Robert William Service (Роберт Уильям Сервис)
The Alcázar
The General now lives in town; He's eighty odd, they say; You'll see him strolling up and down The Prada any day. He goes to every football game, The bull-ring knows his voice, And when the people cheer his name Moscardo must rejoice. Yet does he, in the gaiety Of opera and ball, A dingy little cellar see, A picture on a wall? A portrait of a laughing boy Of sixteen singing years... Oh does his heart dilate with joy, Or dim his eyes with tears? And can he hear a wistful lad Speak on the telephone? "Hello! How is it with you, Dad? That's right; I'm all alone. They say they'll shoot me at the dawn If you do not give in... But never mind, Dad; carry on: You know we've got to win." And so they shot him at the dawn. No bandage irked his eyes, A lonely lad, so wistful wan, He made his sacrifice. he saw above the Citadel His flag of glory fly, And crying: "long live Spain!" he fell And died as heroes die.
Robert William Service’s other poems:
896
