Provence

thumb| thumb| thumb| Provence is a geographical region and historical province of south-eastern France, which extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The largest city of the region and its modern-day capital is Marseille. Quotes In fair Provence, the land of lute and rose... Edmund Gosse, "Sestina", l. 1 He play’d an ancient ditty, long since mute,In Provence call’d, ‘La belle dame sans mercy’. John Keats, "The Eve of St. Agnes", st. 33 Dance, and Provençal song, and sunburnt mirth! John Keats, "Ode to a Nightingale", st. 2 Ab l'alen tir vas me l'aireQu'ieu sen venir de Proensa;Tot quant es de lai m'agensa,Si que, quan n'aug ben retraire,Ieu m'o escout en rizenE'n deman per un mot cen,Tan m'es bel quan n'aug ben dire. I eagerly inhale the breeze  From thee, sweet Provence, blowing;And all that's thine delights me so,  Such pleasant thoughts bestowing,That if thy very name is named  I listen joyously.And ask a hundred words for one—  So sweet to hear of thee. Peire Vidal, Ab l'alen tir vas me l'aire, st. 1 (tr. Edgar Taylor) Soft speech Provençal under the olives!Like a queen’s raiment from days long perish’d,Breathing aromas of old unremember’d Perfumes and shining in dust-cover’d placesWith sudden hints of forgotten splendour—So on the lips of the peasant his language,His only now, the tongue of the peasant. Margaret Louisa Woods, "March Thoughts from England", st. 7 External links Category:Geography of France