The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-01

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Tell me, Fleming" asked Leroux, address
ing him, can you speak Frenoh"
"Tm sorry to say that I cam" answered
Breydel in that language.
Well, then, as see that you're impatient
and thirsty, accept q drink from me. till your
own comes. Here, and good luck to your
The Fleming took the proffered cup with a
motion of thanks, saying, as he raised it to his
mouth:
Health and long life to your
But hardly had few drops of its contents
passed his lips, when he hastily set it down
again upon the table with an ill-suppressed
look of disgust.
whats thatf why the noble liquor fright
ems you All! you Flemings are not used to
it," cried Leroux, laughing.
cts French wine !" answ cred Breydel, with
careless indifference, as though his aversion
had been q mere natural distaste.
The soldiers looked at one another, and q
movement of displeasure contracted Leroux's
brow. Nevertheless, Breydels manner and
countenance gave SO little appearance of in
tention to his words, that nothing was said
and the Fleming returned quietly to his table
where tho beer he had called for stood ready
waiting for him, and resumed his seat, taking
no further notice of the French party.
"Now, comrades" cried Leroux, raising his
beaker, one draught more, that we may moi
go away with dry threats; here's to the health
of this Flemish fair one, and may the devil fly
away with her
At this post Jan had some trouble to contain
himself; but with an effort succeeded, and LIE
roux went on:
"If only by good luck all keeps quiet while
we're gone These rascally citizens are get
ting moro than half-disposed to rebel, and
there may be an outbreak any day. A pretty
take in it would be for us, if the others are al
the plundering of Bruges while we are out OF
the way! We should have to thank this jade
for it,"
Again Breydels blood began to boil !; but he
remembered his promise and held his peace,
listening, however. the more attentively as the
Frenchman resumed:
az should like to know who she is. sup
pose she's the wife of one of the rebel MOBILES
and going to make one with the others they've
got safe hold of there. Yes, yes! she'll not
spend her time very pleasantly in France, de-
pend upon it 70
Jan, meanwhile, felt that if he was to hold
his peace he must find some vent for his feel
ings; accordingly he rose from his seat, and
paced up and down at the farther end of the
apartment, humming over in low voice q
Flemish popular song of the day:
"Tho sable Lion Mark him ramping-
So proudly on his golden hel6
he's ssTs ss
Behold his eyes. FOR battle flashing
Beheid his nasne. how Wild 1t fiesl
That crouchinE stln the foe dehee."
The French soldiers looked at one anothe,
in astonishment. "Harkp said one of them
"that is one of the Claward songs; and the
insolent Fleming dares to sing it in our pres
encew
These words Jan Breydel heard plainly
enough but he took no notice Of them, and
went on with his tune. He even raised hi,
voice somewhat, as though in defiance of the
Frenohmen:
He showed his claws in Eastern regions
And from bling fed the Eastern host
Before his keen eye Paled the Crescent,
Returning s to the West est i his children
He gusrdoned for their deeds Of fame:
A royal and imperial name F"
" Tell me, what is the meaning of that song
they always have in their mouthsi 7" inquired
Leroux of Fleming belonging to the castle
who was sitting by him.
"Well, the meaning of it is, that the Black
Lion clawed the Saracens and their Crescent
right handsomely, and made Count Baldwin
Emperor of Constantinople."
But I say, Fleming" cried Leroux t.
Breydel, "You must acknowledge that your
terrible black lion has had to turn tail befor,
King Philips lilies; and now, 1 suspect, he's
dead for good aud ALL"
Master Jan smiled contemptuously. "Ther'
is another verse to the song" he said (" listen
a. BE slumbers now; the Gallo Philip
Can his free limbs with chains uppfess
While robber-baDdg of oreign hirelinRs
The Lions fatherland possess
But when he wakes 30 then We robbers
Then shall VOC feel the Lions claw
Then shall in mud and blood your Lily
Lie low beneath his mighty paw
There now ask what that means"
The sense of the verse was explained tc
Leroux, who Immediately rose, thrust his seat
hastily back, filed his drinking cup to the
brim, and exclaimed:
"Call me coward my life long, if don'