| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
| |
| 1093. Russia |
| | | By Nathan Haskell Dole |
| |
| |
| SATURNIAN mother! why dost thou devour | |
| Thy offspring, who by loving thee are curst? | |
| Why must they fear thee who would fain be first | |
| To add new glories to thy matchless dower? | |
| Why must they flee before thy cruel power, | 5 |
| That punishes their best as treason’s worst,— | |
| The treason that despotic chains would burst,— | |
| That makes men heroes who in slavery cower? | |
| Upon thy brow the stars of empire burn; | |
| Thy bearing has a majesty sublime. | 10 |
| Thy exiled children ever toward thee yearn; | |
| Nor should their ardent love be deemed a crime. | |
| O, mighty mother of men, to mildness turn, | |
| And haste the advent of a happier time! | |
| |
|
|
|
