5 10 III French THE MARSEILLAISE ROUGET DE LISLE Rouget de Lisle was born in Montaign, Lons-le-Saulnier, France, May 10, 1760. At an early age he composed poems and set them to music with much success. But he was destined for the army, and at the age of sixteen entered a military school, graduating with the rank of second lieutenant. During his service in the army, where he rose to the rank of captain engineer-in-chief, he was imprisoned because he refused to sanction the extreme measures of the Revolutionists. In 1796, he abandoned military life, and went to Paris to devote himself to music and poetry. He died at Choisy-le-Roi, June 26, 1836. In April, 1792, on the day after France declared war against Austria, Rouget de Lisle attended a dinner at Strasburg. The conversation turned upon the political events which were then greatly disturbing men's minds. They spoke especially of the declaration of war that had just been made, and resolved that on so impressive an occasion there should be some inspired poem to answer to the enthusiasm of the French nation. At this, Rouget left the room, but returned in a short time, having composed the words and music of the hymn which became famous as the "Marseillaise." Ye sons of France, awake to glory! Hark! hark! what myriads bid you rise! Shall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding, Refrain To arms! to arms! ye brave! march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death. Now, now, the dangerous storm is rolling, Which treacherous kings, confederate, raise; The dogs of war, let loose, are howling, And lo! our fields and cities blaze; With crimes and blood his hands imbruing? Refrain With luxury and pride surrounded, Refrain O Liberty! can man resign thee, Refrain To arms! to arms! ye brave! The avenging sword unsheathe! March on march on! all hearts resolved IV German THE WATCH ON THE RHINE MAX SCHNECKENBURGER Max Schneckenburger, a German poet, was born in Thalheim, Wurtemberg, February 17, 1819, and died at Burgdorf, near Bern, Switzerland, May 3, 1849. "The Watch on the Rhine" ("Die Wacht am Rhein") was written in 1840. It is said that the author never passed a day without kneeling in prayer for his Fatherland. A voice resounds like thunder-peal, Mid dashing waves and clang of steel, They stand, a hundred thousand strong, Dear Fatherland! No danger thine: And though in death our hopes decay, Dear Fatherland! No danger thine: From yon blue sky are bending now The Rhine, the Rhine, shall German be." "While flows one drop of German blood, Our oath resounds: the river flows; HELPS FOR STUDY What American anthem is sung to the same tune as the King"? What other countries adopted the tune? "God Save Under what circumstances was "The Marseillaise" written? light and air." ""mete and vend the What is said of the author of "The Watch on the Rhine"? How would danger be kept from Germany by guarding the Rhine? What is the great lesson taught by these four songs? VOCABULARY Marseillaise (mär-se-yāz') Rouget de Lisle (rö-zha'de-lēl') THE EVILS OF WAR HENRY CLAY Henry Clay, the great Kentuckian, was born in Hanover County, Virginia, April 12, 1777. He removed to Kentucky at the age of twenty-one, after a meagre education at a back-country school, and some experiences of the principles of trade as studied behind the counter of a grocery store. His great wish was to make an honest living; so he applied himself to the study of law. He had immense powers of application, and in about a year he had so far mastered the elements that he made bold to open an office for practice. His success was better than might have been expected; it was largely due to the affability of his general conversation, which inclined his friends to patronize him whenever possible, and he soon showed that their confidence or favor was not abused. In 1803, at the age of twenty-six, he was chosen representative of Fayette County. From that time, till near the end of his life, Henry Clay was never without a voice in the councils of his country. The public positions which he filled were numerous and honorable; and in all of them he set a standard of ability which was difficult to rival. He served as United States Senator, Member of Congress, peace commissioner to Ghent, and Secretary of State, and was three times candidate for President. On June 29, 1852, he died at Washington, D. C., after a full and useful life of seventy-five years. The speech on "The New Army Bill," is one of the most forceful and characteristic of Henry Clay's utterances on political issues. It was delivered in the House of Representatives January 8, 1813. War, pestilence, and famine, by the common consent of mankind, are the three greatest calamities which can befall our species; and war, as the most direful, justly stands foremost and in front. Pestilence and famine, no doubt 5 for wise although inscrutable purposes, are inflictions of Providence, to which it is our duty, therefore, to bow with obedience, humble submission, and resignation. Their duration is not long, and their ravages are limited. They |