XXI.

Ah Charta ! dare I breathe that sacred name,

At this dread 1 hour, while thousands sink and bleed ?

Alas how many weep !-Sure the great Fame,

The glory! (and 'twas glory bright indeed,

A mighty nation gain’d in trophied meed,) Were all as nought, whate’er was then achiev'd,

Compar'd with that bold, patriotic speed, With which, Great Gaul !

-heroic--undeceiv'd,

Thou'st won thy freedom-can it be believ'd ?

XXII.

Humanity.

But 'ware ! and let not in thy headstrong rage,

The arm be rais'd against that hoary head : Remember he has reach'd the latest stage,

Which Heaven assigns.-No more must there be shed

Of Royal blood !-France is no longer mad;
But, as there's much to palliate-save, Ah ! save

1 Written on first hearing of the late Revolution in Paris.

If gownsmen pennd the Charter ill, they had
Best expiate.—Be generous as brave,
And wait till GoD shall call him to the grave. .

XXIII.

Martignac wise, eloquent, and benevclent.

Where all are erring mortals-—ofttimes wrong,

More proudly should we prize each spark divine :
Laud then the man, who 'midst th' infuriate throng,

Dar'd raise his voice, bless'd mercy at thy shrine !

That noblest praise ! De Martignaco be thine !
Yes! while some vengeful, others heartless, hot,

Would Lord it o'er the fallen; thou didst outshine!

And in a strain which ne'er can be forgot,

Blended the Christian with the Patriot!

1 It is supposed that the chief cause of much of the turmoil which has lately taken place in France, was the indefinite manner in which the 14th Article of the old Charter was worded ; by which it might be construed, that the King's advisers were not bona fide responsible in every instance; and that a power did rest with the government, to act on great emergencies as circumstances might require.

2 In a meeting of the Chamber of Deputies in Paris, of date 17th August 1830, when Mr de la Pinsonniere proposed, “ That all those who shall not have taken the oath, or given in their adherence, before the expiration of fifteen days, from the promulgation of the present law, should be consiXXIV.

Dusseldorf.

What Dusseldorf! so those are thy proud towers,

Which rise majestic 'bove the cheerless mist;
Thy palac'd beauty, and thy shady bowers,

Must not be left unsung, or unconfess’d, —
Thy splendid courts, and tournaments, those tests

Festivity of the olden times.

dered as having resigned, unless in some cases of public hinderance.” On
this occasion Monsieur de Martignac rose, and spoke a language which did
him infinite credit, being equally indicative of a benevolent heart, and of
the comprehensive and statesman-like view which he took of the interest-
ing position of his country. “ Our soil,” said the eloquent man,
rocks with the violent shock which overturned the throne ! Ought we at
such a moment to abandon those who labour to make it firm, at the risk of
subjecting society itself to fresh concussions ? When they shall speak to
me in the name of liberty, a language I understand full well, I shall reply
in the name of order, and all the world will understand me. I will oppose
experience to theories, the interest of my country to the interest of a
party ; I will demand the execution of the laws, if I think I see them vio-
lated,—if I behold our streets, our squares, filled with ignoble images, or
the misfortunes of the great handed over to derision and outrage ; I will
invoke the public decency, which, in France, has all the authority of the
law : I will call aloud upon her till justice be done, until there only re-
mains shame at insulting unfortunate old age, and fallen power! and I am
sure that no man, certainly none within these walls, will call in question
the motives which now influence me.” On this I make no comment,-it
is beyond all praise.

Of ducal bounty, which great Gerard 1 gave,

To celebrate, amidst his martial guests,

The virtues and achievements of the brave;

Who fought on Hubert's Day, and fought to save !

XXVI.

Peaceful re- Here let us linger? in thy green retreats,
tirement.

Where we have found health, and quiet, and repose ;
Which frequent fly from far more splendid seats,

The haunts of pleasure call’d, but oft, God knows,

The scenes of disappointment, wails and woes :-
Yet I'd not always shun what's blithe and gay,

There is a time for pastime and repose :
We are by nature cheerful :-wise ones say,
Contentment makes the happiest holiday.

Pastime.

1 It was at Dusseldorf that Duke Gerard celebrated by feasts and tour. naments the great victory which he gained on St Hubert's Day; and which occasioned him to institute the order of St Hubert. Dusseldorf is a beautiful city in the Duchy of Berg, containing upwards of 12,000 souls. It was taken by the French on the 10th of September 1795.

2 Fitz-Raymond remained several months at Dusseldorf, the climate agreeing with a delicate relative, for whose recovery he travelled.

XXVI.

Thy ramparts crumbled, and thy castles blaz’d,

Beneath the fury of the Gallic fire,

When revolution shook, and conquest craz'd

A people who to freedom would aspire ;

But such a theme becomes not my poor lyre, 'Twas leagued Europe's folly to unite,

Against a nation, maddend with red ire.
When man and wife, or king and subjects, fight,
Take part with neither, would you do what's right.

Errors to be avoided.

XXVII.

And soon shall warfare pass into that state

Which best befits the nature of the fray;
Rough wrongs shall straight be righted; vengeance, hate,

Be turn'd, and turn’d too with the least dismay,

To general weal, and laws which all obey.-"Tis wonderful what moderation gains !

I mean not gain of pounds and pence—my lay Would eulogize what flows from virtuous reigns, When wisdom guides, and charity obtains.

Consequences of non-interference.