Page:Mistral - Mirèio. A Provençal poem.djvu/96

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The same were wont to feed the winter long
In rich salt-pastures by Lake Entressen.
And at wheat-bolling time, in burning May,
Himself would often lead his flock, they say,
Up through the hills to pastures green and high:
They say moreover, and full faith have I,

That ever as St. Mark's came round again
Nine noted shearers Alari would retain
Three days to shear his flock. Added to these
A man to bear away each heavy fleece,
And a sheep-boy who back and forward ran
And filled the shearer's quickly emptied can.

But when the days were shortening, and the snow
Whitened the mountain summits of Gavot,
A stately sight it was that flock to see
Wind from the upper vales of Dauphiny,
And o'er the Crau pursue their devious ways,
Upon the toothsome winter grass to graze.

Also to watch them there where they defile
Into the stony road were well worth while;
The early lambkins all the rest outstripping
And merrily about the lamb-herd leaping,
The bell-decked asses with their foals beside,
Or following after them. These had for guide