Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Kosciusko

Kosciusko.

Thaddeus Kosciusko was born in Lithuania, in 1736, of an ancient and noble family. He was educated at the military school of Warsaw, and afterwards became a student in France. There he became acquainted with Dr. Franklin, and was by him recommended to General Washington. Before leaving Poland he had eloped with a beautiful lady of high rank. They were overtaken in their flight by her father, who made a violent attempt to rescue his daughter. The young Pole had either to slay the father or abandon the young lady. Abhorring the former act lie sheathed his sword, and soon after obtained permission of his Sovereign to leave his country. He went to America, and presented himself to the commander-in-chief. He answered the inquiry of his Excellency, "What do you seek here?" by saying, "I come to fight as a volunteer for American independence." "What can you do?" asked Washington. "Try me," was Kosciusko's laconic reply. Greatly pleased with him, Washington made him hi8 aide. In October, 1776, he was appointed engineer by Congress with the rank of Colonel. He was greatly esteemed by the American officers, and admitted a member of the Cincinnati Society. At the close of the American Revolution he returned to Poland and was made a Major-general under Poniatowski. He commanded judiciously and fought bravely, and when, in 1794, a new revolution broke out in Poland, he was made generalissimo, and vested with the power of a military dictator. In October of that year he was overpowered, wounded, and taken prisoner. In reference to this event, Campbell, in his Pleasures of Hope, says—

 

"Hope for a season bade the world farewell,And Freedom shrieked when Kosciusko fell."

 

He was kept in prison in St. Petersburg until the death of the Empress Catherine, when he was liberated by Paul, loaded with honours, and offered a command in the Russian service. The Emperor besought him to accept the proffered honour, and presented him with his own sword. But bitterly reflecting that his country had been annihilated, he refused to receive his sword, saying, "I no longer need a sword, since I have no longer a country to defend." He visited the United States in 1797, and received from Congress a grant of land for his services. He returned to Switzerland towards the close of his life, and died there October 16th, 1817. His remains were taken to Cracow, and at Warsaw a public funeral was made for him.

 

A sacred grief sublime and bright Descends o'er Kosciusko's bier;It mourns not that his soul of light,No more confined in mortal night, Has sought its native sphere;The hallowed tear that glistens there, By purest loftiest feelings given,Flows more from triumph than despair, And falls like dew from heaven!

Thus oft around the setting sun Soft showers attend his parting ray,And sinking now, his journey done,His matchless course to evening run— They weep his closing day.Who hath not watched his light decline, Till sad, yet holy feelings rise?Although he sets again to shine, More glorious in more cloudless skies.

As proudly shone thy evening ray, As in that contest bright and brief,When patriots hailed thy noontide day, And owned thee as their chief!Thou wert the radiant morning star, Which bright to hapless Poland rose,The leader of her patriot war, The sharer of her woes!

What though no earthly triumphs grace The spot where thou hast ta'en thy sleep;Yet Glory points thy resting-place, And thither Freedom turns to weep.The pompous arch, the column's boast, Though rich with all the sculptor's art,Shall soon in time's dark sweep be lost; But thou survivest in the heart,And bright thy dwelling still shall be Within the page of Liberty.

And o'er the turf where sleeps the brave Such sweet and holy drops are shed—Who would not fill a Patriot's grave, To share them with the dead?The laurel, and the oaken bough, Above the meaner great may bloom,And trophies due to Freedom's brow May shade Oppression's tomb;—But Glory's smile hath shed on thee The light of immortality!