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232 THE FOLK-SONGS OF POITOU.
And my cows to browse again. Ask me not to tell you more.
My lambkins feed along the glade, My lambkins feed along the glade, And I am seated in the shade. Ask me not to tell you more.
My shepherd comes to see me there, My shepherd comes to see me there, And tells me I am sweet and fair. Ask me not to tell you more.
In listening to his love words deep, In listening to his love words deep, My eyelids close ; I 'm charmed to sleep. Ask me not to tell you more.
I dream my shepherd is a dove, I dream my shepherd is a dove, And my fond heart his cage of love, Ask me not to tell you more.
The maiden surprised by her lover as she lies asleep beneath the shade is a favorite subject in all folk-poetry, but it is seldom that it has been treated with a greater grace and charm than in La Belle Endormie. The sentiment has all the simplicity and purity of spontaneous love, and the language the sweet naivete* of folk-song, however much of its charm may have vanished in the translation. |
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