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DE BERANGER AND HIS SONGS. 



Paul Jean dk Beranger, whose verses have for twenty years dehghted 

 the philosopher, animated the patriot, inspirited the soldier, cheered the 

 ouvrier, and greatly contributed to bring about the revolution of 1830, 

 has retired from the turmoil of politics and public life ; and has found a 

 retreat in charming Passy, for the remainder of his days. In the last col- 

 lection of his songs, published, he touchingly alludes to this determination : 



Paris, adieu ; je sors de tes muiaillcs, 

 J'ai dans Passy trouve gJte et lepos. 

 Ton fils t'en'eve un droit de funerailles, 

 Et sa piquelte e'cliappe a tes imjiots. 

 Puisse-e-je, ici, vieillir exempt d'orage, 

 Et de I'oubli pres de subin le poids, 

 Comme I'oiseau, dormir dans le feuillage, 

 Au bruit niourant des tchos de ma voix ! 



Few of our countrymen are, we believe, acquainted with the beautiful 

 songs of De Beranger, which have justly exercised considerable influence 

 in France ; and as the finest moral and political sentiment pervades his 

 more serious efforts, we intend to lay before them a few of his chansons, 

 translated as literally as possible, but which, notwithstanding every care, 

 are greatly inferior to the original. 



De Beranger has ever been an honest and consistent politician ; and 

 the whole of his poetry breathes the purest spirit of liberty : he has com- 

 pared himself to Diogenes with some justice, for though he does not ab- 

 solutely inhabit a tonneau, he has through life exhibited an utter contempt 

 of riches ; and when wealth, power, and titles were offered him by his 

 friends, the short-lived ministry of M. Lafhtte, he firmly refused every 

 thing, though he was not the less sensible of their kindness. 



The first song v^e select, "Les Gaulois el les Francs," was written in 

 1814, when the allies were about to enter France; it is a soul-stirring 

 address to the army and people, in which Napoleon is supported, for the 

 first time, by the national poet — he having steadily refused to write in his 

 favour, until France was menaced and her emperor in adversity. 



It is scarcely necessary to point out the admirable tact with which De 

 Beranger has seized on every idea that could arouse the enthusiasm of 

 the French people, to whose feehngs and sympathies he has, though a true 

 citizen of the world, invariably addressed himself; and this circumstance 

 has, no donbt, in some degree contributed to the great and deserved 

 popularity his poetry has acquired. « 



THE GAULS AND FRANKS. 



Gay, gay! close in your ranks, 



Grasp the lance, 



Ye sons of France ; 

 Gay, gay ! close in you ranks, 

 Bravely onwards, Gauls and Franks ! 



Again doth Atlila's fierce call 

 Urge the savage 

 France to ravage j 



