Montenegrin Song

‘Twas Emperor Napoleon,

Another Cæsar, they rattle on,

Who his captains gathered all:

“Get you all there

Right up to those mountains tall;

Do not falter!

“There you’ll find men untamable,

With iron hearts,

Rocks black and redoubtable

Like hell’s own external parts.”

They have brought with them their cannons

And their hussars and their dragons.

“—O great captains, you march all

Unto your last;

Contemplate these rocks so tall,

Stand you fast!

“Because the mountain has its deep pits

For your cannons;

Rocks split down from off their summits

Will grind to very dust your squadrons.

“God protect you, Montenegro,

And forever you’ll be free,

Like the snow

Upon your peaks!”

Gérard de Nerval