IN NOETH AMEEICA. 31 



another reading). The Cantabrians, according to the same author, had such fortitude and 

 such a fondness for their national songs, that they recited them even amidst the cruel 

 tortures inflicted on them by their Eoman victors. Oue such composition, or what pur- 

 ports to be such, has been saved from oblivion. The following is a translation of M. 

 Ampere's French version of it : — 



I. 



They come, they come, the hosts of Rome, 

 To lay the pride of Biscay low, 

 But hill and plain repeat the strain : 

 " Biscay.ins yield not to the foe." 



II. 



Let Ctesar rule the slavish fool 

 Who hows beneath bis despot sway, 

 Lecobidi's the king for me, 

 No Basque to Rome will tribute pay. 



III. 



To arms ! to arms ! Behold ! The swarms 

 Of Roman hirelings hedge us in ! . 

 By sea and land their power withstand ! 

 Strike for Biscaya ! Strike and win ! 



IV. 



Let them regain their native plain. 

 Far from the towering Pyrenees ; 

 Where forests crown our fortress town, 

 Our home is with the mountain breeze. 



V. 



Choose well your ground ; look well around ; 

 Unarmored limbs are strong and fleet ; 

 With shield and lance well-poised advance 

 And Rome's mailed squadrons boldly meet. 



VL 



What though alway, by night and day 

 The siege lias lasted five years long ; 

 Fifteen to one, their dead atone 

 For those sad years of cruel wrong. 



VIL 



Yes, though 'tis true that we were few 

 And they a mighty multitude. 

 The danger's past, we've won at last, 

 And Biscay still is unsubdued. 



