On the Massacre of the Christians in Bulgaria by Oscar Wilde
In the poem, “On The Massacre Of The Christians In Bulgaria,” the poet calls out to God to “come down . . . and show Thy might” in response to the 1876 massacre of approximately 5000 Bulgarian men, women, and children by Ottoman troops.
On the Massacre of the Christians in Bulgaria
by Oscar Wilde
Christ, dost Thou live indeed? or are Thy bones
Still straitened in their rock-hewn sepulchre?
And was Thy Rising only dreamed by her
Whose love of Thee for all her sin atones?
For here the air is horrid with men’s groans,
The priests who call upon Thy name are slain,
Dost Thou not hear the bitter wail of pain
From those whose children lie upon the stones?
Come down, O Son of God! incestuous gloom
Curtains the land, and through the starless night
Over Thy Cross a Crescent moon I see!
If Thou in very truth didst burst the tomb
Come down, O Son of Man! and show Thy might
Lest Mahomet be crowned instead of Thee!
