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Translated by Percy Boyd
ON the bridge where Bidasoa | |
| Rolls his waters to the main, | |
| There stands a sainted image | |
| Looking forth on France and Spain. | |
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| Gently doth Heaven’s blessing | 5 |
| Descend on that sweet shore, | |
| Once crossed by many a soldier | |
| Who saw his home no more. | |
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| On the bridge of Bidasoa | |
| By night strange music plays, | 10 |
| There swarthy shades are mingled | |
| With golden, lustrous rays; | |
| One side is bright with roses, | |
| The other dark with sand, | |
| As each the chance discloses | 15 |
| Of death or Fatherland! | |
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| The waves of Bidasoa | |
| Glide on with gentle swell, | |
| And, rising o’er their music, | |
| Is heard the shepherd’s bell. | 20 |
| Far other sounds once echoed | |
| Along that river fair, | |
| When a broken host at twilight | |
| Furled their torn banners there. | |
| Wounded, sore, and bleeding— | 25 |
| Of hope, of pride bereft— | |
| On the bridge they leaned their rifles, | |
| And counted who were left. | |
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| Long watched they for the missing, | |
| With tearful, earnest eyes, | 30 |
| Until an ancient warrior | |
| To his drooping soldiers cries: | |
| “Roll up the tattered banner, | |
| Once the ensign of the brave,— | |
| No more shall conquest fan her | 35 |
| By the Bidasoa’s wave. | |
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| “We must seek a home of freedom | |
| In some country far away, | |
| Where our ancient star of glory | |
| Shall shine with cloudless ray. | 40 |
| O thou, in freedom’s battle, | |
| Who many a toil hast borne, | |
| Spirit of sainted Minna! | |
| Show the path of our return. | |
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| “We have one dauntless leader | 45 |
| Left to Spain and freedom yet— | |
| On, then! o’er the river | |
| Her star of glory hath not set! | |
| From the old, time-worn marble, | |
| Where he long had lain so still, | 50 |
| Minna rises sternly glancing | |
| On the lighted western hill!” | |
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| Then, from his breast removing | |
| His hand, he opens wide | |
| His wounds, and soon his life-blood | 55 |
| Purples the gushing tide. | |
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