For with this simple people, who lived like brothers together, All things were held in common, and what one had was another's. Yet under Benedict's roof hospitality seemed more abundant: 100 For Evangeline stood among the guests of her father; Bright was her face with smiles, and words of welcome and gladness Fell from her beautiful lips, and blessed the cup as she gave it. Under the open sky, in the odorous air of the orchard, Stript of its golden fruit, was spread the feast of betrothal. 405 There in the shade of the porch were the priest and the notary seated; There good Benedict sat, and sturdy Basil the blacksmith. Not far withdrawn from these, by the cider-press and the beehives, Michael the fiddler was placed, with the gayest of hearts and of waistcoats. Shadow and light from the leaves alternately played on his snow-white 410 Hair, as it waved in the wind; and the jolly face of the fiddler Glowed like a living coal when the ashes are blown from the embers. East and West Indies in which he included also some account of Canada and Nova Scotia. His picture of life among the Acadians, somewhat highly colored, is the source from which after writers have drawn thei. knowledge of Acadian manners Gayly the old man sang to the vibrant sound of his fiddle, Tous les Bourgeois de Chartres, and Le Carillon de Dunkerque,⚫ And anon with his wooden shoes beat time to the music. 415 Merrily, merrily whirled the wheels of the dizzying dances Under the orchard-trees and down the path to the meadows; Old folk and young together, and children mingled among them. 413. Tous les Bourgeois de Chartres was a song written by Ducauroi, maître de chapelle of Henri IV., the words of which are: Vous connaissez Cybèle, Qui sut fixer le Temps; On la disait fort belle, Même dans ses vieux ans. CHORUS. Cette divinité, quoique dejà grand' mère, Avait même certains attraits Fermes comme la Terre. Le Carillon de Dunkerque was a popular song to a tane played on the Dunkirk chimes. The words are: The music to which the old man sang these songs will be found in La Clé du Caveau, by Pierre Capelle, Nos. 564 and 739. Paris: A. Cotelle. Vain was the hope of escape; and cries and fierce imprecations Rang through the house of prayer; and high o'er the heads of the others Rose, with his arms uplifted, the figure of Basil the blacksmith, As, on a stormy sea, a spar is tossed by the bil lows. 455 Flushed was his face and distorted with passion; and wildly he shouted, 460 "Down with the tyrants of England! we never have sworn them allegiance! Death to these foreign soldiers, who seize on our homes and our harvests!" More he fain would have said, but the merciless hand of a soldier Smote him upon the mouth, and dragged him down to the pavement. In the midst of the strife and tumult of angry Lo! the door of the chancel opened, and Father Entered, with serious mien, and ascended the Raising his reverend hand, with a gesture be awed into silence All that clamorous throng; and thus he spake to his people; 465 Deep were his tones and solemn; in accents meas ured and mournful Spake he, as, after the tocsin's alarum, distinctly the clock strikes. "What is this that ye do, my children? what mad ness has seized you? Forty years of life have I labored among you, my and taught you, Not in word alone, but in deed, to love one another! 470 Is this the fruit of my toils, of my vigils and prayers and privations? Have you so soon forgotten all lessons of love and forgiveness? This is the house of the Prince of Peace, and would you profane it Thus with violent deeds and hearts overflowing with hatred? Lo! where the crucified Christ from His cross is gazing upon you! 475 See! in those sorrowful eyes what meekness and holy compassion! Hark! how those lips still repeat the prayer, 'O Let us repeat that prayer in the hour when the Let us repeat it now, and say, 'O Father, forgive them!'"' Few were his words of rebuke, but deep in the hearts of his people 480 Sank they, and sobs of contrition succeeded the passionate outbreak, While they repeated his prayer, and said, "O Then came the evening service. gleamed from the altar; The tapers Fervent and deep was the voice of the priest, and the people responded, Not with their lips alone, but their hearts; and the Ave Maria 485 Sang they, and fell on their knees, and their souls, with devotion translated, Rose on the ardor of prayer, like Elijah ascending to heaven. Meanwhile had spread in the village the tidings of ill, and on all sides Wandered, wailing, from house to house the women and children. Long at her father's door Evangeline stood, with her right hand 490 Shielding her eyes from the level rays of the sun, that, descending, Lighted the village street with mysterious splendor, and roofed each Peasant's cottage with golden thatch, and emblazoned its windows. Long within had been spread the snow-white cloth on the table; There stood the wheaten loaf, and the honey fragrant with wild-flowers; 495 There stood the tankard of ale, and the cheese fresh brought from the dairy; And at the head of the board the great arm-chair of the farmer. Thus did Evangeline wait at her father's door, as the sunset Threw the long shadows of trees o'er the broad ambrosial meadows. Ah! on her spirit within a deeper shadow had fallen, 500 And from the fields of her soul a fragrance celes tial ascended, 492. To emblazon is literally to adorn anything with ensigne armorial. It was often the custom to work these ensigns intc the design of painted windows. |