Shake the Gates

You are a French peasant during the French Revolution. Write a poem that you feel would sustain you and your fellow countrymen during these harsh times.


Canst you hear the crying
of the babe in mother’s arms?
Would you see him dying?
Would you wish him harm?

No! resounds the answer
from the fields and from the knells.
Shake the gates, shake the gates,
show the demons hell!

Canst you feel the anger
of the dead ones in the gloom?
Would you see them linger?
Would you wish them doom?

No! resounds the answer
round the trees and round the hedge.
Shake the gates, shake the gates,
they shall be avenged!

Canst you taste the freedom
of the ones who hold the whip?
Only for their kingdom?
Only for their wish?

No! resounds the answer
from the voices of the drums.
Shake the gates, shake the gates,
till the demons run!