To the Poles, after their subjugation
D EVOIED people! are ye fallen at last,
Spite of the widow's prayer, the orphan's wail!
What could a thousand patriot swords avail
Where host on host poured merciless and fast?
Your strength — your hope — your freedom, too, is past!
Crushed by the ruler of a savage land,
In vain ye cried for some supporting hand,
While faithless nations meanly stood aghast;
Shame be their portion! could they hear the blast
Sent forth by harassed Liberty, nor save
Her noblest martyrs, the defeated brave,
Around whose limbs despotic chains are cast!
How could they stand the foremost of the free,
And turn unheeding from thy wrongs and thee?
Spite of the widow's prayer, the orphan's wail!
What could a thousand patriot swords avail
Where host on host poured merciless and fast?
Your strength — your hope — your freedom, too, is past!
Crushed by the ruler of a savage land,
In vain ye cried for some supporting hand,
While faithless nations meanly stood aghast;
Shame be their portion! could they hear the blast
Sent forth by harassed Liberty, nor save
Her noblest martyrs, the defeated brave,
Around whose limbs despotic chains are cast!
How could they stand the foremost of the free,
And turn unheeding from thy wrongs and thee?
Translation:
Language:
Reviews
No reviews yet.