“OUR warrior was conquer’d at last; | |
| They bade him his crown to resign; | |
| To fate and his country he yielded | |
| The rights of himself and his line. | |
| |
| “He came, and among us he stood, | 5 |
| Around him we press’d in a throng: | |
| We could not regard him for weeping, | |
| Who had led us and loved us so long. | |
| ‘I have led you for twenty long years,’ | |
| Napoleon said ere he went; | 10 |
| ‘Wherever was honor I found you, | |
| And with you, my sons, am content. | |
| |
| “‘Though Europe against me was arm’d, | |
| Your chiefs and my people are true; | |
| I still might have struggled with fortune, | 15 |
| And baffled all Europe with you. | |
| |
| “‘But France would have suffer’d the while, | |
| ’Tis best that I suffer alone; | |
| I go to my place of exile, | |
| To write of the deeds we have done. | 20 |
| |
| “‘Be true to the king that they give you. | |
| We may not embrace ere we part; | |
| But, General, reach me your hand, | |
| And press me, I pray, to your heart.’ | |
| |
| “He call’d for our battle standard; | 25 |
| One kiss to the eagle he gave. | |
| ‘Dear eagle!’ he said, ‘may this kiss | |
| Long sound in the hearts of the brave!’ | |
| ’Twas thus that Napoleon left us; | |
| Our people were weeping and mute, | 30 |
| As he passed through the lines of his guard | |
| And our drums beat the notes of salute.” | |
| |
