Ballade of Aucassin
Where smooth the Southern waters runThrough rustling leagues of poplars gray,Beneath a veiled soft Southern sun,We wandered out of Yesterday;Went Maying in that ancient MayWhose fallen flowers are fragrant yet,And lingered by the fountain sprayWith Aucassin and Nicolete.
The grassgrown paths are trod of noneWhere through the woods they went astray;The spider’s traceries are spunAcross the darkling forest way;There come no Knights that ride to slay,No Pilgrims through the grasses wet,No shepherd lads that sang their sayWith Aucassin and Nicolete.
’Twas here by Nicolete begunHer 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.