I Am a Magyar

A Magyar I ! The splendor of my land
Naught can surpass. She is the loveliest

Upon the globe, .and countless as the sand
The beauties are she bears upon her breast.
In mountains she is rich and from their height
One casts his glance beyond the distant sea;

-Tier fertile plains arc wide, you think they might
Extend to where the world's end seems to be.

A Magyar I! By nature am I sad

As are the first tunes of my nation's lay.
And though I often smile when I am glad,

I never laugh, however I be gay.
But when the utmost joy doth fill my breast,

In freely flowing tears breaks out my glee:
Yet joyous seems my face when most depressed.

For none shall ewer dare to pity me.

A Magyar I! With pride I cast my eye
Over the sea of history past and see

Vast, mighty rocks that almost reach the sky;
They are my nations deeds of bravery.

We, too, were acting once on Europe's stage.
And ours was not an empty, useless role!

When, at the play, our sword we drew in rage-
All feared us. as the child the thunder's roll.

A Magyar I ! But what is that to-day?

Ghost of a glorious past that restless stirs
At dark, but which the midnight spells must lay

In dreamless sleep down is his sepulchres.
How mute we are! Our neighbors nearest by

Scarce gain a sign that we are yet alive;
One brother will the other vilify

And in our land, but wrong and falsehood thrive-

A Magyar I! But O! how I deplore

To be a Magyar now! It is a shame
That while the sun in brightness shines all o'er,

Xo gleam or dawn to us as yet there came;
Still all the wealth on earth could not suffice

My love of thee dear spot, e'er to efface;
Dear native land, I still must idolize

And love thee still in spite of thy disgrace!

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