Page:Mistral - Mirèio. A Provençal poem.djvu/79

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And oft these two to Lotus Farmstead came;
While that mischievous lad, Cupid by name,
Who loves to sport with generous hearts and tender,
Had made the sisters both their love surrender
To the same youth. So Azaläis said,—
The dark one,—lifting up her raven head:

"Now, damsels, play awhile that I were queen.
The Marseilles ships, the Beaucaire meadows green,
Smiling La Ciotat, and fair Salon,
With all her almond-trees, to me belong.
Then the young maids I 'd summon by decree,
From Arles, Baux, Barbentano, unto me.

"'Come, fly like birds!' the order should be given;
And I, of these, would choose the fairest seven,
And royal charge upon the same would lay,
The false love and the true in scales to weigh.
And then would merry counsel holden be;
For sure it is a great calamity

"That half of those who love, with love most meet,
Can never marry, and their joy complete.
But when I, Azaläis, hold the helm,
I proclamation make, that in my realm
When lovers true are tyrannously hurt
They shall find mercy at the maiden's court.