Classic Poem

Or the Introduction of the Grape into France.

Tune — " The Night before Larry.
When Brennus came back here from Rome,
These words he is said to have spoken:
" We have conquered, my boys! and brought home
A sprig of the vine for a token!
Cheer, my hearties! and welcome to Gaul
This plant, which we won from the foeman;
'Tis enough to repay us for all
Our trouble in beating the Roman;
Bless the gods! and bad luck to the geese!
O! take care to treat well the fair guest,
From the blasts of the north to protect her;
Of your hillocks, the sunniest and best
Make them hers, for the sake of her nectar.
She shall nurse your young Gauls with her juice:
Give life to " the arts" in libations;
While your ships round the globe shall produce
Her goblet of joy for all nations —
E'en the foeman shall taste of our cup.
The exile who flies to our hearth
She shall soothe, all his sorrows redressing;
For the vine is the parent of mirth,
And to sit in its shade is a blessing. "
So the soil Brennus dug with his lance,
'Mid the crowd of Gaul's warriors and sages;
And our forefathers grim, of gay France
Got a glimpse through the vista of ages —
And it gladdened the hearts of the Gauls!