Classic Poem

Le proverbe.

Alain a Princess dared admire,
But found his hopes defeated:
Ignobly born — a simple squire —
He like a serf was treated.
The Princess had her Maid of Honour,
A flower whose bloom had fleeted;
Alain his flattery showers upon her;
But like a serf he's treated

The lady had her ladies-maid,
Tuft-hunting and conceited;
In vain to her his court he paid —
Still like a serf he's treated
Her under-maid the list completes:
But she poor Alain greeted,
Wondering, since her so well he treats,
That he like serf was treated

The ladies-maid begins to burn;
She hears his charms repeated;
The Maid of Honour takes her turn —
He's like a baron treated
At last the Princess, grown less shy,
To him her favors meted —
He to the proverb said good by,
That says — " like serf he's treated "