ALONE, beneath the tower whence issue forth The mandates of the tyrant of the North, Poland's sad Genius sits, absorbed in tears, Her bosom heaving with a thousand fears: -- Wearied, cast down, enfeebled by distress, The tomb alone can end her wretchedness! Alas! the crucifix is all that's left To her, of freedom and her sons bereft; And on her trailing robe the marks are seen Where Russian armies' scornful feet have been. Anon she hears the sounds of clanking arms, -- The foemen come once more to spread alarms! And while she weeps against that fortress' wall, And while fresh horrors every sense appall, To France she slowly turns her glazing eyes, And humbly seeks for succor ere she dies! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PEDANTIC LITERALIST by MARIANNE MOORE TO AN INTRA-MURAL RAT by MARIANNE MOORE SONG: SO OFTEN, SO LONG I HAVE THOUGHT by HAYDEN CARRUTH MIDSUMMER BIRDS by ROBERT FROST THE GIFT TO SING by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |