The Worst Treason - Victor Hugo
2/26/2010 - 12 Adar, 5770Today is Victor Hugo’s 208th birthday.
The Worst Treason
–Victor Hugo
from: Chatiments
Translated by: Henry Carrington
The deepest infamy man can attain,
Is to strangle Rome, or France enchain;
Whate’er the place, the land, the city be,
‘T is to rob man of soul and liberty;
‘T is with drawn sword the senate to invade,
And murder law in its own court betrayed.
To enslave the land is guilt of such black dye,
It is ne’er quitted by God’s vengeful eye;
The crime once done, they day of grace expires,
Heaven’s punishment, which, howe’er slow, ne’er tires,
Begins to march, and comes serene and calm,
With her steel knotted whip beneath her arm.