O Navio Negreiro Part 1

     Antonio de Castro Alves   

We are on the high sea.  Mad in space
The moonlight plays - golden butterfly;
And the waves run after it...  tiring
As a band of frenzied infants.

We are on the high sea.  From the firmament
The stars jump like foam of gold.
The sea in exchange lights phosphorescence,
- Constellations of liquid treasure.

We are on the high sea. Two infinites
There narrowed in an insane embrace,
Blue, golden, placid, sublime.
Which of the two is ocean? Which sky?

We are on the high sea.  Opening the sails,
To the warm breath of the maritime winds,
Sail-boat brig runs to the flower of the seas
Like the swallows brush in the wave.

From where do you come? Where do you go? Of the wandering ships
Who knows the course if the space is so immense?
On this Sahara wild horses the dust raise,
Gallop, soar, but leave no trace.

Happy the one who can there, at that hour,
Feel from this panel the majesty!
Below - the sea, above - the firmament!
And in the sea and in the sky - the immensity!

Oh! what sweet harmony the breeze brings to me!
What soft music from distance sounds!
My God! how sublime an ardent song is
Through the endless waves drifting without destiny !

Men of the sea! Oh rude sailors,
Toasted by the sun of the four worlds!
Children who the storms lull to sleep
In the cradle of these deep abysses!

Wait! wait! let me drink
This wild, free poetry,
Orchestra - is the sea, that roars by the prow
And the wind, that whistles in the ropes.

Why do you retreat so, sprightly boat?
Why do you evade the diffident poet?
Oh! if I only could follow your course
That reflects on the sea - mad comet!

Albatross! Albatross! Eagle of the ocean,
You who sleep in the mist of the clouds,
Shake your feathers, leviathan of space
Albatross! Albatross! give me those wings.