The Christmas Kalends of Provence

Contents


PAGE

THE CHRISTMAS KALENDS OF PROVENCE 1

A FEAST-DAY ON THE RHÔNE 133

THE COMÉDIE FRANÇAISE AT ORANGE 209




Illustrations


"'TO THE HEALTH OF THE COUNT!'" _Frontispiece_

AT THE WELL _Facing p._ 6

PLANTING SAINT BARBARA'S GRAIN " 14

ELIZO'S OLD FATHER " 74

MAGALI " 100

THE PASSING OF THE KINGS " 112

"THE BLIND GIRL"--NOËL " 118

THE LANDING-PLACE AT TOURNON " 166

THE DEFILE OF DONZÈRE " 190

THE ROUMANILLE MONUMENT " 198

AVIGNON " 204

GENERAL VIEW OF THE THEATRE " 210

"IT LOOKED TREASONS, CONSPIRACIES AND MUTINOUS " 236
OUTBURSTS"

THE GREAT FAÇADE " 238

SCENE FROM THE FIRST ACT OF "OEDIPUS" " 248

SCENE FROM THE SECOND ACT OF "ANTIGONE" " 256




The Christmas Kalends of Provence


I

Fancy you've journeyed down the Rhône,
Fancy you've passed Vienne, Valence,
Fancy you've skirted Avignon--
And so are come _en pleine_ Provence.

Fancy a mistral cutting keen
Across the sunlit wintry fields,
Fancy brown vines, and olives green,
And blustered, swaying, cypress shields.

Fancy a widely opened door,
Fancy an eager outstretched hand,
Fancy--nor need you ask for more--
A heart-sped welcome to our land.

Fancy the peal of Christmas chimes,
Fancy that some long-buried year
Is born again of ancient times--
And in Provence take Christmas cheer!