To win the town of Calais
He hath crossed o'er the sea,
With all his gallant nobles
And all his soldiers brave;
They were a stately party
To ride upon the wave.

2. Around the walls of Calais
They waited many a day,
Till the king's right royal spirit
Grew weary of delay;

But a mightier than King Edward
Assailed those steadfast men-
The slow strong hand of Famine
Was closing on them then.

3. The governor of Calais,
A stalwart knight was he,
For his king and for his country
He had fought right valiantly:
But he found his valour useless,
And he saw his soldiers die;
So he came before the English,
And spake with dignity:

4. "What terms, what terms, King Edward, What terms wilt thou accord,

If I yield this goodly city

To own thee for its lord?"
King Edward gave him answer-
His wrath was very hot-
"Ye rebel hounds of Calais,
Your crimes I pardon not.

5. "Six of your richest burghers

As captives I demand,
On every neck a halter,

A chain on every hand;

And when their lives have answered

For this their city's crime,
Then will I think of mercy;
Till then it is not time.

6. "Be silent, all my nobles ;-
And thou, Sir John de Vienue,
Come with six wealthy burghers,
Or come thou not again."
The king he spake so fiercely,
That no one dared reply;
Sir John went back to Calais
Slowly and mournfully.

7. The warriors and the burghers
He summoned to his hall,

And he told King Edward's pleasure
Full sadly to them all:

'My friends and fellow-townsmen,
Ye hear the tyrant's will;
We had better die together,
And keep our city still."

8. There was silence for a moment,-
They were feeble, they were few;
But one spirit was among them
Which nothing could subdue;
Out cried a generous burgher,
"Oh! never be it said.

That the loyal hearts of Calais
To die could be afraid!

9. "First of the destined captives
I name myself for death,
And in my Saviour's mercy
Undoubting is my faith."
The name of this true hero

Ye should keep with reverend care;
Let it never be forgotten-

It was Eustace de St. Pierre.

10. Five other noble merchants
Their names that instant gave,
To join with generous Eustace
Their countrymen to save.
Their comrades wept around them,
Tears for such parting meet;
And they led those willing captives
To stern King Edward's feet.

11. They came in brave obedience
To Edward's fierce command;
On every neck a halter,

A chain on every hand.
Now when the king beheld them,
Right fiery grew his eye,-

"Strike off their heads!" he thundered;
"Each man of them shall die!"

12. But forth stepped Queen Philippa, The gentle, good, and fair;

She kneeled before King Edward,
And thus she spoke her prayer :
"My loving lord and husband"—
"Twas thus the fair queen spake,-
"Grant me these generous captives,
Oh, spare them for my sake!"

13. The king looked long upon her:
"I would thou wert not here!
Yet I refuse thee nothing,

Because thou art so dear."
Up sprang that joyous lady,
And eagerly she bade
That they should loose the fetters
Upon those captives laid.

14. From round their necks she loosened The cruel halter's band;

To each a golden noble

She gave with her own hand:
She bade them be conducted

Back to their native place,
To friends, and wives, and children,
To the joy of their embrace.

15. Oh, out then spake King Edward : "How different are our parts!

I may win fair cities,

But my queen, she winneth hearts.
God bless thee, sweet Philippa;
And mayest thou ever be
As dear to all the English

As now thou art to me!".

TUBAL

Tu-bal Cain was the son of
Lamech, and was a worker
in brass and iron.
when earth was young, at
the beginning of the world.
wield, to use with full com-
mand, to manage well.

CAIN.

spoils of the forest, animals

taken in the chase. kind, kindred, relations. brooding, sadly meditating.

thinking,

ore, the mineral in its natural state before smelting.

1. Old Tubal Cain was a man of might
In days when earth was young;

By the fierce red light of his furnace bright
The strokes of his hammer rung;
And he lifted high his brawny hand
On the iron glowing clear,

Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet showers
As he fashioned the sword and spear.
And he sang, "Hurrah for my handiwork!
Hurrah for the spear and sword!

Hurrah for the hand that shall wield them well,

For he shall be king and lord!"

2. To Tubal Cain came many a sire,

As he wrought by his roaring fire,

And each one prayed for the strong steel blade As the crown of his desire.

And he made them weapons, sharp and strong,
Till they shouted loud for glee,

And gave him gifts of pearls and gold,
And spoils of the forest free.

And they sang, “Hurrah for Tubal Cain,
Who hath given us strength anew!

Hurrah for the smith! hurrah for the fire!
Hurrah for the metal true!"