by William Smyth (1765 - 1849)

The hero may perish his country to save
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Language: English 
Our translations:  FRE
The hero may perish his country to save,
  And he lives in the records of fame;
The sage may the dungeons of tyranny brave --
  Ever honour'd and blest be his name!
But virtue, that silently toils or expires,
  No wreath for the brow to entwine,
That asks but a smile -- but a fond sigh requires --
  O woman! that virtue is thine!

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Confirmed with The Edinburgh Review: Or Critical Journal for Oct 1823 ... Jan. 1824, Vol. XXXIX, Edinburh, 1824, page 81.

Note: in the score of Beethoven's "The hero may perish", the words "hero", "sage", "virtue", and "woman" are capitalized.


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Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani

This text was added to the website: 2005-01-16
Line count: 8
Word count: 64