The
Red Army returns from the front, and passes in triumphant
review before the leaders of the Revolution. At their feet lie
the crowns of kings and the gold of the bankers. Ships draped
with flags are seen carrying workers from the west. The
workers of the whole world, with the emblems of labour, gather
for the celebration of the World Commune. In the heavens
luminous inscriptions in different languages appear, greeting
the Congress: "Long live the Third International! Workers of
the world, unite! Triumph to the sounds of the hymn of the
World Commune, the 'International'."
Even so glowing an account, however, hardly does it justice. It had
the pomp and majesty of the Day of Judgment itself. Rockets climbed
the skies and peppered them with a thousand stars, fireworks blazed on
all sides, garlanded and beflagged ships moved up and down the river,
chariots bearing the emblems of prosperity, grapes and corn, travelled
slowly along the road. The Eastern peoples came carrying gifts and
emblems. The actors, massed upon the steps, waved triumphant hands,
trumpets sounded, and the song of the International from ten thousand
throats rose like a mighty wave engulfing the whole.
Though the end of this drama may have erred on the side of the
grandiose, this may perhaps be forgiven the organizers in view of the
occasion for which they prepared it. Nothing, however, could detract
from the beauty and dramatic power of the opening and of many of the
scenes.
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