Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Russia: Vol. XX. 1876–79. | | | | Poland | | Poland | | Victor Hugo (1802–1885) |
| | Translated by G. W. M. Reynolds
ALONE, beneath the tower whence issue forth | |
| The mandates of the tyrant of the North, | |
| Poland’s sad Genius sits, absorbed in tears, | |
| Her bosom heaving with a thousand fears:— | |
| Wearied, cast down, enfeebled by distress, | 5 |
| The tomb alone can end her wretchedness! | |
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| Alas! the crucifix is all that ’s left | |
| To her, of freedom and her sons bereft; | |
| And on her trailing robe the marks are seen | |
| Where Russian armies’ scornful feet have been. | 10 |
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| Anon she hears the sounds of clanking arms,— | |
| The foemen come once more to spread alarms! | |
| And while she weeps against that fortress’ wall, | |
| And while fresh horrors every sense appall, | |
| To France she slowly turns her glazing eyes, | 15 |
| And humbly seeks for succor ere she dies! | | | | |
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