English poem
Ballad—in the Gipsies
by Anonymous
Yes, yes, thank heaven, I've broke my chain; And, while my liberty I gain, While I my heart redeem, Indifference succeeds at last, And my egregious follies past Appear an idle dream.
Thus from a false injurious snare, The linnet timid, unaware, Hardly escapes with pain; The feathers he has left behind. Are lessons to him to remind Not to be caught again.
The warrior bravely counts each scar, Describes the peril of the war, Well pleased his dangers o'er: The slave at last exempt from pain, With smiles behold that very chain Which held him to the oar.