SONGS AND BALLADS.

THE

THIEF AND CORDELIER.

A BALLAD.

To the tune of King John and the Abbot of Canterbury. WHO has e'er been at Paris must needs know the The fatal retreat of the unfortunate brave, [Greve, Where honour and justice most oddly contribute To ease heroes' pains by a halter and gibbet.

Derry down, down, hey derry down.

put on,

There death breaks the shackles which force had [begun; And the hangman completes what the judge but There the' Squire of the Pad and the Knight of the [more crost. Find their pains no more balk'd, and their hopes no Derry down, &c.

Post.

Great claims there are made, and great secrets are [own ;

known,

And the king, and the law, and the thief has his But my hearers cry out, 'What a deuce dost thou Cut off thy reflections, and give us thy tale.' [ail? Derry down, &c.

'Twas there then, in civil respect to harsh laws, And for want of false witness to back a bad cause, A Norman, though late, was oblig❜d to appear, And who to assist, but a grave Cordelier?

Derry down, &c.

The 'Squire, whose good grace was to open the scene
Seem'd not in great haste that the show should begin,
Now fitted the halter, now travers'd the cart,
And often took leave, but was loth to depart.

Derry down, &c.

'What frightens you thus, my good son? (says the priest)

You murder'd, are sorry, and have been confess'd.' O Father! my sorrow will scarce save my bacon, For 'twas not that I murder'd, but that I was taken.' Derry down, &c.

'Pugh! pr'ythee ne'er trouble thy head with such fancies;

Rely on the aid you shall have from Saint Francis ;
If the money you promis'd be brought to the chest,
You have only to die; let the Church do the rest.
Derry down, &c.

' And what will folks say if they see you afraid?
It reflects upon me as I knew not my trade:
Courage, friend, for to-day is your period of sorrow,
And things will go better, believe me, to-morrow.'
Derry down, &c.

to-night.'

To-morrow! (our hero replied, in a fright,) He that's hang'd before noon, ought to think of [truss'd up, 'Tell your beads, (quoth the priest) and be fairly For you surely to-night shall in Paradise sup.'

Derry down, &c.

⚫ Alas! quoth the 'Squire, howe'er sumptuous the

treat,

Parbleu, I shall have little stomach to eat;

I should therefore esteem it great favour and grace,
Would you be so kind as to go in my place.'
Derry down, &c.

That I would (quoth the Father) and thank you to boot,

But our actions, you know, with our duty must suit: The feast I propos'd to you I cannot taste,

For this night, by our Order, is mark'd for a fast,' Derry down, &c.

Then turning about to the hangman, he said,

'Dispatch me, I pr'ythee, this troublesome blade; For thy cord and my cord both equally tie,

And we live by the gold for which other men die." Derry down, &c.

SUR LA PRISE DE NAMUR,

PAR

LES ARMES DU ROI,

L'ANNEE 1692.

PAR MONSIEUR BOILEAU DESPREAUX.

QUELLE docte et sainte yvresse
Aujourd'hui me fait la loy?
Chastes nymphes du Permesse,
N'est-ce pas vous que je voy?
Accourez, troupe sçavante :
Des sons que ma lyre enfante;
Ces arbres sont réjouis :
Marquez en bien la cadence:
Et vous, vents, faites silence:
Je vais parler de Louis.

Dans ses chansons immortelles,
Comme un aigle audacieux,
Pindare étendant ses ailes,

Fuit loin des vulgaires yeux,
Mais, ô ma fidele lyre,

Si, dans l'ardeur qui m' inspire,

Tu peux suivre mes transports; Les chesnes des monts de Thrace N'ont rien oui, que n'efface

La douceur de tes accords.