Page:The Soul of a Century.djvu/104

 In the darkness that surrounds you let the whips and fists hold sway, Cherish faithfully within you promise of a brighter day, All your thoughts should be united in one firm determined whole, All your strengths should be collected to attain the final goal. Soon, free mankind will be brothers, slaves will drop their clanging chains Once again our flag will flutter high above the sunlit plains.

Well then, break the dam e’er tight’ning, Storms that swell my chest with wrong, Thoughts that, with the speed of lightning, Criss-cross through my soul so long. Flames of shame and winds of anger, From their lazy dreams and languor, Stir to life, my plaintive song

For my songs were not inspired In a nest of fragrant tresses, Nor by maidens I desired, Dreaming in my warm caresses. Through a weary head they glittered, When, by haughty fists embittered, My cheeks flushed with blood’s excesses.

Yes, from gall and blood and tears, They were born in time of woe, When I saw, through darkened years, My kin tortured by our foe. And in vain my teeth I ground When the jailers I had found Laughing at our helpless throe.

By a slave I was begot, A slave, my mother’s lot. My childhood’s sole delight Was the lullaby of chains. And all through life, I found The rusty metal’s sound Clanging from morn ’till night, Across my life’s bare plains. As soon as growing strength My youthful nape had bent, They fastened round my neck A yoke of cold-blue steel. I stooped beneath the grip To kiss the headman’s whip, And my forehead at his beck Against the ground would reel.