The Russ At Kara
by
O King of kings, that watching from Thy throne
Sufferest the monster of Ust-Kara’s hold,
With bosom than Siberia’s wastes more cold,
And hear’st the wail of captives crushed and prone,
And sett’st no sign in heaven! Shall naught atone
For their wild pangs whose tale is yet scarce told,
Women by uttermost woe made deadly bold,
In the far dungeon’s night that hid their moan?
Why waits Thy shattering arm, nor smites this Power
Whose beak and talons rend the unshielded breast,
Whose wings shed terror and a plague of gloom,
Whose ravin is the hearts of the oppressed;
Whose brood are hell-births–Hate that bides its hour,
Wrath, and a people’s curse that loathe their doom?