Fernão D´ álvares do Oriente
(Ref. 18799)
“Second edition of a work first published in 1607. Innocent says that while the first edition is considered for its rarity, the second is preferable because it is more accurate and has editorial additions. This 1781 edition was edited by Father Joaquim de Foyos, who provided an original and interesting preface, occupying the second to fifth preliminary pages. The sixth to eighth preliminary leaves contain the preface to the original edition of Domingos Fernandes, including a longer Portuguese poem on the seventh sheet and the eighth sheet rectangle. A curious sonnet on the eighth preliminary leaf verse has the first four lines in Latin, the next four in Italian, the next three in Spanish, and the last three in Portuguese. Transformed Lusitania, a work of pastoral literature, is written in prose and verse. The narrative revolves around Olivio`s peripatetic journeys, which seeks to find a locus amoenus, or place of ideal beauty and perfection. He travels through the colonies of Portugal and other places where there was a Portuguese presence, including Goa, Japan, China, Southeast Asia and Ethiopia. In addition to its literary merit, the transformed Lusitania provides striking depictions of the flora and fauna of South and East Asia, as well as the customs and dress style of its inhabitants. Also included are references to political corruption in Goa and sharp criticism of Portuguese society. Transformed Lusitania is a work of epic proportions, incorporating themes of morality, love, patriotism and religion. Alvarez from the East has been praised by critics for his fluid and imaginative writing style. But perhaps most importantly, this is one of the earliest works following the Lusíadas de Camões (1572), which incorporated the first Portuguese encounters with Asia in a literary context. The author was a contemporary of Camões and the two authors have much in common. There has been speculation that works attributed to Alvarez do Oriente are actually from Camões and vice versa. ”
Unusual work, complete with its folding.
Copy with stain and restore in the lower right corner of the cover page. Crumb with occasional xylophagus holes, without affecting the reading of the text. Half-English binding, slightly tired.