1823.] 
ing public generally, that. his grands 
father was no more noble in his deeds, 
or rather in his stitches, than an ho- 
nest tailor may be, and himself no 
more illustrious than an ‘innkeeper's 
fag, otherwise and subsequently a 
printer, —otherwise and more recently 
aclerk. But, as an author, though in 
modesty he does not allude to the hoz 
nour, he has done something to deserve 
the partitive distinction; and his ap- 
proving country has given him repula- 
tion for the fair exertion,—a_compli- 
ment more, as we fearfully opine, than 
can be paid to all the partitive folkery. 
The following citation,—brief, bold, 
fond, and Jively,—breathing personal 
independance, and kindling national 
spirit,—is in that style he best soars in, 
and a favourable proof of his happi- 
ness in it;— 
Dans ma retraite ou l’on voit l’indigence 
Sans m’eveiller, assise a mon chevet ; 
Grace aux amours, bercé par Vesperance 
D’un lit plus donx je réve le duvet. 
Aox dieux des cours qu'un autre sacr ifie: 
Moi gui ne crois qu’a des dieux indul- 
gents, 
‘Le verre en main, gaiement je me confie 
An dieu des bonnes gens. 
Un conquerant dans sa fortune altiére 
Se fit un jeu des scéptres et des lois ; 
Et de ses pieds on peut voir la poussicre 
Empreinte encore sur le bandeau des 
rois. 
Vous rawpiez tous, O rois, qu’on déific! © 
Moi pour braver des maitres exigeants 
Le verre en main, gaiement je me confie 
Au dieu des bonnes gens. 
- Translation. 
*Neath this lonely roof cold frugality sits, 
Without breaking my sleep, on the 
crown of my bed; 
Yet love lingers, and hope sometimes o’er 
1 me here tits, 
And dreams of a pillow more soft 
_ smooth my head : 
To the god of the court others incense 
may barn, 
For myself I believe in more kind- 
_ fashioned power, 
With a glass in my hand, and e’er joyously 
: turn 
To the god of good fellows, 
The conq’ror, careering o’er fortune and 
: fame, 
~ Fall sportively (rifles with sceptres and 
laws, 
‘And the dust oft Hosleaced) as it all lo- 
~ nour'd came 
Fromhis feet,dim a crown and hide flaws. 
tig ye fall, mighty kings, tho’ your altars 
bright baru! , 
“White 1, for content under rude-hearted 
power, 
-f 
it 
De Berengeér’s Poems, with Transiations. 
214 
Seize my glass, and find help, as I joyously 
turn 
To the god of good fellows, 
Our next song is a Jover’s, and gives 
a happier indication of what the author 
can touch in that strain than many of 
his productions on the same subject 
show. There is perhaps but one line 
which separates the pure from the 
offensive in amatory poetry ; and, if so, 
' De Berenger certainly wants all that 
delicacy of apprehension and nicety 
of tact, which bears the bard sprighily 
while he plays on its bounds. ‘The 
observation is the more particular, 
because our French Anacreon, and 
the Moore of France, are phrases try- 
ing to get themselves current; and. as 
unhappily as. improperly. For in the 
convivial and amatory style of ode 
with which the names of Anacreon 
and Moore are deservedly harmo- 
nized, De Berenger is Jeast success- 
ful.- His mierit is distinct, and is also 
enough for one acquisition. Amongst 
a people proverbially tame in poetry, 
it principally lies in the feeling energy 
with which he flings brave things into 
‘good. méasure: he has a generous 
spirit -.of vocal exhortation, which 
quickly rouses, and with strength; but 
first to different proof:— ~ 
Vous vieillerez, O ma belle maitresse, z 
Vous vieillerez, et je ne serai plus ; 
Pour mois Je temps semble dans sa vitesse 
Compter deux fois les jours que jai 
perdus. 
Survivez moi; mais que Page penible * 
‘Vous tronve encore fidéle a mes legons ; 
Et, bonne vieille, au coin d’un fen paisible, 
De votre ami répétez les chansons. 
Lorsque les yeux chercheront sous vos rides 
Les traits charmants qui Brsront in- 
spiré 5° 
Des doux récits, les jeunes gens, piles 
Diront, quel fut cet ami tant plenré?) . 
De mon amonr, peignez, si lest possible, 
L’ardeur, Iivresse, et _méme lessoup cons; 
Et, bonne vieille, au coin d'un feu paisible, ° 
De votre ami répétez les chansons, 
On vous dira,—savait-il étre aimable? 
Et sans rougit, vous dirai, je Vaimais ; 
D’nn trait méchant, se montrait il capable? 
Avec orgeuil vous répondrez, jamais. 
Ah! dites. bien qu’amoureux et sensible, 
D’on lnth joyeux quil attendrit les sons ; 
Et bonne vieille,au coin d’un fen paisible, 
De votre ami répétezles chansons. 
Vous que j'appris a plenrer sur la France, 
Dites surtout anx fils des nouveaux 
preux, 
Que j'ai chanté Ia gloire et l'esperance 
Pour consoler mon pays malhcureux.- 
Rappelez 
