ROMANCE OF DUNOIS.1

FROM THE FRENCH.

[The original of this little Romance makes part of a manuscript collection of French Songs, probably compiled by some young officer, which was found on the Field of Waterloo, so much stained with clay and with blood, as sufficiently to indicate what had been the fate of its late owner. The song is popular in France, and is rather a good specimen of the style of composition to which it belongs. The translation is strictly literal.]2

It was Dunois, the young and brave, was bound for Palestine,

But first he made his orisons before St Mary's shrine:

' [This ballad appeared in 1815, in Paul's Letters, and in the Edinburgh Annual Register. It has since been set to music by G. F. Graham, Esq., in Mr. Thomson's Select Melodies, &c.] 2 [The original romance,

"Partant pour la Syrie,

Le jeune et brave Dunois," &c.

was written, and set to music also, by Hortense Beauharnois Duchesse de St Leu, Ex-Queen of Holland.]

"And grant, immortal Queen of Heaven," was still

the Soldier's prayer,

"That I may prove the bravest knight, and love the fairest fair."

His oath of honour on the shrine he graved it with his sword,

And follow'd to the Holy Land the banner of his Lord; Where, faithful to his noble vow, his war-cry fill'd

the air,

"Be honoured aye the bravest knight, beloved the fairest fair."

They owed the conquest to his arm, and then his Liege-Lord said,

"The heart that has for honour beat by bliss must be repaid.

My daughter Isabel and thou shall be a wedded pair, For thou art bravest of the brave, she fairest of the fair."

And then they bound the holy knot before Saint Mary's shrine.

That makes a paradise on earth, if hearts and hands combine;

And every lord and lady bright, that were in chapel there,

Cried, "Honour'd be the bravest knight, beloved the fairest fair!"

VOL. XI,

THE TROUBADOUR'

FROM THE SAME COI LECTION.

Glowing with love, on fire for fame,
A Troubadour that hated sorrow,
Beneath his Lady's window came,
And thus he sung his last good-morrow
"My arm it is my country's right,
My heart is in my true-love's bower:
Gaily for love and fame to fight

Befits the gallant Troubadour."

And while he march'd with helm on head
And harp in hand, the descant rung,
As, faithful to his favourite maid,
The minstrel-burden still he sung:

"My arm it is my country's right,
My heart is in my lady's bower;

1 [The original of this ballad also was written and composed by the Duchesse de St Leu. The translation has been set to music by Mr Thomson. See his Collection of Scottish Songs. 1826.]

Resolved for love and fame to fight,
I come, a gallant Troubadour.”

Even when the battle-roar was deep,

With dauntless heart he hew'd his way, 'Mid splintering lance and falchion-sweep, And still was heard his warrior-lay; "My life it is my country's right,

My heart is in my lady's bower; For love to die, for fame to fight, Becomes the valiant Troubadour."

Alas! upon the bloody field

He fell beneath the foeman's glaive,
But still reclining on his shield,
Expiring sung the exulting stave :--
"My life it is my country's right,
My heart is in my lady's bower;
For love and fame to fall in fight

Becomes the valiant Troubadour."

FROM THE FRENCH.

Ir chanced that Cupid on a season,
By Fancy urged, resolved to wed,
But could not settle whether Reason
Or Folly should partake his bed.

What does he then ?-Upon my life,
"Twas bad example for a deity-
He takes me Reason for a wife,
And Folly for his hours of gaiety.

Though thus he dealt in petty treason,

He loved them both in equal measure, Fidelity was born of Reason,

And Folly brought to bed of Pleasure.

[This trifle also is from the French Collection, found a Waterloo. See Paul's Letters.]