Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PATRIOT'S LAMENT, by FRIEDRICH RUCKERT Poet's Biography First Line: What forgest, smith?' -- 'we're forging chains, ay' Last Line: To coming ages shall prolong your shame! Alternate Author Name(s): Raimar, Freidmund Subject(s): Patriotism | ||||||||
"What forgest, smith?" -- "We're forging chains; ay, chains!" "Alas! to chains yourselves degraded are!" "What plowest, farmer?" -- "Fields their fruit must bear." "Yes, seed for foes: the burr for thee remains!" "What aim'st at, sportsman?" -- "Yonder stag, so fat." -- "To hunt you down, like stag and roe, they'll try." "What snarest, fisher?" -- "Yonder fish so shy."-- "Who's there to save you from your fatal net?" "What art thou rocking, sleepless mother?" -- "Boys." -- "Yes: let them grow, and wound their country's fame, Slaves to her foes, with parricidal arm!" What art thou writing, poet?" -- "Words of flame: I mark my own, record my country's harm, Whom thought of freedom never more employs." I blame them not, who with the foreign steel Tear out our vitals, pierce our inmost heart, For they are foes created for our smart; And when they slay us, why they do it, feel. But in these paths, ye seek what recompense? For you what brilliant toys of fame are here, Ye mongrel foes, who lift the sword and spear Against your country, not for her defense? Ye Franks, Bavarians, and ye Swabians, say -- Ye aliens, sold to bear the slavish name -- What wages for your servitude they pay. Your eagle may perchance redeem your fame; More sure his robber train, ye birds of prey, To coming ages shall prolong your shame! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHINE, REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEP by ROBINSON JEFFERS SEVEN LAMENTS FOR THE WAR-DEAD: 6 by YEHUDA AMICHAI A CAROL FOR THE NEW YEAR by EDWIN MARKHAM A SONG OF VICTORY by EDWIN MARKHAM BROTHERHOOD (1) by EDWIN MARKHAM THE ERRAND IMPERIOUS by EDWIN MARKHAM A PARABLE by FRIEDRICH RUCKERT |
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