Református ujság - Fraternity-Testvériség, 1940 (18. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1940-11-01 / 11. szám

20

TESTVÉRISÉG

The despot now triumphs, though but for a season;

Your Hungary lies in her fetters full low;

But Truth has its germs in the hearts of her people:

Tlie Spring-time of Liberty cometh but slow.

Yet still it approacheth, as day follows darkness,

When spoilers their “destiny” may not delay: —

Full many things, honored in earlier stages,

The world in its manhood still putteth away.

William Ashbury Kenton

From: Poetry of Observation and Other Poems, by Wm. Ashbury Kenton, Boston, 1853. Published in the “Boston Atlas,” September 1851.

POETIC EXCERPT FROM AN ADDRESS TO KOSSUTH

But hark! a nation’s sighs we hear,

They groan in slavery now;

A tyrant’s chain is clanking near,

He bids them lowly bow.

He binds the fetter on each limb,

And smiles to see them writhe;

What recks he if their eyes grow dim,

And they but hardly breathe!

They’re mine, he cries ... my minions! slaves!

More lowly they shall fall;

In vain he who my anger braves Shall then for mercy call.

But stop, stern monarch! stay thy hand!

Vengeance begins to wake;

Kossuth is gathering a brave band,

That will those fetters break.

Look up thou sad, desponding soul...

Look up, relief is near;

The iron souled must reach the goal,

His heart can know no fear.

Now let the welkin’s arches ring With huzzas to the brave,

And poets loud his praises sing,

He comes his land to save.

He’ll hurl the tyrant from his throne,

He’ll break each bondman’s bands;

He’ll check the captive’s hopeless moan,

And raise the drooping hands.

(Pupil of the Normal School) Mary G. Richards

From: “The Welcome of Louis Kossuth, Governor of Hungary, by the Youth of Philadelphia,” 1852.