Why roars in yon valley the din of fight, And broadswords tumultuously clashing? Lo, smiling farewell 'mid the foe's dying wail, Who lies there with bare bosom streaming? The wild, wild chase, and the German chase 'Gainst hangmen and tyrants, is ended. Come then, ye who love us, wipe tears from each face, For the country is free, and the morn dawns apace, Though our forms in the grave be extended. Children's children shall cry, as our story they trace "That was Lützow's wild and desperate chase." "And I to thee, by Heaven, My light steel life have given: When shall the knot be tied? When wilt thou take thy bride?" Hurrah! The trumpet's solemn warning "Oh, blessed, blessed meeting! My heart is wildly beating: Come, bridegroom, come for me; My garland waiteth thee." Hurrah! Why, in the scabbard rattle, "Well may thy prisoner rattle; That makes me tremble so." Stay in thy chamber near, My love what wilt thou here? Still in thy chamber bide: Soon, soon I take my bride. "Let me not longer wait: Love's garden blooms in state With roses bloody-red, And many a bright death-bed." Hurrah! Now, then, come forth, my bride: Come forth, thou rider's pride! Come out, my good sword, come, Forth to thy father's home! Hurrah! "Oh, in the field to prance Then forward, valiant fighters! And forward, German riders! Let each his love enfold. Hurrah! Once on the left it hung, And stolen glances flung; Now clearly on your right Doth God each fond bride plight. Then let your hot lips feel Now let the loved one sing; Hurrah! For hark! the trumpet's warning Hurrah! Translation of C. T. Brooks. K SIGISMUND KRASINSKI (1812-1859) RASINSKI was one of the three great poets of Poland through whom the spirit of the submerged commonwealth found its fullest expression. The golden age of Poland's literature was coincident with the period of her deepest political humiliation, and every Polish poet was a Polish patriot. It was a literature of emigrants and exiles who found their poetic inspiration, and the mainspring of all endeavor, in the love of country and the hope of seeing her restored to her ancient greatness. In the trio of poets who represent this age Mickiewicz stands first, and by his side the Dioscuri Slowacki and Krasinski. Krasinski's position was a peculiar and difficult one. He was the heir of an old aristocratic family; his mother was a princess of the house of Radziwill, and he was brought up in the midst of feudal traditions. In his breast burned the purest patriotic fire, and merely to possess his works exposed a man to Siberia or death; and yet he was the only one of all the patriot poets that taught the philosophy of non-resistance and self-abnegation. With serene confidence he left the future in the hands of eternal justice, and insisted that the moral regeneration of Poland must precede her political re-establishment. In all his works this note of lofty morality is struck, and Christianity is put forward as the only reconciling power between. conflicting forces. SIGISMUND KRASINSKI Sigismund Krasinski was born at Paris on February 19th, 1812. His father, Count Vincent Krasinski, was an adjutant of Napoleon's: when the hopes of Poland were shattered by the abdication of the Emperor, Krasinski, acting under orders from the Czar, returned with his family to Warsaw. Their home was the centre to which flocked all the eminent men in literary and political life. In this circle young Krasinski grew up, and the most loving care was bestowed upon his education. At the age of fourteen he wrote two novels in the style of his favorite author, Walter Scott; but his literary ambition was not encouraged, and he was destined for the law. |