Let Us Live Armenians Poem by Khoren Nar Bey de Lusignan

LIVE as Armenians, brethren, in this world!
That name to us do history’s pages give ;
The heavens above salute us by that name :
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live !
Armenians we ! That hero was our sire
Who taught mankind for freedom first to strive ;
He gave us for our portion a great name :
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live !
Our land is holy; on its -sacred soil
God walked, what time he Adam forth did drive;
Our language he devised; he spoke it first:
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live !
We have one cradle with the human race;
Our land salvation to the world did give ;
Faith’s earliest altar was Mount Ararat:
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live !
Noble our name is; not on earth alone,
But in the heavens it shines forth gloriously.
The stars of valiant Haig are deathless there :
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be !
Live as Armenians ! From the past what land
So many ancient glories doth derive ?
What nation has so beautiful a home ?
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live !
Unto what nation did the King of heaven
Send four apostles as an embassy,
And with what monarch did he correspond ?
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be !
Who can count o’er the names of all our saints ?
One roll of martyrs is our history ;
Our church on earth is like to heaven itself:
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be !
To us was Christ’s first benediction given ;
The champions of the faith for aye were we ;
Armenia’s deeds astonished earth and heaven :
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be !
Our nation, ever following the Lord.
Has borne the cross for many a century;
No, she will not be a deserter now !
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be !
Yes, sorrowful is life beneath the cross ;
Yes, as Armenians we with pain must strive;
Yet wears the cross the seal of victory :
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live !
Our home beloved, our sceptre and our crown,
With clouds are covered in obscurity :
Have hope ! the heavens yet shall give us light:
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be !
No, not forever shall our fate be sad,
Our lot, to eat and drink of misery;
A new and happy future waits for us !
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!
Live as Armenians, that our sons as well
May boast that they are our posterity;
Let us do no dishonor to our name !
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!
Live as Armenians! Some day, over death
Armenia yet shall rise in victory.
Soon may that glad day dawn for us, O heaven !
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be !