PAUL I. IN THE PRISON OF KOSCIUSKO.
81
And Prussia sent her battle-blast aloud upon the air—
Was there no shout of anger heard, was there no thunder there?
The land that Sobieski loved—his children, where were they,
When like a vulture from the skies, she darted on her prey?
Did they not meet her face to face, upstarting in her track?
Well Szczekociny's fatal field could give the answer back!
Was there no shout of anger heard, was there no thunder there?
The land that Sobieski loved—his children, where were they,
When like a vulture from the skies, she darted on her prey?
Did they not meet her face to face, upstarting in her track?
Well Szczekociny's fatal field could give the answer back!
And faithless Austria too, was there, nor felt a blush of shame,
That thus dishonor dark and dull, should stain her royal name.
She grasped the sword—yet not for her who needed most her aid—
She drew the sword and in the dust her bleeding children laid;
When greater came, and trembled not to chain a peaceful land,
Why should she fear to break her faith, or blush to seize the brand?
That thus dishonor dark and dull, should stain her royal name.
She grasped the sword—yet not for her who needed most her aid—
She drew the sword and in the dust her bleeding children laid;
When greater came, and trembled not to chain a peaceful land,
Why should she fear to break her faith, or blush to seize the brand?
'Twas night—the silent stars looked down upon a silent land,
When issuing from a shadowy wood, came forth a little band:
When issuing from a shadowy wood, came forth a little band:
