Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/51

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
TRANSLATION OF THE FAMOUS GREEK WAR SONG.
21

Let your country see you rising,
And all her chains are broke.
Brave shades of chiefs and sages,
Behold the coming strife!
Hellénes of past ages,
Oh, start again to life!
At the sound of my trumpet, breaking
Your sleep, oh, join with me!
And the seven-hilled city[decimal 1] seeking,
Fight, conquer, till we're free.

Sons of Greeks, etc.


Sparta, Sparta, why in slumbers
Lethargic dost thou lie?
Awake, and join thy numbers
With Athens, old ally!
Leonidas recalling,
That chief of ancient song,
Who saved ye once from falling,
The terrible! the strong!
Who made that bold diversion
In old Thermopylæ,
And warring with the Persian
To keep his country free;
With his three hundred waging
The battle, long he stood,
And like a lion raging,
Expired in seas of blood.

Sons of Greeks, etc.

[First published, Childe Harold, 1812 (4to).]

Notes

  1. Constantinople, "'Επτάλοφος."