Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 2.djvu/112

78 LXXXVI.

Such be the sons of Spain, and strange her Fate!

They fight for Freedom who were never free,

A Kingless people for a nerveless state;

Her vassals combat when their Chieftains flee,

True to the veriest slaves of Treachery:

Fond of a land which gave them nought but life,

Pride points the path that leads to Liberty;

Back to the struggle, baffled in the strife,

War, war is still the cry, "War even to the knife!"N18

LXXXVII.

Ye, who would more of Spain and Spaniards know

Go, read whate'er is writ of bloodiest strife: