[Pg 43]

[Pg 44]

[Pg 44]

[Pg 45]

[Pg 45]

Then said Damfreville, “My friend,

I must speak out at the end,

Though I find the speaking hard:

Praise is deeper than the lips.

You have saved the king his ships,

You must name your own reward.

Faith, our sun was near eclipse!

Demand whate’er you will,

France remains your debtor still.

Ask to heart’s content, and have, or my name’s not Damfreville.”

Then a beam of fun outbroke

On the bearded mouth that spoke,

As the honest heart laughed through

Those frank eyes of Breton blue:

“Since I needs must say my say,

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