Classic Poem

Le chasseur et la laitiere.

" The lark, scarce wakened, pours her lay,
To usher in a brilliant day;
Fair Milkmaid, with the Hunter seek
Some bower — of love he fain would speak:
Come, dearest, trip it o'er the dew;
He'll pluck Spring flowers — and all for you "
" Gay Hunter, I my mother fear;
No, no, I must not loiter here "

" Thy mother and her faithful goat
Behind that bank are far remote:
Come, hear a song that's new and soft;
Dames at the Castle sing it oft —
The girl that tunes it may be sure
The most inconstant to secure "
" I sing one — 'tis as tender, too —
Hunter, I can't waste time with you "

" Come then, and learn to tell the tale
Of jealous Baron's ghost so pale,
That to its tomb the beauty bore,
Whose husband it had been before:
This story on a gloomy night
Will make the hearers shake with fright! "
" Hunter, that story well I know:
I can't be loitering — let me go! "

" Prayers I can teach thee, then, to say,
That the wolf's fury charm away;
Or witches' malice can defy,
That on us turn the evil eye:
Dread, lest some hag, whom sorrows wring,
Should cast her spell upon thy Spring! "
" Nay, have I not my beads to tell?
Hunter, I won't stay — fare thee well! "

" So, eh! but mark this cross of mine;
Count its rich rubies — how they shine!
If hung at some young maiden's breast,
The eyes of all would on it rest;
Take it — nor heed the price, I pray —
Save the sweet price I'd have you pay! "
" 'Tis charming — ah! I hear you now:
This is not wasting time, I vow! "