| Mon fils, écoute un vieillard centenaire. |
| Tu nais à peine et moi je vais mourir, |
| Fuis, sans retour, par l'exil volontaire, |
| Le sol ingrat qui ne peut te nourrir. |
| Sur ce navire, où la foule s'élance, |
| Tu vas vogeur vers les États-Unis; |
| Dans ces climats, au sein de l'abondance, |
| Vivent heureux vingt peuples réunis. |
| Des flots de l'Atlantique |
| Ne crains pas le courroux; |
| Émigré en Amérique, |
| Ton sort sera plus doux. |
| Au jour naissant tu commençais l'ouvrage, |
| Sous un ciel gris, pendant un rude hiver; |
| J'ai vu faiblir ta force et ton courage |
| A défricher les champs d'un duc et pair. |
| Jamais ses pas n'ont foulé son domaine, |
| Loin de l'Irlande il voyage en seigneur. |
| Infortuné, la disette est prochaine, |
| Quitte à jamais ce séjour du malheur. |
| Des flots, etc. |
| En cultivant des savanes fertiles, |
| Garde ta foi, si tu veux prospérer; |
| Fais tes adieux a nos sillons stériles; |
| Sans espérance il faut nous séparer. |
| Prends cet argent, fruit de longs sacrifices, |
| Au centenaire un peu de pain suffit, |
| La mer est belle, et les vents sont propices; |
| Pars, mon enfant, ton aiëul te bénit. |
| Des flots, etc.[11] |
There were tears in the woman's soft voice, and when she finished there were tears in the eyes of at least one of her listeners.
'Thanks, mademoiselle,' cried O'Hara, with emotion; 'thanks for that little tribute to the sorrows and affection of poor Ireland. He who wrote it knew the land, at least, in spirit.'
'He has never been there, sir, has not my friend, Laurent Bénic; he is but a humble carpenter, but he has learned to love the green Erin, the younger sister of our France, as I have.'
'Is that the Bénic who wrote "Robert Surcouf," a rattling corsair ballad?' demanded Friezecoat.
'The same, sir.'
'Will you ask Mademoiselle Berthe to make me a copy of it, words and music, and will you allow me to send her a present of some of our Irish music in return?'
'Certainly; shall we not, Berthe?' Berthe smiled happily. 'And I'll ask you, sir, to come to hear her play your country's music. He who has been kind to the old soldier's grand-daughter is welcome to the old soldier's hearth.'
Shortly afterwards the two Irishmen, who had made such a rare rencontre, bade their farewells to the Frenchman and his grand-daughter, and left.
'He's a regular old brick, that Chauvin,' said Friezecoat on the doorstep, 'and I'll remember that song to his grand-daughter. If she wasn't my sister to-day, she may be something nearer some day. Good-night.'