SELECT POETRY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 237, 15 August 1872, Page 9

SELECT POETRY.

THE HERO OF THE COMMUNE. {From '•Scribner't Magazine.'") •L "Gtfoon !— Yon— 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 face to the wall?" n. " Know ?'— To be sure I know ; Why not ? We're 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?" " IIL " (Sacrfi !— Fair open fight, I say, Is right magnificent in its way, And fine for warming the blood ; but who Wants wolfish work like this to do ? "Bah. ! Tis a butchers business) — How ? (The boy is beckoning to me now. ' I knew this poor child's heart would fail ; ' — Yet his cheek's not pale). * — Quick ! £>ay your say : for don't you see, .•When the church clock yonder tolls out Three, You're all to be, shot ? ' "" l —What? " Excuse you one moment V O ho, ho ! D'ye think to fool a National so ?*' IV. "But, sir, here's a watch that a friend, one day, — My father's friend, just over the way, — I^at me ; and if you'll let me free lacks seven tninutfes of Three), Wcome on the word of a soldier's son, Straight back into the line, when my errand's done." V. Jl Ha,haJ No doubt of it! Off! Begone! — (Now, good Saint Martin ! speed him oh ! The work will be easier since he's saved ; For I hardly think I could have braved The ardour of that innocent eye. As he stood and heard Me give the word. ; Dooming him like a dog to die.") YL ; "In time !— Well, ihanta that my desire Was granted ; and now I'm ready. Fire ! — One word ; that's all • You'll let me turn my back to the wall?' VIL *' Parbleu !— Come out of the line, I say ! Come out 1 (Who said that his name was Ney ! Ha ! France will hear of him yet one day !")