# Canto IV explained — The Lusiads > Chapter companion for The Lusiads by Luís de Camões. ## What happens Da Gama continues his discourse with the King of Melinde, recounting the wars between Portugal and Castile over succession, the military feats of the Constable Nuno Alvares Pereira, the Battle of Aljubarrota, and the diligent attempts to discover India by land. He then narrates the preparations for the voyage under King Manoel, the embarkation, and the emotional farewells on the Belem beach. ## Themes in this chapter ### Nationalism and Patriotism The chapter glorifies Portuguese military victories and the heroic efforts of its navigators, emphasizing national pride. ### Heroism and Glory The feats of Nuno Alvares Pereira and the brave volunteers for the voyage highlight heroic ideals. ### Fate and Divine Providence The narrative suggests divine favor in Portugal's successes and the calling of the voyage. ### Exploration and Discovery The chapter details the preparations and motivations for the voyage to India, a key exploratory mission. ## Character check-ins ### Vasco da Gama Narrates Portuguese history and the preparations for the voyage to India. ### Nuno Alvares Pereira Constable whose military feats and victory at Aljubarrota are recounted. ### Paul da Gama Vasco's brother who volunteers for the voyage. ### Nicholas Coelho Volunteers for the voyage, praised for valor and counsel. ### Man'oel King who resolved upon the voyage and prepared the fleet. ### Afonso IV Mentioned in the context of royal lineage and the succession. ## Key lines > After the horrors of the stormy Night, with gloom, and lightning-gleams, and hiss of wind, breaks lovely Morning’s pure and blessèd light, with hope of haven and sure rest to find After the dark and stormy night, a beautiful morning brings hope and safety. _Opening metaphor for the end of turmoil and the beginning of a new era._ > Thus to the doughty kingdom it befell, when King Fernando bade this world farewell. This is what happened to the brave kingdom when King Fernando died. _Transition to the historical narrative of succession._ > For, if so many with such hopes were firèd for one whose potent arm their harms could pay on those, that wrought their wrongs with soul untirèd, nerved by Fernando’s heedless, feeble way; in shortest time it happed as they desirèd, when ever-glorious John arose to sway, the only heir that did from Pedro spring, and (though a bastard) every inch a King. Many hoped for a strong ruler to right the wrongs of Fernando's weak reign, and their hopes were fulfilled when John, Pedro's heir, became king. _Introduction of King John I and the promise of a stronger rule._ > That such accession came from Heaven divine proved ’special marvels, God His truth proclaiming, when Ev’ora city saw the choicest sign, a babe of age unspeech’d the ruler naming; and, but to show the Heav’en’s supreme design, she raised her cradled limbs and voice, exclaiming⁠— ‘Portugal! Port’ugal!’ high uplifting hand, ‘for the new king, Dom John, who rules the land.’ Divine signs confirmed John's accession, including a miraculous baby in Evora who spoke Portugal's name. _Emphasizes divine providence in John's rise to power._ > Changèd in sprite were all within the Reign, old hatreds firing hearts with novel flame; absolute cruelties none cared restrain popular Fury dealt to whence it came: Soon are the friends and kith and kinsmen slain of the adult’erous County and the Dame, with whom incont’inent love and lust unblest, the wappen’d widow showèd manifest. The new reign brought violent reprisals against those associated with the adulterous Count and his lady. _Describes the bloody aftermath of the succession._ > But he, dishonour’d and with cause, at last by cold white weapon falls before her eyes, and with him many to destruction past; for flame so kindled all consuming flies: This, like Astyanax, is headlong cast from the tall steeple (’spite his dignities); whom orders, altar, honours, nought avail; those through the highways torn and stript they trail. The dishonored Count is killed, and many others are executed or dragged through the streets. _Graphic depiction of the violence following the political change._ > Now long Oblivion veils the deeds accurst of mortal fierceness, such as Rome beheld, done by fierce Marius, or the bloody thirst of Sylla, when parforce his foe expel’d. Thus Léonor, who mortal vengeance nurst for her dead County gars, with fury swell’d, Castilia’s force on Lusitania fall, calling her daughter heir of Portugal. After the brutal deeds are forgotten, Leonor, seeking revenge for her Count, calls on Castile to invade Portugal, claiming her daughter as heir. _Sets up the conflict with Castile._ > Beatrice was the daughter, interwed with the Castilian, who for kingship greedeth, putative offspring of Fernando’s bed, if evil Fame so much to her concedeth. Hearing the voice, Castile high raiseth head, and saith this daughter to her sire succeedeth; for warfare must’ereth she her warrior bands from various regions and from various lands. Beatrice, married to a Castilian, is claimed as Fernando's heir, prompting Castile to gather troops for war. _The pretext for the Castilian invasion._ > They flock from all the Province, by one Brigo 85 (if such man ever was) yclept of yore; and lands by Ferd’inand won, and Cid Rodrigo from the tyrannick gov’ernance of the Moor. Little in fear of warlike feat doth he go who with hard plowshare cleaving lordeth o’er the champaign Leonèze, and boasts to be the blight and bane of Moorish chivalry. Warriors from various regions, including those won from the Moors, join the Castilian forces. _Lists the diverse origins of the invading army._ > In Valour’s ancient fame the Vandal host, confident still and stubborn, ’gan appear from all Andalusía’s head and boast, laved by thy crystal wave, Guadalquivir! the noble Island 86 eke, whilere the post of Tyrian strangers, to the war drew near, bringing insignia by renown well known, Hercules’ Pillars on their pennons shown. The Vandals from Andalusia and the island of Cadiz, bearing the Pillars of Hercules, join the invasion. _Further details on the composition of the Castilian forces._ > Eke come they trooping from Toledo’s reign, City of noble, ancient or’igin, span’d by Tagus circling with his sweet glad vein, that bursts and pours from Conca’s 87 mountain-land. You also, you, all craven fear disdain sordid Gallegos! hard and canny band, for stern resistance fast to arms ye flew, warding their doughty blows whose weight ye knew. Troops come from Toledo and Galicia, the latter known for their toughness. _More regions contributing to the invasion._ > Eke War’s black Furies hurried to the fight the fierce Biscayan folk, who clean despise all polisht reasons, ne wrong ne slight of stranger races bear in patient guise. Asturias-land and that Guipusc’oan hight, proud of the mine which iron ore supplies, with it their haughty sworders armed and made ready their rightful lords i’ the war The fierce Biscayans and Asturians, armed with iron, join the battle. _Emphasizes the warlike nature of these peoples._ > At once to share my fortunes doth propose, whom friendship and fraternal love compel, nor less resolved to win him name and fame, a dear trusty brother namèd Paul da Gama. My brother Paul da Gama, driven by friendship and love, volunteers to share my fate. _Introduction of Paul da Gama as a volunteer._ > Eke Nicholas Coelho volunteers, trainèd to toilsome tasks and sufferings long; both are in valour and in counsel peers, in arms experienced, and in battle strong. Nicholas Coelho also volunteers, experienced and valiant. _Introduction of Nicholas Coelho._ > All these by Man’oel’s hand remun’erate were, that Love through Duty might the more increase; and with high words each heart was fired to bear adventures, peradventure, sans surcease. Thus did the Minyae for their feat prepare⁠— to gain the glories of the Golden Fleece⁠— orac’ulous Argo-ship, that dared the first through Euxine waves her vent’urous way to burst. King Manoel rewarded the volunteers, inspiring them to great deeds, like the Argonauts seeking the Golden Fleece. _Comparison to classical heroes._ > Now in famed Ulysséa’s haven man’d, with raptures worthy of the great design (where his sweet liquor and his snowy sand our Tagus blendeth with Neptunian brine), ride the ships ready. Here my strong young band by fear unbridled glad in labour join; for those of Mars and Neptune, 104 one and all, the world would wander did I only call. The ships are ready in Lisbon's harbor, and the crew is eager to sail. _Preparation for departure._ > Fast by the foreshore comes the soldiery in various colours prankt with various art; nor less enforced by inner force are they to seek and see Earth’s unexplorèd part. Round the good Navy gentle breezes play and blithely waves each airy estandart: They 105 swear, far-gazing on the breadth of brine, ’mid stars Olympick Argo-like to shine. The soldiers, dressed in colorful attire, are eager to explore unknown lands, and the fleet is ready to sail. _The spirit of adventure among the crew._ > When all prepared according to this sort with what of wants such lengthy way demandeth, our souls we did prepare for Death’s disport who before seaman’s eyne for ever standeth: To the Most Highest, throned in Heaven’s court which He sustains, whose glance this globe commandeth, that He, our guard and guide, His aidance lend, we prayed, and see our incept to its end. After preparing for the long journey, we prayed to God for guidance and protection. _The crew's spiritual preparation._ > Thus we departed from the saintly Shrine 106 built on the margent of the briny wave, named, for all mem’ory, from the Land Divine, where God incarnèd came the world to save. King! I assure thee when this mind of mine rememb’ereth how ’twas ours those shores to leave, filled are my sprite and heart with doubts and fears, and eyes can hardly stay their trickling tears. We departed from the holy shrine at Belem, and I am filled with emotion when I remember leaving. _The emotional departure from Lisbon._ > The City-people on that saddest day (these for their bosom-friends, and those for kin, and others but spectators) thronged the way sad and down-hearted at the dreary scene: We, winding through the virtuous array a thousand monks and priests of rev’erend mien, praying, in solemn pageant, to the Lord, afoot set forth the ready barques to board. The people of the city gathered sadly to see us off, and we walked through a procession of monks and priests to board the ships. _The public farewell._ > On such long dubious courses sent to steer, us deemed the people den’izens of the tomb; the wailing women shed the piteous tear, and sadly sighed the men to sight our doom: Wives, sisters, mothers (most their hearts must fear whose love is foremost) added to the gloom Despair; and shudder’d with a freezing fright lest we, their loved ones, aye be lost to sight. The people thought we were going to our deaths, and the women wept and feared for our safety. _The sorrow of the onlookers._ > This, following, saith: ‘O son! I ever held coolth of my sorrows and the sweet relief of mine already weary wayworn eld so soon to sink in glooms of need and grief; why leave me thus to want and woe compel’d? Why fly my love, fond child? whose days so brief shall set in darkness, and in briny grave shalt feed the fishes of the greedy wave. A mother laments, asking why her son is leaving her to die at sea. _A mother's plea._ > That, with loosed locks: ‘O douce and dearest spouse, lacking whose love Love willeth not I live; why risk, when daring Ocean’s wrath to rouse, thy life, my life which is not thine to give? How canst forget our fond fair marriage-vows? Why face the waves a homeless fugitive? Our love, our vain content shall nought avail thrown to the breezes as they blow the sail?’ A wife pleads with her husband not to leave her, fearing for his life. _A wife's lament._ > With such and sim’ilar words that spake the tongue of love and human nature’s yearning woe, followed our seaward path both old and young, life’s two extremes by Time made weak and slow. Sad Echo wailèd the near wolds among, as though hard hills were movèd grief to show; And tears the snowy shore suchwise bedew’d, drops rivall’d sands in equal multitude. The people's laments echoed, and the shore was wet with tears. _The overwhelming grief of the farewell._ > Of us the Company, ne’er raising eye on wife or mother, marcht in such a state, we feared our hearts fall faint, and fain we fly our fixt resolves, repenting all too late: Thus I determined straight aboard to hie, sans ‘Fare-thee-wells’ by custom consecrate; which, though they be dear love’s own lovely way, redouble grief to those who go or stay. We avoided looking at our loved ones and hurried aboard without saying goodbye, to avoid more sorrow. _The crew's resolve to leave quickly._ > But now an agèd Sire of reverend mien, 107 upon the foreshore throngèd by the crowd, An old man of dignified appearance appears on the shore. _Introduction of a new character, likely the old man who will speak._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/canto-iv - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lusiads_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters