Mirèio

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Mirèio is a poem in Occitan language by the French writer, Frederic Mistral. It was written in 1859.

[edit] The plot

In Provence, Mirèio is the daughter of a rich farmer. She is in love with a modest basketmaker, Vincènt. Her father disapproves of the relationship and seeks others suitors. Mirèio, in despair, escapes from her house to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. There she prays to the saints that her father will accept her relationship with Vincènt. The way is hard and unbearably hot. At the end, the saints appear to Mirèio. They tell her of their happiness in Paradise, and Mirèio dies in peace.

[edit] The name

Mirèio is the Mistralian norm of the name Mirèlha. Mistralian norm is a literary dialect of the Occitan language. Mirèlha is referred to as the classical norm of the name.