Greece and the Greeks, Tr. [From Lifvet I Gamla Verden] by M. Howitt (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863. Excerpt: ... 160 SIXTH STATION. New-year's Day--The Greek New Year--Review of the Last War of Independence in Greece--The Klephte--Rhigas and Coray--The National Basis--The War of Freedom and its Men--The Phoenix--The Morning of the New Day. January, 1860.--Friends may desert me, Dear friends may die; Life, a dread ocean, No light in the sky; One Friend, one only Is steadfast and true, He will be faithful Eternity through That thou mayest be able to join with me in these words is, dear E, my New-year's wish for thee and for all, because--I know no better wish. Then thou wilt be able to raise thyself, as on outspread wings, above the grave of many a beloved hope and anticipation, and calmly to wait till the day shall brighten for thee, turning thy soul away from thy own little life to the great events of the world in which thou canst read, as if in characters of fire and blood, that "God Almighty lives " Let me now sketch for thee some traits from that THE DEATH SLEEP OF HELLAS. 161 grand vision which has lately become very living and distinct to my mind. It is yet night. For centuries now has night covered a land and a people who for a long season bore the torch of light to the peoples of the earth. And in the long night lies one dying, left alone by herself and with her executioners. The nations have almost forgotten her name, which was once a great name. It is--Hellas. It is a thousand years since this death-struggle began. The ancient Hellas, rich in honour, fell through the direst of sins--the abuse of freedom--a sin against the Holy Ghost which can never be forgiven, which must and will bring down punishment. Internal disunion, lust of pleasure and effeminacy, caused the Greek nation to lose its autonomy under the Macedonian Alexander. The freest of all the stat...