GONZAGA, TOMS ANTNIO

born Aug. 11, 1744, Porto, Port. died c. 1810, Mozambique pseudonym Dirceu, also spelled Dirceo poet whose popularity in Portugal up to the 20th century was second only to that of Lus de Cames. Gonzaga completed his law studies at the University of Coimbra (1768) and in 1782 was appointed a judge in Vila Rica, Brazil. There he fell in love with Marlia, who was mentioned in his lyrics, but on the eve of their marriage (1789) he was arrested on a charge, undoubtedly false, of conspiracy. After three years in prison he was exiled to Mozambique. His fame rests on a single book of pastoral love lyrics, Marlia de Dirceu. It was published in three parts in 1792, 1799, and 1812 and chronicles his relationship with Marlia. Shortly after arriving in Mozambique, Gonzaga married an heiress and remained there the rest of his life, holding important posts in the colony.