This father of his, who could not read, was a poet in his way, and made most of the burlesque couplets for salutations of this description, so frequent in the country.

Behold, then, a poetical parentage, as well established as that of the two Marots." The infant born under so auspicious an aspect, grew and throve in spite of the poverty to which he was heir.

He was allowed, when a few years had passed over his head, to accompany his father in those concerts of rough music to which he contributed his poetical powers; but the chief delight of the future troubadour was to go, with his young associates, into the willow islands of the Garonne to gather wood.
"Twenty or thirty together, we used to set out, with naked feet and bareheaded, singing together the favourite song of the south, 'The lamb, that you gave me.' Oh! the recollection of this pleasure even now enchants me." Their faggots collected, these little heroes returned to make bonfires of them; on which occasion many gambols ensued.

But, in the midst of the joyous _escapades_ which he describes, he had his moments of sadness, which the word "_school_" never failed to increase, for the passion of his soul was to gain instruction, and the poverty of his family precluded all hope.

He would listen to his mother, as she spoke in whispers to his grandfather, of her wish to send him to school; and he wept with disappointment, to find such a consummation impossible.