C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Georg Herwegh (1817–1875)
The Song of Hatred
B
And draw the trusty blade!
Then turn ye to the reddening east,
In freedom’s cause arrayed.
Till death shall part the blade and hand,
They may not separate:
We’ve practiced loving long enough,
And come at length to hate!
Hath Love essayed in vain;
O Hate! proclaim thy judgment-day,
And break our bonds in twain.
As long as ever tyrants last,
Our task shall not abate:
We’ve practiced loving long enough,
And come at length to hate!
With hate alone be beating;—
Look round! what piles of rotten sticks
Will keep the flame a-heating!
As many as are free and dare,
From street to street go say ’t:
We’ve practiced loving long enough,
And come at length to hate!
The trampled earth above is;
And holier will our hatred be,
Far holier than our love is.
Till death shall part the blade and hand,
They may not separate:
We’ve practiced loving long enough,
Let’s come at last to hate!