The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott Edited by his Son Edwin Elliott ... A New and Revised Edition: Two Volumes |
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THE POLISH FUGITIVES.
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 | The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott |  |
34
THE POLISH FUGITIVES.
WRITTEN FOR THE HULL POLISH RECORD.
The day went down in fire,
The burning ocean o'er—
A son and grey-hair'd sire
Walk'd silent, on the shore.
The burning ocean o'er—
A son and grey-hair'd sire
Walk'd silent, on the shore.
They walk'd, worn gaunt with cares,
Where land and billow meet—
And of that land was theirs
The dust upon their feet.
Where land and billow meet—
And of that land was theirs
The dust upon their feet.
Yet they, erewhile, had lands
Which plenteous harvests bore;
But, spoil'd by Russian hands,
Their own was theirs no more.
Which plenteous harvests bore;
But, spoil'd by Russian hands,
Their own was theirs no more.
They came to cross the foam,
And seek, beyond the deep,
A happier, safer home—
A land where sowers reap.
And seek, beyond the deep,
A happier, safer home—
A land where sowers reap.
Yet, while the playful gold
Laugh'd into purply green
The crimson clouds that roll'd
The sea and sky between,
Laugh'd into purply green
The crimson clouds that roll'd
The sea and sky between,
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The youth his brow upraised
From thoughts of deepest woe,
And on the ocean gazed,
Like one who fronts a foe.
From thoughts of deepest woe,
And on the ocean gazed,
Like one who fronts a foe.
The sire was calm and mild,
And brightly shone his eye;—
How like a stately child,
He look'd on sea and sky!
And brightly shone his eye;—
How like a stately child,
He look'd on sea and sky!
But on his son's lean cheek,
And in his hands, grasp'd hard,
A heart, that scorn'd to break,
With dreadful feelings warr'd.
And in his hands, grasp'd hard,
A heart, that scorn'd to break,
With dreadful feelings warr'd.
For he had left behind
A wife, who dungeon'd lay;
And loath'd the mournful wind,
That sobb'd—Away, away!
A wife, who dungeon'd lay;
And loath'd the mournful wind,
That sobb'd—Away, away!
Five boys and girls had he:
In fetters pined they all;
And when he saw the sea,
On him he heard them call.
In fetters pined they all;
And when he saw the sea,
On him he heard them call.
Oh, fiercely he dash'd down
The tear—that came, at length—
Then, almost with a frown.
He pray'd to God for strength.
The tear—that came, at length—
Then, almost with a frown.
He pray'd to God for strength.
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“Hold up!” the father cried,
“If Poland cannot thrive,
The mother o'er the tide,
May follow with her five.
“If Poland cannot thrive,
The mother o'er the tide,
May follow with her five.
“But Poland yet shall fling
Dismay on Poland's foes,
As when the Wizard King
Avenged her ancient woes.
Dismay on Poland's foes,
As when the Wizard King
Avenged her ancient woes.
“For soon her cause will be
Roused Europe's battle cry;
‘To perish or be free!
To conquer or to die!’”
Roused Europe's battle cry;
‘To perish or be free!
To conquer or to die!’”
His hands clasp'd o'er his head,
The son look'd up for aid;
“So be it, Lord!” he said,
And still look'd up, and pray'd,
The son look'd up for aid;
“So be it, Lord!” he said,
And still look'd up, and pray'd,
Till from his eyes, like rain,
When first the black clouds growl,
The agony of pain,
In tears, gush'd from his soul.
When first the black clouds growl,
The agony of pain,
In tears, gush'd from his soul.
| The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott | |