Book 2 — V[82:3]
Reading edition
KOSKIUSKO
O what a loud and fearful shriek was there, As though a thousand souls one death-groan pour'd! Ah me! they saw beneath a Hireling's sword Their Koskiusko fall! Through the swart air [83](As pauses the tir'd Cossac's barbarous yell 5 Of Triumph) on the chill and midnight gale Rises with frantic burst or sadder swell The dirge of murder'd Hope! while Freedom pale Bends in such anguish o'er her destin'd bier, As if from eldest time some Spirit meek 10 Had gather'd in a mystic urn each tear That ever on a Patriot's furrow'd cheek Fit channel found; and she had drain'd the bowl In the mere wilfulness, and sick despair of soul!
December 16, 1794.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Title] Effusion viii. 1796: Sonnet vi. 1828, 1829, 1834.
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3-4
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Great Kosciusko 'neath an hireling's sword The warriors view'd! Hark! through the list'ning air
MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794.
Great Kosciusko 'neath an Hireling's sword His country view'd. Hark through the list'ning air
M. C.
Ah me! they view'd beneath an hireling's sword Fall'n Kosciusko! Thro' the burthened air
1796, 1828, 1829.
[
5
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As] When M. C., MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794.
[
8
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The 'dirge of Murder'd Hope' MS. Letter, Dec. 17, 1794.
[
12
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That ever furrow'd a sad Patriot's cheek MS. Letter, 1794, M. C., 1796.
[
13-14
]
And she had drench'd the sorrows of the bowl E'en till she reel'd intoxicate of soul
MS. Letter, 1794, M. C.
And she had drain'd the sorrows of the bowl E'en till she reel'd, &c.
1796.