Poems by Luis Camões (1523 - 1580)

Luis de Camoes was born in Portugal and is revered as the greatest poet in the Portugese language. In fact Portugese is sometimes known as "The Language of Camoes". Little is known of his early life and he made his name as a soldier, fighting against the Moors in Ceuta. He then travelled to the East, including time in Goa and Macau. He returned to his family in 1570 and in 1572 published his masterpiece, the Lusiad. The day he died, 10th June is celebrated as Portugal's National Day.