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Show I "IF I WERE KING ; The following poem is from the play which will be at the Victory j theatre next Sunday ond Monday. IH was recited by the vagebond poet in the presence of the King, who was t in disguise. , All French folk, whereso'er ye be, Who love your country, soil and sand, From Paris to the Breton sea ' And back, again, to Norman strand, Forsooth, ye seem a silly band, j Sheep without shepherd, left to I chance j For otherwise our Fatherland ; if Villon were King of France. i The figure on the throne you see j Is nothing but a puppet planned : To wear the regal bravery Of silken coiit and gilded wand. 1 Not so we Frenchmen understand The Lord of Lion's heart and glance ' And such an one would take coni- munU J If Villon were the King of France. His counsellors are rogues, perdie! While me nof honest mind are banned ban-ned j To creek upon the gallows tree j Or squeal in prisons over-mannfd; j We want a chief to boar the brand And bid the damned Burgundlans dance; God! Where the oriflammo Bhould stand If Villon were the King of France. Louis the. Little, play and grand; Buffet the foe with sword and lanco, 'Tin what would happen, by this hand, It Villon were tho King of Franco. ! |