Promenons-nous dans les bois
pendant que le loup n'y est pas.
Let us walk in the woods,
while the wolf is not about.
Then they call "Loup, viens-tu?—Wolf, are you coming?" "Non, je me lève—No, I'm getting up," replies the Wolf. Then they sing again and call, "Loup, viens-tu?" "Non, je m'habille—No, I'm dressing." This goes on for some time, the wolf prolonging the agony as much as possible, and stopping to get his hat, his cane, or cigar, but finally making a rush with, "Je viens—I'm coming!" he dives into the crowd, scattering the children in every direction and making general havoc. The one who happens to be captured is the "wolf" the next time.
Another game more limited to little girls, was, "Sur le Pont d'Avignon." We formed a ring and danced around singing:
Sur le pont d'Avignon
on y danse, on y danse,
Sur le pont d'Avignon,
on y danse, tout en rond.
Les dames font comme ça,
et puis encore comme ça.
"On the bridge of Avignon the people dance in a ring, the ladies do this way" (courtesying).
The next time it is "Les blanchiseuses font comme ça—the washerwoman, etc.," suiting the action to words; then "Les couturières font comme ça—the dressmakers do this way." Every trade or occupation was gone through with in like manner with the greatest earnestness.
Here is another of the same character:
