EPIGRAM(!) I

What man dost thou dig it for? . . .

Hamlet

1
– If Poland is not to enter the Milky Way
In all-mankind’s thundering hurricane,
If she is not to be democratic,
May she for ever the Tsar’s remain!

2
– If Poland is to be anarchic,
Or expound on socialism’s domain,
I would rather see her as pan-Slavic,
For ever the Muscovite’s remain!

3
Here the two slap their knees,
Even the table moves, as does the wall,
And the plaster cross, its nail torn off,
Thus falls, like a fistful of snow . . .

. . . End of discourse.

Versailles, 1850