a tired father's lament
A very short except from "I-Juca Pirama," written by Gonçalves Dias (1823-1864). The last members of a Native Brazilian clan are trying to survive, a blind father and his son, who unbeknownst to him abdicates his bravery in order to care for his frail, elderly parent. VI "My son, where are you?" "Right by your side; Food and drink I bring. New your vigor be; We'll go at once!" "You took so long! The sun, unborn when you left, Now shines feeble, I sense it!" "Yes, long I wandered, Lost in the jungle maze, but found my way. Hasten! We must leave anon." "What new trials await us? Ordeals… Agonies… What else has our God in store for us? The arrows of affliction are over, On our skin not a single patch Uncovered with bruises... You're shaking!" "Surely because I was hunting…" "Oh, my dear son!"