Where smooth the southern waters run br By rustling leagues of poplars grey, br Beneath a veiled soft southern sun, br We wandered out of yesterday, br Went maying through that ancient May br Whose fallen flowers are fragrant yet, br And loitered by the fountain spray br With Aucassin and Nicolette. br br The grass-grown paths are trod of none br Where through the woods they went astray. br The spider's traceries are spun br Across the darkling forest way. br There come no knights that ride to slay, br No pilgrims through the grasses wet, br No shepherd lads that sang their say br With Aucassin and Nicolette! br br 'Twas here by Nicolette begun br Her bower of boughs and grasses gay; br 'Scaped from the cell of marble dun br 'Twas here the lover found the fay, br Ah, lovers fond! ah, foolish play! br How hard we find it to forget br Who fain would dwell with them as they, br With Aucassin and Nicolette. br br ENVOY. br br Prince, 'tis a melancholy lay! br For youth, for love we both regret.