Classic Poem

FIRST SONG COMPOSED IN THE PRISON OF SAINT-PELAGIE, JANUARY , 1822.

La Liberte

Since to dangle some links
Of a chain was my fate,
I've for Liberty felt
The most reancorous hate.
Fie, fie, Liberty, fie!
Down with Liberty, down, say I!

'Twas Marchangy, true sage,
Kindly forced me to see
How the slave in our eyes
Should legitimate be
Fie, fie, Liberty, fie!
Down with Liberty, down, say I!

On this deity lavish
Your praises no more!
She leaves the world swaddled
In bands, as of yore
Fie, fie, Liberty, fie!
Down with Liberty, down, say I!

Of her old civic tree
What remains? for our backs
Tyrant's rod — or a sceptre
That majesty lacks.
Fie, fie, Liberty, fie!
Down with Liberty, down, say I!

Ask the Tiber; he tasted
Full oft in his time
Of the sweat of the freeman,
Of Papacy's slime
Fie, fie, Liberty, fie!
Down with Liberty, down, say I!

Common sense is in vogue;
But if lodged in man's pate,
He's a galley-slave only,
Revolting at Fate.
Fie, fie, Liberty, fie!
Down with Liberty, down, say I!

Worthy turnkeys, sweet friends,
Jailers merry and free,
To the Louvre, yes, the Louvre,
Bear this greeting for me —
Fie, fie, Liberty, fie!
Down with Liberty, down, say I!