The Eighth Tribe, 1976 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1976-09-01 / 9. szám

September, 1976

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

Page 3

you support anH makc an effort to bring in moiC members into the family of the Eighth Tribe. Support us in publishing these books by buying them for yourself and for the members of your family.

In the last issue we were talking about the book “Kossuth: Champion of Liberty”. To refresh your memory we quote from our last issue:

We are now advertising the book “Champion of Liberty” — poetry in poetic and prose form which appeared in american papers about Louis Kossuth’s visit to America. The complete book would be over 500 pages. The initial decision was to publish about 240 pages of it, but after careful deliberation, it was decided that the value of the book lies in it’s complete form. Financially, it would mean an investment of $15,000.00 to start production, and it would also mean that the book could not possibly sell for any less than $15.00 a copy. This publication would be a very important achievement in Hungarian-American life. Neither the compilers of the book, or the Bethlen Press has the financial means to publish this book. The only way this book could be published is to have the financial backing of every Hungarian Beneficial Society, church, other organizations and individuals. We would appreciate any suggestions or ideas from our readers on this new challenge.

We are sorry to say, not one reply pro or con was received by us. We claim to have over a million Hungarians, we have organizations with assets in millions, churches who have thousands of dollars in bank accounts, who could back this project and distribute this book amongst their younger members. We do not ask for donations, just for your pledge, that you will purchase the book when it is published.

Sándor E. Chomos

Sándor Petőfi:

IF GOD . . .

If God would speak to me this way:

“My son, however it would please you,

That is the way I shall let you die.”

Then I would ask God for this:

Let it be autumn, but beautiful, gentle, clear autumn: On yellow foilage, bright sunshine.

A bird, left behind from spring, should warble Among yellow foilage, his final song.

Death comes unnoticeably Onto the autumn scene:

Thus should death come onto me ... I should Notice it only when it sits alongside of me.

Then, I, too, as the bird on the branch,

Should warble my final song;

With a song so charming that it should affect The bottom of the heart and the high of the sky.

And if the magic song is finished:

My lips should be closed with a kiss,

Your kiss, blond pretty girl,

You, the most glorious being of the earth.

But, if God would not allow this,

I ask then, that it should be spring,

Battle spring, where roses grow,

Bloody roses, on the bosoms of men.

And the battle’s nightingales, the trumpets, should warble enthusiastically.

I should be there, and from my heart A deathly blood flower should grow.

And if then I should topple from my horse:

My lips should be closed with a kiss,

Your kiss, beautiful liberty,

You heaven’s most glorious being.

Szalkszentmárton, 1845.

Translated by: Frank Szomy.