Page:Songs of Russia.djvu/19

 Oh, had the Muses given to me the gift
 * Of burning speech, of clear and fiery song,

How mercilessly and how sternly then
 * Would I with infamy brand vice and wrong!

I would rouse all against the dark to strive,
 * Unfurl the banner bright of light and fire,

And with my glowing song the listening world
 * With longing for the truth I would inspire.

Oh, with what mighty laughter I would laugh!
 * What burning tears of sorrow I would shed!

To earth the holy, long-forgot Ideal
 * Should come again, arisen from the dead.

The world should waken, filled with fear, and quake,
 * Like to a culprit, conscience-struck within;

It should look back upon the guilty past,
 * And meekly wait the sentence for its sin.

In that dead silence reigning all around,
 * My fearless voice should thunder loud and clear,