Richard Chenevix Trench (1807–1886)

(On His Reported Conduct towards the Poles)

WHAT would it help to call thee what thou art?

When all is spoken, thou remainest still

With the same power, and the same evil will

To crush a nation’s life out; to dispart

All holiest ties; to turn awry and thwart

All courses that kind Nature keeps; to spill

The blood of noblest veins; to maim, or kill

With torture of slow pain, the aching heart.

When our weak hands hang useless, and we feel

Deeds cannot be, who then would ease his breast

With the impotence of words? But our appeal

Is unto Him who counts a nation’s tears;

With whom are the oppressor and opprest,

And vengeance, and the recompensing years.