The poem about Viriatus by Garcia de Mascarenhas is written in ottava rima (oitava rima in Portuguese). This strophe was very popular in Portugal in 17th century. It was introduced into Portuguese literature by Francisco de Sá de Miranda. After Luís de Camões used the strophe in The Lusiads all poets emloyed it in long works. The strophe consists of eight lines rhymed abababcc. The lines are composed of ten syllables each.