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

1941-08-01 / 8. szám

18

TESTVÉRISÉG

Saved, in appearance, yes, but not in fact,

For she is doomed by her inglorious act To Russia’s vassalage, to whom she sold The remnant of her might and strength of old; Who holds her now in adamantine chains,

And at whose pleasures she exists and reigns. An awful bargain, terrible and fell!

A monstrous deed, born in the depths of hell; Whose consummation must have shed a beam Of penetrating light, where rules supreme Dread darkness undisturbed in gloom of night; And caused tumultuous joy and fierce delight E’en ’inongst the dwellers of yon region dire, Who suffer ’midst eternal flame and fire.

Nor could the author of infernal craft Have e’er discharged a more envenomed shaft Than that, which pierced the rights and liberty Of chivalrous and gen’rous Hungary;

Have e’er designed more fiendish, foul a plot,

The beauteous face of righteous heav’n to blot, Than that, by which a nation free and brave,

In just and lawful war engaged, to save Their constitution, freedom, right, and laws,

By oaths confirmed, and thus a sacred cause, Anoble, holy war of self-defence,

‘Gainst Hapsburg’s cunning, craft, and violence, Were handed o,er with vows of gratitude,

With humble bow and mock solicitude,

To Romanoff’s despotic son and heir,

To prosper in his fond paternal care.

Where is the heart, that can its fury quell, Contemplating so dread a deed of hell?

Where is the heart, that can its anger stay, Restrain its passion, not to curse the day,

Which could the fearful perpetration view,

And calmly its accustomed road pursue?

Where is the man, that can retain the gush Of deepest indignation’s crimson blush,

When slow remembrance brings before his mind The deed, that casts a stain on all mankind? Where is the man, who with a brazen face Could dare to veil the deed of horror’s race; With justice-mocking insolence attempt Its authors from stern vengeance to exempt,

By branding with rebellion’s blighting name,

And heaping insults on fair Hung’ry’s fame,

The noblest cause for which men e’er have bled, Since for the sake of freedom blood was shed? Where is the man so dead to truth and right, As to attempt t’ exuse that deed of night,

Which e’en the greatest of all living crimes,

(This time’s disgrace, and that of coming times, Until the wrong inflicted is repaired,

Its perpetrators all the doom have shared Inexorable justice has prepared,)

By which an ancient kingdom, rich in fame,

For valour famous, tho’ not free from blame,