Felicia Hemans in The Monthly Magazine Volume 2 1826/The Chevalier d'Assas
The Monthly Magazine, Volume 2, Page 374
THE CHEVALIER D’ASSAS.
Le Chevalier D'Assas, le Decius François, étant à Closter-Kamp en 1760, posté près d'un bois pendant la nuit, avec un détachement du Regiment d'Auvergne, entra seul dans ce bois pour le fouiller, et se vit tout-à-coup environné d'une troupe d'ennemis. Ceux-ci, lui appuyant leurs baïonettes sur le poitrine le menacent de la mort s'il dit un mot. De ce mot dépendait la surprise de son poste et vraisemblablement de l'armée. D'Assas n'hésite pas; il cria, "A moi, Auvergne! ce sont les ennemis!" et il tombe percé de coups.—Florian.
Alone through gloomy forest-shades
A soldier went by night;
No moon-beam pierced the hollow glades,
No guiding star shed light.
The darkness that about him lay
Was filled with boding tones,
The massy boughs that arched his way,
From every leaf sent moans.
But on his vigil's midnight round
The warrior cheerly passed,
Unstayed by aught of mournful sound
That muttered in the blast.
Where were his thoughts that lonely hour?
In his far home perchance;
His father's hall, his mother's bower,
'Midst the gay vines of France:
Wandering from battles lost and won,
To hear and bless again
The rolling of the wide Garonne,
Or murmur of the Seine.
Hush! hark!—did stealing steps go by?
Came not faint whispers near?
No! the wild wind hath many a sigh
Amidst the foliage sere.
Hark, yet again!—and from his hand
What grasp hath wrenched the blade?
Oh! single 'midst a hostile band,
Young Soldier! thou'rt betrayed!
"Silence!" in undertones they cry,
"No murmur—not a breath!
The word that warns thy comrades nigh,
Shall sentence thee to death!"
Still at the bayonet's point he stood,
And strong to meet the blow,
And shouted, 'midst his rushing blood,
"Arm, arm, Auvergne!—the foe!"
The stir, the tramp, the bugle-call,
He heard their tumult grow,
And sent his dying voice through all,
Once more, "Auvergne! the foe!"F. H.