Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 09.pdf/258

 The Burgomaster of Amsterdam.

THE BURGOMASTER OF AMSTERDAM. BY JOHN ALBERT MACY.

(An Incident in the Dutch Wars of Louis XIV.)

"I "HE city council met in haste, •*• "The French are come," they cried. "They're laying field and vineyard waste, And burning far and wide." "Let's throw a rampart up," cried some, "Rebuild the city wall!" "Repair the gates — the French are come!" Fear ruled the council hall. "The citizens must dig a trench Before the host swoops down." "Against the armies of the French What hope to hold the town?" The city council argued long, And nearly came to blows. Each swore the other man was wrong, And half forgot the foes. Meanwhile the Burgomaster snored Upon the chair of state. His solid common sense abhorred All wrangling and debate. At length fell silence in the hall When throats were worn with cries; The stillness roused him from the thrall Of sleep. He raised his eyes. "My friends, I've listened while you spoke Of what we best would do." (But that was just his little joke —

He'd slept the meeting through.)

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