Poetry.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 26, 22 September 1894, Page 3

Poetry.

THE HERO OF THE COMMUNE.

“ Garcon ! You, you Snared along with this cursed crew ? (Only a child and yet so bold. Scarcely as much as ten years old !) Do you hear ? do you know. Why the gendarmes put you there, in the row— You with those Commune wretches tall, With your face to the wall ?” “ Know ? To be sure I know ! Why not ? We’re here to be shot; And there, by the pillar’s the very spot, Fighting for France, my father fell; Ah! well! — That’s just the way I would choose to fall, With my back to the wall!” (“ Sacre! Fair, open fight, I say. Is something right gallant in its way, And fine for warming the blood ; but who Wants wolfish work like' this to do F Bah ! ’tis a butcher’s business !) How ? (The boy is beckoning to me now ; I knew that this poor child’s heart would fail, . . . Yet his cheek’s not pale ;) Quick !• say your say, for don’t you see, When the church-clock out, yonder tolls out three, You are all to be shot ! —What P “ Excuse you one moment ? Oh, ho, ho ! Do you think to fool a gendarme so ?’ “But, sir, here’s a watch that a friend, one day, (My father’s friend) just over the way, Lent me ; and if you’ll let me free — It still lacks seven minutes of three— I’ll come on the word of a soldier’s son, Straight back into line when my errand’s done.” “ Ha, ha ! No doubt of it! Off! Begone ! (Now, good St. Dennis, speed him on ! The work will be easier since he’s saved ; For I hardly see how I could have braved The ardor of that innocent eye, As he stood and heard, Whilst I gave the word, Dooming him like a dog to die,”) “In time ? Well, thanks that my desire Was granted ; and now I’m ready*—Fire ! One word —that’s all ! .You’ll let me turn ray back to the wall ?” “ Parbleu ! Come out of the line, I say, Come out ! (Who said- that his name was Ney ?) Ha ! France will hear of him yet,one day 1” —Margaret J. Preston.