THE TIRED SOLDIER'S WELCOME

Translated from the French of Déroidède.

« Good dame, what dost thou there ? thou'lt tire, It's warm enough without more fire, Pray, let the flame decrease and mind To spare thy coals, poor old dame kind. I'm dry, not cold, I've much to tell, But she, who'd give no heed to me.

Adds fuel, rakes the cinders free, Says « Warm thee, soldier, warm thee well, ' Warm thee, oh ! soldier, warm thee well ! » Good dame, I am not hungry now, I need no ham or beer, I vow, I ate some soup where last I stayed. Remove this napkin, which thou'st laid, It is too fine and good for me. »

But she, who wont to this consent, Gives bread, then fills my glass content, And says « Refresh thee, soldier, I pray thee. Refresh thee, soldier, I pray thee ! » « Good dame, for whom are these sheets meant ? With anything I'd be content, Thy stable and thy straw I'd prize, I'd make a bed there to my size.

There, like a king, in rest I'd keep, » But she, who would not yield nor wait, Then lays the sheets, and puts all straight. Says « Lie down, soldier, rest and sleep, Lie down, oh, soldier, rest and sleep ! » The daylight came, departure too, « I go, good-bye, say, what's this? do. My load's more than 'twas yesterday.

Ah ! generous dear old dame, oh ! say, Why spoil me ? Why so good to me ? » The dame then said, with kindly glance. Half smiling, half in tears perchance : « My son's a soldier, just like thee, My son's a soldier, just like thee !