Mediterranean cuisine as "conditioned naturally by variations in climate and soil and the relative industry or indolence of the inhabitants." David identifies "the ever recurring elements" in the food of this extensive region as olive oil, saffron, garlic, "pungent" local wines, as well as the "aromatic perfume" of herbs, especially rosemary, wild marjoram, and basil, and the bright colours of fresh foods in the markets, "pimentos, aubergines, tomatoes, olives, melons, figs" and "shiny fish, silver, vermilion, or tiger-striped". She includes cheeses of "sheep's or goat's milk", "figs from Smyrna on long strings" and "sheets of apricot paste which is dissolved in water
The Faithful Hussar sings this song in front of French soldiers, stirring strong emotions among them. In France the words were adapted by Francis Lemarque into a song called "Marjolaine" (in English the herb Marjoram, but used as a girl's name in France) which was a hit for various artistes from 1957 on, although the film was banned in that country until 1975. "The Faithful Hussar" is also the title of a little-known German movie from 1954, directed by Rudolf Schündler. This film inspired recordings by British artists Ted Heath and Vera Lynn (as "Don't Cry My Love"), both of which hit the