MIA > Archive > Wilhelm Liebknecht
Written: In English by Frank Colebrook, in memoriam of Wilhelm Liebknecht’s death.
English Source: The Social Democrat, September 15th, 1900. Vol. IV, No. 9. (Source Scan)
Public Domain: This work is free of any copyright restrictions.
Transcription and Markup: Bill Wright for marxists.org, July 2023.
The criminal of State.[*] The saint of truth.
Its freeman still, behind the prison gate;
Himself possessing, thro’ that very ruth
Which gave him to his fellows, consecrate.
Great, in the will that strives, the heart that bleeds—
Great men are greater than their greatest deeds.
And “Soldier,” thou hast still thy fighting part;
Uncaged by death, thy spirit roameth free;
Instinct, in every justice-loving heart
Instinct, in hands out-stretched for unity;
Instinct, in brain which checks the wily foe,
Instinct, in steadfast faith and hope aglow;
In all who list wan childhood’s weak appeal,
There, re-incarnate is thy deathless zeal.
Raise a plain stone, and simply LIEBKNECHT write.
Enough. The rest is graved in the hearts of men;
How he wore down in life’s incessant fight
Those who would gag his speech or bribe his pen.
Raise a plain stone and simply LIEBKNECHT write,
And when temptations try or tempests lour,
Men, at this shrine refreshed with giant power,
Like fealty to his own, shall reverent plight.
Frank Colebrook.
[*] Eight times imprisoned.
Last updated on 25 July 2023
