From the French. Song: And whither goest thou, gentle sigh

Given in The Trouvères, a chapter of Outre-Mer, as another example of the lyrics of the early poets of the North of France.

AND whither goest thou, gentle sigh,

Breathed so softly in my ear?

Say, dost thou bear his fate severe

To Love’s poor martyr doomed to die?

Come, tell me quickly,—do not lie;

What secret message bring’st thou here?

And whither goest thou, gentle sigh,

Breathed so softly in my ear?

May Heaven conduct thee to thy will,

And safely speed thee on thy way;

This only I would humbly pray,—

Pierce deep,—but oh! forbear to kill.

And whither goest thou, gentle sigh,

Breathed so softly in my ear?