The Mitre, or the goby-fish bait - Richard Taylor

After we all shed our blood

To get rid of the French,

We consumed our riches, we suffered hunger

To put the English in government.

Is this how we are being repaid?  Is this love?

That they squeeze us every day?

Of every right they want to undress us,

Leaving us entirely naked!…

The first thing they deprived us of

As soon as Ball became governor:

The Council, with its Councillors;

Isn’t it clear that he’s a traitor?

How could they ever take the rights

Of this island, please answer me?

Had we asked them to buy it

They would have paid many millions for it.

Let alone when we gave it to them

On condition they would safeguard our rights!

However do not blame the Queen,

But some others who are here with us! …

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Richard Taylor (1818 - 1868) Malta

Translated by Arnold Cassola

Source: Maltese Romantic poetry and the yearning for self-governance and independence, Arnold Cassola, Dialoghi Mediterranei, 1 March 2020