Classic Poem

Adieux a la campagne

O sun, so soft with Autumn's fading light!
O yellow trees, ye gladden yet my sight!
Adieu the hope, that hatred still may spare
The flight, too lofty, that my songs would dare:
In this retreat, where Zephyr will return,
I dreamed — ay, e'en that I a name might earn
Heaven, vast and pure, one smile in pity deign!
O echoing woods, repeat my farewell strain!

Why, like the bird, in freedom did not I
Amid these bowers permit my songs to die?
Shorn of her grandeur, France was forced to bow
Beneath the yoke of knaves her haughty brow;
I against them my shafts of satire sped,
Though Love to themes for me more safe had led.
Heaven, vast and pure, one smile in pity deign!
O echoing woods, repeat my farewell strain!

Even now their wrath my indigence would spite,
Whilst my blithe spirit to their Court they cite,
Masking their vengeance with a pious grace —
What! would they blush mine honesty to face?
Ah! God hath not their heart, to curse me prone;
Child of false gods, Intolerance is known
Heaven, vast and pure, one smile in pity deign!
O echoing woods, repeat my farewell strain!

If I o'er tombs have bidden Glory wake;
If for great warriors orisons I make;
Did I, for price of gold, at Victory's feet,
The spoiling of weak States applauding greet?
'Twas not, in truth, the Empire's rising sun,
That on this spot my Muse's homage won!
Heaven, vast and pure, one smile in pity deign!
O echoing woods, repeat my farewell strain!

Yes, let Bellart, with joyous, zealous pains,
In hope to humble me, mete out my chains!
Tamed though she be, before the eyes of France
The darksome dungeon will my verse enhance:
From its stern bars my lyre will I suspend;
Thereon shall Fame her eyes attentive bend.
Heaven, vast and pure, one smile in pity deign!
O echoing woods, repeat my farewell strain!

At least may Philomel my prison bless!
Her did a monarch, too, of old, oppress
Away! I hear my jailer's sullen call:
Fields, waters, meadows, flowers, adieu to all!
My chains are ready; but by Freedom fired,
I go to chant her glorious hymn untired
Heaven, vast and pure, one smile in pity deign!
O echoing woods, repeat my farewell strain!