Echoes of Romanticism , The Greek National Anthem by The Pen of Rudyard Kipling

The Hellenic National Anthem originally written as "Hymn to Liberty" by the Romantic poet Dionisios Solomos in 1823. In 1865, from its 158 stanzas,  two of it officially adopted by the Hellenic state as the official anthem of Greeks. 

For those who had read the full poem, the "Hymn to Liberty" is a momument of Romanticism inspired by Hellenic wars of independence against the Turks. It is there that Dionisios Solomos captured the true soul and character of the Hellenic Nation through out the centuries.

In 1918, almost a century later, the English giant of poetry Rudyard Kipling translated of part of Hymn To Liberty in English.

This excellent translation of transfering into the english language follows below.

Only a real master and talent such as Rudyard Kipling can do such a splendid work.

 

 

 The Greek National Anthem

 by

 Rudyard Kipling

 

 WE knew thee of old,    
  Oh divinely restored,    
By the light of thine eyes    
  And the light of thy Sword.    
 
From the graves of our slain            
  Shall thy valour prevail    
As we greet thee again—    
  Hail, Liberty! Hail!    
 
Long time didst thou dwell    
  Mid the peoples that mourn,            
Awaiting some voice    
  That should bid thee return.    
 
Ah, slow broke that day    
  And no man dared call,    
For the shadow of tyranny            
  Lay over all:    
 
And we saw thee sad-eyed,    
  The tears on thy cheeks    
While thy raiment was dyed    
  In the blood of the Greeks.            
 
Yet, behold now thy sons    
  With impetuous breath    
Go forth to the fight    
  Seeking Freedom or Death.    
 
From the graves of our slain            
  Shall thy valour prevail    
As we greet thee again    
  Hail, Liberty! Hail!

 

 SEE ALSO:
The Forbidden Poems of Rudyard Kipling