Fernando Pessoa

Portuguese Sea

O salty sea, so much of your salt
Is tears shed in Portugal!
To cross you, how many mothers cried in pain,
How many sons and daughters prayed in vain!
How many girls unwedded brides had to be
So that you could be ours, O sea!

Was it worthwhile? All is worthwhile and won
If your soul is not a small one.
If going beyond the Cape is your wish
You have to go beyond all anguish.
God made the sea an abyss of terror,
But He also made it heaven's mirror.