Читать книгу The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell - James Russell Lowell - Страница 208

They did as they were taught; not theirs the blame,

If men who scattered firebrands reaped the flame:

They trampled Peace beneath their savage feet,

And by her golden tresses drew

Mercy along the pavement of the street.

O Freedom! Freedom! is thy morning-dew

So gory red? Alas, thy light had ne'er

Shone in upon the chaos of their lair!

They reared to thee such symbol as they knew, 30

And worshipped it with flame and blood,

A Vengeance, axe in hand, that stood

Holding a tyrant's head up by the clotted hair.