Page:Songs of the Slav.pdf/23

 Whene'er the boundless sea draws us from afar, And free the wind doth toss our locks apart; Whene'er the steeds that roam the plain, know no bar, With flowing mane on the horizon start; Whene'er before our gaze proud soars the eagle And flaps his wings in bluey heights above: The fettered hand the while then shakes its shackle, And quivering the lips with "Freedom" move.

O Freedom, like a wondrous myth art thou borne Enchantingly to us from times now wan: Dim as an echo of paradise forlorn That sleeps concealed within the heart of man. Our spirit grown with chains in one scarce trusts too That more than rumors could these tidings be, That what in yonder distance dawns was true, That we were once a nation of the free.

Thou didst appear within the tales of childlore A shining fairy with a star above Whene'er the grandsire read chronicles of yore; Wast thou and thou alone youth's own true love, Thy sunny gaze did ever before him beam, And dreams of thee his martial moments filled; For thee his shining sword he drew in dream, In dream his warmest blood for thee he spilled.

In slav'ry's night wast thou a star to man, Though far, though unattainable, alas! 'Twas thou that through his thoughts forever ran,