ences o f S ao Pa u lo and overclou ded h i s
thoughts w i th pa i nfu l i mages o f th e past H e fe ll
unde r t h e del u s i on that h e was s ti ll i n th e Company
Ignat i us and stand i ng o nce m ore i n t h e
o f St
vene r a b l e presence of those v i rtuous and holy me n
w hom he yet venera t ed from the botto m of h i s heart
No t dar i ng to approach th e Jesuit o r to d i sturb h i s
occupat i ons h e awa i ted th e m oment wh en th e pr i es t
would perceive his presence and address to h i m a
word This soon came to pass
An ton i o V i e i ra
turn i ng by chance s a w a g ure stand i ng behi nd h i m
i n subm i ssive att i tude and wi t ho u t a gest u re o r
m o ving from the arm cha i r h e as k ed the b usin ess o f
h i s v i s i tor

I am a Portuguese responded th e i nt r ude r h um

b l y and I would sp eak w i th y o u r Reve r ence

What m ay b e thy name ? inquired th e p r iest i n

th e sam e man ne r as b efore

Manuel de Moraes answered th e u n fortu nate

w it h dif de n ce
Anton i o V i e i ra at once arose from his arm ch air
advanced a few paces towards h i s v i s i tor scan ned
h i m nearly and o b se r vantly an d presen t ly th us a d
d ressed h i m

I kno w it well Be seate d and say what thou

wo u ldst say

I was born at S ao Paulo continu ed M an u e l

s t i l l stand i ng for h e d i d not dare to s i t down i n t he
pr i est s presence

I kn ow ! I kn ow ! interr u pted th e J esu it

I
,

PA D RE A N T O N I O V I E I RA

wish not to t u rn ove r pages wh i ch will i nc r ease thy

sorrow All thy life is fa m il i a r to m e

S i nce yo u r Reve r e nce kn o weth all continued

Manuel
i t we r e useless fo r m e t o t r o uble y o u to

w as t e you r t i me
And an expression o f disapp o intment appeared
upon his coun t enance Ant o n i o Viei r a at once saw
i t an d proceeded t o r emove th e unpleasant i mpres
s i on wi th a k i ndly loo k and a half sm i le wh i ch d i ed
u pon h is l i ps as soon as they h ad for m ed i t

Thou a r t in the wrong r esu med th e Jesuit

sit
down and le t u s speak toge t he r I be l ong to th e
Society o f St Ignat i us I t see ms as thou g h you r
m emory h as not been treache r ous to th e servan t s o f
God who educated you at S ao Paulo Have y o u any
co mpla i n t to ma k e against them ?

O h no ! excla i med Manuel ; they have im

plante d fo r eve r i n my h eart and so u l a m o st fon d an d
yea r ning a ffect i on
Bu t I r everen d S ir deceived
myself into th e belief that my vocation was n o t fo r
t h e h oly myster i es o f th e Company Th e E nemy o f
Mankin d seduced m e from her peacefu l and glor i o u s
asylum Those ascetic virtues that exemp l ary caree r
o f constant self s a cr i c e appea r ed t o be beyond m y
streng t h
I wanted a call fai t h constancy of sou l
I pre ferred a h o m e l i fe to assist my fam i ly in worldly
l ab ours t o belong t o soc i ety M y fath er drave m e
fro m h ome I gave myself up to adve nt u re I wan

dered abou t th e dese r t I was taken pr i sone r

That is n oth i ng i nter r upted th e Jesuit wh ose

darkened brow an d r mly c l osed l i ps restored h i s

u sual appear a nce of severi t y ;

here there i s n o cr i m e

h ardly even sh ortcoming

Pardo n m e reverend S i r cried Manuel with

s o bs an d cast i ng him self upon the ground

You
are r i ght y o u are wholly righ t But w i ll not Go d par
Ye s I r epent
d o n a true an d since r e repentance ?
T h e h our o f m adnes s is past
I repent
I am r eady
.

MAN UEL

98

D E M O RA E S

to make any sacr i ce for th e rem i ssi on o f my sins

I long to con fess to per form a n y penan ce i m pos e d
upon me t o su ffer any p a i n an d pun i shm e nt that can
restore m e to m y sacred rel i g io n th e only on e which
I k now t o be th e tr u e Church of God ; to m y cou ntry
to t he bosom o f m y paren t s and to th e H oly C om
pany I would fai n e nd m y days i n the serv i ce o f
the Lo rd hoping for H is pardon i n th e world to com e
The pr i est xed u p o n him a long and pe net ra t i ng
gaze as th ou gh h e would r ead h i s cons cie nce p r ob e
th e depth s o f h i s so u l an d ascerta i n the truth and
s pon t ane ity o f h is retrac t a t ion Here was n o w i ld
Gen t i le p ure a n d innocent bar b ar ous and u n taugh t
i g nor i n g s oc i al an d rel ig io us i deas con v erts o f wh om
V i e i ra had found s o m any in the depths o f th e
Braz i l i an forests and whom h e k new s o we l l t o recrui t
i nto the C ath olic h ost to animate wi t h th e h oly fa i th
o f Christ and to transfo r m s i mply and s u ddenly by
baptism an d b el i e f w hich le ft th e h ear t with o u t o n e
adverse or mal i c i ou s t h ought V i eira w as a m as te r
as well as a m issionary : h e h a d accustomed h imself
to look u po n t h e d e nizen o f th e w i lds i n B ah i a
Maranh ao and Par a as a ch ild wh o with th e s in
c e r it
y and conv i c t i o n of i t s age ac ce pts the cou nsels
o f re l i g i ous t u iti o n an d wh o obeys t h em with all the
force and fervo u r of soul an d sp i r i t B u t very di fferent
was t he p en i tence o f a P o rtuguese w h o h ad forgo t t en
h i s creed w h o had been false t o h i s dut i e s and
w h o had e xchanged h is rel i gion fo r the sch i smat i c
doctr i nes wh i ch were then ag it at i ng th e wo r ld M uch
m ore d i fcult an d s e ri ous a l so was h i s o w n p o sition
in t he presence o f a m an wh om he kn e w to be le a rn ed
and i n t el li gent and wh om h e sa w t o ssed an d to r n by
th e storm w i th i n

Manuel de Mor a es sa i d th e Fa t h e r n o w assum

i ng th e ton e o f th e Pr i est ; that which becomes o n e
wh o speaks n o t l ik e a man b u t as th e repr esenta t ive

o f th e Alm i gh t y and of H i s Ch urch

h o w shall I
.

I OO

M AN U E L D E M O RA E S

bathe d the speaker s face were u ttered with accent s

o f such hea r tfelt woe an d utte r convict i o n tha t th e
Jesuit could not b u t feel i mp r essed i n fav o u r o f h i s
pen it ent He took from h is b o som the heavy c r uc i x
s uspended fr om its rosa r y an d presented it to Manuel
wh o hastened to kis s th e h oly sym b ol with fe rven t
a ffect i on and t o giv e evid e nt s i gns o f conscientious
r epentance

!
Arise sin ne r
said the Fath e r ope ning a doo r

and pointing to an o r at o ry w it h in
There i s th e
place o f p r ayer Th ere is th e image o f God B end
th ee befo r e i t address t o it thy prayers impl o r e of i t

thy pardon
Manuel hastily a r ose glided i nto the chapel closed
th e d o o r and fell u pon h i s knees b efore an alta r whose
silver lamp and fou r waxen tape r s d iffused a r o u n d a
d i m r el i gi o us l i ght O ve r i t w as a l i fe S i ze p i cture o f
the Cruc i xion Blo o d dr opped fro m the D ivine h ands
the feet and th e m any wounds which had torn th e
body A m aj e st i c and h eavenly se r en i ty sat upon th e
count e nance wh ich w as pale w i th th e pallor o f death
F r om th e darkening eyes came the las t look o f p uri t y
and of ine ffable inn ocence it seeme d still to proclai m
befo r e th e world th e ete r n al tru t h s of Religi o n o f
M o r ality and o f th e b r othe r h oo d o f Mankind Th e
a r t i st h ad placed at th e fo ot of th e Cross which s h e
embraced the weep i ng M othe r yet t hrough the gr i e f
wh i ch tare he r breast and th e woe that charge d her
cou nte nance appeared the subl i m e exp r ession o f Love
and H ope O n o n e s ide of th e picture S t Ignatiu s
de Loyo l a preache d d i sc i pline and enthus i asm t o th e
Churc h M i litant arrayed aga i nst Protestant i s m an d
othe r damnable heresies S t Pete r o n th e o t her
wearing th e august t i a r a o f th e R o man Ponti ff th e
head o f the Catholic Fa i t h sh owed to a w o rld th e
Keys o f H ea v en
At the sight o f th e holy me m orials Manuel felt as
th o ugh h e al i ng flowed thr o ugh his veins His s o ul

P A D R E AN T O N I O V I E I RA

IOI

warmed by th e mysteri o us am e o f pitying and sav i n g

love no lo nge r sh uddere d i n th e cold dry breath o f
I m p l o r in g s fo r compassion th e fe r vent
C alvinism
praye r o f youth and since r e eviden ces of faith an d
convictio n w ere n o t forgotten H ope Life and E t er
n ity s m i led wi th a n o vel aspect
B efore h i m lay a
vague an d m i s t y future it is t r ue but n o longer blac k
as before w i t h the despair which had lled h i s sou l
Fo r a t i me d u r i ng wh i ch he was left by Anton i o
Viei r a in this p osit i o n of the p en itent sinner M anue l
sei zed the oppo r tunity to savou r with long d rau g hts
th e j o ys o f r epentance an d to plunge in t o h i s los t
faith t i ll i t pe ne t rated t h r ough and permeated h is
whole spi r it u al be i ng
He b ecam e anothe r man
changed restored to belief and eage r to r e ente r th e
service o f the E ternal and o f H is U niversal Chu r ch
Thus by every m anner o f sac r ice wh i ch had n o w n o
terro r s he h oped t o redee m h i s sins and c r imes and
to merit ultima t e salva ti on
Walk i ng w i th n o iseless footsteps th e far fame d
J es uit st oo d by h is s ide an d perceived that he was
abs o rbed in celest i al c o ntemplation fe r vently ado r ing
and l led with pure and h oly tho u gh ts wh ilst h i s
cou ntenance shon e o u t its s uperna t ural j oy
He
savoured the pen i tent s cont ri t i on he felt convinced
that th e act of consc i ence was spontaneous and sincere
and that both C atholicis m and the Company wou l d
ga i n m uch by this abj uration o f apostasy
The Fathe r w as accustomed to wi t ness s i m ila r
s ce n es
o f heartfelt r epentance and of t he deepes t
devotion suddenly insp i red and follow i ng close upon
h orr i ble careers o f crime H e re g arded t hem as the
spi r i t ual work of that D ivine Providence wh i ch loves
to draw o u t of evil good i n n i te and i nval u able
which desi r es n o t the death of t h e s i nner bu t woul d
r athe r show that t h e broken an d contr i te hear t ca n
nd fo rg e tfulness and even forg i veness o f its o ffences
and which thus can save the w r etches wh o aft er th e
,

MAN U EL

I oz

D E M O RA E S

mad course lead i ng to destr u ct i on ar r est the ms e lve s

i n t i me and have recourse to it s i ne ffable mercy
Had not S t Ignat i us h i mself comm en ced h i s life
i n t h e t u mults an d turmo i l of scandalous m i s d eeds ?
H ad n ot many an o ffender suddenly con v erte d b y
th e g lorious works o f the Fathers o f th e Com pany
e nro ll ed t h emselves as disc i ples an d becom e exam ples
Had n o t the I nst i t u te a t
o f the choicest virtues ?
t i mes recruited to itself an d O bta i ned fresh splendo u r
from wretches who had deem ed themselve s l ost and
whom a new l i fe o f self sa cri c e had enabled to seek
thei r o w n sal v a t i on an d to do he r o i c and human i tar i an
service fo r the Company ? Aft er a l i fe o f vice which
had s u nk h er i n t o th e lowest m i sery had not Mary
Magda l e n succeeded i n becom i ng a canonised sa i n t
o f the Church ?
Th e Jesui t had too m uch experience to fea r any
del u sion i n s i gns so express i ve and h e was over
p r udent to neg l ect so pro p it io u s an op p ortun i t y o f
recoveri ng fo r th e I n st i tute an intel ligence o f th e rst
order an d a mind distinguished by great an d goodly
g i fts
H e aimed at so m ething h i gh e r than trium phing
ove r whole tr i bes o f n ake d s av ages wander i ng i n th e
backwoods o f th e Brazil and cal l ed by h is vo i ce into
th e fold of the Church He d i d not h old th e I nstitute
to be espec i a l ly inte nded for catech i s i ng and c i vil i s i ng
the hordes o f th e A merican d eserts although even there
the d i sc i ples o f St I g nati u s had exce l led a l l o t hers
by exp o s i ng t hem selves w i t h th e courage o f e n th u
s ia s m to h unger and th i rst to persecu ti on and tor
t u re to the po i soned arrow and t o the dea d l y tom a
h awk Nor was i t e nough for h i m th at they should
l ik e 8 8 0 Fran c i sco Xav i er th e Apostle o f I ndia win
t he abj u rations of Raj ah s and o f i dola t rous As i at i c
peo p les A far loft i e r and nobler ambit i on exalted an d
d i rected his e ffor t s He burned to see the Company
ri se in p r estige th r ou g h ou t E urope boldly combating
,

M A N U E L DE M O RA E S

04

an d educated at B ahia wi t h h i s m i gh ty soul subli m e

sp i rit and ex t raor d i nary e l oqu ence wi t h a fram e
b r oken to labo u r and fat i g u e and w it h a courage wh i c h
n ever feared th e face o f man was j ustly deemed one
o f th e m ost s i n g ular com b i nat i ons that t he world eve r
saw Half Portu g uese and h alf Braz i l i an half R e l i
n
d
n
i
o
s
half
C
iv
i
l
ian
h
a
l
f
a
Pat
r
iot
and
h
alf
a
a
g

Roman he enj oyed th r oughout life th e u niversal

fame which h e mer i ted a n d h e bequ eathed to posterity
a nam e r e nde r ed illust ri ous by virt u e genius and tr u e
greatn e ss
,

l i t t
l it
I q i iti
tt
P t l
I q i it t
vi
it
F
l i
B i
t it
l
B il ii

i it

h m s e f n o ro u b e w h th e n u s o n b e ca u se h e sa d
w as
b e e r in o r u g a t o b e n u s o r h a n K n g
He w as s u sp e c e d
n g t o d o w h t h e m u rd e r o f
ran c s co To e s de M e n e ze s,
o f ha

A ca de M r o f a h a
His p o r ra is in V a rn h a g e n s
Is or a

e
Gera do raz ,
0
N
o
t
5

i
i

ll

H t i

C HAPT E R X I

N V I C E BI D S

T HE

AD I E U T O

H I S W I FE

GR A V E

W E left Padre Anton i o Vie i ra standing by t he sid e o f

M anuel de M oraes an d u nwill i ng to d i s t u rb his rapt
d evot i on
B ut wh en th e opportu ne t i m e cam e h e
placed h imself be fore th e pen i ten t gave h i m with
awful solemnity th e pr i estly bened i ct i on and k neel i ng
by his side h e i mp l ored D iv i ne m ercy to rece i ve b ac k
t h e sh eep that had s o long strayed from it i nto the fo l d
o f th e Church
Then r i s i ng h e sa i d to Manuel i n ac
cents the m ost impressive
E nte r t h e Confess i o n al
k neel b efore the Priest o f t hy God and reveal all thy

heart to h i m
M anuel obeyed Long was the Confession though
on l y a summary o f th e er r ors the s i ns and th e c r imes
o f th o u gh t
word deed o r pen m ortal o r ve nial
o f act i on and intention o f comm i ss i on and omission
wh i ch h ad sta i ne d the renegade s caree r
I t w as
o ft en i nterrupted by abu ndant tokens o f sorrow by
heart broke n sobs and by oods o f tears H is tas k
e nded th e Jesu i t arose xe d h i s eyes upo n the altar
as o n e wh o asks adv i ce or aid and m u t tered prayer
after prayer He then absol v ed h i s pen i ten t i mposed
u pon h i m the penance wh i ch was to u she r i n a change
o r l i fe
Presently leaving Manue l i n th e oratory h e
re t i re d to a pr i vate room deeply a ffec t ed b u t at th e
same t i m e satised w i t h wh a t had happened , an d
conscious o f hav i ng w o n an o the r triumph fo r t h e
C hu rch
His
M anuel was once mo r e a changed m an
.

'

1 3

M A N U E L D E M O RAE S

co u ntenance wore an express i on of settled sadness ;

b u t he h ad recovered h eal t h o f body by comple t e
repose o f hear t and bra i n The act of p u blishing h i s
recantat i on as Padre Anton i o V i e i ra ordered was to
h im a n ew source o f j oy
Constan t t o h i s rel i g i ou s
d u ties he l i ghtened h i s inn e r man o f th e in s u pp o r t
ab l e we i gh t wh i ch before crushed him ; he b roke
w it h th e wo rld aro u nd him he c u t o ff a l l con nect i on
w it h former acqua i ntanc es a n d from that moment th e
Con fess i on th e Church and the closet occupied all
h i s t i m e The Jesui t wh o esteemed an d already loved
h i m recom mended wr i ti ng a h i story o f Portuguese
A mer i ca wh ose annals t he peni t ent knew perfect l y
w i th espec i al re ference t o i t s i n v as i on and occu pation
b y the D utch wh ose t ong u e was fam i l i ar to h im a n d
wh o se books h e read w i th e ase H e wa i ted ti l l th e
abjuration appeared com plete and t hen ann o unced
t o h i m th e n ecess i t y o f visit i ng L i sbon there t o obtain
t h e pa r don o f hi s Sove r eign leave t o r e ente r th e
Company and with p ermiss i on o f the Prov i ncial t o
ma k e th e O bj ect o f his l i fe th e catechisat i on o f th e
nat i ve Brazil i ans

Thou m ust said h e

r e i nsta t e thysel f both
w it h the Soc i ety and w i th the Governm ent I n th e
Brazi l thou w i l t b e exposed to excess i ve t o il to ex
c e e d in g
fat i g u e to i ncessan t dan g e r pe r h aps to a
crue l d eath b o u nd to t h e stake o r by th e p iercing o f
t h e savage arrow Bu t th y sacr i ces and thy good
d ee d s sha l l pay t h e h eavy debt o f a l l t hy s i ns ; a
merc i ful D eity w i l l receive thee i nto H i s D iv i n e
arms And n ot only w i ll th e Redsk i n Braz i l i ans prove
thy steadfastness by calam i ty an d b i tte r li fe tho u
w i l t su ffer even more a t the hands o f t h e E uropean s
and the i r Creole d escendan t s wh o without o n e
t h ough t o f rel i g i on or m oral i ty l i ve only to amass
r i ches by captur i ng plun de ri ng and destroy i ng t h e
h apless Genti l es At the i r head a g a i n are th e co l d
n i al Gove r nors and auth or i t i es insa t i able p e rs e c u
.

MAN U E L

08

D E M O RA E S

th ei r c o u nt r y th e h i gher race o f E urope All th i s

I did w i thou t feel i ng th at t he burden was h eavy t h e
sacr i ce seve r e
But t he Po rtuguese adventu r ers
espec i a l ly th e Governors Capta i ns gene r al auth orit i es
these we r e
a n d p u b l i c em p loy s o f th e m etropolis
yes I own it th e very to u chstone o f my pat i ence and
h u m ili t y S u ch is th e l i fe o f th e Jesu i t m i ss i onary
As a man h e be l on g eth to Hum an i ty o nly b y the sp i r i
t u a l t i e and to Soc i e t y by h i s l i fe o f sacr i ce As a
pr i est he m ay n o t live i n t he r epose of a cloister o r i n
th e comm u n i on o f h i s fel l ow cou ntrymen He i s the
proper t y o f t h e w i lds o f d i stant m i ss i ons o f per i ls o f
t h e l os t Pagan so u l s o f an i n g lor i ous d eath i n th e
bush or the swamp H i s goods and h i s j oys are n ot
1
Rem ember Jos de A n c h ie tta an d
o f th i s world
M an u el da N o b r e g a S O pass thou through l i fe from
earth to heave n am i d th e reefs and shoa l s wh i ch ever
o p pose thy way s o as to prove thy devotion and to
p u r i fy thy sou l Advance w it hou t b en d i ng th e nec k
w i t ho u t l os i ng eva n gel i c res i gnat i on w it hout r e n o u n c
i ng p i ety w i t hout forgetting Chr i st i an charity w i thout
d i sco u ragement w i tho u t l ooking b eh i nd thee A s
s um e a new garb an d ret u rn i ng to th e C ompany o f
Jesus enno b l e and exalt thyself i n the service o f th e
Ch u rch and i n propaga ti n g her Fa i th by holy and
g l or i ous deeds S u ch b e th e penance enj o i ne d u pon
t hy s i ns such the balsam whic h sh all heal thy r e
m orse
Manuel took delight i n hearing these n arratives an d
co u nsels o f th e d i s ti ngu i shed and venera b le speaker
The prop osa l also m et h i s d esires H i s love and h i s
soc i a l dut i es h ad e nded wi t h the pass i ng away of t he
o n e human be i ng wh o had so m i gh ti ly enchanted an d
bew i tched h i m At t i mes h e v i s i t e d th e g rave whic h
h eld her mortal spo il s an d with yearning heart an d
o w i ng eyes he strewed i t with fresh owers B ut i t
d i d not open to receive him h i s heart now told h im

1
T h e Th a u m a t u rg u s o f t h e Braz l
Tr a m l a tor : Not e
of

"

B I D S A D I E U T O H I S W I F E S G RA V E

09

h ow fatal had been th e hallucination wh i ch once

m astered all h i s senses and wh i ch caused the deadly
fa ll i ng o ff from relig i on that had s o terr i b ly torm ente d
h i s soul
M oreover it presently s o h appened th at Brode
c h e v iu s
whose v i rt u es a n d wh ose benets had e n
deared h i m as a father could n ot survive the death
o f Beatr i x : a few m onths aft er th e last adieu
he
followed his da u g hter o n th e way o f d eath What n o w
remained t o deta i n th e pen i t ent s i nner i n H ol l and ?
Th e adv i ce and the exh ortat i on s o f Padre Antonio
V i e i ra so u nded i n h i s ears as another hope o f con
c il ia t in g
himse lf w i th God and w i th H is Church
When the Company once m ore sho u ld h ave opened
h er arm s to h i m wou l d he n ot be able by return i ng
to h er bosom by ded i cating h i mself t o he r service
an d by go i n g back t o h i s country to s e e once more
h i s b e l oved m oth er and fam ily to receive th e parental
pardo n an d to S pen d h is la t t e r days i n a usefu l be ne
c e n t and ho l y l i fe ?
H e had n o ter r or o f th e toils and th e sacr i ces
wh i ch m i gh t be r eserve d fo r h itn H e did not fea r
the m i ss i onary s h ard tas k because i t would exalt
h i m i n the love o f God an d forti fy hi m i n th e bel i ef
And m i ght it n o t be h i s lot
o f th e Catholic creed
t o wi n by his act i on s t h e remission o f his s i ns an d to
obtain m ercy from o n h i gh ?
H e prepared to leave t h e Neth erlands for ev e r
U nable to travel by land or t o e m b ark at any French
port o n accoun t o f Span i sh dominion i n Be l g i um h e
t ook passage o n a D utch sh i p sa i ling for Rotterdam
Padre An t oni o Vieira provided h i m with int r oductory
lette r s to th e Prov i ncial o f th e Jesuits in Por t ugal to
s ome h i g h fun ction aries an d powerful nobles i n Lis
bon and especial l y t o D om Francisco Manuel d e
Me l lo
The Novice then took l e ave o f h is p r o tector
wh o was obl i ged i n th e s e r vice o f h i s s o ve r e i gn to
vis it M iin s te r
,

1 1

M A N U E L D E MO RA E S

He would not h owever sh i rk th e sad duty o f

b i dd i ng th e last farewell to her wh o i n l i fe h ad ruled
h i s heart and sp i r i t wh o had bewitched h i m to the
po i nt o f losin g h i s reason and of perilling h i s im mortal
s ou l
He se t o u t for Amsterdam wh i ch r ecal l ed t o
h i s m i nd th e many events that began with seeming
h a p p i ness p resen t ly to b ecome pa i n and sorrow H e
wa l ked stra i ght to th e cem ete r y where stood th e tomb
w h i ch h e so u ght
I t was adorned with a m arble
colum n s u rro u nded by i ron posts and ch a i ns ; an d
i t bore i n large g i lt letters t h e nam e o f B E A T R I X DE
M O R A E S w i t h th e da t es o f h er bir t h and o f her dea t h
Pale roses b l e w aroun d i t ; a som b re cypress over
shaded i t w it h i ts th i c k and untr i mme d growth an d
smal l shrubs scattered a b o ut bo r e t h e ir melan choly
blossoms
He was profound l y a ffected by th e aspect o f th e
tomb by the s il ence wh i ch r e i gned aro u n d an d b y th e
m emor i es that s t arted u p fro m h i s s ou l
H e drew
n ear i t w i t h res p ect wh il st th e b i tter tears b u rst i n
s howers from h i s eyes
H e threw himself u pon h i s
k nees directed h i s prayers to God and scatter i ng
u pon t h e grave t he torn owers and bro k en shrubs
wh i ch beto k ened his bereavement h e cried in th e
agony o f h i s heart

Wi fe loved and lost ! an unexpected fate b r ou g h t

us together a m ad pass i on ensnared u s a cr i m e s p rang
from o u r love ! we were t h e mutual ca u se of o u r
calam i t i es of thy dea t h of my m i sery S o m ay God
d
ardon
us
i
n
th
e
wor
l
of E tern i ty wh ith er th o u h as t
p
a l ready passed and where I shall n ot be slo w to
follow thee
God alone i s great
H e cast one last l o ng loo k beh i nd H e h ad don e
al l his duty H e had braved th e cruel proof an d h e
had found strength t o w i thstand it
He the n t ook sh i p at Rotterdam for Lisbon
Wh en r u nn i ng d own th e dangerous ch annel wh i ch
s eparates France from E ngland wh ere th e w i nds rage
,

MAN U EL

1 1 2

D E M O RA E S

m on touch i ng th e de fence o f his righ ts an d th e

h onou r of t he I nst it u t e All agreed U pon o n e po i nt
that th e unheard
o f orde r o f the I nquisitional Tri
bunal was an insult to the powers an d pr i v i leges of
th e Company b ut that th e Provinc i al was n o t j u st i
e d i n r esist i ng by fo r ce
Th ey ad v ised h i m to give
u p th e prisoner
an d at o nce to protest befo r e th e
S overe i gn and h i s Government to claim h i s pen i tent
as a m embe r o f th e I nst i tute an d to j udge h i m a c
c o r ding to i ts r ule
Th e o rder of t h e Ho l y O ffice
w as obeyed
Manu el de Moraes left the ho u se o f
the Co mpany an d p assed into th e powe r o f the
I nquis i tion
,

1 1

C HAPT E R XI I
I N Q U I S ITI ON

T HE

S ON I N

O F LI B
CE

S EVE N TEENT H

T HE

N TU R Y
.

64 5 th e date o f ou r tale th e I nquisition sat

i n the Lar go do Rocio o f Lisbon ; th e edice was
a shapeles s b u t m assive cons t ruction wi t ho u t arch i
t e c tu r a l b eauty b u t imposing by the streng t h o f i ts
fo r tications ; and i t com manded th e sq u are wi t h its
s a d dead walls o f s t one an d its ponde r ous iro n gates
D etached at the b ottom o f th e Rocio su r roun de d
by soldiers and gu a r ds wh o watched day and n i gh t
containing th e ha l ls o f th e Tribunal th e pe n i ten t i a ry
d u ngeons and th e chambe r s o f quest i on and tortu r e
th e palace drove far fr o m itself and from its n eigh
b o u r h o o d the peaceful masses o f the pe o ple wh o neve r
sigh ted i t without devou t cr o ss i ngs bened i ctions an d
r espectful pulli n g o ff o f hats lest suspicion o f o r tho
doxy lead to i nquiry an d to pu n i sh men t
To day n o t a ston e of t h e barbarous edice rem ains
O ne by on e they were t o rn down and cast away by
the exasperated populace o f L i sbon when the Cortes
c o nstituted i n 1 8 2 1 abol i shed the H oly O fce an d
extinguish e d for ever that m o st execrab l e Tr i bunal
U pon its s i te n o w r i ses the Theatre o f M aria
subst i tu t i ng pleasure m i rth an d rat i onal amusemen t
fo r th e scenes o f pain and ang u i sh of blood and
h o rr o r wh i ch staining the pages o f Portuguese h i story
took place within those gri m walls
Ti me h as as
usual b r ought fo r th his Nemesis
E nte r ing th e principal gate b e tween les o f a r med
IN

M A N U E L DE M O RA E S

uards
and
casting
h
i
s
eye
upon
the
g
i
gantic
statu
e
g
o f Fa i th which stood th r ea t en i ng at th e summ i t o f t h e
main stai r case Manuel de Moraes felt a deadly cold
r un t h r ough his ve i ns an d h i s bra i n turn d i z zy wi t h
fr i gh tful tho u gh ts i nsp i red by th e Gen i us o f t h e place
H e crossed sundry co u r ts all gloomy even i n th e
bright sh een of a L i s b on s u n H e descended an d
ascended several i g h t s o f steps wh ose dar k ness was
on l y hal f dispelled by the pale gleam o f oil lamps
h ang i ng from th e walls H e heard t h e hoarse an d
m elancholy sounds of hea v y hinges that creaked and
ut
r
oaned
as
their
doors
we
r
e
opened
and
sh
Within
g
h e breathed a fou l atm osphere wh i ch seemed th e
exhalat i on o f cor p ses ; the stones a ppeared to dr i p
h uman b l o o d and t he m oans o f pai n an d woe ech oed
vaulted passages
a n d resounded th rough th e lo ng
The F a m il ia rs all wo r e t h e sa m e att i re ; a large c r oss
o f yellow cloth stood o u t from each breast and eve r y
face was h idden i n t h e folds o f th e hood They
it t e d here and there like spectres or a v eng i ng de m ons
bound o n thei r ete r nal err ands o f w r ath and d e s t ru c
t ion
A lugubrious s i lence an e xtra o r dinary h orro r ch a r
ac t e r is e d this pandemoniu m
all the prec i ncts o f the
e d i ce were m ade t o i nsp i re te r ror
an d th e senses
o f th e w r etch es wh o e n t ere d t here for t he rst tim e
fa i led them for u n u tterable fear
Aft er m any t u rn i ngs and wh i spers exchanged by
the Guar d and the Fam i l i ars Manuel fo un d h i m self i n
a bleak gallery where the way was barely shown by a
lam p glim mering i n the centre An i r on door opened
as i f by mag i c in o n e of the s i des and h e was i ntro
d u c e d into a low ce il inged cel l fr om which good l y
l i ght an d air were bar r ed ; i t appeared less l ike a
r oo m than a sepulchre hewn i n t he live and dripping
rock The door was bolted upon h im as h e entered
the solita ry dungeon which could h ardly h ave a d
m it te d two m e n togethe r
Bed the r e was none nor a
,

1 1

M AN U E L D E M O RA E S

t o th e bosom o f the true Church Ho w l on g h e slept

was u ncer t a i n t o h im ; n i ght was con founded w it h
day i n th e continuous gl i mmer o f th e cen t ral lam p
no r was the r e even a gr eater o r a less amount o f
i l lum i nation i n the pe r s i stent monotonous twiligh t
wh i ch g l oom ed th e res t of h is s olitary cell
H e t augh t h imse l f to e xpect th e m orni ng when
w i th ou t th e pris o n door b e i n g O pened a fresh Cr o ck
o f water and a h ard d ry loaf were thrust i nto h is cell
t hrough an aper ture contr i ved fo r s u ch pu rp ose i n
th e wa l l At t hes e t imes a h o llow Vo i ce as from a
cavern wo u ld ask him t o receive them a nd t o pass

th e latte r dis appe ar ing wi t h

o u t t he empty wa t er p o t
the same myster i ous precautions
I t was va i n t o
s peak : n o quest i on was eve r fated t o obtai n an
answer
H e re solved to c o u nt th e t i mes wh en his su pplies
wer e r en e wed an d thus to asc e rta i n th e n um b e r o f
his pr i so n d ays
Already s o m e for t y h ad passed
when h e h ea rd the shu f i ng so u nd o f steps an d lo w
wh i spe rings exchanged outside th e d o or th ese no i ses
w ere lou d er than those t o wh i ch his ear h ad be com e
accus to med

No w it is m y tur n h e said t o h im self, o r th at

o f som e neighbou r vict i m going t o qu e stion an d tor
.

t u re

A few mi nu tes aft erwards his door g r ated O pe n

He rose an d descr i ed a g u re co v ered i n a long b l ac k
c l oak
The e ntrance was aga i n closed and th e twa i n fou n d
th e mselves so n ea r t ogethe r i n the na r ro w space th a t
they were h ardly able to raise h an d o r t o m ak e a
ges t ure

Th ou art Manuel de M oraes ? asked a m ild an d

com p osed vo i ce
The prisone r determin ed tha t he stood i n pr esence
o f o n e of th e j udges charged with examining and
i nterrogat i ng him Th e questi o n e r s seren e and al m os t
'

TH E I N QU I S I TI O N O F LI SBO N

1 1

kindly accents were decided to be a h oly device th e

I nqu i s i t ors b e i ng well known to deceive the ir vict i m s
by a sh ow o f p i ty ; to i nduce b y so ft an d dece i tful
words a mad condence and co nfession o f the m ost
s ecre t t ho u gh t s o r fals e revelat i on s an d tales o f ima
cr
i
m
es
i
nvented
m
ere
l
y
t
o escape pu nishmen t
i
n ar
g
y
Resolv i ng however to speak the tru t h and th e
who l e tr u th b e th e r es ult wh at it m i ght and n o t to be
cozened by fa l lac i es and fascinat i ons the Novice r e
pl i ed to the cloa k ed g ure in a reso l ute tone

W i th out dou b t I am Man u el de Moraes

An d thy na ti ve cou ntry i s th e v i llage o f S ao

Pa u lo i n th e captaincy o f 8 510 V i cen t e of th e Braz i l ?
con ti nue d t he interrogator

I t i s t r u e repeated Moraes

Th o u wast a Novice i n th e Com pany o f Jesus ?

Thou d i dst desert th e I ns t itute an d cast o ff t he

cassock ? rej oined the othe r

I may n ot I o u ght n ot an d I wo u ld not deny i t

ej aculated th e p r isone r

And tho u dost not r ec o gnise m e ? said the gure

plac i ng h i mself i n th e g l im mer i ng r ay shot a t hwart t he
gloom by th e corridor lamp ; casting as i de h is cowl
an d sh owing a face worn by years and cl o t hed w i th
th e wh it est o f b eards a head denuded o f hai r an d
t he soutane of th e fo ll owers o f S t Ignati u s
Man u el exam ined him i n va i n H i s eyes would
n ot d i s t i n g u i sh th e man who stoo d before him H e
searched h i s m i n d fo r mem ories o f th e past No t a
s i ngle i dea would come to h i s aid

No I cann ot h e repl i ed b i tterly Afte r a few

m ome n t s o f s il ence and of v i s i ble anx i ety Manuel
r esumed D oubtless th e h oly Fathers would punish
m e for having ed t he i r Ho u se and th ou art sent t o
m ake th ese inq u i ries o f m e ?

Ban i sh fr o m thy m i nd
answered the Jesuit

these fanc i es wh ich are me r e fool i sh ness O ur Com

n c o u n s e l l e t h in u e n c e t h convi nceth by pe r suasi o n ,
a
p y
,

1 1

M A N U E L D E M O RA E S

an d by appeals to m an s consc i ence She doth n o t

b i nd h i s w i ll by phys i cal fo r ce Sh e doth not chast i se
t h e r ebel an d t h e cr i m i nal by th e corporal p u n i sh
ments o f con nement and tortu r e Alm i gh ty God i s
t h e only Judge t o wh om sh e comm i tteth th e s i ns o f
m ortals
Thou art n o t i m p r i soned by order o f th e
I nst i t u t e o f S t Ignat i u s de Loyola Tho u art ac
I com e
cu s e d by t he Tribunal o f t he H oly O ffice
t o visit t hee as thy fr i en d and thy compa n i o n o f b y
gone days aft e r obta i ning wi t h much d i f c u lty pe r

m ission to en t er th ese dungeons

The words slowly spo k e n an d uttered w it h a
c e r ta i n u nct i on and even a ffect i on profoundly im
presse d t h e u nhappy M anuel an d i nsp i re d him w i t h
a conv i ct i on o f the i r truth an d candour But wh o
was t h e man wh o addressed h i m ? Th e i dea o f not
be i n g a b le to recog n ise an d to t h a n k h i m worke d
trou b le in his brai n

Wh at t hen wouldst t h o u h ave o f m e ? gently

returned th e pr i s o ne r

I h ave late l y arr i ve d from H olland br i ng i ng

letters an d recom m en dations fr o m th e venerable A n
t o n i o Vieira wh o saved thy soul from t h e p r ecipice

o f etern al perd i t i o n
I f t h o u b e as thou dost suggest a Jesuit th ou wilt
n d in t h e H ouse o f th e C om pany t h e letters an d
do cuments wh i ch I left beh i n d when t h e Fam i l i ars
o f th e I nqu i s i t i on h urried m e away fro m th e sacre d
walls

O ur Provincial h ath taken ch arge o f al l c o ntinued

th e v is i tor sadly ; h e h ath forwarded to each o n e th e

letter d i recte d t o h i m th e bette r t o e nl i st sympa t hies
i n thy favour U nhapp i ly and I m ust n o t conceal i t
from t h e e a l l h i s e fforts appear fru it less

I see dea t h b efore m e ! m urm ured th e cap tive

I regret i t come t h s o s o on because I h ave n ot ye t

p urged myse l f o f m y great sin s and cr i mes I wo u l d
l i ve lon g en o u gh to perform th e n e cessary penances
.

1 2

MAN U EL

DE

M O RA E S

would have exten ded i t s power amon g st the m as i n

Po r tugal The two Or ders are separa t ed by a grea t
ulf
they
l
i
ve
i
n
constan
t
oppos
it
i
on
O
ne
would
;
g
cut d own and cast i nt o th e re the tree wh i ch beareth
bad fru i t Th e s on s o f S t Ignat i u s would h eal th e
a ffected part an d h aste n to save th e tr u nk an d th e
s ou nd branches wh i ch may st i ll ow w i th s a p an d

bear k indly food fo r th e u s e o f m an

At least s end m e i nterr u pted Manuel a Pries t

a fr i end wh o m ay hear me con fess and may be w i t h
m e d u r i ng my l ast sh ort pangs

And what came I to do h ere

asked th e J es u i t

i n a ton e o f h u rt fee l i ngs

wherefore have I m ade
my w a y amongs t th ese g l oomy vau l ts had I not bee n
espec i a l ly charg ed by our Prov i n c i al an d perm i t ted
b y t he H oly O fce t o see the e to S peak w i th thee
and to t r eat thee as a m e m b er o f th e C ompany

wh i ch li k e Jesus n eve r a b a n do n e th i ts d i sc i p les ?

0 thanks ! O th an k s ! cr i ed M oraes fa l ling at

th e Fa t h er s feet an d fervently k issing them

Rise my son continue d th e g u re assist i ng the

peniten t t o stand u p an d c l asp i n g h im in h is arm s
i t is not ye t t i m e for con fess i o n o r fo r the last pre
r
a
i
n
a
s
t
o
At presen t I a m but a frien d wh o would
p
console the e ; s o g i ve m e a l l thy conde nce ; i t w i ll
be e nough for t hee to rem em ber wh o I am to call to
m i nd th e p as t
M anuel perce i ved by th e ear rather than the eye
t hat these words were pronou nce d am i ds t repressed
sobs an d that a ood o f b it ter te ars course d down th e
cheeks o f his u nkn own frie nd
Bu t desp i te every e ffort h i s m em ory fa i led t o n d
a ny clu e by wh ich h e m i ght recall to h i mself that
t i me worn gure that ve nerab l e head th ose soft
attractive accents an d th ose k i ndly ges t ures wh i ch
n e ve rth eless l eft hi m i n n o do u b t o f h is vis i t or s
s i n ce ri ty
For a few instants the r e was a p a i nful s ilence whic h
.

T H E I N Q U I S I TI O N O F L I S B O N

1 2 1

nei t he r of the men chos e to break ; it was e nded by

t h e u nkno w n wh o imp r essing a pa te rnal k i ss upo n
th e bro w O f the younge r ma n asked h im in a c l ea r
s ono r ous vo rce

An d st i ll cans t th o u n o t remembe r me
But Manuel s though t s were e n t an g led in t h e m eshe d
S kein o f h is wan dering an d erring life ; h e could h i t
u pon no r ecollectio n wh i ch could tea r the ve i l hang i n g
d ark before h is eyes

B eho l d contin u e d th e voice speakin g slow l y t h e

bette r t o arou se h is co m p an i on s m emory

b eho l d
o n the summ i t o f y o n myrtle dotted h i l l S lope
th e
H oly Hous e o f the Com pany o f Jesus wi t h its hollo w
s quare i ts adj o i ning chapel and i ts s trong l o w t o wer
By its s ide cl u sters a v illage o f whitewashe d and red
t i led h o uses and huts thatched w i th ye l lo w grass form
ing crooked streets and alleys wh ich l i ke the s t ep s
o f a s taircase r u n u p and down the r idge o f r ed clay
See o n th e othe r si de the enc lo sure o f frui t bear i ng
t r e e s t h e orange the guava and th e cashe w apple
fro m whose b ou g hs th e Sab ia t hr u sh and th e pa i nted
pa rr o quet sal u t e the newly bo rn dawn th e depar ti ng
d ay and the po w er and maj esty o f Him who m ad e
th em Remark below th e e nc l osure wh i ch extends
to t he h ill foot th e riv u l e t he r e ow i ng limp i d a n d
sere n e the r e bubbling ove r its pebbly bed and b e
dewing th e wild o w e r s wh ich spring fro m its fair
g r een m arge Cast thy sight s till farthe r u p o n those
i m m ense forests gloo m ing the pla i n wh ere th e great
r i v er Ti et e rolls h is wate r s an d where the up l ands o f
the Penha b lue r tha n the atmosphere bound th e
sp l en d i d am phitheatre Brea t he the air perfu med by
th e leaves an d owers w h i ch ki ndly Z ephy r ge n t ly
wave s t o an d fro b y th e blossoms which th e parent
tree never cas t s to lie i n t he sad decay o f a E u ropean
a u t u mn Mark the coppe r coloured crowds that ll
th e temples th at p r ay s o devoutly that form rel i gious
r
o
c
ssi
o
ns
and
that
r
espect
and
o
bey
th
e
Fathe
r
s
e
p
,

M AN U E L

1 2 2

D E M O RA E S

th e C ompany What village is this whi ch thy

m emory pa i n ts i f thine eyes behold it n o m o re ? And
now can st t hou n o t reco l lect m e ?
O God my Lord
cr i ed M oraes what wou n d s
this pr i est teare t h open and yet I cann o t fo r my l i fe
remember him
The r e on a h ill top lay quie t and retired th e
small wh i te h ouse wi t h it s red t i led roof cont i n u ed
th e gure
I n it l i ved o n e Jos de M oraes an d his
family G o d called h im away before h e co u ld pa r don
himself for th e i mpruden t haste with which h e dr o ve
a s o n fr om h i s door

Then my father i s dead ! O u n happy again !

E nough
i nterru p t ed M oraes
Take p i ty u pon
m e and for mercy s sake te l l m e wh o th ou a rt

Still thou hast n ot discovered m e ? asked th e

H o w beset i s t hy sp i rit by th e terr i ble de

Fathe r
l u s io n s of thy m isspent err i ng life
Remember m y
son o n e wh o said t o thee Thou wilt be w r etched !
The Catholic Chu r ch is the D ivin e r eason th e s ole
S al vat i on of Mankind the r e can be no r est for h im
who ab an do n e th he r and wh o p l u n g e th i nt o th e
depths of t h i s world o f woe
E useb i o de M onserra t e
exclai m ed Manuel with
a fresh bu r st o f grief H e caught the old man i n h i s
a r ms and s u ddenly losing his s e nses , h e fe ll u po n t h e
c o ld fl o o r o f h is dung e o n
of

1 2

M A N U E L DE M O RA E S

wrote a sum m ary of wh at had happened and imp r esse d

h im i n urgen t term s w i th the n ecess it y o f leav i ng n o
measure u n t r i ed espec i a l ly b y a m i ss i ve d i rected to
the Sovere i gn a n d i m plor i ng a personal favo u r
W i th i n a fe w d ays m any men in power were in
d u ce d to u ndertake the ca u s e o f Man u el de Moraes
A mongst t h e m os t i n u e n t i al were t h e Con fessor o f
t he K i ng an d Q uee n D u ar t e N u nes de Le ao an d th e
Ch i ef J u st i ce o f th e T rib u nal o f S u p p l i ca t i on Jo ao
P i n t o R i be i ro private secretary o f t he M onarch
U nhapp il y D om Francesco Man u el de Me l lo co u l d
le n d n o a i d h av i n g h i m self lost h i s l i b erty None
wo u ld h ave been o f m ore a v a i l when h e rst arr i ved
at L i sbon h e was eq u al l y d i st i ngu i sh ed by the power
o f h i s pen an d by t h e serv i ces wh i ch h i s sword had
rendered i n the Braz il in Flanders and i n C a t alon i a
a nd by h i s patrio ti c sen t iments in favour of Port ug u es e
l i berty and nat i onal i t y H e had sacriced wealth an d
h onours I n Spa i n ex p os i n g h i mse l f to th e persecu ti on
o f t he Governors o f Cast i le from whose d u n g eo ns h e
h a d escape d by buy i ng off h is j a i lers
Bu t o n h i s
ret u rn to Portugal h e was drawn int o an u nh appy
quarrel at B elem w it h one Francesco C ardoso whom
h e k i l led i n a m oment of an g er Fo r thi s offence h e
h ad been i mprisoned and expectin g h i s tr i al h e Wa s
com p e l led t o th i nk m ore o f h i s o w n sa fety than o f
sav i ng another
Th e K i ng an d th e Q u een found themselves sur
r ou n ded by prayers and pe t i tions to save M anuel de
Mo r aes D om Jo ao IV whose au t hor i ty was n ot
yet sol i dly es t abl i shed i n Portugal hes i t ated t o i nter
p ose his prerogat i ve in a case com plete l y w it hi n th e
j u r i sd i ction of t he H o l y O fce H e h ad r i sen to a
t hrone during th e s t orm of a revo l u ti on He h ad
won a crown by a pa tr io t i c m ovemen t u nan i mous
amongst the people b u t h e co u nte d a bare maj or i t y
amongs t the C l ergy an d th e Nobi l i ty At every mo
m ent he was compelled to put down r eacti o nary m o ve
,

T H E I N QU I S I T I O N

Q U EST I O N

1 2

m ents and th e ris i ngs of those wh o prefer r ed obey i n g

S p ai n t o r ang i ng th emselves o n th e s i de o f Por t u ga l
an d freedom
H e was oft en obl i ge d severe l y t o
chastise th e t i tled classes and eve n the B i sh ops wh o
The power o f Cas t i le would
p l otted aga i nst h im
h ave s t i ll been too g r eat for Lus i t an i a h ad not the
former h app il y b ee n o ccup i ed w it h cr u shi ng o t her
i nsurgen t s i n various p ar t s of h er w i de dom i n i ons
and t h u s her n umero u s h osts d i v i ded and d i sperse d
co u l d not stri k e th e on e dec i s i ve b l ow
No t th e less h owever was D om Jo ao com p el l ed to
adm i n i ster h i s K i ngdom w i th the greatest m oderat i on
an d to avo i d increas i ng the d i fcult i es and dangers
wh i ch from all Si des rose U p aro u nd h i m What the n
m a tt ered the l i fe o f a Jesuit Nov i ce compared w i th th e
ange r an d resentment o f th e H oly O fce wh i ch at
t hat time i nu e nced s o p owerfu l l y t h e popular m i nd
an d wh i ch len t i ts a i d to h i s nat i ona l govern ment ?
H e knew t h at h i s own Hi dalgos and h i g h es t E c cl e s i
as t ic s took a pr i de i n belong i ng to t he I nqu i s i t i on
and even i n serv i ng i t as Fam i l i ars H e was wel l
aware also that the people trembled be fore all i t s
act i ons an d j udgments deem i ng them D i vine rathe r
than hu man
With m ore p ol i cy than sent i m ent or j ust i ce th e
K i ng avo i ded answer i ng th e appl i cat i on s o f h i s most
d evo t ed fr i ends an d his chosen co u ncil l ors
Although
s i ncerely attached to an d th oro u g hly c o n din g i n h i s
Qu een D ona Lu i za de Gu z m ao wh o had ta k en pa r t
W i t h the Jesu i t s he would not in this case len d an
e a r to her words
E useb i o de Monse rr ate h ad guesse d ri ghtly that
w ithout th e d i rect intervent i on o f the sovere i gn
al l
e fforts wo u ld b e o f n o ava il Th e d r ead author i t y o f
th e H oly O f ce at that t i me oversh adowe d t h e heart
o f Por t ugues e s oc i ety
None would dare n o ne h ad th e po w er t o brave i t
wi t h impunity save the King in person by virtue of
,

1 2

M AN U E L D E M O RA E S

h is ind i vidual p rest i g e and b y the acknowledged n e c e s

s ity of suppor ti ng h i s e fforts to fr ee t he coun t ry against
the forces of Cast il e
Scattered i n every direction were th e spies o f th e
I n qu isition who hastened to pervert every t hough t
wor d an d deed i nto somethin g wh i ch m i g ht b e r e
ported to th e execrab l e Tribu nal
I t seemed as
t hough th e wa l ls had ears th e furnitu r e had eyes an d
the very ai r co u ld read the deepest secrets of th e s ou l
Th e best h i dde n plans fou nd their way to the H oly
O fce an d t he latter never h es i tated or delayed t o
send warrants fo r p ersons t o i ns t itute proceed i ngs t o
pronounce r i goro u s sentences to adm i n i ste r punish
m ent and to ra i se th e g i bbet and th e s t a k e Thu s
the Lieges a superst it i ous m ul t itude were te rried
by the h orr i ble spectacles o f th e Acts o f Faith and
were taugh t to look u pon t hem as sacraments of the
Ch urch
No class n o condition of m a n could escap e thi s
i n fernal j ur i s d i c t i on I t was th e only j udicial tr i bu nal
b e fo r e wh i ch d i sappea r ed all ri g h ts and privileges
wh i ch bent b efore i ts migh t O l d m en and you ng
wome n and ch i ld r en householders an d p r o l e ta ir e s
workmen and m erch an t s sec u lars and regulars n obles
and the h i gh ofc i a l s o f t he Church even th e m i nis
t ers an d the c o n da n ts of t he M onarch
Ye t d i d no t Fa t h er E useb i o des p a i r of success i n
A S new and grea t e r obstac l es
h i s labou r o f l ove
rose i n h i s path as h i s proj ects were d efeated and
brought to n oth i ng so he app li ed h i s spir i t th e m ore
ardently t o seek n ew measures which S h oul d com
mand success
H i s bosom was red w i th t h e
a m ou r
r o r e of t h e
Jesu
i
t
wh
o
would
not
tamely
p p
u
f
w
i
th
th
e
a
fron t wh i ch th e I nqu i s i tion had
t
u
p
p
offe r ed to the Company by seiz i ng from it a Novice
and a membe r i n order to try an d to condem n h i m
F u rthermore h e was m oved by th e love an d sy m path y
which M anu el whe n yet a youth had won from h im
,

1 2

M AN U E L

DE

M O RA E S

t hei r des i gns by applying th e us u al question passed

fro m volunta r y declarat i ons t o thos e torn from t h e

vict i m by torture
They began w it h th e
little

angels
a soft e ndear i ng name deri s i vely
g i v en t o ir o n t h u m b screws wh i ch w i th h orr i ble su ffer
i ngs crush th e ngers and th e toes Th ey determ ine d
that th e pen i ten t should con fess a false an d m al i cious
return to Cath ol i cism i n orde r that h e m i g h t pass
over to t h e Brazil and a i d h i s former associates t h e
H ollanders i n invading an d con q u ering A mer i ca
M an u el n ob l y e nd u re d thes e barbar i t i es wh i ls t w i th
tearfu l eyes h e called U pon th e holy n am e o f Chr i s t
wh o i n beari ng th e s i ns o f th e world h ad su ffe r ed
agon i es sti l l more terrible than his own
Th e j udges thus d i sap p o i nted adj ourned to a
future opport u nity th e appl i ance o f o t he r instruments
They i nt i m ated h owever to Manuel that i t would b e
bette r fo r h i m t o confess the tru t h o f h i s own free w i ll
than to hav e it torn fr o m hi m by th e m ost d re adful
suffer i ngs
Th e Holy O f ce was not w o nt to hur ry its proce ed
i ngs o r its j udgments Whole years were spent in i t s
dungeons wi t ho u t t he Tribun al m oving to do the m
j u s ti ce b y th e i nnocen t as well as t h e g u i lty by me n
fa l sely accused o r m erely suspected an d o ften w i th o u t
t h e s l i ghtest proof o f cr i m i na l i t y N o t contented w i th
facts an d w i t h seek i ng t o di vi n e th ough t s and m ot i ves
i t so u gh t to ga i n t i me wh il st the v i ctims were sur
ro u nded by the m os t v i g i lan t espionage wh i ch saw
and heard e v ery t h i ng they did an d sa i d O ne fo r
re fus i ng to eat a b i t o f pork on a certa i n day an o ther
for some chan ce e x press i on of rage or resentmen t
th i s fo r a gesture o r action m al i c i ousl y i nterprete d
that for no t b less i ng h i mself o r praying at th e canon i
cal h o u rs all s u ch t r ie s served as i nduct i ve proo fs
t o establ i sh a crim e w h i ch r ested o n ly i n t h e imag i na
t i on of th e H oly O fce
The i n te rr ogatories an d th e rs t tortures we r e fol
,

T H E I N QU I S I T I O N

QU ESTI O N

1 2

lowed by the evidence o f witnesses wh o depose d

tha t accord i ng to th e gene r al vo i ce Manuel had b e
com e converted t o Calv i n i s m h ad worshipped i n
P rotestan t tem ple s an d h ad m arr i ed a sch ismat i c
woman D es i rous o f O b ta i ning ampler con fess i o ns
th e Fam i l iars aga i n appl i ed ques t ions t o t h e acc u sed

H i s neck was enclosed i n a g o n il h a o r r i ng m ade

fast t o the wa l l ; an d thu s h e was m ade to stand on
t i ptoe i n a cramp i n g and a l mos t s u ffoca t i ng positio n
a torment m o r e terr i b l e th an any barbar i ty imag i ne d
by th e tyrants of th e M iddle A ges
They the n lashed his s i des and chest with scourges
o f m etal wires wh i ch covered h im with b l ood
Bu t
the vict i m superior to physical pa i n was r es i g n ed to
h i s fate h e c o n s t ant l y repeated th e same dec l arat i on
and he suppl i ed no n e w elemen t s of dou b t o r o f s u s
i
i
to
h
i
s
cru
el
j
udges
F
i
na
l
ly
h
e
was
stretched
c
o
n
p
o n th e bed of Procrustes a board br i stling w i th sp i kes
here he fainted as i f dead afte r losing blood wh i ch
escaped from every po r e
They then carr i ed h i m back to h is dungeon placed
h i m upon a m a t somewhat s oft e r than usual and
treated h i m with the g r eatest care Their obj ect was
t o preven t h is escap i ng by death fr o m th e p u b lic an d
exemplary ch ast i sement prepared fo r h i m by th e H oly
O fce
H i s sen tence wh en passed conrmed that o f th e
yea r 1 64 3 The heretic was doomed to appea r at t h e
great Act o f Fa i th covered w i th the infamous i nsign i a
o f r e and to be garotte d i n the publ i c square as an
apos t ate and an o b stinate profe ssor o f a false faith
The report o f th i s resolut i on s oon cam e to th e
Jes u i ts ears an d th e Fathers we r e lled w i th despair
and wi t h t he l i vel i est resentment
All r edo u ble d t h e i r zea l in u rg i ng o n th e i r friends
and i n devis i ng m eans to arres t the decree o f th e
dread Tribuna l
They applied themselves m ore
,

,
.

MAN U E L

0
3

DE

M O RA E S

urgently than ever to ob t a i n from th e King a s i gn

m an u al i n favour o f t he wretched Nov i ce
The letters o f Anton i o Vieira
Bu t all was in va i n
th e g h ostly co u nsels o f t he i r Maj est i es C onfessor th e
o p i n i ons of t h e Secre t ar i es o f State an d o f th e h i gh

o fcer ca l led E scr i v ao da Pu r id ad e th e suppl i ca

t i ons an d th e interes t m ade by th e Nobles wh o m th e
Sovere i g n m ost de l i g hted to h on ou r n oth i ng w o u ld
induce th e K i ng to shake o ff th e reserve wh i ch h e had
chosen to ass u me
E use b i o de Monserrate at l ength dev i se d a h appy
plan V i s i t i n g a s i ster of t h e Nov i ce a certa i n D ona
Clara da I n ca r n ag ao th e w i dow o f a Por t u guese wh o
h a d t ransferre d her r es i dence from S ao Pa u lo to L i sbon
h e prepared her to throw h erself w i th her ch i ldren at
t h e fee t o f the K i ng and the Q ueen and to i m plore
t he ir m ercy fo r h er m iserable broth er W i th th e
C ourt Con fessor h e arranged an O pportu n i t y at th e
rst t i me when D om Jo ao an d D ona Lu i za were pro
c e e d in
g to the O ratory for th e p u r pos e of receiv i ng th e
Sacraments
When th e m om en t cam e D on a Clara and h e r yo u ng
fami l y were introd u ced i nto th e palace by a priva t e
d oor and s h e fou n d herself o n the very passage o f
th e Sovere i gns

Mercy mercy
cried w i t h one voice th e sup p l i
ants fa l l i ng at the feet o f th e K i ng and h i s Co n sort
se i z i ng the hem s o f the i r g arments and bedew i ng them
w i th cop i ous and bit t er tears
All th e su i te were m elted with pi t y D om Jo ao
profound l y m oved cou l d n o t utter a word
T h e weep i n g Q ueen h astened to console the u n
h appy s i ster who placed i n th e r oyal han d a pet i t i on
h umbly pray i ng for p ar d on o f the peni t ent I t was a
t o u ch i ng a heart ren d i ng scen e
The r oyal Con fesso r rem i nded h is Majesty t h at
God is in n i te in H i s compassion and th at earth l y
.

2
3

C HAPT E R
T H E LA S T S C E N E T H E

X IV

NO VI C E S D E AT H

M E ANW HI LE the Tribunal o f th e Holy O f ce of Lisb on

resolve d u pon and publ i cly announ ced an Act o f
Fa it h to take place u pon th e 1 sth o f D ecembe r 1 64 7
E i gh t condemned crim i nals we r e to be bu r nt at the
stake ; t en were r eserved fo r th e pu n i sh ment o f th e
g a r ot t e ; thirty four we r e sentence d t o walk i n th e
Proc e ss i on bear i ng t h e i nsignia o f re an d th r e e we r e

relaxe d i n e f gy being absent o r h aving been able

to escape
Th e announc e ment o f th i s barbar o us spectacle lle d
t h e Lisb o n ese with excitem ent and apparent j o y
Non e
would dare t o absent h im self fr o m a solem ni t y so sacred
and p r otable t o th e soul fr om an Act wh ic h r emitted
s i ns an d wh i ch had p o we r with t h e Almighty t o ope n
fo r b el i e v ers th e gates o f H eaven and t o lead them
b y th e I nd u l gences g ained on such occasio ns to Salva
t i o n an d L i fe E ternal And th ough som e J ews may
h ave h ad th ei r doubts touch i ng t h e Di v i ne nature of
th e sacr i ce wh o would r isk persec u t i on and perhap s
t orments dreadful as th o s e allotte d t o the condemned
i n case o f n ot being presen t o r o f n ot appearing fu l l
o f gladn ess ?
The sca ffold an d stakes were prepa re d i n the gr eat
S quare th e Camp o de Santa An na Those doome d
t o gure i n the ce r emony we r e duly war ned Som e
were all o wed i nterv i ews with c o nfessors chosen by
th em selves and we r e privileged to rece i ve o ne o r
m ore m em bers of the i r fam i l i es wi t h who m they
,

T H E N OVI C E S D EAT H

33

desired a last m elancholy adieu All th e condemned

were transfe rred to espec i al p r iso ns u nde r the c ivi l
au thorit i es th ere t o pass th e r emainde r o f th e t erm
t o which they had bee n sente nced i n the palace o f

t h e Holy O ffice
Thus th ey were made over to

be r elaxed as th e ph r ase was b y th e secula r a r m ;

fo r th e I nquis i t i on o nly sentenced to death and was
n ever g u ilty o f shedd i ng Man s life blood
To M anuel w a s announced h i s punishment death
b y th e garotte and h e was a l so indul g ed wi t h t he p e r
m iss i on to ch oose a Ghostly Father and to be v i s i te d
b y o n e o f h is r elat i ons
H e named Padre E usebio de
M onse rrate to accompany him du ri n g h i s las t momen t s
an d h i s s i ster D ona Cla r a to receive h i s last farewel l
B oth th ese requests were g r anted I t is n ot pos
sible to desc r ibe th e meeting bet w een the b r other
an d sister M anuel phys i cally b r oken down cr u e l l y
tortu r ed b y th e wounds o f th e terrible instr u men t s
which had en tered i nto h i s esh w i th h a i r and beard
tu r ned g r ey white long be fore Time had touched the i r
n atu r al colou r w as moral l y crushed b y los i ng th e hope
o f a long penitential ca r eer pleas i ng t o God and usefu l
to th e w o rld of men
Time an d toil travel an d trouble mental tortu r e
an d bod i ly to r ments had so ch an g ed h i s appearance
that D ona Clara did n ot r ecogn i se he r brother ti l l
repeatedly assu r ed th at Manuel de Moraes was stan d
ing befo r e he r They embraced tende r ly and m u r
m u r ed wo r ds o f a ffec ti on and endearme nt broken by
They
m any a s o b and by oods o f scalding tears
spoke o f their pa r ents now n o m ore ; o f thei r sisters
and of the i r re l ations s t ill l iving at S ao Paulo ; o f th e
family t hat had changed its abode to Lisb o n o f thei r
bi rthplace ; of th e o l d house thei r o nce happy home
an d o f th e scenes and adventures o f the ir yo u th
They thus revived m em o r i es which a ffec ted the i r
hearts wi t h intole r able yearnings th e j oys o f th e past
m ad e thei r present m i se r y appea r b y c o n trast o nly
m o re h o pe less and p r o fo und
.

M A N U E L DE M O RA E S

34

My excellent father ! my adored my sainted

m other ! repeate d Manu el

Ye are b o t h i n t h e
In
b osom o f E t ern i ty and i n the p r esence of yo u r God
a l it t l e wh i le sha l l yo u r u nha p py s o n leave th i s world
to m eet you there Pardon h i m ! O pardo n o n e wh o
added s o m u ch t o your u nhappiness o n ear t h but wh o
has also h i mself loved m u ch an d su ffered m u ch
The i n t erview o u tlasted an hour I ts result w as
necessarily t o prostrate st i ll more th e streng t h of th e
u nhappy Nov i ce H e wou l d not l ose s i g h t of h i s
Si s t er t i ll th e Fam ili ars of Holy O fce com p elled h er
t o re t i re an d removed h im fro m the terr i b le palace
of t h e I nq u is i ti on
I t was n o w t h e turn o f Padre E useb i o de Mon
serrate who presented himself i n th e ch aracter o f
Ghost l y Fathe r an d ch osen Confesso r o f t h e man
condemned t o die H e r e l ated to h i s peni t ent t h e
commands of th e K ing no t conceal i ng at th e sam e
t i me h i s appreh ens i on wh ich n ow appeared but too
well founded that t h e T rib unal wo u l d ig n ore the m ;
an d he was the less ho pefu l i nas m u c h as to the pre
sent m oment he co u l d no t nd that the Judges had
even de i gned a reply H e wa r ned h i s young com
pan i on o f former years that th e fata l day ap p o i nte d
fo r th e Act of Fa i th was fast approach i ng
H e ende d
b y assu ri ng t h e Nov i ce that i t wo u ld b e bette r fo r
h i m t o prepare fo r m eet i ng h i s God b y open i ng al l
his soul to h i s Pr i est and by rece i vi ng fu l l Absol u t i on
s o as to pass into E tern i ty with so u l tranq u i l and pre
pared by t h e H oly Sacramen ts
Manuel prostra t ed himsel f before his Confesso r a nd
fr i end H e frankly r evealed all th e worldly h o pes
and th e ambit i on wh i ch had de l uded h i s S p i rit th e
s i ns and cr i mes wh i ch h e had comm i tted during h is
wander i ngs fro m the fold and t h e t ho u g hts wh i c h
possessed h is soul at that so l em n m oment Bot h
k nel t rig i d i n prayer befor e t he sacred Cross wh i c h
s y m b olised t h e m a r t y r do m o f th e Son of God
Fi n
a ll y th e prie s t accorded t o his pe n iten t the cons o lat io n

36

M A N U E L DE M O RA E S

breasts sh o ne the la r ge c r oss surrounded in c r owds

t hes e instruments o f t h e last crue l ty
At the appointed hour th e K i ng and Queen fo l
lowed by the i r Secreta r ies and Counc i llo r s o f st a te and
by the whole throng o f Court i ers took th eir places as
was th e s u perst i tious p r act i ce o f t h e age i n a b alcony
E verywhe r e uttered and r an fr om
fr o nt i ng the scene
n
b
lace
to
place
each
praying
and
lessing
h
imsel
f
o
e
p
w i t h n o little no i se an d exc i tement an imme nse c r owd
o f th e populace
The m ob is n eve r want i ng at any
spectac l e o f publ i c m ou r ning o r rejoic i ng
And now the a r tillery of t h e Arsenals t he Fort r esses
and th e Fleet roared the i r sa l u tes Aga i n th e bells
o f the Churches rang a m erry ch i me an d picturesq u e
bouquets o f reworks r ose h igh in a ir S plit t ing i nto
a thousand lines and po i nts o f light an d b u rs t i ng
with th e n oise o f b o mb s
I t was t h e signal tha t
the Auto da F had s e t o u t from th e Palace in
th e Larg o do Rocio and was p r oceeding to i ts des
t in a t io n acco r ding to the rigid etiquette p r escribed
i n such m atters Th e v an was fo r med by th e F ami
lia r s o f th e H oly O f ce m ounted weaponed an d
car rying black banne rs spangled w i th r ed ames th e
em b lem s o f the blood
stained Tribunal
Followed
t hem Priests and F riars o f d i ffe r ent orders with heads
uncove red an d rec i ting lugu b r ious praye r s
Foot
g uards ca r ry i ng harquebusses swo r ds and long dag
gers masked and i n t h e h a b i t of t h e I nqu i s iti on
s u rrounded the n ume r ous v i ct i ms Th ese were bou nd
to o n e anothe r ; all walked bare foot and the ir heads
and faces w ere hidde n in black hoods powdered w i th
br i ght ames wh i lst t w o eyeholes com pleted the d 1 5
,

u rem e n t;

Next walked the members o f th e H oly O fce pre

ced i ng and surround i ng th e I nq u i sito r Genera l wh o
was shaded by a canopy th ey we r e esco rt ed by more
t han tw o hundred F am i lia r s am o n gst wh om accord
ing to tradition were H idalgos and Nobles of the rst
houses in the r ealm Mag i st r at e s an d high funct i on
,

T H E N OVI C E S D E A T H

37

aries Capitalists and M erch ants Trade r s and men

o f all classes and conditions o f s oc i e t y
T h e r ear of the procession was br o ugh t U p by a
C o r ps of Caval r y wi t h ban d an d ti m b r els which neve r
ceased p lay i ng
The Processio n t o the Act o f Fai t h halted i n front
o f all th e O ratories an d t h e i mages of Saints which
s t ood u po n i ts passag e an d th us a c o nsiderabl e tim e
elapsed before it a r r i ved at th e Largo de Santa Anna
Th e ban ne r s were own and the drums r u ffled
E ach m e m ber o f the c o rtege took the p l ace allotted
to h i m
A c r ie r r ead aloud the list o f those con
d e m n e d to the stake and to th e garot t e and of the
penitents se nten ced t o be present at the execution
A m o ngst th e latte r was th e nam e o f th e u nhappy
M anuel de M o r aes spa r ed cap i tal pu nish ment by th e
especial grace o f D om Jo ao An eccles i astic the n
o ffered up a praye r t o H eaven all arou nd h i m reve
r e n tl
y kneel i ng an d i n terceding fo r th e s o uls which
were about to leav e this world
The last orders were g i ven
The victims con
de m n e d t o the ames m ou nted th e py r es by ladders
and we r e bou nd to wooden stakes planted i n th e
m i dst o f th e faggots Fire applied t o the straw at once
s p r ead to th e whole py r e A r ose a pitchy cl o ud o f
s moke l i cked b y tongues of ame and every ea r shrank
from the screams and shr i eks and m oans o f unutter
abl e angu ish which ceased only whe n t h e w r etch e s
disapp ea r ed i n a sheet of consu m ing r e
T o this su cceeded the m o r e m erciful penalty o f th e
ga r otte The hangman by o n e turn of th e wi nch
i nstantly strangled an d dislocate d th e necks o f th e
less g u i lty The ir m o r tal r e m ai ns h o wever we r e cas t
u pon th e still b u r n i ng piles th at t h e c o ndemne d
migh t all be c o n founded i n o ne comm on d o om
Lastly a Process i on o f th e pardoned penitents
walked r ou n d the stak e s an d th e gallows M o st o f
them were su pp o r t e d by th e Fam i lia r s and th e se r
,

I 38

M A N U E L DE M O RA E S

vants o f the Holy O f ce th ey h ad n o longe r streng t h

t o d r ag t h eir lim b s along
At th e en d o f th e cerem ony th e C o urt r etu r ned to
th e Palace o f th e I nquis it ion
I mmed i ately o n pass i ng th ro ugh th e p r incipal por
tals o f the edice th e I nquis i to r General ga v e orders
that Manuel de M oraes S h o uld be take n fr om a m on g st
th e pen i tents an d be r esto r ed to th e Jesuits : th e
latte r h ad ga t he r ed there i n numbe r s t o r eceiv e h im
an d to escort h i m to th e house o f St Ignatius
The tran sfer was cerem oniously m ade ; a docum en t
was drawn u p an d duly s i gned by all th e authorities
concerne d i n th e matter Th e pen i tent be i ng u n
a ble t o stand w as placed up o n a b ench o f st o n e till
the fo r ma l i t i es were e nded
When Padre E usebio de Mons e rrat e drew n e a r to
take h is friend s arm to r aise h i m an d to lead him
forth fr o m th e palace o f th e H o ly O ffice Manuel
after attem pting to rise slipped fro m th e kin dly grasp
su nk upon th e b en ch and then fell to th e ground
The J esuit h aste ned t o tea r open h is mask and
cl othes
H e found that they conta i ned a corps e
Manuel de Mo r a e s n o longe r lived th e life o f th is
world
E useb i o de Monse rr ate th en knelt by th e body and
cried i n anguish O Lord O Lo rd receive into Thy
bosom th i s r epentant S inne r and pa r don w i th Thine
i nnite m ercy o n e who i f h e h as greatly o ffen ded Thee

h ath su ffered so m uch at the h ands o f Man

.

FI

NIS

YBA LL A NT YNE ,

PR I NT E D B

H A NS O N A ND C O
E DI NBU R G H A ND LO NDO N
.