But the Fiscal was addressing the crowd gathered round the Commander. I had missed some of his speech because of these two babbling Night-Watchers next me, but I now listened: 'And that it may also somewhat be evident that by this continual digging and delving in and under the ground, poets have also been found and thrown up, a certain amateur this day presents to the Commander the following eight verses.' The crowd drew closer to the Fiscal, who continued with the amateur's verses: DEN EERSTEN STEEN VAN 'T NIEUWE CASTEEL GOEDE HOOP HEEFT WAGENAAR GELECHT MET HOOP VAN GOEDE HOOP. _Ampliatie._ Soo worden voort en voort de rijcken uijtgespreijt, Soo worden al de swart en geluwen gespreijt, Soo doet men uijt den aerd' een steen wall oprechten, Daer't donderend metael seer weijnigh (an ophecten) Voor Hottentoosen waren 't altijts eerde wallen. Nu komt men hier met steen van anderen oock brallen, Dus maeckt men dan een schrik soowel d'Europiaen, Als vor den Aes! Ame! en wilden Africaen, Dus wort beroemt gemaeckt 't geheijligst Christendom, Die zetels stellen in het woeste heijdendom, Wij loven 't Groot Bestier, en zeggen met malcander, Augustus heerschappij, noch winnend' Alexander, Noch Caesars groot beleijd zijn noijt daermee geswaerd, Met 't leggen van een steen op 't eijnde van de Aerd! THE FIRST STONE OF THE NEW CASTLE GOOD HOPE HAS WAGENAAR LAID WITH HOPE OF GOOD HOPE. Thus more and more the kingdoms are extended; Thus more and more are black and yellow spread; Thus from the ground a wall of stone is raised, On which the thundering brass can no impression make. For Hottentoos the walls were always earthen, But now we come with stone to boast before all men, And terrify not only Europeans, but also Asians, Americans, and savage Africans. Thus holy Christendom is glorified; Establishing its seats amidst the savage heathen. We praise the Great Director, and say with one another: 'Augustus's dominion, nor conquering Alexander, Nor Cæsar's mighty genius, has ever had the glory To lay a corner-stone at earth's extremest end!' [Illustration: ON THE RAMPARTS OF THE OLD CASTLE (MOONLIGHT)] Lieutenant Abraham Schut came towards me; no, it was not this wonderful Abraham, though he wore a uniform--the cheering of the crowd still rung in my ears. 'Who wrote it?' I said. 'Wrote what?' The subaltern stared at me. 'Built it, I suppose you mean,' he smiled. 'Oh yes, built, of course, of course,' I muttered, hotter than ever. Marinus' pipe had burnt out, and the officer who stood before us wore khaki.