A WORD TO THE CZAR
(Penned on “Vladimir’s Day” January 22, 1905.)
Thou great Usurper of the Liberty
Of hapless Men and Maids, this gory shame
Shall wrap thee in a livid Cloak of Flame
Ere days have swoll’n to years. We who are free,
Who owe no fouling bond of Tyranny,
We look at Thee, and execrate thy Name:
Nor in our Vision art thou quit of blame
That by the hand of him who stood for thee
This bloody deed was done. Across the Years,
And from the lips of peoples one and all,
A mighty curse rolls on, to reach His ears
Who silently surveys thy hastening fall:—
Soon may His Might pluck from thy reeking Hand
Thy Batôn of a self-usurped command!