Bell’ bergère, embrasse-moi,
Embrasse, embrasse, embrasse!
And in Ramenez vos Moutons, Bergère, is sung by way of conclusion:
Tombez à genoux,
Jurez devant tous.
D’être un jour époux
Et embrassez-vous.[25]
There is, I suppose, no doubt that in these games the kiss is given and taken, as the dramatis personæ are generally children, but what takes place when adults amuse themselves with these rondes, I do not know; but I consider it probable that the gentleman will demand as his due a kiss, at any rate on the cheek. There also exists an old ronde à baisers, which is very characteristic and merry. In this it is the lady who has to take the first step:
Madame, entrez dans la danse,
Regardez-en la cadence,
Et puis vous embrasserez
Celui que vous aimerez.[26]
As the living expression of the warmest and sincerest human feelings kissing has been credited, in the world of fairy tales and superstition, with a considerable curative and prophylactical power.
We have seen, in the old sagas and ballads, how enchantments are broken by means of a kiss; we have seen how holy men in the legends restore the sick to health by means of a kiss, etc. Kissing has, on the whole, influenced popular credulity to a large extent, and of the numerous superstitious notions concerning it I only quote some few:
If you would protect yourself against lightning you should make three crosses before you, and kiss the ground three times. (Germany.)