by Fernando Pessoa, born 13 June 1888

With two hands – Deed and Fate

We have unveiled in the same gesture, one

Raises the flickering and divine torch

While the other draws the veil aside

Whether the hour was ripe or it owned

The hand that tore the Western veil,

Science was the soul and Audacity the body

Of the hand that unveiled it.

Whether the hand rose the glittering torch

Out of Fortune, Will or Tempest,

God was the soul and Portugal the body

Of the hand that bore it.