Carmen Saeculare

Stand, Russia ! Let thy freedom grow in peace, Beneath the constant rule, the changing Czar. Thy many, thine inhospitable seas Shall ring thee round, a zodiac to thy star, And Frost, the rampart of thine iron ease, Laugh at the shock of war. Turn, Italy ! The Voice is unto Thee ! Return, poor wounded maiden, to thy home ! Thou hast well tried a spurious liberty : Thou art made captive ; let thy fancy roam To the great Mother, deeper than the sea, And fairer than the foam. O Gateway of the admirable East ! Hold fast thy Faith ! Let no man take thy Crown ! The Birds of Evil, that were keen to feast, (Fools cried) but herald thy renewed renown. Mad Christians see in thee the Second Beast, But shall not shake thee down. Therefore reign thou, saith God, august, alone, White-winged to East and West, an albatross, “ Abdul the Damned, on thy infernal throne ! ” Allah can wed the Crescent and the Cross ! According to the wisdom thou hast shown Mete thou thy gain and loss ! 13