Fraternity-Testvériség, 1941 (19. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1941-01-01 / 1. szám

16

TESTVÉRISÉG

TO KOSSUTH

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 inbued,

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!