During this terrible time the French raised army after army, though they had scarcely the means of feeding and clothing and arming their men. These armies fought with wonderful spirit, and they attacked all the nations opposed to them. On the other hand, the Allies were jealous of each other, and were slow to mass their armies. The Prussians, with whom we are specially concerned, were beaten, and so were the Austrians. Then Frederick William II. deserted his fellow kings, and made peace with the French Republic,[38] giving up to it the whole of the left bank of the Rhine. He died two years later, and was succeeded by Frederick William III. At the end of the year 1795 France held the upper hand in Europe. * * * * * Every boy and every girl who reads these pages must have heard the _Marseillaise_,[39] the great French war song. Here are the words of it, and on the next page you will find the music:-- "Ye sons of France, awake to glory! Hark, hark! what myriads round you rise! Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary-- Behold their tears and hear their cries! Shall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding, With hireling hosts, a ruffian band, Affright and desolate the land, While peace and liberty lie bleeding? To arms! To arms! ye brave. The avenging sword unsheathe. March on! March on! All hearts resolved on victory or death! "Now, now the dang'rous storm is rolling, Which treach'rous kings confed'rate raise; The dogs of war let loose are howling, And lo! our fields and cities blaze. And shall we basely view the ruin, While lawless Force, with guilty stride, Spreads desolation far and wide, With crime and blood his hands embruing? To arms! To arms! ye brave, etc. "With luxury and pride surrounded, The vile insatiate despots dare, Their thirst for pow'r and gold unbounded To mete and vend the light and air. Like beasts of burden would they load us, Like gods would bid their slaves adore; But man is man, and who is more? Then shall they longer lash and goad us? To arms! To arms! ye brave, etc. "O Liberty, can man resign thee, Once having felt thy gen'rous flame? Can dungeons, bolts, and bars confine thee, Or whips thy noble spirit tame? Too long the world has wept, bewailing That Falsehood's dagger tyrants wield; But Freedom is our sword and shield, And all their arts are unavailing. To arms! To arms! ye brave, etc." [Illustration: THE MARSEILLAISE HYMN.