Part 7 (1/2)

A BALLAD.

I.

That was a brave old epoch, Our age of chivalry, When the Briton met the Frenchman At the fight of La Prairie; And the manhood of New England, And the Netherlander true And Mohawks sworn, gave battle To the Bourbon's lilied blue.

II.

That was a brave old governor Who gathered his array, And stood to meet, he knew not what On that alarming day.

Eight hundred, amid rumors vast That filled the wild wood's gloom, With all New England's flower of youth, Fierce for New France's doom.

III.

And the brave old half five hundred!

Their's should in truth be fame; Borne down the savage Richelieu, On what emprise they came!

Your hearts are great enough, O few: Only your numbers fail, New France asks more for conquerors All glorious though your tale.

IV.

It was a brave old battle That surged around the fort, When D'Hosta fell in charging, And 'twas deadly strife and short; When in the very quarters They contested face and hand, And many a goodly fellow Crimsoned yon La Prairie sand.

V.

And those were brave old orders The colonel gave to meet That forest force with trees entrenched Opposing the retreat: ”DeCalliere's strength's behind us And in front your Richelieu; We must go straightforth at them; There is nothing else to do.”