Poems (Proctor)/Alexander II. of Russia
ALEXANDER II. OF RUSSIA.(1861.)
Hail to the Czar Alexander! Hail to the Prince of the Free!Not to the proud would he pander;Truer and nobler and grander Than Macedon's hero, is he— Alexander!
Listen! how melodies rural Freight every wind with his praise!Give him the golden crown mural!—First from the seas to the Oural Liberty's flag to upraise— Alexander!
Greatest is not the Czar Peter; (Sound it, O Bells, from each steeple!)No, for his fame will be fleeter;No, for the homage is sweeter Paid to the Czar of the People— Alexander!
Ah! when the Muscovite story Ages to ages shall tell,Still will the patriarchs hoaryCry, "I was the Czar of our glory, He who loved Russians so well— Alexander!"
God be his shield and defender! Keep him from sorrow afar!Then, when his life he shall render,Fold in eternity's splendor Russia's redeemer—the Czar Alexander!