A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields/The Ocean's Song (Les Châtiments, Victor Hugo)
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We walked amongst the ruins famed in story
Of Rozel-Tower,
And saw the boundless waters stretch in glory,
And heave in power.
O Ocean vast! We heard thy song with wonder,
The waves kept time;
'Appear, O Truth,' thou sang'st with voice of thunder,
'And shine sublime.
'The world's enslaved, and hunted down by beagles,
To despots sold;
Souls of deep thinkers soar like mighty eagles,
The Right uphold.
'Be born; arise; o'er earth and wild waves bounding
Peoples and suns!
Let darkness vanish; tocsins be resounding
And flashing, guns!
'And you, who love no pomp of fogs, nor glamour,
Who fear no shocks,
Brave foam and lightning, hurricane and clamour,
Exiles and rocks!'