# Canto X: The Prophetic Song of Tethys and the Vision of the Spheres explained — The Lusiads > Chapter companion for The Lusiads by Luís de Camões. ## What happens In this final canto, Tethys and the nymphs host a grand feast for the Lusians, where Tethys sings a prophetic song detailing the future deeds of Portuguese viceroys and captains in India. She then leads Da Gama up a mountain to reveal the celestial and terrestrial spheres, showing him the globe of Asia and Africa. The fleet departs the island and returns to Lisbon, concluding the epic. ## Themes in this chapter ### Heroism and Glory The prophetic song celebrates the heroic deeds of future Portuguese leaders, emphasizing their martial achievements and the glory they bring to the nation. ### Fate and Divine Providence Tethys's prophecy reveals the predetermined course of Portuguese history, guided by divine will and the favor of the gods. ### The Power of Poetry The canto highlights the role of the poet in immortalizing heroic deeds, as Camões invokes the Muse and reflects on his own poetic mission. ### Exploration and Discovery The vision of the spheres and the description of the globe underscore the theme of exploration, as the Portuguese are shown the vastness of the world they have opened. ## Character check-ins ### Thetis The goddess Tethys hosts the feast and sings the prophetic song, revealing the future of the Portuguese in India. ### Vasco da Gama Da Gama is the honored guest at the feast and is shown the spheres by Tethys, symbolizing his role in the Portuguese discoveries. ### The Lusians The Portuguese heroes are feasted and hear the prophecy of their nation's future glory. ### Luís de Camões The poet invokes Calliope and reflects on his own aging and the challenges of writing, while also addressing King Sebastian in the final stanzas. ### Albuquerque Tethys sings of Albuquerque's high renown and also of a stain on his fame, referring to an act of harshness. ## Key lines > Now had the glowing Amourist, who won fair faithless Larissaea’s love, incline’d his steeds where lies, girt by the great Lagoon Temistitam, the western world behind: The sun, which had once loved Larissaea, was now setting in the west, beyond the great lake of Temistitam. _This opening sets the time of day, indicating the sun is setting in the west._ > When the fair Nymphs, who each her lover led, hand linkt in hand, conforming and content, trooped where the radiant Pleasaunce reared its head all gay with gold and metals lucident; The nymphs, each holding her lover's hand, happily walked to the beautiful pleasure garden adorned with gold and shining metals. _The nymphs and their lovers proceed to the garden for the feast._ > Told were a thousand tales of joy and mirth; sweet smiles met subtle sayings warm with wit which to this course and that gave double worth, and sharpened edge to blunted appetite: They shared many joyful and witty stories, which enhanced the meal and stimulated their appetites. _The feast is accompanied by entertaining conversation._ > Thus sang that Nymph, the fairest of her kind— her descant ech’oing down the halls sublime— with consonance of instrument combine’d and all conforming to one tone and time: The most beautiful nymph sang, her voice echoing through the halls, accompanied by instruments in perfect harmony. _Tethys begins her prophetic song._ > Sang the fair Goddess how the wide Seas o’er from Tagus bank, whence Gama cut his path, shall sail strong Navies, conq’uering ev’ry shore where Indic Ocean sucks his mighty breath: The goddess sang that from the Tagus river, where Gama started, powerful fleets would sail and conquer all the shores of the Indian Ocean. _Tethys prophesies the future Portuguese naval conquests._ > Of one she chaunted that in Malabar held of the Priesthood highest dignity, who, lest be loosen’d with the singular Barons the knot of love and amity, shall see his towns, his cities in the war with fire and sword, and wrath and cruelty undone, which potent Samorim shall wage: She sang of a high priest in Malabar who, to prevent the Portuguese from forming alliances with the local nobles, would see his cities destroyed by the Samorim's war. _Tethys predicts the conflict with the Samorim and the destruction of the priest's cities._ > And eke she singeth how shall join the Fleet see, for fight, th’ enamoured Malay-men, the Javan braves, all of the Lusian shall become the slaves. She also sang that the Malay and Javan warriors would join the fleet, but all would become slaves to the Portuguese. _The prophecy includes the subjugation of Malay and Javan peoples._ > She had more stanzas sung in Siren-strain, lauding her Albuquerque’s high renown, when she recalled the pass’ionate deed, the stain on his white fame that o’er the world hath shone. After praising Albuquerque's glory, she recalled a passionate deed that tarnished his otherwise spotless reputation. _Tethys mentions a flaw in Albuquerque's character._ > Again the Lyre its soul of music sheds, and sings the Nymph how shall Soáres fly air-winn’owing flags whose terror far o’erspreads the ruddy coasted lands of Araby: The nymph sings again, telling how Soáres would spread terror with his flags over the coasts of Arabia. _Tethys continues to prophesy the deeds of Portuguese captains._ > But I, what dare I say, rude, humble, low, to thee unknown, yes, even in thy dreams? Yet oft from lips of Babes and Sucklings flow, I trow, the words of wisdom man esteems: The poet humbly addresses the king, acknowledging his own lowliness but suggesting that wisdom can come from the mouths of babes. _Camões speaks to King Sebastian, expressing his humility and the value of his poetic voice._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/canto-x - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lusiads_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters