London
31 December 1888
Jose Rizal
Friend Compatriots:
Without wishing to parody the sublime words of Christ, I shall say to you nevertheless why I think and feel thus, that wherever two Filipinos meet in the name of the native land and for her welfare, there also I should like to be to join them.
How I would like now to be in [your] midst in order to think and feel with you, to dream, to wish, to attempt something so that those who will follow us may not be able to throw anything in our face, so that we may give something to that country that has given us everything, in spite of her unhappy fate!
Across the Cantabrian Mountains, dear compatriots, go my wishes that tonight you may accomplish something memorable, something worthy of the Filipino youth upon whom the native country has pinned her hopes! And I conclude repeating to you what I said ten years ago in a contest:
! Alza tu tersa frente,
Juventud filipina, en este dia!
! Luce resplandeciente
Tu rica gallardia
Bella esperanza de la Patria mia![1]
Jose Rizal
London
[1] Lift up your radiant brow, This day, Youth of my native l and! Your abounding talents show Resplendent ly and grand Fair hope of my Motherland!