The first military flourish on the tramp to Burke's pub comes in French: "En avant, mes enfants! Fire away number one on the gun." Literally "Forward (my children!)," en avant is a phrase associated with military advances, like the English "Forward, march!" The obscure reference to cannon fire in the next sentence reinforces one's sense that it should be read this way, and an allusion to the Napoleonic wars may also be at work. The speaker is unquestionably Lenehan, who spouts French phrases throughout the novel.

In the twin battles of Jena and Auerstädt, fought in Saxony on 14 October 1806, Napoleon crushed the Prussian army. According to legend a grenadier of his Imperial Guard, not yet engaged, was so eager for action that he shouted out "En avant!" and was rebuked by the great leader. A dramatic oil painting by Horace Vernet shows Napoleon wheeling around in his saddle to confront the hatless and hapless soldier.

Lenehan always has some French or mock-French phrase on his lips: Pardon, monsieur; Sonnez la cloche!; Conspuez les Anglais! Perfide Albion!; Conspuez les Français; Thanky vous. One of these, in Aeolus, confirms beyond all doubt that he is the one urging "mes enfants" to press onward to the pub. When Stephen enters the newspaper office with Mr. O'Madden Burke, Lenehan cries out, "Entrez, mes enfants!"

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