Le soc du laboureur fertilise la plaine;
Et le surplus doré de sa gerbe trop pleine
Nourrit le vieux monde épuisé."
Mr. Pamphile LeMay, one of the best known French Canadian poets, has published the following: "Essais Poétiques," Quebec, 1865; "La Découverte du Canada," Quebec, 1867; "Poèmes Couronnés," Quebec, 1870; "Les Vengeances," Quebec, 1875, 1876 and 1888 (also dramatized); "Une Gerbe," Quebec, 1879. He has also written "Fables Canadiennes," Quebec, 1882. A number of his poems have appeared in the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vols i., iii., v., vi., ix. He has also written several stories of Canadian life: "L'Affaire Sougraine," Quebec, 1884; "Le Pèlerin de Sainte-Anne," new ed., Montreal, 1893; and "Rouge et Bleu," comedy. One of his best works was a translation of Longfellow's "Evangeline."
The following is a list of other Canadian books of poems, of varying merit, which have appeared within a quarter of a century:
"The Songs of a Wanderer." By Carroll Ryan. Ottawa, 1867. Indicated much poetic taste, but the poet has been submerged in the busy journalist.
"Songs of Life." By Rev. E. H. Dewart. Toronto, 1867. He was author of the first collection of Canadian poems made in this country. See infra.
"The Prophecy of Merlin and other Poems." By John Reade. Montreal, 1870. In many respects the best sustained poems written by a Canadian can be read in this book.
"Les Laurentiennes." By Benjamin Sulte. Montreal, 1870.
"Les Chants Nouveaux." By the same. Ottawa, 1880.