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

1941-06-01 / 6. szám

14

TESTVÉRISÉG

TO KOSSUTH THE CAPTIVE

For their captive the Twin Despots claim thee —

Be it so! bonds like theirs cannot shame thee;

Should they boast that such thraldom can tame thee,

Smile scorn on the base-hearted liars.

Chained Eagle of Freedom! thou soarest Far in thought over mountain and forest;

To the war-wasted land thou adorest,

The land of thy hero Magyars:

O’er her rent plains and blood-tainted waters —

O’er her ruined roofs reeking with slaughters —

In the soul of her sons and her daughters,

Lives one thought — and that thought is of thee;

Of thee, and thy Godlike creation,

When Hungary sprang up — a Kation —

And swore in sublime inspiration

With one thunder-toned voice to be free.

That oath in her heart is deep-printed,

’Tis written in letters blood-tinted On each blade, whose keen edge has been dinted In the shock of that merciless war.

Yes! in spite of all traitors and cravens,

Spite of Cossacks and Croats and Sclavons —

Aye, hear it, ye brood of trained ravens,

Who croak in the pay of the Czar! —

Though Liberty’s puling professors,

And Power’s tame-hearted possessors,

Leave her friendless to fight her oppressors,

Yes! HUNGARY YET SHALL BE FREE.

And thou! dread of the Despots who hate her,

Thou captive whose bonds make thee greater!

Thou hsait yet be thy Land’s Liberator —

All her hope is in God and in thee.

Anonymous.

From: “The Weekly News” October 5, 1850. London.

PICTURE OF KOSSUTH I.

And this is he! how sinks the soul expression Of the still face, far down the gazer’s heart!

Still — yet as filled with the immortal passion Of patriot love! well hath the limner’s art Transfixed the look of those deep, earnest eyes:

Lit with the consciousness of his high mission —

With the calm eloquence of a muse made wise

By marvelous experience! by the sad condition Of fatherland, laid prostrate at the will

Of disdem’d assissins! and to which remains (Albeit the public soul, they cannot kill—)

Nought but the bitter choice of death or chains!

Yet springs the undying hope, O Magyar brave!

That thou with freedom's sword shalt dig Oppression’s grave.