In Thackeray's " Chronicle of the Drum/' 

 the old drummer, Pierre, sunning himself at 

 the city gate, tells the story of the Reign of 

 Terror : — 



The glorious days of September 



Saw many aristocrats fall ; 

 'Twas then that our pikes drank the blood 



In the beautiful breast of Lamballe. 

 Pardi, 'twas a beautiful lady ! 



I seldom have looked on her like ; 

 And I drummed for a gallant procession 



That marched with her head on a pike. 



Then they showed her pale face to the 

 Queen, who fell fainting to the floor. 



The old drummer goes on with the story 

 of the new ruler of France, " La Mere Guil- 

 lotine": — 



Awful, and proud, and erect, 



Here sat our republican goddess. 

 Each morning her table was decked 



With dainty aristocrats' bodies. 

 The people each day flocked around 



As she sat at her meat and her wine : 

 'Twas always the use of our nation 



To witness the sovereign dine. 



The 



Human 



Harvest 



The 



Chronicle 

 of the 

 Drum 



[59] 



