INTRODUCTION 



AO VlANDANTE 



Tu que passas e ergues para mim o teu brago, antes que me fa9as mal, olha-me 

 bem. 



Eu sou o calor de teu lar nas noites frias do inverno, eu sou a sombra amiga 

 que tu encontras quando caminhas sob o sol de agosto, e os meus frutos sao a 

 frescura apetitosa que te sacia a sede nos caminhos. 



Eu sol a trave amiga da tua casa, sou a taboa da tua mesa, a cama em 

 que tu descan^as e o lenho do teu barco. 



Eu sou o cabo da tua enxada, a porta da tua morada, a madeira do teu 

 ber^o e o conchego do teu caixao. 



Sou o pao da bondade e a flor da beleza. 



Tu que passas, olha-me bem e . . . nao me fagas mal. 



To THE Wayfarer 



Ye who pass by and would raise your hand against me, hearken ere you 

 harm me. 



I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights, the friendly shade 

 screening you from the summer sun, and my fruits are refreshing draughts 

 quenching your thirst as you journey on. 



I am the beam that holds your house, the board of your table, the bed on 

 which you lie, and the timber that builds your boat. 



I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of 

 your cradle, and the shell of your coffin. 



I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty. 



Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer : harm me not. 



So runs an inscription which in Portugal is displayed wherever, in 

 woods, parks and gardens, timber trees are to be found. This notice sets 

 forth in the concentrated vigour of its style an appeal whose necessity is 

 urgent in other lands than Portugal. Apart from its artistic and senti- 

 mental aspect, its aim is threefold. It appeals for due precautions against 

 the misuse of timber trees. It demands that proper and necessary care 



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