Poems by Victor Hugo - HTML preview

TRIBUTE TO THE VANQUISHED.

("Laissez-moi pleurer sur cette race.")
     {I. v.}

Oh! let me weep that race whose day is past,
         By exile given, by exile claimed once more,
       Thrice swept away upon that fatal blast.
         Whate'er its blame, escort we to our shore
         These relics of the monarchy of yore;
     And to th' outmarching oriflamme be paid
     War's honors by the flag on Fleurus' field displayed!

     Fraser's Magazine