Page:Songs of Russia.djvu/24

 I, even as in my youthful dreams, stepped forth before the throng.

Before me was no splendid hall, illumed with brilliant light, Here in this room, so poor and small, sunk in half darkness now, Where Thought alone was glittering in deathless beauty bright, Wearing a crown of painful thorns upon her queenly brow.

My voice rang not that evening to amuse an idle throng Of full-gorged earthly demi-gods; no! I was singing then, Without expecting glory and without desiring praise, As a brother unto brothers, unto tired and toil-worn men.

I sang to those who gathered around the flag of truth, To those who, in their struggle, were suffering bitter pain. I told them that their toiling hands should falter not, nor droop, And their young union, newly formed, should not dissolve again.