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King Albert's Book 6/6 • Tribute
3 years ago
By M. TOUGAN BARANOVSKY
To Belgium and Her King
IN the life of a man as in the life of a Nation, Evil is closely interwoven
with Good. Without Evil there would be no Good—for Good is nothing
more than the vanquishing of Evil.
From this point of view Evil not only serves Good but is also, as it were,
the invariable basis of its activity. Great historical crimes, like those of
which we are eye-witnesses today, have their place in the triumphant
onward march of eternal truth. The more terrible the crime, the more
beautiful and the more dazzling the power of that good which overcomes it.
Was not the Crucifixion essential to the everlasting victory of Jesus? And
shall not the picture of Belgium ruined and laid waste by her foes be graven
forever on the pages of human history? Shall not our remote descendants
make songs and legends about the glorious country of King Albert which
has given proof of supreme courage and unconquerable spirit in the awful
hour of barbarian invasion? And shall not Belgium by her example inspire
Humanity throughout the ages to do deeds of heroism and to battle for truth.
Henceforth King Albert belongs to all of us, he is our common possession,
like one of those spiritual heroes who raise the value of the whole of mankind.
And after many, many years, when every trace of the present bloody struggle
has vanished, when the names of the battle-fields and the great commanders
are forgotten, when all the horrors we are now living through seem but far-
off legends, when the proudest temples and palaces of our era have crumbled
into dust, the image of the noble King shall still continue to inspire the poet.
By A. KOUPRINE
NOT applause, not admiration, but the deep eternal gratitude of the whole
civilised world is now due to the self-denying Belgian people and their
noble young Sovereign. They first threw themselves before the savage
beast, foaming with pride, maddened with blood. They thought not of
their own safety, nor of the prosperity of their houses, nor of the fate of
the high culture of their country, nor of the vast numbers and cruelty
of the enemy. They have saved, not only their fatherland, but all Europe,
the cradle of intellect, taste, science, creative art, and beauty; they have
saved from the fury of the barbarians, trampling in their insolence, the best
roses in the holy garden of God. Compared with their modest heroism,
the deed of Leonidas and his Spartans who fought in the pass of Ther-
mopylae falls into the shade. And the hearts of all the noble and the good
beat in accord with their great hearts...
No, never shall die or lose its power a people endowed with such a noble
fire of blood, with such feelings, that inspire it to confront bereavement,
sorrow, sickness, wounds; to march as friends, hand in hand, adored King
and simple cottager, man and woman, poor and rich, weak and strong,
aristocrat and labourer. Salutation and humblest reverence to them!
By M. D. ANOUTCHIN
WHO now, save the Germans, would not compassionate poor Belgium,
small, but at the same time great, utterly devastated and depopulated for
this sole reason—that she has dared to remain loyal and to defend her soil
against the unrighteous invasion of barbarians.
One would have to be a William II, representing the worst side of Teutonic
militarism, to dare name the noble country a traitor. We Europeans
admire the heroism of the Belgians and their knightly King.
Let us hope that with the united forces of England, Russia, France, Belgium,
Serbia, and Japan, the enemy of good faith and humanity will be utterly
broken. In all these emergencies the device " now or never " is not to be
forgotten, and the sword shall not be sheathed until the Kaiser acknowledges
himself beaten.
By LOUIS COUPERUS
TOWARDS noble Belgium, victim of a world-tragedy, all sympathies
stretch out like maternal hands, eager to soothe her quivering griefs. To
her noble Sovereigns, King Albert and Queen Elisabeth, a chorus of con-
solation raises this cry: Despair not, for sooner or later the victim is always
avenged by Justice and Destiny.
By HALL CAINE
Great Britain
Not that she's old and full of days, O God,
Not that she keeps the round Earth's wealth in fee,
Not that her ships are sovereign of the sea,
Not that her sons, forth from their native sod
Have borne her flag as far as man has trod,
Not that her arm feared, nor yet the flood
Of her avenging wrath, her ancient blood—
Not therefore is she mighty, O my God.
But that as Mother of Nations, strong yet meek.
Her strength is given her to protect the weak.
And that she cries o'er any child of Thine
At any wrongful blow of any State,
"Because her soul is outraged she is mine"—
Therefore it is that God made Britain Great.
*Reply to Rossetti's " Refusal of Aid Between Nations."
By MAETERLINCK
To the Editor of King Albert's Book
It is not for me to sing the glories of my little country
at this moment, and indeed you have done so yourself
mth such a true and noble eloquence that it would be
difficult to add anything to your Introduction.
Your words brought tears to my eyes. They bear the
highest testimony we can hope for in history for they
speak in the name of a great people to whom honour,
loyalty, faith to solemn covenants, and silent
tenacious, invincible courage have always been the
very law of life. With all my heart, thank you!
THE END OF KING ALBERT'S BOOK