church and its liturgy; in New York to the Pierre Hotel

This service it did for M. Bida, the painter, as he tells us when he translated Aucassin in 1870. In dark and darkening days, patriai tempore iniquo, we too have turned to Aucassin et Nicolete. { 5}

Where smooth the Southern waters run Through rustling leagues of poplars gray, Beneath a veiled soft Southern sun, We wandered out of Yesterday; Went Maying in that ancient May Whose fallen flowers are fragrant yet, And lingered by the fountain spray With Aucassin and Nicolete.

The grassgrown paths are trod of none Where through the woods they went astray; The spider's traceries are spun Across the darkling forest way; There come no Knights that ride to slay, No Pilgrims through the grasses wet, No shepherd lads that sang their say With Aucassin and Nicolete.

'Twas here by Nicolete begun Her lodge of boughs and blossoms gay; 'Scaped from the cell of marble dun 'Twas here the lover found the Fay; O lovers fond, O foolish play! How hard we find it to forget, Who fain would dwell with them as they, With Aucassin and Nicolete.

Prince, 'tis a melancholy lay! For Youth, for Life we both regret: How fair they seem; how far away, With Aucassin and Nicolete.

All bathed in pearl and amber light She rose to fling the lattice wide, And leaned into the fragrant night, Where brown birds sang of summertide; ('Twas Love's own voice that called and cried) "Ah, Sweet!" she said, "I'll seek thee yet, Though thorniest pathways should betide The fair white feet of Nicolete."

They slept, who would have stayed her flight; (Full fain were they the maid had died!) She dropped adown her prison's height On strands of linen featly tied. And so she passed the garden-side With loose-leaved roses sweetly set, And dainty daisies, dark beside The fair white feet of Nicolete!

Her lover lay in evil plight (So many lovers yet abide!) I would my tongue could praise aright Her name, that should be glorified. Those lovers now, whom foes divide A little weep,--and soon forget. How far from these faint lovers glide The fair white feet of Nicolete.