Rua S. Bento, 98, 2.⁰,

Lisbon, Portugal

2lst. February, 1906.

The Editor «Punch»,

Bonverie Street,

London.

Sir,

I submit the poem enclosed to your appreciation. In it I have tried merely to attain the ridiculous by the union of the serious and of the grotesque. I have attempted, moreover, to link the ridiculousness of expression thus produced to a lofty, elegiac verse-movement. You will judge how far I have succeeded.

I am aware that my manuscript should have been typewritten, but my means do not allow it. I am further conscious that I have no literary experience (none can be expected from a boy of sixteen); and that, for this reason, in the writing of my manuscript I may have injuried Convention rudely: all this I hope will be excused.

I have signed my manuscript with a pseudonym; but when a foreigner writes anything — especially a poem — it is better not to father it directly.

If my poem be refused, I am afraid you must put it in the waste-paper basket, inasmuch as English stamps are here unobtainable. In hope of success, however, I enclose what I can — an addressed envelope.

Awaiting your decision,

I am,

Sir,

Yours faithfully,

F.A.N. Pessoa.