Page:Poems that every child should know (ed. Burt, 1904).djvu/366

328 And with flow at full beside?

Now 'tis slackest ebb of tide.

Reach the mooring! Rather say,

While rock stands or water runs,

Not a ship will leave the bay!"

Then was called a council straight;

Brief and bitter the debate:

"Here's the English at our heels; would you have them take in tow

All that's left us of the fleet, linked together stern and bow,

For a prize to Plymouth Sound?—

Better run the ships aground!"

(Ended Damfreville his speech.)

"Not a minute more to wait!

Let the captains all and each

Shove ashore, then blow up, burn the vessels on the beach!

France must undergo her fate.

"Give the word!"—But no such word

Was ever spoke or heard;

For up stood, for out stepped, for in struck amid all these—

A captain? A lieutenant? A mate—first, second, third?

No such man of mark, and meet

With his betters to compete!

But a simple Breton sailor pressed by Tourville for the fleet—

A poor coasting pilot he, Hervé Riel, the Croisickese.