The gayety of the Poitevin temperament finds its expression in the immense number of "rounds" as they are called in English, which give the vocal measure and accompaniment to the vigorous and joyous dances. The youths and the maidens, when they meet at the rustic gatherings, or even in the intervals of labor in the fields, join hands by a natural instinct, and improvise a dance to the rhythm of their own voices, and the "rounds" which they sing, although often mere nonsense, or at least without a consecutive meaning, have a note of gayety and an ebullition of joyousness, which is inimitable, as thus:-- Vous, qui menez la ronde, Menez la rondement. Son cotillon en branle, en branle, Son cotillon en branle au vent. Foule, foule, foulons l'herbe, L'herbe foule reviendra. Brnnette, allons, gai, gai, gai, Brunette, allons, gai, gaiment. --words which interpret the air and accent the steps with an absolute perfection, which a translation cannot render, although it may give an idea of the vivacity and _entrain_. You, who lead the round, Lead it roundily. Her petticoat in motion, in motion, Her petticoat in motion to the wind. Tread, tread, come tread the grass, The trodden grass will spring again Brunette, come, gay, gay, gay, Brunette, come, gay, gaily. All these, like the ancient choruses with which the Greek maidens accompanied their dances of "woven paces and waving hands," with or without the note of a primitive reed to accent the melody, are reproduced in the grosser spirit of the laboring peasant, but equally instinctive with life and gayety, and the natural expression of youthful existence in the open air and under balmy skies. One of the most characteristic features of the Poitevin peasant is his cunning, his fondness for rustic ruses, and the sharp repartee or trick, which puts to shame the person of a station above his own. The heroines of many of his favorite ballads and songs are endowed with this quality, and he chuckles with a hearty zest at the simple wit with which the shrewd shepherdess puts down the amorous gallant learned in the schools, or escapes the dangerous importunity of a gentleman on the highway or a seignorial hunter in the fields. The folksongs of Poitou are full of such examples, and M. Bugeaud, and M. Leon Pineau, who has followed him in gleaning in the same field (Le Folk-Lore du Poitou), have given a number of specimens. The following shows what simple repartee appeals to the rustic sense of humor:-- NANON. What is there, Nanon, In these valleys green? There is a fool, kind sir, When you are therein. Pray tell me, Nanon, Where does this road go? When you have found out, Then you will know. Come, my dear Nanon, Under the green shade. Would you have me think Of heat you 're afraid? Is he then happy,