free-verse23 lines
The Ocean's Song.
by Victor-Marie Hugo("Nous nous promenions ' Rozel-Tower.")
[Bk. VI. iv., October, 1852.]
We walked amongst the ruins famed in story
Of Rozel-Tower,
And saw the boundless waters stretch in glory
And heave in power.
O ocean vast! we heard thy song with wonder,
Whilst waves marked time.
"Appeal, O Truth!" thou sang'st with tone of thunder,
"And shine sublime!
"The world's enslaved and hunted down by beagles, -
To despots sold,
Souls of deep thinkers, soar like mighty eagles,
The Right uphold.
"Be born; arise; o'er earth and wild waves bounding
Peoples and suns!
Let darkness vanish; - tocsins be resounding,
And flash, ye guns!
"And you, - who love no pomps of fog, or glamour,
Who fear no shocks,
Brave foam and lightning, hurricane and clamor,
Exiles - the rocks!"
TORU DUTT