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Copyright © 1963 Lithuanian Students Association, Inc.   Vol. 9, No.1 - 1963 Editor of this issue: A. Mickevičius

MAIRONIS

The spirit and ideals of Lithuania rising to its independence early this century were beautifully expressed by the great poet Maironis (real name J. Mačiulis, 1862 -1932). He was born in Raseiniai district, was ordained a priest, and held a professorship in St. Petersburg and later in the theological seminary and university at Kaunas. With his collection of lyrics "Pavasario Balsai" (Voices of Spring), and longer poems "Jaunoji Lietuva" (Young Lithuania), "Raseinių Magde" (Maggie of Raseiniai) and "Mūsų Vargai" (Our Trials), he earned for himself undying fame in the annals of Lithuanian life and letters. He has also written several historical dramas, "Kęstučio Mirtis" (The Death of Kęstutis), "Vytautas pas Kryžiuočius" (Vytautas with the Crusaders), and "Didysis Vytautas Karalius" (King Vytautas the Great). Maironis was not only a poet, but a modern Lithuanian prophet. With his unmatched verses he roused the nation, by speaking of Lithuania's natural beauty, recalling the great and ancient past and recounting the glorious deeds of the ancestors of the Lithuanians. He inspired all with the love of their country, its language, and its people. Although he preached the gospel of national resurrection, one must not conclude that he stooped to a mere utilitarian form of verse making. His poetic talent was great, and his wings of inspiration carried him over such wide expanse, that he was able to avoid all didacticism; the poet became identical with his ideal, he and his people whom he was leading were a single entity. Maironis was not only one of the most distinguished fashioners of poetic language and verse form, but he was also unreservedly the most popular poet. His clear, euphonious speech, sincerity of feeling, and easily comprehensible ideas drew him close to everybody. With the new present occupation of Lithuania Maironis' poetry became a source of inspiration again. To the Lithuanian people, burdened with new oppression, his words are a source of spiritual strength and a promise of ultimate victory—freedom.

SONG OF ANTIQUITY

Word is here, from as far as Vilnius: Saddle the steed.
In Marienburg Teutonic knights move to destroy us. 
Goodbye, dear heart, my sister! Be still. Wait for me. 
     If I not perish, I shall return, joyous.

A long time now, Teutons gather their precious wealth: 
gold spires, and chests of silk, soft to the feel. 
Dear love, you'll have a silk scarf and a belt of gold, 
     and I, a Prussian sword of tempered steel.

Spring's dawn has broken, and the lark sings on forever. 
Where is my lad, my love? Why does he not return? 
At sunset there was battle. Blood poured down and wasted. 
     My love fell for his homeland. And I mourn.

Ladies, companions, sing their joy, adorned in silks. 
My tears burst out and shine. I see the graveyard stand. 
Dearest one, you'll not speak small words of love to me, 
     nor slip the golden ring on a white hand.

Translated by CLARK MILLS

LITHUANIA

The Nemunas flows in strong repose
     And waters our native soil. 
Birutė's song in our brother's tongue 
     Can lighten the ploughman's toil.

     As our rivers cross the eternal strand, 
     So shall our songs resound in every land. 

Where the jewels gleam, where the rue is green
     And graces a maiden's wreath, 
Where the cuckoo's cry fills the forest high, 
     Our cottages stand on the heath.

     Where the rue blooms and speckled birds rejoice, 
     There our mother awaits the wanderer's voice. 

When the sun of spring scatters shades from the ling,
     When the hay meets the reaper's hand, 
When the stubble-corn is all cold and torn — 
     Ever fair is our native land.

     In winter's snows, in summer's ecstasy, 
     None is dearer, lovelier than thee. 

In the sun's bright rays or in clouded days
     Our heart returns to our home, 
Where our fathers rest and their memory is blest, 
     Where our sweat has watered the loam.

     In joy and hardship, quietude and strife, 
     Be the land beloved more than life. 

There the boyars rode to their Prince's abode
     And made the Teuton flee. 
Our homage is due and our hearts are true 
     To the land of our liberty.

     In her cause our fathers strove and bled, 
     In her cause our blood shall yet be shed. 

May the Lord of grace defend the place 
     Where the bones of our ancestors lie. May 
Thy powerful hand protect the land 
     Where Thy children suffer and die.

     Shed still upon our home Thy mercy's light; 
     Still hear us, Lord of everlasting might.

Translated by RAFAEL SEALEY