This arrangement is quite whimsical. But even within the limits of the regular _alba_, several variations are possible. Instead of the sentinel the lover or even the lady may be the speaker, the short reply at the end of the poem being in that case allotted to the faithful friend. To this, the second important division of the morning song, belongs an anonymous poem, which, as regards beauty of diction and sentiment, marks perhaps the acme of the power of the troubadours in this direction, and for that reason may be quoted in full. Here we find perfect euphony of language combined with a truth of feeling which, especially in the refrain—changelessly reiterated from the first stanza to the last—reaches a climax of passion. The subjoined translation will enable the reader to follow the original line for line. A few remarks as to form may be deemed necessary. The poem opens with the short narrative stanza already referred to. Then follow the words of the lady, partly spoken in soliloquy, partly addressed to her lover. In the last verse we suddenly come to a short laudation of the lady’s own merits, which is no doubt intended as a monologue of the watcher. From a purely poetic point of view these lines may appear an anticlimax, but they give a quaint archaic tinge to the whole conception. ALBA SES TITOL. En un vergier sotz fuelha d’albespi Tenc la domna son amic costa si Tro la gaita crida qe l’alba vi. Oy dieus, oy dieus, de l’alba! tan tost ve. ‘Plagues a dieu ja la nueitz non falhis Nil mieus amicx lonh de mi no s partis Ni la gaita jorn ni alba no vis, Oy dieus, oy dieus, de l’alba! tan tost ve. Bels dous amicx, baizem nos, ieu e vos Aval els pratz on chantols auzellos Tot o fassam en despieg del gilos. Oy dieus, oy dieus, de l’alba! tan tost ve. Bels dous amicx, fassam un joc novel Ins el jardin on chanton li auzel Tro la gaita toque son caramel; Oy dieus, oy dieus, de l’alba! tan tost ve. Per la douss’ aura q’es venguda lai Del mieu amic bel e cortes e gai Del sieu alen ai begut un dous rai. Oy dieus, oy dieus, de l’alba! tan tost ve.’ ‘La domna es agradans e plazens Per sa beautat la gardon mantas gens, Et a son cor en amar lejalmens. Oy dieus, oy dieus, de l’alba! tan tost ve.’ ALBA BY AN ANONYMOUS POET. Beneath a hawthorn on a blooming lawn A lady to her side her friend had drawn, Until the watcher saw the early dawn. Ah God, ah God, the dawn! it comes so soon. ‘Oh that the sheltering night would never flee, Oh that my friend would never part from me, And never might the watch the dawning see! Ah God, ah God, the dawn! it comes so soon. ‘Now, sweetest friend, to me with kisses cling, Down in the meadow where the ousels sing; No harm shall hate and jealous envy bring. Ah God, ah God, the dawn! it comes so soon.