Such be the sons of Spain, and strange her Fate!

They fight for Freedom who were never free,

A Kingless people for a nerveless state;  ⁱⁱ

Her vassals combat when their Chieftains flee,

True to the veriest slaves of Treachery:

Fond of a land which gave them nought but life,

Pride points the path that leads to Liberty;

Back to the struggle, baffled in the strife,

War, war is still the cry, "War even to the knife!" [18.B.]