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 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 ; ' And what will folks say if they see you afraid? 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, 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 Dans ses chansons immortelles, Fuit loin des vulgaires yeux, 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. |