Armenia Poem by Khoren Nar Bey de Lusignan

IF a sceptre of diamond, a glittering crown,
Were mine, at thy feet I would lay them both down,
Queen of queens, O Armenia!
If a mantle of purple were given to me,
A mantle for kings, I would wrap it round thee,
Poor Armenia, my mother!
If the fire of my youth and its sinews of steel
Could return, I would offer its rapture and zeal
All to thee, my Armenia!
Had a lifetime of ages been granted to me,
I had given it gladly and freely to thee,
O my life, my Armenia!
Were I offered the love of a maid lily-fair,
I would choose thee alone for my joy and my care,
My one love, my Armenia !
Were I given a crown of rich pearls, I should prize,
Far more than their beauty, one tear from thine eyes,
O my weeping Armenia !
If freedom unbounded were proffered to me,
I would choose still to share thy sublime slavery,
O my mother, Armenia!
Were I offered proud Europe, to take or refuse,
Thee alone, with thy griefs on thy head, would I choose
For my country, Armenia!
Might I choose from the world where my dwelling should be,
I would say, Still thy ruins are Eden to me,
My beloved Armenia!
Were I given a seraph’s celestial lyre,
I would sing with my soul, to its chords of pure fire,
Thy dear name, my Armenia !