Page:Mistral - Mirèio. A Provençal poem.djvu/157

] kicked against it. This inclement period has ever since been known as the reguignado de la Vièio, or kicking of the old woman.

$8$ The farandoulo is a Provençal dance.

$9$ $10$ Garamaude is the imp of flirtation; Gripet, the demon of influenza, from gripa, to grip.

$11$ Sambuco's Path, in the mountains of Sambuco, to the east of Aix, is much dreaded by travellers.

$12$ The Cordovan Hollow, or Trau de Cordo. To the east of Arles arise two hills, which must originally have formed but one, but are now separated by a morass. Upon the flat, rocky summit of the lower, the Celts had once made an excavation. It is believed that the Saracens once encamped upon this hill, and gave it its name of "Cordo," in memory of Cordova. Wonderful traditions cluster around this spot. It is the haunt of the Fairy Serpent, or Melusine Provençale; of the golden goat, that enables people to discover hidden treasure. The larger hill bears the almost Roman name of Mount Majour. Upon this hill are the gigantic ruins of the Abbey of Mont Majour. Both the Grotte de Corde and the Grotte des Baus bear the name of "Trau di Fado," or "Furies' Cave," and the popular belief is that the excavations communicate.