HERVE RIEL
'Neath rampired Solidor pleasant riding on the
Ranee ! "
How hope succeeds despair on each Captain's coun-
tenance I
Out burst all with one accord,
" This is Paradise for Hell !
Let France, let France's King
Thank the man that did the thing ! "
What a shout, and all one word,
" Herve Riel ! "
As he stepped in front once more,
Not a symptom of surprise 10
In the frank blue Breton eyes,
Just the same man as before.
Then said Damfreville, " My friend,
I must speak out at the end,
Though I find the speaking hard.
Praise is deeper than the lips :
You have saved the King his ships,
You must name your own reward.
'Faith our sun was near eclipse !
Demand whate'er you will, 20
France remains your debtor still.
Ask to heart's content and have ! or my name's not
Damfreville."
Then a beam of fun outbroke
On the bearded mouth that spoke,
As the honest heart laughed through
Those frank eyes of Breton blue :
" Since I needs must say my say,
Since on board the duty's done.
And from Malo Roads to Groisic Point, what is it
but a run ?—
Since 'tis ask and have, I may— 30
Since the others go ashore—
57