La fille du peuple.

O daughter of the People, thou, in token of regard,
Art lavishing thy flowers of Spring upon the People's bard!
But, from thy cradle, thou wert bound a debt like this to pay,
Since with his earliest songs 'twas he thy earliest tears could stay
Away! fear not that Marchioness, or any courtly Dame,
Will dream of using up her charms, to fan in me a flame:
I and my Muse — my Muse and I — the same device may boast —
I'm of the People, as are those whom aye I love the most!

Whilst wandering in my youthful days, ere yet my name was spread,
To castle of the feudal time if chance my footsteps led,
Ne'er did I some mysterious dwarf beseech to interpose
On my behalf, that so for me the portals might unclose.
" Soft, loving hearts and Poesy, " thus to myself I said,
" From out the walls, so dear of old to troubadours, have fled:
I as a citizen elsewhere must strive to found a right —
I'm of the People, as are those in whom I most delight! "

Fie on saloons, wherein Ennui, rocking herself to sleep,
Yawns amidst all luxurious gawds that round her she can heap!
For, just as fireworks are put out by sudden shower of rain,
So there will mirth one moment gleam, and straight 'tis gone again
Thou, in fresh bonnet, light-heeled shoes, and dress as white as snow,
Art, once in every week, well pleased 'mid rural scenes to go:
Come! thou alone with pleasure canst my Sundays re-invest —
I'm of the People, as are those whom aye I love the best!

What beauty is there, let her be Princess, or simple dame,
Who of good-breeding and of charms more than thyself can claim?
Who is possessed of heart more rich in gifts that youth bestows,
Features more noble, and an eye that softer, sweeter glows?
Yes, yes, a retrospect at length the People seem to take,
And note how I against two Courts have battled, for their sake:
They owed thee to the chorister who chanted of their fame —
I'm of the People, and for aye my mistress is the same!