Taras Shevchenko

Taras Shevchenko (March 9 [O.S. February 25] 1814 – March 10 [O.S. February 26] 1861) was a Ukrainian poet, painter, writer, portraitist, and playwright.

Quotes

 * When I am dead, bury me
 * In my beloved Ukraine,
 * My tomb upon a grave mound high
 * Amid the spreading plain,
 * So that the fields, the boundless steppes,
 * The Dnieper's plunging shore
 * My eyes could see, my ears could hear
 * The mighty river roar.


 * When from Ukraine the Dnieper bears
 * Into the deep blue sea
 * The blood of foes ... then will I leave
 * These hills and fertile fields --
 * I'll leave them all and fly away
 * To the abode of God,
 * And then I'll pray .... But until that day
 * I know nothing of God.


 * Oh bury me, then rise ye up
 * And break your heavy chains
 * And water with the tyrants' blood
 * The freedom you have gained.
 * And in the great new family,
 * The family of the free,
 * With softly spoken, kindly word
 * Remember also me.
 * Taras Shevchenko Zapovit, 1845 (Shevchenko's "Testament"), Translated by John Weir, Toronto, 1961; Online at