The year of shame by William Watson With an introduction by the Bishop of Hereford |
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| XV. | XV TO RUSSIA |
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 | The year of shame by William Watson |  |
49
XV
TO RUSSIA
Russia that wast the opener of the door
Through which the captive peoples went forth freed;
How art thou changed and fall'n, who giv'st no heed
Though in the dust a nation stricken sore
Dies at thy feet; though the red torrents pour
Continual, and to stay them does but need
Thy whisper, thy “Enough!” O fall'n indeed,
Russia the Liberator now no more!
Through which the captive peoples went forth freed;
How art thou changed and fall'n, who giv'st no heed
Though in the dust a nation stricken sore
Dies at thy feet; though the red torrents pour
Continual, and to stay them does but need
Thy whisper, thy “Enough!” O fall'n indeed,
Russia the Liberator now no more!
50
Hear thou a parable. A savage hound
Did rend a babe; and one that with a word
Or gesture could have called the brute to heel,
Stood watching; and behold he never stirred
A finger, and his lips vouchsafed no sound.
Shall hound or man God's heaviest judgment feel?
Did rend a babe; and one that with a word
Or gesture could have called the brute to heel,
Stood watching; and behold he never stirred
A finger, and his lips vouchsafed no sound.
Shall hound or man God's heaviest judgment feel?
| The year of shame by William Watson | |