82
PAUL I. IN THE PRISON OF KOSCIUSKO.
The high of soul, the stern of heart, the strong of arm were there;
Beneath the stars, around their chief, they stood with heads all bare—
Silent, while he, their leader spoke, with firm, yet solemn tone,
Then each one drawing forth his blade, all crossed them with his own—
Beneath the stars, around their chief, they stood with heads all bare—
Silent, while he, their leader spoke, with firm, yet solemn tone,
Then each one drawing forth his blade, all crossed them with his own—
"Now swear by Him who rules above, and knoweth every thought,
While Poland breathes the breath of life, ye will desert her not,
And that dishonor's breath may blast your souls in every part,
If, ere the foe hath bound these arms, your swords have failed this heart."
They knelt upon the dark green grass, they took the oath he gave,[1]
Then each one solemnly passed on, as passing to his grave.
While Poland breathes the breath of life, ye will desert her not,
And that dishonor's breath may blast your souls in every part,
If, ere the foe hath bound these arms, your swords have failed this heart."
They knelt upon the dark green grass, they took the oath he gave,[1]
Then each one solemnly passed on, as passing to his grave.
Now Poland, for thy battle cry! call all thy children forth!
- ↑ Before the last and fatal battle, in which the fate of Poland was forever sealed, Kosciusko, it is said, made his soldiers swear never to permit him to fall alive into the hands of his enemies. One of his men, seeing him fall backwards on his horse, after receiving a wound, struck him on the head with his sabre, and left him for dead on the field of battle.
