Metrical essays | ||
CAPSALIS.
Καθε ψυχη
Με κρυφον μαγευμα
Νικς εσυ.
Και σε μισουν,
Σ' ακουουν οι ελληνες
Κ' ε'υθυς ξυπνουν.
I
Voices upon the seas“Almost all the families of Missolonghi were divided into two parts; those who remained in expectation of death, and those who were on the point of rushing forth to vengeance and to new dangers. The hardiest warriors were subdued to tears; and the bravest hearts quailed at the approaching separation. All these preparations were however, rendered abortive by the infamous treachery of a Bulgarian soldier, who had deserted to Ibrahim and disclosed the whole plan. The Turks suddenly attacked the town, and bathed themselves in christian blood. The scene that followed was hideous. “But one voice was heard among the despairing women” says M. Fabri: “‘To the sea! to the sea!’ Many precipitated themselves into wells, into which they first threw their children. But the wells at length became full, and it was a long way from the ramparts to that part of the harbour which was sufficiently deep for the purpose of death. The conquerors anxious for slaves, followed close on their victims. Several women and even several children had the address and the good fortune to free themselves by throwing themselves on the naked swords of the Arabs; others plunged into the flames of the burning houses, twelve hundred, who could discover no way of destroying themselves, fell into the hands of the enemy. The attention of the conquerors was soon drawn to the powder magazine. The size and the solidity of the building, induced them to believe that the wealth of the inhabitants had been there deposited. It contained however, only women and children, and Capsalis (one of the primates of the town,) who, having obstinately refused to accompany the garrison in their projected sortie, conducted to the powder-magazine a crowd of women and children, saying ‘Come, and be still; I will myself set fire to it.’ They wept not; they had no parting to apprehend; the grave was about to unite them for ever. The mothers tranquilly pressed their infants to their breasts, relying on Capsalis. In the meanwhile, the enemy crowded round their asylum: some attempted to break open the doors; some to enter by the windows; some climbed to the roof, and endeavoured to demolish it. At length, Capsalis, perceiving that a vast multitude had assembled, uttered a brief prayer, familiar to the Greeks—‘Lord remember me,’ and applied the match. The explosion was so violent, that the neighbouring houses were thrown down, large chasms were produced in the earth, and the sea moving from its bed, inundated one part of the town. Two thousand barbarians were blown up with Capsalis.” Such was the catastrophe of this terrible drama! Literary Gazette.
Of wildness and despair;
One common cry of agony
Fills all the circling air.
II
Age, with snow-honoured head,Manhood, with ardent eye,
Youth, with its light of loveliness,—
All seek one hope—to die!
III
A shout upon the land,A flash and ring of arms;
A gathering rush of barbarous men
Shakes earth with dread alarms.
IV
Like the avalanche their speed;Like the tempest in its wrath;
Like the simoom's fatal sweep—
Is their red and deadly path.
V
The virgin's sacred breast,Where love might but preside,
Lies, like a crush'd yet beauteous flower,
Bath'd in its pure life-tide.
VI
The wan and aged headSinks there, to rise no more;
The sightless eyes are dull and cold,
The white hairs dash'd with gore.
VII
Seek thousands, as a boon,Death's sullen sanctuary;
For who, when life is shame, would live?
When death is bliss—not die?
VIII
Ye dead, ye noble dead!From your still, gory sleep,
A voice shall pass to stir men's souls,
Far as the wild waves sweep.
IX
A light, as of the morn,Through this dim night shall break;
Valour shall burst the Moslem chain!
And slumb'ring Freedom wake!
X
The soul that would be freeWill drag no fetter'd limb;
Sooner may man the sun's course turn,
Than throw slave-bonds on him.
XI
Call up the splendid past,From rock, from plain, from sea;
Each hath its tale of stirring deeds
Of stainless chivalry.
XII
Call up the gallant bandsThat died with conquest won;
Proud spirits of Thermopylæ,
Brave hearts of Marathon.
XIII
Lost hath the warrior's sonThe charm that roused his sire?
Is there no bright though failing spark
Of the old patriot-fire?
XIV
Yes, Capsalis! in theeThat pure flame is not dead,
Which lit the shrine of Liberty,
For which thy fathers bled!—
XV
Thou speak'st—and at thy voiceThe eye regains its glow;
The heart, as at some gladd'ning sound,
Shakes off its weight of woe.
XVI
A multitude to theeIn their last hope press now;
Thou lead'st them on,—is it to death?
With that calm glorious brow!—
XVII
Is it to death? the heavy gatesClose on the martyr-train;
Gaze they their last upon that earth
They ne'er may see again.
XVIII
They breathe beneath the wallsOf the war-stor'd magazine;
The flaming torch is in the grasp—
Yet no dismay is seen.
XIX
Fiercely the din of armsIs heard the walls without:
Two thousand of the Turkish horde
Send up their hellish shout.
XX
They scale the gloomy roofThe pillar'd sides entwine;
Now, now, heroic Capsalis,
Revenge, revenge, is thine!
XXI
Jesu! what sounds arose,What horrid cries sprung there,
As twice three thousand souls thus died,
Dash'd through the bleeding air!
XXII
The dark alarmed seaWildly its bed forsook,
And fearful chasms yawned around;—
Earth to her centre shook!
XXIII
O many a heart shall mournThe evil of that day;
And eyes shall weep those bitter tears
No hand may wipe away!
XXIV
Yet through these sombre clouds,Of woe—and waste—and war—
I see a morn of beauteousness
Far rising like a star.
XXV
As from the grave the soul,Enfranchised, mounts the skies;—
So from the ashes of the brave,
Shall Liberty arise!
XXVI
Hear it thou far spread land—Record it—oh, thou sea—
Not vainly Freedom's martyrs bleed
No! Greece shall yet be free!
Metrical essays | ||