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Since it gives me so much bliss
to give you everything I can
The more I pay you, the more I owe.

— Luís de Camões

Porque é tamanha bem-aventurança
o dar-vos quanto tenho e quanto posso,
quanto mais vos pago, mais vos devo.

Original text (Portuguese)

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Notes from Wikiquote

Quoted by Elizabeth Bishop in the dedication of Questions of Travel (1965) to Lota de Macedo Soares, her Brazilian lover.

More quotes by Luís de Camões

The moon, full orbed, forsakes her watery cave,
And lifts her lovely head above the wave...

Os Lusíadas (1572)

O foul disgrace, of knighthood lasting stain,
By men of arms a helpless lady slain!

Os Lusíadas (1572)

Cease all, whose actions ancient bards expressed:
A brighter valour rises in the West.

Os Lusíadas (1572)

My pen in this, my sword in that hand hold.

Os Lusíadas (1572)

Go, gentle spirit! now supremely blest,
From scenes of pain and struggling virtue go:
From thy immortal seat of heavenly rest
Behold us lingering in a world of woe!

All Luís de Camões quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Luís de Camões (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.