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Home  »  Every Day in the Year A Poetical Epitome of the World’s History  »  For a Portrait of Felice Orsini

James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.

March 13

For a Portrait of Felice Orsini

By Anonymous

  • Felice Orsini was an Italian patriot and revolutionist. He attempted, in company with others, to assassinate Napoleon III., and was executed, March 13, 1858.


  • STEADFAST as sorrow, fiery sad, and sweet

    With underthoughts of love and faith, more strong

    Than doubt and hate and all ill thoughts which throng,

    Haply, round hope’s or fear’s world-wandering feet

    That find no rest from wandering till they meet

    Death, bearing palms in hand and crowns of song;

    His face, who thought to vanquish wrong with wrong,

    Erring, and make rage and redemption meet,

    Havoc and freedom; weaving in one weft

    Good with his right hand, evil with his left;

    But all a hero lived and erred and died;

    Looked thus upon the living world he left

    So bravely that with pity less than pride

    Men hail him Patriot and Tyrannicide.