Le refus.

A pension from the Court! the offer came;
Mine honor needs not shrink, nor need my name
The Moniteur adorn:
Wants for myself I have but very few;
Yet when the wretched I recall to view,
I seem for riches born.

Should poverty or woe afflict a friend,
Honors and rank we may not give or lend;
But gold, at least, we share
Hurra for gold! for oft, were I a king—
Ay! if five hundred francs it would but bring—
I'd pawn my crown, I swear.

If in my cell a little gold should rain,
Quick, God knows where, it vanishes again;
I cannot hold it fast
To sew my pockets up, I should have had
The needles that belonged to my grand-dad,
When he had breathed his last.

Still, let your gold with you, good friend, abide:
Freedom, alas! in youth I made my bride—
A mistress somewhat rude
I—who in verse was wont to celebrate
Beauties, nor few nor coy—must meet my fate,
In bondage to a prude

Freedom! your Excellency, 'tis a dame
Who blindly dotes on honorable fame—
The proudest minx in town.
She, if in street or drawing-room she spy
The smallest morsel of galloon, will cry,
“Down with the livery! down!”

Your crowns would but her condemnation prove;
In fact, why should you by a pension move
My Muse, so true and free?
I am a sou without alloy; but throw
Silver in secret over me, and lo!
False money I should be

Keep, keep your gifts, then; fears I'm apt to feel:
Yet, if too great for me your generous zeal
Should by the world be found,
Know well who your betrayer was—my heart,
Like lute suspended, ever plays its part:
When touched it will resound