The deepest infamy man can attain,
Is to strangle Rome, or France enchain;
Whate’er the place, the land, the city be,
‘T is to rob man of soul and liberty;
‘T is with drawn sword the senate to invade,
And murder law in its own court betrayed.
To enslave the land is guilt of such black dye,
It is ne’er quitted by God’s vengeful eye;
The crime once done, the day of grace expires,
Heaven’s punishment, which, howe’er slow, ne’er tires,
Begins to march, and comes serene and calm,
With her steel knotted whip beneath her arm.
From: Chatiments
Translated by: Henry Carrington
Poem from Victor Hugo Central.
It is things like this you need to read to prepare yourself for the SAT, ACT, etc. — great writing is invaluable in helping you grasp how language is and should be used and in helping you learn to write.
