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Show "UN! By RAMON D. PERES , , ' QUEL beau reve d'étre l'auteur d'une grande epopee'! Qu'elle sublime réalite' d'en étre le héros I C'est avec une immense p1t1eque'} ai suiVi, les larmes aux yeux, les exploits de ce jeune et yaillant R01, gu1dant cepetit peuple de Belgique que l'Histoire mettra a cote des plus admirables nations ; et je suis fier d'avoir pleure', par la seule raison que comprendre la beaute et l'heroi'sme c'est l'humble consolation de ceux qui n'ont pu étre des heros ou créer des beautés parfaitcs, éclatantes. . La Belgique possédait des poetes profonds, touchantsnau vol audacreux: elle peut se vanter aussi d'avoir l‘audace du beau geste,a la saveur antique, qui offre la vie pour garder l'indc'pendance et la dignite. ‘ L Espagne a un pcu le droit d'admirer cette ombre en deurl qu1 passe, here an milieu des ruines, et moi, lc dernier dcs écrivains espagnols, je la salue avec cegrand frisson que fait naitre, dans tout homme de ctrur, ce qui est grandiose et noble autant que terrible. f? r 24 5; _, WA 74-: J lR/l \ is] .47 10A 171' l'lorrm " Simmonds 110w splmdid to dream of being' tlw author of a ,yrrat (111? l llorc sublime to he "(ti/ally the hero of surh a rear/z l ll ith tears in my eyes, and an immense pity in my heart, 1 how [til/lltl't‘d l/ll' mph/Its oft/10131111113 and valiant King. guiding the little muhh')‘ (glis'rlqimu, n'hirh History will ran/c among the most admirable of nations ; and I am proud at hating wept, lurause to undustaud beauty aml lumism Is the humble mnsolotiun of those who (amlnt [11‘ heroes, or (route per/art (llttl glorious beau/y. Belgium possessed deep and moving poets, capable of during flights ; she may also claim to have trmtured upon a noble and daring action in the antique spirit, offering life itself to safeguard imlopemleure and dignity. Spain has some prescriptive right to admire this mourning7 shadow, passing proudly among the ruins, and I, the least of the Spanish writers, salute her with the thrill that every feeling heart must feel in the presence of what is grandiose and noble as well as terrible. By M. ALEXANDRE F. RIBOT LE monde entier s'incline avec respect devant le peuple Belge et devant son chef admirable le Roi Albert, qui donnent un si grand exemplc a toutes lcs nations civilisées. Leur cause est celle du droit : elle ne peut succomber, parce qu'elle a pour elle la conscience universelle. "a '1‘/'€.-'1.\7SL./1TION The whole world bores in rrsprrlful homage before the Belgian pea/>10 and before thmr glorious leader, King Albert. who are showing such a great example "Z to all civilised nations. Their muse is the muse of Right : it cannot fail, because the conscience of the world is one with it. By PADEREWSKI THERE is no country where the tragedy of Belgium created more sorrow and indignation than in Poland. Nowhere did the unshakable heroism of the Belgians and their glorious King inspire more sincere admiration, more profound reverence. And yet of these sentiments no tangible proof has been given; no Polish voice has been heard. Though over one million and a quarter of her sons are under arms, Poland has no right to speak ; though before spoliation her territory was much larger than the whole of present Germany, she is now destitute, poor. The terrific storm which destroyed Belgium's most deserved prosperity is raging furiously over our country, and wherever it comes it leaves nothing-nothing but eyes to weep. There is no land where Belgium's fate has moved so many hearts, but we do not weep, we do not complain, we do not despair. King Albert's and his people‘s immortal example gives us courage and strength, as it always will comfort, strengthen, and encourage all countries and nations suflering and longing for Liberty. By M. H. SPIELMANN THE indomitable people which in the past emerged unchanged and unchangeable from the foreign flood, Spanish, Austrian, and Napoleonic- loyal to its blood and staunch in the maintenance of its historical character ~will make good triumphantly to the end. Its Art, the expression of its ideals and the pageant ofits soul, has ever remained unspoiled and uncoloured by stranger domination. Belgium's heroic leader personifies her spirit. Superb in the business of war, he has proved his conviction that the peaceful arts are not less ti‘ulv the expression of its being. It is fitting, therefore, that acclaimed by the civilised world, idolised by his grateful and admiring country, and consecrated in the lustre of his heroism, he should be destined to become henceforth an immortal theme of his country's Art and Letters. By SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, BART. N EARLY two thousand four hundred years ago the Boeotian city of Platzea was one among the many lesser Greek republics. Her citizens earned immortal fame by taking part with the leading States of Athens and Sparta in the decisive battles, fought on their own territory, which delivered Greece from the fear of Persian conquest and saved the light of Greek freedom and civilisation from being extinguished. To this day the name of Platzea is held in honour throughout the world; for many centuries that honour \\ as unique. Belgium has now done and dared, for the freedom of modern Europe, as much as Plataea did of old; she has unhappily suffered far more. As her valour has been equal and her suffering greater, her reward Will be no less immortal. Belgium will be remembered with Plataea centuries alter the military tyranny of the Hohenzollerns has vanished like an evil dre . aln Icicnbk 7‘)"sz 133 MU" V |
