Epitaph for Pero Moniz*, who died
at sea near Mount Felix
Few and wearisome years I lived
in the world, enduring vile hardship;
the light of day went dark on me
before I saw my twenty-sixth year.

I traveled distant lands and seas,
trying to find a cure for life,
but perilous ventures can't attain
what Fortune, finally, doesn't will.

Portugal brought me up in dear
green Alenquer, my home, but rotten
air in my earthen vessel changed me

into food for your fish, O vicious
sea that rages by Abyssinia,
so bleak and far from my happy homeland!