But this I may be allowed
to say. That of all delectable spots I have yet seen, Pau is the
most delectable. Of all the landscapes which I have beheld, that
from the Place Royale is, for variety, richness, and grandeur, the
most glorious; at least as I saw it for the first time.
Beneath the wall of the high terrace are rich meadows, vocal with
frogs rejoicing in the rain, and expressing their joy, not in the
sober monotone of our English frogs, but each according to his kind;
one bellowing, the next barking, the next cawing, and the next
(probably the little green Hylas, who has come down out of the trees
to breed) quacking in treble like a tiny drake. The bark (I suspect)
is that of the gorgeous edible frog; and so suspect the young
recruits who lounge upon the wall, and look down wistfully, longing,
I presume, to eat him. And quite right they are; for he (at least
his thigh) is exceeding good to eat, tenderer and sweeter than any
spring chicken.
Beyond the meadow, among the poplars, the broad Gave murmurs on over
shingly shallows, between aspen-fringed islets, grey with the melting
snows; and beyond her again rise broken wooded hills, dotted with
handsome houses; and beyond them a veil of mist and rain.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214