HOLY RUSSIA.(Sergius of Throitsa, loquitur.)
Have you heard how Holy Russia
Is guarded, night and day,
By saints gone home to the world of light,
Yet watching her realm for aye?—
Nicholas, Vladimir, Michael,
Catharine, Olga, Anna;
Barbara, borne from her silent tower
To the angels' glad hosanna;
Cyril, Ivan, Alexander,
Sergius, Feodor;
Basil, the bishop beloved,
And a thousand thousand more.
They walk the streets of the city,
Waving their stately palms,
And the river that runs by the Father's throne
Keeps time to their joyous psalms.
But they do not forget, in their rapture,
The land of their love below;
Blessing they send to its poorest friend,
Defiance to proudest foe.
So in cloister, and palace, and cottage,
Cathedral, and wayside shrine,
Is guarded, night and day,
By saints gone home to the world of light,
Yet watching her realm for aye?—
Nicholas, Vladimir, Michael,
Catharine, Olga, Anna;
Barbara, borne from her silent tower
To the angels' glad hosanna;
Cyril, Ivan, Alexander,
Sergius, Feodor;
Basil, the bishop beloved,
And a thousand thousand more.
They walk the streets of the city,
Waving their stately palms,
And the river that runs by the Father's throne
Keeps time to their joyous psalms.
But they do not forget, in their rapture,
The land of their love below;
Blessing they send to its poorest friend,
Defiance to proudest foe.
So in cloister, and palace, and cottage,
Cathedral, and wayside shrine,
