Rev. Francis D. Morice

De Thaddeo Andrea Bonaventura Kosciuszko

Oxonii, MDCCCXCV

Dionysius Silvanus Humberto et sodalibus s.d.p.

De Thaddeo Andrea Bonaventura Kosciuszko (1746-1817), duce Polonico et patriae amantissimo, locum inveni Anglice scriptum quem Latine interpretatus est Rev. Francis D. Morice Oxoniensis et Rugbiensis anno MDCCCXCV (e "Latin Prose Versions…", Oxonii). Spero eum Polonis nostris frequentibus gratum fore.

 

Multis postea annis cohortes aliquae Polonicae, dum secutae Russorum signa Galliam invadunt, paganis apud quos tum Coscius exulabat spoliatis, e tugurio rustico ipsum exciverunt. Qui praedantes allocutus, Me vero, inquit, vobiscum militante, civium quietorum bonis temperabatur. Tum roganti tribuno alicui, quis tam imperiosa voce milites corriperet, respondit ille Coscium se esse. Quod dictum cum per exercitum totum cito celebratum mentes omniumobstupefecisset, statim omisso itinere milites undique congregati viri tanti quasi umbram et reliquias timide mirantur. Huncne illum esse, cuius laudes Poloniam honestavissent? cui non succurrere multa eius et praeclara facta? quantum in eo patriae, quantum libertatis amorem fuisse: denique post tot tantasque victorias quam splendide cecidisse. Recordantibus haec animi praeter solitum molliuntur: effusi in lacrimas funus dedecusque patriae frustra detestantur. Neque difficile est coniectu quomodo affectus ipse maerentem coetum circumspexerit.

["In the invasion of France, many years after, some Polish regiments in the service of Russia passed through the village where this exiled patriot then lived. Some pillaging of the inhabitants brought Kosciusko from his cottage. 'When I was a Polish soldier,' said he, addressing the plunderers, 'the property of the peaceful citizen was respected.' 'And who art thou?' said an officer, 'who addressed us with a tone of authority?' 'I am Kosciusko.' There was magic in the word. It ran from corps to corps. The march was suspended. They gathered round him, and gazed with astonishment and awe upon the mighty ruin he presented. 'Could it indeed be their hero, whose fame was identified with that of their country?' A thousand interesting reflections burst upon their minds; they remembered his patriotism, his devotion to liberty, his triumphs, and his glorious fall. Their iron hearts were softened; the tears trickled down their faces as they grieved in idle indignation over their country's shameful doom, nor is it difficult to conceive what would be the feelings of the hero himself in such a scene." – Percy Anecdotes]

 

Opto bene valeatis omnes.

Datae Id. Apr. a.s.n. MMI e Britannia Superiore.