Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912.
Aucassin and NicoletteEdmund Clarence Stedman 18331908
Edmund Clarence Stedman183 Provençal Lovers
W
He met her by a secret stair,—
The night was centuries ago.
Said Aucassin, “My love, my pet,
These old confessors vex me so!
They threaten all the pains of hell
Unless I give you up, ma belle”;—
Said Aucassin to Nicolette.
To fill your place, ma très-douce mie? To reach that spot I little care! There all the droning priests are met; All the old cripples, too, are there That unto shrines and altars cling To filch the Peter-pence we bring”;— Said Aucassin to Nicolette. With gowns well tattered by the briars, The saints who lift their eyes and whine: I like them not—a starveling set! Who ’d care with folk like these to dine? The other road ’t were just as well That you and I would take, ma belle!”— Said Aucassin to Nicolette. With pleasant comrades whom we know, Fair scholars, minstrels, lusty knights Whose deeds the land will not forget, The captains of a hundred fights, The men of valor and degree: We ’ll join that gallant company,”— Said Aucassin to Nicolette. And beauteous ladies debonair, The pretty dames, the merry brides, Who with their wedded lords coquette And have a friend or two besides,— And all in gold and trappings gay, With furs, and crests in vair and gray”;— Said Aucassin to Nicolette. And they who roam the world like kings, Are gathered there, so blithe and free! Pardie! I ’d join them now, my pet, If you went also, ma douce mie! The joys of heaven I ’d forego To have you with me there below,”— Said Aucassin to Nicolette.