Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/171

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THE MARTYRS OF ROYAL-LIEU.
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iii.What, sateless still! must still the stream From noble hearts be poured,Will Pity never shed its gleam On that remorseless horde?Must still some guiltless victim bleed,And "Freedom" sanctify a deed To latest times abhorred?O, Liberty! our pride,—our shame,What scenes are acted in thy name![1]
iv.But hark what thrilling sounds arise From yon slow-moving throng;Floating like incense to the skies In one rich tide of song!And see, where opening to their treadThose threatening forms give back, and led By faith serene, yet strong,A patient band, with tireless breath,Prolong that prelude note of death!
v.Theirs is no hope forlorn,—they wend Exulting on their way;Reckless how soon their course must end, Their life-blood ebb away.They seem to share one thought, one breathAnd marshalled thus by faith to death, In beautiful array,Those martyr-sisters glide along,Breathing their parting prayers in song!
vi.No fears have they;—the savage crowd May scowl on them in vain;Their step is firm, their bearing proud, Unfailing still their strain!
  1. ↑ "O, Liberty! what crimes are committed in thy name!" was the apostrophe of Madame Boland to the statue of Liberty, as she passed it on her way to the guillotine.
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