CARCASSONNE.

New Zealand Tablet, 21 April 1921, Page 37

CARCASSONNE.

THE UNREACHED PARADISE OF OUR DREAMS. (Translated from the French.) I'm growing old, I'm sixty years; I've labored all my life in vain In all that time of hopes and fears I've failed my dearest wish to gain. I see full well that here below Bliss unalloyed there is for none; My prayer will ne'er fulfilment know— I never have seen Carcassone; I never have seen Carcassonne. You see the city from the hill; It lies beyond the mountains blue, And yet to reach it one must still Five long and weary leagues pursue. , And to return as many more. Ah! had the vintage plenteous grown! The grape withheld its yellow store— I never have seen Carcassonne; I never have seen Carcassonne. They tell me every day is there Not more or less than Sunday gay; ' In shining robes and garments fair The people walk upon their way. One gazes there on castle walls As grand as those of Babylon, .' A Bishop and two Generals! I do not know fair Carcassonne, •' I do not know fair Carcassonne. The Vicar's right, he says that we Are ever wayward, weak, and blind; He tells us in his homily ' Ambition ruins all mankind. -. Yet could I there two days have spent - While still the autumn sweetly shone. Ah me! I might- have died content When I had-looked on Carcassonne, When I had looked on Carcassonne. Thy pardon, Father, I beseech, In this my prayer if I offend. One- something sees beyond his reach __From childhood to his journey's end. • ; i My wife, our little boy, Aignan, 5 Have travelled over to Marbonne; My grandfather has seen Perpignan, And I have ne'er seen Carcassonne, ' "'"'*'"!' And I have ne'er seen Carcassonne. J '* on So crooned one day, close by Limoux, r * A peasant double bent with age "Rise up, my friend," said I, "with you • Jj 111 go upon this => pilgrimage." filiJilfl We left, next morning, his abode, U V. ~ w But, "Heaven forgive him," lialf-way .on The old fman died r upon the road. A &.» He never ~ gazed. on , ; Carcassonne. '<>^sfcsi Each mortal has his Carcassonne.