Page:Mistral - Mirèio. A Provençal poem.djvu/162

136 "O father! ere thou drive my brother wild, Listen to me!" began the eager child: "For where I served the master had a daughter; And had a laborer, too, who loved and sought her, Just as our Vincen loves Mirèio. She was named Alis; he, Sivèstre; and so

"He labored like a wolf because he loved. Skilful and prompt, quiet and saving proved, And took such care, master slept tranquilly; But once—mark, father, how perverse men be!— One morning master's wife, as it befell, O'erheard Sivèstre his love to Alis tell.

"So when at dinner all the men were sitting, The master gave Sivèstre a wrathful greeting. 'Traitor!' he cried, with his eyes all aglow, 'You are discovered! Take your wage, and go!' We looked at one another in dismay, As the good servant rose, and went his way.

"Thereafter, for three weeks, when we were working, We used to see him round the farmstead lurking,— A sorry sight; for all his clothes were torn, And his face very pale and wild and worn. And oft at eve he to the trellis came, And called the little mistress by her name.