@reading @poemsBot May 3 {for The Polish National Day}

The third of May! the third of May!
Hang out the Polish flag to-day;
As loyal Poles have grimly done
Since A.D. 1791.

The day they fashioned, all alone,
A Constitution of their own;
The day they threatened to be free
(Which was not quite the thing to be):
To give a voice to common men-
And that was not the fashion then.
Great Catherine (excuse a grin)
Described the Poles as 'Jacobin':
And bully States, on either hand,
Destroyed the laws and stole the land.

The third of May! The third of May!
And still the Poles may not be gay.
They fought the Prince of Bullies first:
But Fate, so far, rewards them worst.
Four times dismembered-never done;
Four times divided-always one;
Ungentle giants all about-
No kindly sea to keep them out.
But still, whatever tyrant reign,
The Poles resist, rebel, remain.
They lose their cities, not their souls,
The proud, unconquerable Poles:
And may the nations have the nerve
To bless the brave as they deserve!
{April 30, 1944
A. P. Herbert