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Translated by John Oxenford
YON proud old Marquis see, | |
| A conquered race, he thinks, are we. | |
| His steed has brought him home, | |
| Once more amongst us has he come. | |
| To his old château | 5 |
| Only see him go: | |
| How the noble lord | |
| Wears his bloodless sword! | |
| Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! | |
| Hail to the Marquis of Carabas! | 10 |
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| “Hear me, ye vassals all, | |
| Castellans, villeins, great and small; | |
| Through me, through me alone, | |
| The king was set upon his throne. | |
| If he should neglect, | 15 |
| All the deep respect | |
| Which I claim, to pay, | |
| Then the deuce I ’ll play.” | |
| Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! | |
| Hail to the Marquis of Carabas! | 20 |
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| “Though to calumniate | |
| My name, they of a miller prate; | |
| My lineage I trace | |
| To one of Little Pepin’s race; | |
| By my arms I know | 25 |
| There is none can show | |
| Such a pedigree, | |
| Not his Majesty.” | |
| Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! | |
| Hail to the Marquis of Carabas! | 30 |
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| “Who can resist me, pray? | |
| My lady has the tabouret, | |
| My younger son is sure | |
| At court a mitre to procure; | |
| Then my noble heir, | 35 |
| Who a cross would wear, | |
| Three at least shall have, | |
| Though not over brave.” | |
| Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! | |
| Hail to the Marquis of Carabas! | 40 |
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| “In peace I mean to live, | |
| Let none a hint of taxes give; | |
| A gentleman, we know, | |
| Can nothing to his country owe. | |
| Snug in my castle, I | 45 |
| Shall all the world defy; | |
| The prefect soon will find | |
| That I can speak my mind.” | |
| Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! | |
| Hail to the Marquis of Carabas! | 50 |
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| “Your battle, priests, we fought, | |
| And so in equity we ought | |
| Your tithes with you to share; | |
| The burden let the people bear. | |
| To us belongs the chace. | 55 |
| The vile plebeian race | |
| For nothing else is fit, | |
| But simply to submit.” | |
| Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! | |
| Hail to the Marquis of Carabas! | 60 |
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| “Your duty do, curé, | |
| To me with incense homage pay; | |
| Ye lackeys do your best, | |
| And see the rabble’s jackets dressed. | |
| My great forefathers gave | 65 |
| The privilege I have, | |
| And e’en my latest heirs | |
| Shall boast that it is theirs.” | |
| Chapeau bas! chapeau bas! | |
| Hail to the Marquis of Carabas! | 70 |
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