Fought to bloody death
The Lithuanian horde,
The defiant Pole
Scattered with a sword.
And how long ago,
Black clouds, rising out
Of the distant West,
Compassed thee about?
'Neath the lightning flash
Sank the woods away,
Trembled the earth's breast,
Pierced with dismay.
And the inky smoke
Ruinous did rise
From the village burnt
To the cloudy skies.
Loudly to the fight
Then the Tsar did call--
Russia swift replied,
Coming one and all.
Women, children came--
Men from age to youth,
Gave their evil guest
Bloody feast in truth!
And in lonely fields
Under ice and snow,
To his endless sleep
Laid the victim low.
Where the snowstorms wild
Raised o'er him a tomb,
While the North wind sang
Dirges in the gloom.
Town and village too
Over all our land,
Now like ant hills swarm
With this Christian band.
Now from distant shores
O'er the cruel sea,
Ship on ship draws near
Homage paying thee.
Blooming are thy fields,
Soft thy forests sigh,
Hid in earth's dark breast
Golden treasures lie.
And to East and West,
To the South and North--
Flies thy louder fame
Through the wide world forth!
Holy Russia, thou
Dost deserve to be
"Mother" called by all,
In our love to thee!
For thy glory fair
We should face the foe,
And thy freedom guarding
Glad our lives bestow!
NIKITIN.
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