He shines through history like a sun. <br />For thrice five years <br />He bore bright victory through the dun <br />King-shadowed spheres; <br />Proud Europe 'neath his law of might <br />Low-bowed the knee. <br />Thou, poor ape, hobble after aright, <br />Petit, petit! <br /> <br />Napoleon in the roar of fight, <br />Calm and serene, <br />Guided athwart the fiery flight <br />His eagle keen. <br />Upon Arcola bridge he trod, <br />And came forth free. <br />Come! here is gold; adore thy god, <br />Petit, petit! <br /> <br />Viennas were his lights-o-love, <br />He ravished them; <br />Blithely he seized brave heights above <br />By the iron hem; <br />Castles caught he by the curls, <br />His brides to be: <br />For thee here are the poor, pale girls. <br />Petit, petit! <br /> <br />He passed o'er mountains, deserts, plains, <br />Having in hand <br />The palm, the lightening, and the reins <br />Of every land; <br />Drunken, he tottered on the brink <br />Of deity. <br />Here is sweet blood! quick, run to the drink, <br />Petit, petit! <br /> <br />Then, when he fell, loosening the world, <br />The abysmal sea <br />Made wide here depths for him, down-hurled <br />By Liberty; <br />Th' archangel plunged from where he stood, <br />And earth breathed free. <br />Thou! drown thyself in thy own mud, <br />Petit, petit!<br /><br />Victor Marie Hugo<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-111/
