This poem is a mere translation (and very short version at that) of a German poem that actually spoke of a resistance group during WW2 called "Die Weiße Rose" (the white rose).
It was a poem that always stayed with me for some reason, even years after I first read it. Recently I felt as if it could match the Les Mis events as well, so I decided to share it, hoping my translation can somehow convey at least a little bit what this poem has always been to me. Lost in translation is nothing I could prevent but I did my best.
Be kind. I´m not a poet.
Disclaimer: I own neither the Les Mis characters nor the poem itself.
The Three
Dear Paris, for you I´ll sing this song,
Dear city, rich of art and monuments.
The highest praise for our heroes, strong,
And it begins: There were three students.
...
There were three. Three led the way.
To lead us to a world to claim.
Those three would show us the new day.
Those three, in our hearts they will remain.
...
"As a student of the medicine,
I swear by God to do what´s in my power
To serve the people with my heart and everything
I´m willing to unchain the lower.
...
From these criminals that sneakily,
Have stolen France´s high and noble throne.
To serve this goal with faith and bravery,
Is something I have heartfelt sworn."
...
"I swear, I´ll never let a thing untried,
Until this suffering will fin´ly end.
There´s nothing that would more unite,
Than all the anger in the land.
...
One day, when finally tomorrow comes,
They shall not say, the youth was silent when it mattered.
We carry many peoples hopes,
It has to end! … this nation´s shattered."
...
"I have to ask, since that´s what students do,
What do we learn, that we shall teach once ourselves?
The things they teach us, is this really true?
So much misfortune have I seen these days.
...
I will not talk too much, I only say,
If you need help, and someone to stand up for you,
Just call on me, and I will come and stay.
There is nothing I won´t do."
...
The obelisk, and someone read the words,
As if he spelled each letter in a haze,
And he would read it like a curse
And like a shadow he would freeze.
...
You indivisibles, who never can be parted now,
The future that we won was reason for your loss.
There have been three. Three students took a vow,
It could be every single one of us.
In the original poem they named themselves in their little speeches, but I decided not to do this. Instead I let the reader chose which student´s voice they want to hear in each monologue.
You can share your opinion with me, and if it is only that I should better leave the poetry to the real poets.
In any case, I thank you for giving it a try.
