In answer to Blanco's proposition, January, 1898, that for riches and a ship to carry him from Cuba, he should abandon the struggle for liberty. CAN honor for gold be bartered? Are treason and truth at one? How dare you debase my purpose with a proffer that shames the sun! God pardon me now for believing a just thought left to Spain, And help us to grander effort our glorious end to gain! @3A ship to bear me from Cuba! Riches for all my life! —@1 Are you mad? The world would not tempt me to turn from this patriot strife — I who, through darkness and anguish, see ever before me shine Cuba resplendent with Freedom, and count it a vision divine! Do you think I forget Francisco, my son, the soul of my soul, Slain by a Spanish assassin, ere yet we were nearing the goal? Aye, and the host of the valiant, slaughtered, imprisoned, betrayed, While the peaks and the palms and the winds alone know where their bones are laid? But the isle they died to rescue their reverent shrine shall be, And her circling waves will lull them with a song of victory! A ship for some far-off haven? 'Tis you who should seek retreat Where the storms of indignation and scorn less fiercely beat! You stand in the lonely shadow of the pride and despair of Spain; Before me hope is glowing; and the best of earth are fain To hail the bright flag waving above our Cuba free; — God bless her dauntless heroes! that day we soon shall see. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAST REDOUBT by ALFRED AUSTIN HOME-THOUGHTS, FROM THE SEA by ROBERT BROWNING ZOLA by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON WOO NOT THE WORLD by MUHAMMAD AL-MU'TAMID II THE END OF THE SUNSET TRAIL by ALMA C. BINGHAM |