Ballads and Lyrics of Old France (41)

    ALL in the mirk midnight when I was beside you, Who has seen, who has heard, what was said, what was done？ 'Twas the night and the light of the stars that espied¹ you, The fall of the moon, and the dawning begun.

    'Tis a swift star has fallen, a star that discovers To the sea what the green sea has told to the oars², And the oars to the sailors, and they of us lovers Go singing this song at their mistress's doors.