"No finer voice ever sang Mass, or
chanted 'God Save the King!' I like to hear the royal anthem from
the lips of a churchman rolling it out ore rotundo, like one of the
Psalms of David. Our first duty is to love God,--our next to honor
the King! and New France will never fail in either!" Loyalty was
ingrained in every fibre of La Corne St. Luc.
"Never, Chevalier. Law and Gospel rule together, or fall together!
But we must rise," replied Hortense, springing up.
The whole company rose simultaneously. The rich, mellow voice of
the Rev. Father de Berey, round and full as the organ of Ste. Marie,
commenced the royal anthem composed by Lulli in honor of Louis
Quatorze, upon an occasion of his visit to the famous Convent of St.
Cyr, in company with Madame de Maintenon.
The song composed by Madame Brinon was afterwards translated into
English, and words and music became, by a singular transposition,
the national hymn of the English nation.
"God Save the King!" is no longer heard in France. It was buried
with the people's loyalty, fathoms deep under the ruins of the
monarchy.
Pages:
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423