Peel’s Prairie Provinces: University of Alberta Library, a Division of Learning Services

Que me font les honneurs? J’ai tant
été abreuvé deja par les humiliations!
Cher ami, tu me parles de la Fortune!
Je n’ai pas un sou. Je suis indépen-
dant, libre comme un oiseau. Et
c’est ce qui fait ma force aujourd’hui.
Je n’ai que ma vie! Je l’expose!
Je la risque. Je la mets partout en
avant; heureux si je mourais pour
la justice, l’honneur et mon pays.
Je sais bien que Dieu serait ainsi
plus disposé à avoir pitié de moi!
Et toi aussi tu as une fortune! Quelle
fortune? Presque comme la mienne
peut-être, mais veux-tu que je te
dise? Avant longtemps il y aura
ici de l’argent en masse.

What do I care about honour? I have already suffered too much from humiliations! Dear friend, you talk to me about Fortune! I do not have a penny. I am independent, free as a bird. And it makes my strength today. All I have is my life! I expose it! I risk it. I am always at the front lines; happy if I were to die for justice, honour and my country. I know but too well that God in this way would be more disposed to have pity on me. And you also have a fortune! What fortune? Maybe a bit like mine, but do you want to know something? Before long there will be lots of money here.