The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-05-20
D. Pedro H., No Poet.

Brazil which has been 20 continually hsrped up
ON a. the remarkable talents, and accomplish.
ments Of Don Pedro II. Amid such an ocean
of evidence offered by the writer's Of all leading
nations, by Englishmen, Prenchmen, Germans
and Italians, II would be hercsy indeed 10 think
of the Emperor as anything less than o prodigy.
We are told for instance that his scienti6c at
tainments are of the very highest order and have
already won for him the honorary degree Of l..
L. d. from the University Of Leipsic that his
school at San Christovso has triumphantly
proved him to possess good practical as we'll as
theoretical notions regarding public instruction,
and that his magnificent personal presence Is
unequalled by that Of any other crowned head
on the face Of the globe. This the Germans,
the Frcnchmen, the Englishmen and the ltil-
ians have all declared over and over again.
Now We might have followed In their foot
steps and been comparatively safe, since with
out doubt Don Pedro II Is . man Of unusual
ability and Of late has shown himself to possess
the dignity and character Of great ruler. But
being Americans we could not content ourselves
with any such course. We must surpass every
other nation in our treatment Of 30 Imperial
subject. To the stupendous houors Of college
diploma, n successful grammar school and o
fine figure. we must add the immortal glories Of
the poet.
say we. but the credit Of this masterly tri-
umph over the old world chiefly belongs TO Rev.
] G. Fletcher whose allegoricd work entitled,
"Braiil and the BraIilans" seems TO be about
the only authority among US which we are yet
willing 10 recognise rs standard
At the very end Of this work the author
quotes the nineteen lines Of poetry printed be-
low In italics and states that they we're compos-
cd by d. Pedro. Mr.. Fletcher Is evidently
pleased with the new bit Of information which
he has chanced to discover while running
through the Album Of Lady Of Honor at
Court and our admiration for the royal bard
Is only heightened by his modesty, when we
are assured that this poetical gem "was doubt
less never intended for the public eye." The
author Of "Spcak Gently" Is also introduced
with his excellent English translation and the
scencis complete.
Now II may be cruel to destroy 20 charming
picture. but some one II appears to us should
state the Facts. Rev. Mr.. Fletcher, then, who
clearly takes special delight In moving among
the kings and princes Of this earth, who new
or appears 30 well satisfied with himself as
when talking to us about his friendly relations
with the Brazilian nobility, and whose exhans-
lillian society Is something truly wonderful to
contemplate, Mr.. Fletcher has erred, and
eurcgiously erred. In his zeal TO glorify his
emperor, he has 'over-reached the mark, and
made himself the laughing stock Of every
Brazilian student.
The truth is that d. Pelro II did not compose
the lines In question but they were written many
years ago, long before he ever saw the light.
The real author Of these noble lines Is Pedro
Antonio Correin Garcao, distinguished Portu-
guese poet, who wrote them In about 1770-just
one hundred years ago-on the occasion Of the
Inauguration Of the Equestrian statue set up ut
Lisbon In honor Of the King, ID. Jose.
Corydun puts these lines into the mouth OF
the Infant b. Pedro, Duke Of Coimbra, who
would not consent to the Portuguese erecting
statue In his honor because he had simply gov
crned we'll. We give the whole speech Of the
Duke for the benefit Of those readers who may
be interested In the matter. The lines In ital-
les arc those which Mr.. Fletcher has sscribed to
D. Pedro II.
Mao lusitano poyo, en- nso consnto
Que estatua nome se dcsiique.
u amor da patria. o kelo On Jusuca
Mao sesie de mandsr, ou da ,snrioria,
Me frx toniar redeas do goNerno;
S.ysi eiemtn,s, iuaic.iro on pio;
Osrei qss dsria. n ,#m Pe'ads
Tss sss ;.@ sS sss 'sSS sysiso a! % isi. %.aSrS%s.,
HsI sreesfor dere es~pri-Lasi
Nas mao pode ahera-lds. 10 hroSe
Cad.tra q in,iica' gsem. z s"'~s
6."iy.ts %s ,.rsrs T.,ea;so "a ts.cs ..r ssr.~,
beteasrei. ssert,eyo dsi'otoi
SosrS q Jaes da ierra q iM Do dia,
.Eingsem oadmira. fedos ecsAccsmi
.. A.. sss,ssI 'sSs sss.s ,:sss q .s sssa
Lsss ~ rSs@isi ss~ere q T'1sd,.
Sc 90 steios essff1sst. nada @sreeo.
mao gueirals, vassallos renerOscs,
I.ipnErir,s tentsr minhs constancia,
lionrosa estatuA prstrDtcndo erruer.me
Copdrscepder comvos-o, inf'a,arls
Com lae sasiero eniprrndI do regio throso,
o accrsso defewfer aos ytetcs torpe.i
Sc deile snagcutei .empre mentirs,
iisonjs innei. /" astuto enrano;
Mao quelraes ofascar minha meus"rta,
lrovocSndo-u- . coilocn M solo
I'm p.rso da sonja. fsn,a iiiustre
Ibeve durar ma trsdieso intaeta-
Sem . nota DE frsEil fo,. % l.prsps,s s!sa
A. mscaIas borrends. ds vsnsioria-
Voc mcsmc-, vc~sos aibos, vosscs Detos,
lbc tao clara dostrina couveechaA,
oudo tempo mehr sconselhatios;
Hnsieckios haje iry.sis.-~e,
AMANDA se VERA derribsda
I'm Eedssscs s ,slsr; so.,, ,s psss s,r.sas Ssa.H
Llkadz eo'a nvcjs coh rDterba
lorem e vos, nlsstrc- portasae.es.
nesejacs eonServar me1 nome euterno,
Mao prcctso o maruore sotperto,
Basta-n,c trsdiccso de pars dihssL
Coui nei sandsie transsntttda.
e.; .ss IN: .:.:s :is.. gee :s
sem por'icr Q car.eteI. que fea nr.nds'
Irupbre-se q benemerito do pfemio;
Recorde-se o ealpsdo do eastifo;
Todo reipo do pablico dcscanso,
Ym nofente oonIInervio, em pas seEura:
Mas haja quem - leushrc dcete case,
v qaem dIra gse rsjeitei Modesto
AZ boaras de una estatna: qae estas bonras
Qa~ra eises. eoas jsstica q us~rroe-iaA~
Tambem sAhA atrcver-se desprcEa-iaa.
Aeabou de fAllar; eircunstAhtes
IIoruoyels. ealadas. parvriao