The Countess De Charny - Volume II by Alexandre Dumas Read Free Book Online Page A

France.
    True, Death was there, as at the banquets in ancient times, — not the hideous spectre armed with scythe and hour-glass, but a beautiful smiling guest, with a sword in one hand and a palm-branch in the other.
    They wanted something to sing. The old Ça ira had become an anthem of wrath and of civil war; they needed a patriotic, fraternal chant, breathing menace only upon foreign foes.
    Where was the modern Tyrtaeus who could compose this patriotic song amidst the smoke of cannon and the whistling of bullets?
    “I can!” answered that ardent and enthusiastic young patriot. Rouget de I’Isle.
    He rushed from the banquet-hall, and in less than half an hour — even before his absence was noted — words and music
     
    Portrait of Kouoet de lisle.
    Etched by E. H. Garrett. From Painting by Leopard Mar.
     
    THE MARSEILLAISE. 49
    were alike ready. All the material was, as it were, melted at once, and cast in the mould, like the statue of a god.
    Eouget de I’Isle re-entered the room with forehead covered with great drops of sweat, his hair thrown back from his face, and almost breathless from his fierce struggle with those two sublime sisters, — Music and Poesy.
    “Listen! listen all of you!” he cried. He was sure of his muse, this noble youth.
    At the sound of his voice every one turned, some with glasses still upraised, while others clasped their neighbours’ trembling hands.
    liouget de I’Isle began: —
    *’ Ye sons of France, awake to glory !
    Hark ! hark ! what myriads bid you rise ! Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary, Beliold their tears, and hear their cries ! Behold their tears, and hear their cries ! Shall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding,
    Affright and desolate our land, While peace and liberty lie bleeding ? To arms, to arms, ye brave ! The avenging sword unsheathe ! March on ! March on ! All hearts resolved On victory or death ! “
    On hearing the opening lines, an electric thrill ran through the entire assemblage.
    Two or three times shouts of applause burst forth; but those thirsting for more, cried, “Silence! silence! Listen ! “
    With a gesture of deep indignation, Eouget continued : —
    “Now, now the dangerous storm is rolling,
    Which treacherous kings confederate raise ; The doffS of war, let loose, are howling,
    And lo ! our walls and cities blaze !
    And shall we basely view the ruin, While lawless force with guilty stride
    Spreads desolation far and wide,
    VOL. IV. — 4
     
    50 LA COMTESSE DE CHARNY.
    With crimes and blood his hands imbruing? To arms, to arms, ye brave ! The avenging sword unsheathe,” etc.
    This time the singer did not need to ask the company to join in the chorus, for it seemed to burst forth spontaneously from every lip.
    With growing enthusiasm, Rouget continued: —
    ” With luxury and pride surrounded,
    The vile, insatiate despots dare — Their thirst for gold and power unbounded —
    To mete and vend the light and air.
    Like beasts of burden would they load us ; Like gods would bid their slaves adore ;
    But man is man — and who is more 1 Then shall they longer lash and goad us ? “
    A hundred throbbing breasts panted wildly in their longing to answer; and before the last of the above lines had left the poet’s lips, a fierce “Xo! no! no!” burst forth.
    Then like a trumpet-blast that stirring chorus again rang out : —
    ” To arms, to arms, ye brave ! The avenging sword unsheathe ! March on ! March on ! All hearts resolved On victory or death ! “
    There was such a commotion in the audience that Rouget was obliged to ask for silence before beginning the fourth stanza; but they all listened with feverish attention as, with a voice that was full of menace now, he sang: —
    “Ye tyrants, tremble! Traitors scheming,
    By all true hearts ye stand condemned ! Quail ! O’er your pan-icidal dreaming
    Punishment dire doth now impend.
    Here all are soldiers strong to fight you ; And if they fall in youth’s glad spring.
    The earth new heroes