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Show BELGIA BAR-LASS I By Mary Duclaux M The night was still the King sat with the Queen, H She sang, her women spun; a peaceful scene. M Sudden, wild echoes shake the castle wall; H Their foes come crashing through the distant H hall; They rush like thunder down the gallery floor. H See! .Someone has stol'n the staple from the H door. No bar to hold the bolt, no stick, no stave! H Nothing: on open door an open grave! Then Catherine Car-lass thrust her naked arm H (A girl's arm, white as milk, and round and H warm) H Right through the loops from which the bolt H was gone: H "T'will hold (she said) until they break the bone. H "My King, you have one instant to prepare!" H She said no more, because the thrust was there. H Oft have I heard that tale of Scotland's King, II The poet, and Kate the Bar-lass; men will sing 9 For aye the deed one moment brings to birth II (Such moments are the reason or our earth). Bravo Belgium, (Bar-lass of the Western world, who, when the treacherous Prussian tyrant hurl'd H His hordes against our peace, thrust a slight H hand, H So firm, to bolt our portals and withstand, H Whatever prove the glory of the fray. Thine arm, thy heart, thine act have won the day! I |