IV. IN WHICH THE HEROINE HAS A NUMBER more Lovers, AND CUTS A VERY DASHING FIGURE IN THE WORLD. V. IN WHICH MR. WALKER FALLS INTO DIFFICULTIES, ADVERTISEMENT. This Edition of Mr. Thackeray's "Ballads" will be found to include all the verses that are scattered throughout the Author's various writings. BALLAD S. THE CHRONICLE OF THE DRUM. PART I. AT Paris, hard by the Maine barriers, Midst a dozen of wooden-legged warriors And moistens his pipe of tobacco With a drink that is named after Mars. The beer makes his tongue run the quicker, Thus over his favourite liquor Old Peter will tell his old tales. Says he, "In my life's ninety summers Strange changes and chances I've seen,— So here's to all gentlemen drummers That ever have thump'd on a skin. "Brought up in the art military While Condé was waving the bâton, "Ah! those were the days for commanders! No; my grandsire was ever victorious, "He died: and our noble battalions The jade fickle Fortune forsook; When he heard they had taken my grandsire: "At Namur, Ramillies, and Malplaquet Were we posted, on plain or in trench: Malbrook only need to attack it And away from him scamper'd we French. Cheer up! 'tis no use to be glum, boys,'Tis written, since fighting begun, That sometimes we fight and we conquer, And sometimes we fight and we run. |