Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1970-03-01 / 3. szám

Hungarian Reformed Religious Paper

Founded in 1900

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE CALVIN SYNOD — UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Louis

Kossuth

(1802-1894)

a

i

Amidst the roar of public acclamation —

The tempest-greetings of a mighty throng — The cannon’s thundering reverberation —

The civic fete, with toast, and speech, and song — The grand “All hail!” of a rejoicing nation,

A million times repeated loud and long —

II

Can one lone voice, all tremulous with feeling,

Be heard by thee, O glorified Kossuth,

To all thy noblest attributes appealing,

As one who knows Oppression’s bitter fruit; And to thy listening ear the truth revealing.

When sycophants and cowards all are mute?

III

My claims for audience thou wilt not discredit,

For they are based on kindred love of Right; And as for Liberty, world-wide to spread it,

I, too, have suffered outrage, scorn and slight; Known what the dungeon is, and not to dread it; And still am zealous in the moral fight.

IV

Thou dreaded foe of Austrian oppression,

With earnest love of liberty imbued,

Since through America’s strong intercession,

Thy liberation has at last ensued,

Tis meet thou comest here to give expression To thy sincere and heartfelt gratitude.

V

But, while thy obligation thus admitting,

O let it not thy generous soul ensnare;

Act thou, while here, a manly part, befitting Thy name and fame as one to do and dare,

What’er the peril of the hour, — acquitting

Thyself right valiantly, a champion rare.

VI

It is for thee to deal in glowing fiction?

To call this land great, glorious and free?

To take no note of its sad dereliction From all that constitutes true liberty?

To feel upon thy spirit no restriction

By aught that thou canst learn, or hear, or see?

VII

While this republic thou art warmly thanking,

For aiding thee once more to breathe free air,

Three million Slaves their galling chains are clanking, Heart-broken, bleeding, crushed beyond compare,

At public sale with swine and cattle ranking,

The wretched victims of complete despair!

VIII

The government that thou art now extolling,

As well-deserving measureless applause,

By its strong arm these millions are enthralling, And persecuting those who plead their cause:

O, rank hypocrisy, and guilt appalling!

Like Draco’s code, in blood are writ its laws.

IX

For ’tis by law the father, son, and brother,

Know nought of filial or parental ties;

By law the sister, daughter, wife, and mother,

Must claim no kindred here beneath the skies;

All, at the fiendish bidding of another,

Their God-given rights must basely sacrifice.

X

By law the fugitives from stripes and fetters,

Who seek, like thee, a refuge safe and sure

From murderous tyrants and their vile abetters,

Are hunted over mountain, plain and moor;

Dragged back to Slavery, as absconding debtors.

To toil, like brutes, while life and strength endure.

XI

By law ’tis criminal a Slave to pity,

To give him food and shelter from his foes;

For him no hiding-place in town or city;

He must be hunted whereso’er he goes;

And they are branded as a vile banditti,

Who for his freedom nobly interpose!