Feeding her cows the mountain peaks between.’

‘’Tis true,’ I said, ‘though to betray was mean.

My Pyrenean verses will you hear,

Though not about that peasant girl, I fear.’

‘Begin,’ they said, ‘the sweet bucolic song,

Though it to other maids and other cows belong.’

Currente calamo.

Quick, painter, quick, the moment seize

Amid the snowy Pyrenees;

More evanescent than the snow,