DESCRIPTIVE PIECES The selections listed under this heading are rather descriptive than oratorical. Students of a certain type prefer this style and do better with them than with an excerpt from some speech or formal address. The selections following are old prize winners, and several of them have a long string of gold medals to their credit. Most declamation contests have no regulation regarding the style of selection to be used, and if a student prefers this type there is no reason why he should not use it. DESCRIPTIVE PIECES Benediction, The.. Boy Orator of Zepata City, The. Burgomaster's Death, The.. Jean Valjean and the Good Bishop. Man in the Shadow, The.. Ole Mistis... One Niche the Highest. Yacht Race, The.. François Coppée Minnie L. Sellers .R. H. Davis .Erckmann and Chatrain Maurice Thompson THE BENEDICTION BY FRANÇOIS COPPÉE Translation of a poem by the eminent French Litterateur and Academician. It is very popular in France and this translation has been often used with success in this country. It was in eighteen hundred-yes-and nine, If shovel hat and long black coat were seen Among the forges. Low our fellows stooped, With bayonets dripping red, their bloody fingers Foes lurking in our rear. There was no drum-beat, As do recruits when flinching. All at once, Rounding a corner, we are hailed in French Inglorious from the raised and flag-paved square, Our men went down before them. By platoons Being in us than in executioners. The foul deed done deliberately done- The inner gloom with points of gold. The incense Turned to the altar, as though unconcerned And here ourselves, all halting, hesitating, Almost afraid. I, certes, in those days Was a confirmed blasphemer. 'Tis on record A chapel being sacked, I lit my pipe At a wax candle burning on the altar. "Shoot him!" our captain cried. Not a soul budged. The priest beyond all doubt Heard; but, as though he heard not, turning round, He faced us with the elevated Host, Having that period of the service reached When on the faithful benediction falls. His lifted arms seemed as the spread of wings; And as he raised the pyx, and in the air With it described the cross, each man of us Fell back, aware the priest no more was trembling Than if before him the devout were ranged. But when, intoned with clear and mellow voice, |