JOSE DE ESPRONCEDA.
TO SPAIN, AN ELEGY.
LONDON, 1829.
How solitary is the nation now
That peopled countries vast a former day!
That all beneath her sovereignty to bow,
From East to West extended once her sway!
Tears now profuse to shed, unhappy one,
Queen of the world! 'tis thine; and from thy face,
Enchanting yet in sorrow, there is none
Its overwhelming traces to erase.
How fatally o'er thee has death pour'd forth
Darkness and mourning, horrible and great!
And the stern despot in his madden' d wrath
Exulted wildly o'er thy low estate.
