Another precious treasure to add to your Camões library: an edition of Os Lusíadas, published in 1639 with comments by one of the leading 17th century scholars and critics of Camonian poetry. This work, divided into two volumes, is unusual for its parchment binding. The title page is also reused, sourced from other books unrelated to the work, displaying text and musical scores. Os Lusíadas, the greatest work by Luís Vaz de Camões, the poet who sang of the Portuguese and their maritime exploits, is still very much a symbol of national identity. First published in 1572, this is modelled on the classic epic poems, especially Virgil's Aeneid and Homer's Iliad. Its ten cantos celebrate the History of Portugal and the Portuguese Discoveries of the 16th century, culminating in Vasco da Gama's 1498 voyage to India, describing its dangers, challenges, and glories. Manuel de Faria e Sousa dedicated much of his literary production to the Portuguese Discoveries and the figure of Camões. Contested by many as a forger of the epic poet's writings, he cannot but be seen as one of their main disseminators. As Lope de Vega would write, "just as Luiz de Camões is the prince of the poets who wrote in the vulgar language, so is Manuel Faria the prince of the commentators in all languages.”