THE SHEPHERDESS AND THE GENTLEMAN.
It was a gentleman returning from the army,
Upon the road he met a shepherd maid;
He dismounted quickly, and went to sit beside her.
Cunning was the maid, and wept as if afraid.
"Have mercy, gentleman, you 'll spoil my fine, white cap,
I 'll go and put it off, and come back quite soon."
The gallant gentleman found the time quite tedious,
The maiden did not come; he whistled a blank tune.
"John, my little John, go and tell the maiden
To come back at once, for she must be asleep."
"Good fortune it is to me that I have got away,
By the grace of God I have no shame to weep."
"Little John returned to where his master waited,
Whistling a blank tune beneath the willow tree,
"Alas, my master, the maid is very cunning;
She is safe at home, and sends you mockery."
The gallant ceased his tune, and swore in bitter anger,
"If again that maid I meet by any hap,
Either in the highroad, or on the flowery meadow,
I will have no mercy on her fine, white cap."
Then the love songs of Poitou have a light and humorous turn, a jest at the fickleness of the runaway lover, and the easy consolation of the young maiden, whose desire is more to have a lover than that he should be any particular person. La Belle Rosalie illustrates this gay mockery of youthful love.