French Prisoners. 263 



To quench the high-born spirit of the frog ; 

 Now o'er these banks can wander void of fear, 

 Secure — no hungry cannibal is near. 

 No Gallic cormorant, lurking for his prey, 

 Which oft he seized, and grimly bore away. 



" In days of yore — so Grecian poets sing, 

 Our sires' ambition sought from Heaven a king ; 

 Jove, wearied with their prayers, in anger sent 

 A ravening monster for their punishment, 

 Who gorged our brethren, and — oh ! dire disgrace ! 

 Vowed to extirpate both our tribe and race. 

 Now, sure avenging Heaven has decreed. 

 To visit upon us this sinful deed ; 

 For we, their children, have been doomed to know, 

 Thrice ten long years of still increasing woe. 

 Since Gallia's hungry sons, a countless host, 

 Were sent in anger to our Scottish coast. 

 These, like the monster sent by Jove of old — 

 Oh ! dreadful tale, too horrid to be told ! 

 Seized on our friends, their panting members tore. 

 And strewed their limbs by thousands on the shore. 

 — Yes ! many a time and oft, mine eyes have seen, 

 The carnage dire pollute these banks of green. 

 Have seen the eddies of my native tide. 

 With the warm blood of half my kindred dyed ; 

 Whose limbs on their unhallowed tables placed. 

 Served for their food, and formed their dii'e repast! 



" But, thank the Gods! these scenes of woe are past, 

 And days of joy and freedom dawn at last. 

 Ye frogs exult, and join the general voice. 

 That bids your country and mankind rejoice." 



He said — and with one loud exultant croak. 

 The silence of the listening audience broke. 

 Instant, from all the trembling pool around. 

 Ten thousand voices in full chorus sound. 

 Startle the labouring echoes of the vale, 

 And, with hoarse tlnmder, swell the passing gale. 

 On prey intent, the owl that hovered roiind. 

 Hastened away, astonished at the sound ; 

 The hare in Youngfield's sheltering wynds that lay 

 Sprung in wild terror from her seat away ; 

 The envious corn-crake heard the rival note. 

 And, in despair and phrenzy, fled the spot. 

 Nay, struck with deep amazement, it is said. 



The Laird of L d started from his bed ; 



For louder yet the dreadful chorus grew. 



