Transcription
The FAVOURITE SONG,
Sung in the Character of a FRENCH COOK,
By Mr. WALLACK,
Belonging to the well-known and capital Inn, called Le Grand Saumon,)
In the famous SIEGE of VALENCIENNES, now performing at ASTLEY’s with unbounded applause.
O, Dear! what consternation
Is in this mad French nation?
And mine a pretty station.
In Valenciennes me Cook!
But diable a ting to dress—
Indeed I do confess:
My saucepans are all dusty,
My spirit is blunt and rusty;
And I’m not very lusty—
Am I, now, pray but look!
Hark! how the cannons roaring!
Hot balls and bombs are pouring,
Poor Valenciennes devouring,
Now mine’s a pretty lot!
Each corner of the street,
A bomb or ball I meet;
Besides there be great matter,
For all this noise and clatter,
Has torn me all to tatter,
Sans habit Sans Culotte!
Tho’ I my country righting,
This firing and this fighting,
I’d rather run away,
Those people that they call
L’Assemblee Nationale
They make such great deal bother,
About von thing or t’other,
I fear my very brother
Will cut my throat von day.
I hope to this confusion
Will soon be von conclusion;
Ne’er be the like delusion,
Oh! I would dance and sing.
May ev’ry Frenchman own
Young LOUIS on the throne,
And may we ever cherish
Our Prince, or with him perish—
How can a nation flourish,
Without von royal king*?
*This character, which breathes a spirit of pleasantry, and loyalty, exhibits also the horrors experienced by the inhabitants of Valenciennes, with which the writer seems to have had a more than ordinary knowledge.
