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STORIES OF
desire. Swelling, burning torrents of song rush from the heights of freedom, in streams as bold as those with which the Ganges leaps from the heights of the Himalaya ! I can write no more, this song intoxicates my brain; louder and nearer advances the powerful chorus :
" ' Aux Annes, citoyens !' "
To hear a large concourse of enthusiastic Frenchmen sing this song is an experience of the most thrilling description. Rachel chanted the song with such fire and passion that the audience grew crazy with excitement, and, as it were, reached for their swords. The music of " La Marseillaise" is at once striking and en-thralling; the theme forcible, and the refrain " Aux armes, citoyens!" so pathetic and ex-pressive that few can hear it without being affected to tears.
As I have already stated, there are several other translations; two in 1800, and one which was published about 1857 and sung by Mrs. Howard Paul in the " Mimic and Musical En-tertainment Patchwork." John Oxenford wrote this version, and just listen to it, as a specimen of what the mild and genial dramatic critic of the " Times" could turn out:
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