de Roberval; A Drama; Also the Emigration of the Fairies, and the Triumph of Constancy, a Romaunt

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 Excerpt: ...a song appropriate to the clime, A pleasant homely song of twilight time. TWILIGHT SONG. The mountain peaks put on their hoods, Good night! And the long shadows of the woods Would fain the landscape cover quite, --The timid pigeons homeward fly, Scared by the whoop owl's eerie cry, Whoo-oop! whoo-oop! As like a fiend he flitteth by; The ox to stall, the fowl to coop, The old man to his nightcap warm, Young men and maids to slumbers light, --Sweet Mary, keep our souls from harm! Good night! good night! All going (singing diffusedly). Good night! Good night! Good night! Scene closes. ACT III. Scene IV. The fort. Roberval and D'Auxillon. Boberval. Friend Paul, we now are at the turning point, The very touch and crisis of our fortune; Had we one year more we should do right well, Our colony would then be self-sustaining. These worthy people who have left French homes To found a nation in an unknown world Knew very little what they were about. At best some vague idea blinded them, Some misty thought of a new Areadie, Where milk and honey flowed throughout the land, Not deeming that they'd have to toil for it And spend their strength in grubbing-up huge trees; But, being here, they have addressed themselves With energy and patience to their task, And having made commencement sturdily, They will succeed, --'tis the first step that cuts. The partial clearings made by Cartier's men Have been worked up and sown with wheat and rye, Which seem to prosper and bid fair to yield; The huts are really snug and waterproof, And all domestic stock is doing well; 'Tis a beginning and most creditable. But, mark me, Paul, we do not raise enough; The whole yield will not give us daily bread; Yet ills that men foresee men can avoid, And obviate troubles if addressed in time. What plea