11 MAY 1912, Page 19

POETRY.

AT MAESTRICHT.

[(In 1673 Louis XIV., assisted by Vauban, besieged Maastricht. The Duke, et Monmouth, John Churchill (afterwards the great Marlborough), and many other Englishmen served in the Preach Army. A nocturnal assault upon the counter scarp, delivered under Monmouth's direction, resulted iii the capture. of a deini.lune before the Tongros Gate. At noon 'on the ensuing day the Dutch made a sortie, and recovered the demi-lune. Monmouth and Churchill, followed by twelve gentlemen of the English Life Guard and a handful of English volunteers, iled across the open under a heavy fire and entered the. works sword in hand. Supported by Louis' Musketeers, they erpelled the Dutch after a severe struggle, in which Churchill saved Monmouth's life and. was himself wounded, and d'Artaguan—Dumas's d'Artagnan—wits killed.]

Life Guards of England, Musketeers of France, D'Artagnan, Monmouth, Churchill, side by side, Oh, the bravo fellowship, the foul mischance !- Tread softly here, for here d'Artagnan* died.

• It is permissible to lay some stress upon the second syllable of the name "d'Artagnan."

Without the mouldering wall, the vanished gate, 'The broken bastion, :skid the moat sun-dried, Still stands the demi-lune most desolate,— Tread softly here, for here d'Artagnan died.

If you have followed fortune, riding post, Fame for your spur, and beauty for your guide, If you have boasted, and outdone your boast,— Tread softly here, for here d'Artagnan died.

IC you have thrilled beneath a woman's touch,

If you have told her truth, if you have lied, If you have loved too many or too much,—

Tread softly here, for here d'Artagnan died.

11' you have freely squandered, feasted, quaffed,

Marched, starved, and fought with comrades true and tried, If you have looked death in the eyes, and laughed,—

Tread softly here, for here d'Artagnan died.

Lovers of love, and lovers of good wine, Great fighters all, great ladies in your pride, 4.11 dreamers of delicious dreams and fine,— Tread softly here, for here d'Artagnan died.

FRANK TAYLOR.