TO MY FATHER AND MOTHER

Stanzas translated from Clovis Eugues.

This book for you is meant, oh ! father kind, and mother dear, With fond remembrance, few regrets, and with not e'en one tear. My life's all there, in joy, and veree, which but with life departs, The past's restored, whilst now invoked, by thoughts of long past time, And each full page speaks like to some dear and familial^ rhyme.

Which comes from loving hearts.

You'll find me such as 1 am now, of odious envy free. Of anger void, injustice tired (when will you come to me?) And yet resigned, grave, confident, but ever gentle, true.

For I've not lost in fateful days one of my lofty goals,

Nor love of toil, the poor man's wealth, inheritance of souls,

Which I received from you.

You all love in that village dear my own beloved home, I miss the mill beside the stream, and that grand sacred dome, The trees whose leaves gave shade to youths who sometimes there did lag, I'll strive in patriotic lines to sing dear France in verse, And in my arms the silk enfold, that none but foes asperse,

Which we call our dear flag.

This book is yours, oh, father dear, and mother loved so much, Accept it, with your prosp'rous fate, and with your gentle touch, With murmurs of the sparkling brook, and songs of birds which swarm. Your pleasant dreams, your kindly thoughts, and all your gen'rous aims, 'Twill cheer your absent dear ones, and their children at their games.

And in their couches warm.

Life has its griefs and contests, which (sometimes) become less. And Fate at times grants us success, and also happiness. While glorious sunlight shines on us, from that blest he<iven above. How can the ills, which men invent, subdue us by their stress. When we your absent offspring so oft each other bless,

And you each other love !