Page:Mistral - Mirèio. A Provençal poem.djvu/178

 CANTO VIII.

LA CRAU.

HE rage of the mighty lioness Who shall restrain? She came to her den, and she found it bare: A Moorish huntsman had entered there. The huntsman came, and the whelp is gone. Away through the canebrake they have flown, Galloping far at a headlong pace. To follow—vain! She roars awhile in her deep despite, Then rises and courses, lank and light, Over the hills of Barbary. As a maid bereft of her love is she.

Mirèio lay upon her little bed, Clasping in both her hands her burning head. Dim was the chamber; for the stars alone Saw the maid weep, and heard her piteous moan,— "Help, Mother Mary, in my sore distress! Oh, cruel fate! Oh, father pitiless,