BLIND GIRL OF CASTEL-CUILLÈ.

FROM THE GASCON OF JASMIN.

ONLY the Lowland tongue of Scotland might Rehearse this little tragedy aright;

Let me attempt it with an English quill;

And take, O Reader, for the deed the will.

THE BLIND GIRL OF CASTEL-CUILLÈ.

FROM THE GASCON OF JASMIN.

I.

AT the foot of the mountain height

Where is perched Castèl-Cuillè,

When the apple, the plum, and the almond tree In the plain below were growing white,

This is the song one might perceive

On a Wednesday morn of Saint Joseph's Eve :

"The roads should blossom, the roads should

bloom,

So fair a bride shall leave her home!

Should blossom and bloom with garlands gay,

So fair a bride shall pass to-day!"

This old Te Deum, rustic rites attending,
Seemed from the clouds descending;

When lo! a merry company

Of rosy village girls, clean as the eye,

Each one with her attendant swain, Came to the cliff, all singing the same strain; Resembling there, so near unto the sky, Rejoicing angels, that kind Heaven has sent For their delight and our encouragement.

Together blending,

And soon descending

The narrow sweep

Of the hill-side steep,

They wind aslant

Towards Saint Amant,

Through leafy alleys

Of verdurous valleys

With merry sallies

Singing their chant :

The roads should blossom, the roads should

bloom,

So fair a bride shall leave her home!

Should blossom and bloom with garlands gay,

So fair a bride shall pass to-day!"

It is Baptiste, and his affianced maiden,
With garlands for the bridal laden!

The sky was blue; without one cloud of gloom, The sun of March was shining brightly,