diff options
Diffstat (limited to '75417-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 75417-h/75417-h.htm | 2146 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75417-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 596447 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75417-h/images/p03.jpg | bin | 0 -> 93908 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75417-h/images/p61.jpg | bin | 0 -> 147965 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75417-h/images/pageb4title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 113823 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 75417-h/images/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 6995 bytes |
6 files changed, 2146 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/75417-h/75417-h.htm b/75417-h/75417-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a17409 --- /dev/null +++ b/75417-h/75417-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2146 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The Story of Flamenca | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; + color: #A9A9A9; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: 1px dashed;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} + +.fs80 {font-size: 80%} +.fs120 {font-size: 120%} +.fs150 {font-size: 150%} +.fs200 {font-size: 200%} + +.no-indent {text-indent: 0em;} +.bold {font-weight: bold;} +.wsp {word-spacing: 0.3em;} + +h2 {font-size: 130%; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.6em; word-spacing: .3em;} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp10 {width: 10%;} +.illowp65 {width: 65%;} +.illowp85 {width: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75417 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 85%"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover"> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>THE STORY OF FLAMENCA</h1> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p style="margin-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em;">THIS, THE FIRST EDITION OF THE STORY OF +FLAMENCA, CONSISTS OF SEVEN HUNDRED +AND FIFTY COPIES OF WHICH THIS IS NUMBER</p> +</div> + +<p class="center no-indent">[handwritten number 660]</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="pageb4title" style="max-width: 42.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/pageb4title.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>FLAMENCA</p></figcaption> +</figure> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p class="center no-indent bold fs200"> +THE STORY OF<br> +FLAMENCA:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="no-indent fs120 wsp"><em>The First Modern Novel</em>, Arranged +from the Provençal Original of the Thirteenth Century by</p> +</div> +<br> + +<p class="center no-indent"><span class="smcap">William Aspenwall Bradley</span><br> +<em>With</em> <span class="smcap">Woodcuts</span> <em>by</em> <span class="smcap">Florence Wyman Ivins</span></p> +<br> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp10" id="title" style="max-width: 11.1875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/title.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<br> +<br> +<p class="center no-indent fs80">PUBLISHED IN NEW YORK : : MCMXXII : : BY<br> +<span class="fs150">HARCOURT, BRACE AND COMPANY</span><br> +</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center no-indent fs80"> +COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY<br> +HARCOURT, BRACE AND COMPANY, INC.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</span></p> +<p class="center no-indent fs80">TO J. E. SPINGARN</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">The</span> <em>Roman de Flamenca</em> occupies a unique +place in Provençal literature. “It has,” +says Meyer, “nothing in common with the +old Carolingian and Breton traditions; its +subject is not borrowed from the legends +transmitted by antiquity to the middle ages; +nor would it be possible to see in it one of +those popular narratives which are to be +found in practically every literature, and +whose impersonal character renders it impossible +to determine their origin. <em>Flamenca</em> +is the creation of a man of talent who wished +to write an agreeable work representing the +most brilliant aspects of courtly life in the +twelfth century. It is a novel of manners.”<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +As such it has affinities with certain <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">romans +d’aventure</i>, in the northern idiom, which similarly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</span> +combine a sentimental intrigue with +the representation of a particular milieu. +<em>Flamenca</em>, however, is far superior to any +of these in its delicacy, in its verve, in its +richness, in the truthful delineation of its +characters, and in the bold originality of its +conception. Thus it stands alone, not only +in Provençal literature, but in medieval literature +generally, and may be called, without +exaggeration, the first modern novel.</p> + +<p>The unique manuscript of <em>Flamenca</em> is incomplete. +Among the pages missing are the +first and last. Hence we have no knowledge +of the author or of the date of composition. +The latter has been placed approximately in +the first half of the thirteenth century. At +that time the splendour of the little courts +south of the Loire had waned; but the poet +shows us the largeness and liberality that +had reigned there, while his lightness of tone +reflects that relaxing of the old restraints in +a sophisticated and pleasure-loving society, +which stern moralists would, no doubt, hold<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</span> +responsible for the ensuing swift decadence. +Love was the one real religion of the upper +classes, and the code of lovers, hardened into +a vast, complicated system, constituted the +sole effective morality. Flamenca and Guillem +are characteristic products of this system, +and its perfect exponents. Their acceptance +of it is complete. Never does any +doubt enter the mind of either as to the +sovereignty of the rights conferred by mutual +love. Both regard themselves as accomplishing +a sacred duty in going directly—or as +directly as possible—to the goal of their +desire. At the same time, there are forms to +observe, and our two lovers are so scrupulous +in their observance that they may occasionally +seem engaged much more in going +through an elaborate ritual than in pursuing +dangerously a passionate adventure. Yet +the danger was there, and Flamenca never +forgets that if, in a sense, she is playing a +game, it is a game the stake of which is +death.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</span></p> + +<p>In my version I have stressed the realistic +elements in order to bring the story into +closer harmony with modern sentiment. Nor +is this the only liberty I have taken. If +<em>Flamenca’s</em> virtues are its own, its defects it +shares with nearly all imaginative literature +of the middle ages. It is inordinately long +and lacking in a sense of proportion. The +interest is not sustained throughout and, +after the meeting of the lovers, ceases entirely. +Accounts of banquets and fêtes are +interminably protracted, and page after page +is filled with ingeniously subtile discourses +on love. Although the allegorical element +does not dominate here, as in the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Roman de +la Rose</i>, it begins to rear its head obtrusively, +and there is a marked abuse of dreams and +visions. It is because of these shortcomings +that, despite its charm, it has remained +relatively unknown. Hence I have not +hesitated to operate heroically, cutting to +the bone in many places, and adding a +ligature or two when necessary. Some will,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</span> +no doubt, reproach me with the sacrifice of +more than one delightful passage; but my +purpose throughout has been to disengage +the story itself, in its main lines, and anything +that interfered with this has had to go.</p> + +<p>Wishing to take counsel of Flamenca in +my undertaking, I made a pilgrimage last +summer to the scene of her suffering and +happy release. Alas, I found little at Bourbon-l’Archambault, +now an obscure thermal +station of the <em>Centre</em>, to remind me of my +heroine. There are, indeed, on a height +dominating the town the romantic ruins of +an imposing castle which one would willingly +accept as her prison; but my guide informed +me that this fortress was not erected till +more than a century later, though doubtless +it occupies the same site. At the baths, save +for a few remains from Roman times, nothing +goes farther back than the seventeenth century, +when this was one of the favorite resorts +of the court. Madame de Montespan +is remembered in the name of a hotel which,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</span> +for all I know, replaces the comfortable establishment +of the complaisant Pierre Gui; +but not the slightest construction of any sort +evokes the memory of the real lady of Bourbon.</p> + +<p>It was only when I reached the church, +situated on a green knoll outside the town, +that I touched a little of that remote past. +Though the venerable edifice has been much +restored, parts of it may well have been +standing in Flamenca’s time. The interior +is degraded by the grossest modern polychroming, +but I remarked certain capitals +which belong to the earliest period of Gothic +sculpture. One, representing gnome-like +musicians playing curious instruments, wind +and string, brought irresistibly back the description +of Flamenca’s wedding feast, when +“harpers harped, fifers fifed ... and all +performed so well that a great uproar reigned +in the hall.” Placing myself in the choir, +as nearly as possible where, it seemed to me, +Guillem must have stood when he heard<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</span> +mass there for the first time, I too waited for +Flamenca to appear. It was, no doubt, one +of those lesser feasts, “for which Flamenca +would no more have set foot out of doors +than for that of a simple martyr not in the +calendar”; for I waited in vain. Never a +glint of her golden hair crossed the threshold. +So I was obliged to leave Bourbon-l’Archambault +no richer than I had gone there, and +finish my little book without her aid.</p> + +<p class="right"> +W. A. B.<br> +</p> + +<p class="no-indent">Paris, May, 1922.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> +<br> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> <cite>Le Roman de Flamenca</cite>, publié d’après le manuscrit unique +de Carcassonne, traduit et accompagné d’un glossaire, par Paul +Meyer. Paris, 1865.</p> + +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span></p> +<p class="center no-indent fs120 wsp">THE STORY OF FLAMENCA</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="p03" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/p03.jpg" alt="Man and woman in vines"> +</figure> + +<p class="center no-indent fs120 wsp">THE STORY OF FLAMENCA</p> +</div> + +<h2>I</h2> + +<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Count</span> Guy of Nemours had a daughter, +Flamenca, whose beauty was such that the +fame of it passed into every land, and all who +heard thereof would fain have her for wife. +Many sent messengers to make their suit: +knights, nobles, and even the Slav king, who +offered to ally himself with the count and +aid him against his enemies.</p> + +<p>But Guy, who loved his daughter, did not +wish her to depart so far thence.</p> + +<p>“I would rather,” he said, “she were a +simple chatelaine, and see her each week or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span> +month or even year, than a queen and lose +her forever.”</p> + +<p>Thus, in the end, he made choice of Archambaut, +lord of Bourbon, whose friendship he +had long sought, and than whom no better +knight girded on sword from there to the +end of the world</p> + +<p>Now when Archambaut heard these tidings, +how the count would have him for son, +and none other; and when he learned, too, +from his messengers, that the hundredth part +had not been told him of the damsel’s beauty, +he rejoiced greatly and set out with a fair +following of one hundred knights and four +hundred squires, all mounted, for Nemours.</p> + +<p>He arrived there three days before the +time appointed for his wedding, and when +he saw Flamenca he felt his heart inflamed, +all flooded over with a sweet amorous fire. +Trembling without, he burned within; and +though that of which he suffered was not a +fever, yet might it have proved fatal, had +he not found for it a speedy cure.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> + +<p>Three nights he did not sleep, and Sunday +morning he was already clad and shod betimes +when the count, entering his room, +gave him good morrow from Flamenca.</p> + +<p>“Come,” he said, “if you would see the +damsel in her bower.”</p> + +<p>Then he took Archambaut by the hand, +and led him to Flamenca, who was no whit +confused, but only a little blushing.</p> + +<p>“Here is your bride, lord Archambaut,” +said the count. “Take her if you will.”</p> + +<p>“Sir,” he answered, “if there be no +hindrance in her, never took I aught so +willingly.”</p> + +<p>Then the damsel, smiling, said to her +father:</p> + +<p>“Sir, you show clearly you hold me in +your power, who dispose of me so lightly. +But, since it is your will, I consent.”</p> + +<p>At this word, “consent,” Archambaut felt +such joy that he could not keep from taking +her hand and pressing it.</p> + +<p>Thereupon they departed. Archambaut<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span> +knew right well with whom he had left the +heart he bore not back with him again. +Without once quitting the damsel with his +eyes, he drew towards the door, where he +bade her farewell. Nor was Flamenca disdainful, +but smiled at him and repeated +graciously: “God keep you.”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Five bishops and ten abbotts, in their +robes, awaited them in the church, to marry +them. When they had done this and said +mass, all went to partake of the feast that +had been prepared. Lord Archambaut and +the count served at this feast; but the eyes +of the first wandered oft to where his heart +was, and, could he have had his way, he would +have bidden the guests arise from the table +before they had half fed.</p> + +<p>When the feast was finished and the table +was cleared, the jongleurs began. Some +sang, others played. All this was a sore trial +for lord Archambaut and, had not the night +made him amends, I think that neither by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span> +food nor by drink, would his life ever have +been restored.</p> + +<p>The feast lasted more than eight days. +Lord Archambaut was happy, for he now +had what he most desired, nor was he beset +by other care than to serve her whom he +wished to honor and please. Had it not been +for manly shame which restrained him, he +would fain have tired her and handed her +himself her gown, her comb, and her mirror.</p> + +<p>When, at length, he saw the feast was +drawing to a close, and it would ill beseem +him to stay longer, he took his leave and +set out straight for Bourbon, to prepare +his own feast, which he wished to make of +such surpassing splendour that the other +would no longer be spoken of.</p> + +<p>He sent messengers to the king of France, +pressing him to come and bring his queen +with him. He bade them say to the king +that, if he would deign to pass by Nemours, +and lead with him the lady Flamenca, he +would be his forever.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></p> + +<p>Then Archambaut caused the city to be +decked, and the streets hung with banners +and fine tapestries, with silk and with +samite. Gold, silver, clothes, and all things +else were, by his order, brought together to +be given freely to whoever might deign to +accept them.</p> + +<p>Five hundred suits of raiment, of purple +and fine gold, a thousand lances and a +thousand shields, a thousand spears and a +thousand coats of mail, were made ready +in the armory, and a thousand steeds were +held waiting in their stalls, for those whom +lord Archambaut would make knights.</p> + +<p>The king came with a great array, and +led Flamenca with him. More than six +leagues, more than seven, reached the great +company; and, before all the rest, rode the +count’s son, Flamenca’s brother. For he +wished to be the first to greet Archambaut, +who rode forth to the encounter right well +attended with a thousand knights, a thousand +burghers, and a thousand varlets.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> + +<p>Each welcomed the king and besought +him to lodge with him. He refused +saying:</p> + +<p>“You press me in vain, for I have the +lady Flamenca in my keeping; but my +barons will gladly make their abode with +you.”</p> + +<p>So, at the end, all were lodged, and no +man kept his door closed. The queen had +a good pavillion, and Flamenca was her +neighbour.</p> + +<p>At the ninth hour all went to meat, and +took with them good appetites. Fish of +every sort was served, and whatever else +is fitting for fast-days, including the fruits +that are in season in the month of June, +both pears and cherries. The king sent a +present of two pieces of agate to Flamenca, +who thanked him graciously when the repast +was over.</p> + +<p>The next day was the feast of Saint John, +and it was not permitted to pass without +due observance. The bishop of Cleremont<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span> +said high mass and preached a sermon on +Our Lord, how He loved Saint John so well +He called him more than prophet. Then +a herald proclaimed, in the king’s name, +that none should leave the court before +a fortnight, for any reason, however +weighty.</p> + +<p>When they had heard mass, the king spoke +with Flamenca, and led her from the church. +After him followed full three thousand +knights, each leading a lady.</p> + +<p>Together they went to the great hall +where the feast was spread. When they had +washed their hands, they were seated, not +on bare benches, but on cushions covered +with cloth; and the napkins on which they +dried their hands were not coarse and rough, +but fine and soft to the touch.</p> + +<p>The guests were served with all manner +of meats. Each had what he most liked, and +so much that he who had least had no +reason to envy him who had more. Yet +there were above five hundred who gazed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span> +with wonder upon Flamenca and who, while +they fed their eyes upon her fair face, let +their mouths go hungry.</p> + +<p>No one there could compare with Flamenca. +For, just as the sun is supreme by +virtue of his splendour, so did she take rank +above all the other ladies by reason of her +beauty. Her color was so fresh, her look +so gentle and gracious, her discourse so wise +and so witty, that the noblest and liveliest +among them remained as if dumb and deeming +herself vanquished. They said that one +would strive in vain to appear beautiful by +the side of this lady. And, when they +praised her, you may believe she was indeed +fair; for, in all the world, there are not three +to whom the others will accord beauty, and +praise it.</p> + +<p>When all had eaten they again washed +their hands, but remained seated where they +were, and partook of the wine; for such +was the custom in those days. The cloths +being removed, great mirrors—those good<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> +counsellors!—were brought and placed on +tall standards before the guests, so that +each might arrange his dress according to +his liking. Then the jongleurs arose, each +wishing to make himself heard.</p> + +<p>He who knew a new piece for the viol, +a song, a lai, or a descant, did his best to +prevail above the others. Harpers harped, +fifers fifed. Some sang the words, while +their fellows played the notes. Both did +their best and all performed so well that a +great uproar reigned in the hall.</p> + +<p>Then the king said:</p> + +<p>“Sir knights, when the squires have eaten, +cause your steeds to be saddled, and we +shall go to the jousting. While we wait, +I would have the queen lead one dance with +Flamenca, and I too will dance, with the +others.”</p> + +<p>Thereupon knights, ladies, and damsels +took one another by the hand. Never, in +France or in Brittany, had been seen a +dance so splendid. Two hundred jongleurs,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span> +good players of the viol, took their places in +pairs on the benches, and ran the sets without +missing a note.</p> + +<p>Now the squires had saddled and decked +and led around the chargers. When these +were seen, the dancing ceased, for never was +so brave a sight. Each knight had his squire +bring him his arms. Nor did the ladies depart +thence, but stayed and found for themselves +places in the windows to look out upon +those who battled for their sake.</p> + +<p>As for lord Archambaut, he lost no time +but, with his own hand, dubbed nine hundred +and ninety-seven knights, who went +forthwith on foot to the palace in silken +shoon and presented themselves to the king. +He, for handsel, gave them this wish, that +they should suffer no greater pain than love +might give them. And the queen said likewise.</p> + +<p>This day the king himself bore arms. At +the tip of his lance he had fastened a sleeve. +The queen gave no sign that she was displeased<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> +by this token, but she said to herself +that, if she knew who had given it to the +king, she would make her rue the favor she +had bestowed. In her heart she believed it +was Flamenca and sent for lord Archambaut, +who presented himself fully armed before +her.</p> + +<p>“My lord,” said she, taking him by the +hand and seating him beside her in the +window, “I am ill at ease and need your +counsel.”</p> + +<p>“Your highness,” returned he, “may God +keep you.”</p> + +<p>Then the queen, touching Flamenca, +seated nearbye, said:</p> + +<p>“My lady, I would speak alone with lord +Archambaut.”</p> + +<p>“Willingly, madam, since you wish it,” +replied Flamenca.</p> + +<p>At the next window sat the countess of +Nevers who, when she saw Flamenca draw +near, greeted her and made her a cushion of +her own mantle. Flamenca, thanking her,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span> +sat down beside her, and looked out upon +the jousting.</p> + +<p>The queen lost no time but broke forth +in bitter rage:</p> + +<p>“My lord Archambaut, is it not most +unseemly for the king to wear thus, beneath +my very eyes, an amorous devise? Methinks +it is an affront to you, no less than +to me.”</p> + +<p>Archambaut saw clearly that she suspected +Flamenca of having given the sleeve to the +king.</p> + +<p>“By Christ, my lady,” he hastened to +answer, “I can not see that the king dishonours +either you or me in thus bearing the +badge of love. With him it is but knightly +duty.”</p> + +<p>“My lord, that is an excuse of which you +yourself will have good need before another +fortnight be past.”</p> + +<p>“Nay, madam, seek not to make me +jealous where there is no need.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think then,” demanded the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span> +queen, frowning, “that you too will not feel +the pangs of jealousy? By my faith, that +you shall, and not, perchance, without good +cause.”</p> + +<p>At that moment a jongleur drew near +Archambaut and addressed him, saying:</p> + +<p>“Sir, the king desires to bestow arms upon +Thibaut, count of Blois, and I come from +Thibaut himself, who prays you to join +him.”</p> + +<p>Lord Archambaut took his leave of the +queen more troubled than he let her see. +He was, indeed, in a bad humour because of +what she had said; and, when he had seen +Thibaut and more than four hundred others +knighted by the king, he summoned his +squire:</p> + +<p>“Have the bells rung for vespers,” he +ordered. “It will be time to sup when the +king has heard them.”</p> + +<p>When the ladies, seated at the windows, +heard the bells, they cried:</p> + +<p>“Why, it is not yet none, and already<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> +they are ringing vespers! May she lose her +husband who stirs a step while yet one +knight is left in the lists! Never shall I +leave the tiltyard for vespers!”</p> + +<p>The king entered at that moment and, +going graciously up to Flamenca, led her +away. The barons followed him and led +the ladies to church. When the office was +ended, the king brought Flamenca back +and playfully placed his hand upon her +breast.</p> + +<p>The queen was very wroth at this, and +lord Archambaut also, though he gave no +sign.</p> + +<p>Then they supped. The tables were furnished +with roast meats, with fruits, with +fresh roses and violets, and with snow and +ice to cool the wine, that it might not banish +sleep. All were tired with the diversions of +this day, and soon went to seek repose till +the morrow.</p> + +<p>The next morning, at daybreak, the newmade +knights, clad in their gear, rode through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> +the streets, ringing bells of every sort. +They made a fine hubbub, and Archambaut’s +trouble grew as he heard it. In his heart +was such grief he was like to die thereof. +Yet he sought to hold himself in leash, +blaming the queen for the suspicions she +had sown in his breast, and concealing his +feelings from the others.</p> + +<p>Nineteen days the feast lasted, and all +marvelled whence Archambaut could draw +the great treasure he gave in largesse. On +the twentieth day the king and queen took +their departure; for the queen did not wish +the feast to last the full month, now that +she believed the king to be in love with +Flamenca; but the king did not love with +real love, and thought only to honor lord +Archambaut when, in the presence of his +host, he embraced Flamenca, and kissed her.</p> + +<p>Archambaut set his guests upon their way +right courteously, but his heart was gnawed +by sharp jealous pangs. As he rode back, +he raved wildly and, when he had returned,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span> +his companions left him, thinking he had +lost his senses. Alone, he cried:</p> + +<p>“Alas, of what was I thinking when I +took unto myself a wife! Good God, I was +mad. Had I not everything I needed to +make me happy? A curse on my friends +and family who counselled me that which +is ever for men a source of sorrow. Now, +indeed, I have a wife; but much good does +she do me, who consumes me with jealousy.”</p> + +<p>Lord Archambaut was in an evil case. +Leaving all his affairs in disorder, he made +great dole when anyone came to the castle, +and could hardly keep from throwing him +out head-first. In every visitor he feared a +rival. If one so much as spoke to his wife, +he thought to see her ravished before his +eyes.</p> + +<p>“That is how all this came to pass. The +king chose well his moment. Even before +they left Nemours I believe he essayed her. +I thought I had naught to fear from him, or +I should have known how to guard her against<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span> +his devices. Now as many as wish can come +and go, and there are never enough for her +liking.</p> + +<p>“Mark the welcome she gives them! She +shows clearly she is no longer mine. Alas, +unhappy wretch that I am! Cursed be the +hour wherein I was born! The queen knew +well what she was saying, when she told me +I would be jealous. Curses on her, too, +prophetess of evil!”</p> + +<p>Then he broke into a great rage, tearing +his hair, biting his lips, gnashing his teeth, +and glaring fiercely at Flamenca. Scarce +could he keep from cutting off her gleaming +golden tresses.</p> + +<p>“My lord, what ails you?” she asked him.</p> + +<p>“What! Christ! I die, and you mock me! +This is the work of these brave gallants who +come to see you; but, by my faith, they will +no longer find the way open to you. He who +takes a wife has his trouble for naught if he +put her not in some safe place and keep guard +over her. This shall I do. The tower is high,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span> +the wall is wide, and here you shall stay with +only your damsels to keep you company.”</p> + +<p>He delayed not, but, sending for a mason, +led him straight to Flamenca’s tower. There +he ordered him to cut a window into the +kitchen, that her food might be passed +through to her, and that he himself might +spy upon his wife the more easily.</p> + +<p>The sweet child now knew not what to +do. Her life henceforth was little better +than death. If her days were bad, her nights +were worse, holding naught for her but +weariness. She had to wait upon her two +pretty maids, whose sorrows equalled hers, +for they too were prisoners. Gentle and kind, +they did what they could to comfort their +mistress, and thinking only of the love they +bore her, they forgot their own pain. The +name of one of these damsels was Alis, of +the other, Margarida.</p> + +<p>God sent great grief unto Flamenca. +Many sighs and much agony of heart were +hers because of her husband, and she shed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> +bitter tears, being filled with sadness and +affliction. Yet one signal mark of grace He +bestowed upon her that, having no child, +He put not love into her heart. For, loving, +and having naught whereon to nourish her +love, she would have suffered more sorely.</p> + +<p>Long time she lived thus afflicted, never +passing the door save on Sundays and feast +days. Even in church neither knight nor +clerk could speak with her. For Archambaut +kept her ever in a dark corner behind +a wide screen he had built to the level of her +chin. He did not let her go to the altar for +Communion, but made the priest bring the +offering, which he gave her himself. A little +clerk gave her the pax, and he, at least, might +have got a glimpse of her, had he but known +how to manage it.</p> + +<p>After the words: <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Ite missa est</i>, Archambaut +left without waiting for sixte or none.</p> + +<p>“Come, come,” he said to the young +women, “Let me dine at once. Do not keep +me waiting.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></p> + +<p>He did not even give them time to say +their prayers.</p> + +<p>Thus passed two years. Every day the +poor prisoners saw their pain redoubled, +while Archambaut swore and groaned +and guarded them both morning and +night.</p> + + +<h2>II</h2> + +<p>Now at this time, while Archambaut +was thus jealous and, in all Auvergne, songs, +sirventes, couplets, and sonnets were made +upon him, there dwelt in Burgundy a knight +whom Nature had delighted to fashion and +instruct. Nor had she failed in this task, +for never has been seen a youth so fair of +person or of goodlier mien.</p> + +<p>He had light curling hair, broad white +forehead, dark arching brows, black laughing +eyes, and nose as straight as the stock +of an arbalest. His shoulders were broad, +his muscles strong. When he jousted, none +could sustain the shock of his assault. Lifting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> +his foe from the saddle, he passed on bearing +him at the end of his lance.</p> + +<p>He had studied at Paris and learned there +so much of the seven arts that he could have +taught school anywhere. He could both +read and write, and spoke English better +than any clerk. His name was Guillem de +Nevers.</p> + +<p>Guillem was at all points a good knight. +He led a fair following to the tourney, took +captives and made prizes. What he thus +won he spent and gave away freely in presents. +He loved gaming, dogs, falcons—all +pleasant things, in short, and suited to his +estate. One only he lacked, and that was +any experience of love.</p> + +<p>He had read all the poets who treat thereof +and instruct lovers. From them he had +learned that, without love, one could not +lead the life ordained for noble youth, and +often he dreamed of engaging in some high +adventure that would bring him both pleasure +and honour.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></p> + +<p>Thus it happened that, when Guillem +heard how Flamenca was held prisoner by +her jealous husband, his heart spoke, and +said to him that, were he but able to speak +with her, he might, perchance, enjoy her love.</p> + +<p>Long he pondered upon this. Then, one +night, Love appearing in a dream, urged him +to the adventure and made him fair promises. +Next day Guillem set forth, with his companions, +for Bourbon.</p> + +<p>Now there were baths at Bourbon in those +days, where all could come and bathe at +their ease. A tablet in each bath made known +the properties of the water both hot and cold, +that sprang from two spouts, and over it was +built a house, with quiet rooms wherein to +take one’s ease.</p> + +<p>Of these baths the best were those belonging +to Pierre Gui, a right honest man who +was on terms of amity with lord Archambaut; +and when Guillem, arriving at Bourbon, +demanded where he might lodge, he was +directed thither.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> + +<p>The goodman, seated at the door of his +hostel, seeing the youth approach, arose and +greeted him graciously, while his wife, Dame +Bellapila, invited him within and gave him +his dinner. When he had eaten, Pierre Gui +showed him his rooms and gave him free +choice among them.</p> + +<p>Guillem wanted one thing only, which was +to be so lodged that he could see Flamenca’s +tower from his window. When he had found +this, he said, dissembling:</p> + +<p>“This room pleases me, because it is +larger than the others, and of a more agreeable +aspect.”</p> + +<p>“As you like,” replied his host. “Here +you will be undisturbed, and master of all +you do. Count Raoul often makes this room +his abode when he comes to Bourbon; but it +is a long time since he has shown himself +here. For our master, who was so good a +knight, is sadly changed. Since he took him +a wife, he has not laced helm or donned +hauberk, and he holds the world as naught.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> +I doubt not, however, you have heard these +things reported of him.”</p> + +<p>“I have, indeed, heard them spoken of,” +replied Guillem, “but I have far other concerns. +I suffer from a sore ailment, and if +the waters here heal me not, I know not +what I shall do to be cured.”</p> + +<p>“Rest assured as to that, fair sir,” answered +Pierre Gui. “Know that no one, +however sick, comes to our baths without +going away cured, if only he stay long +enough.”</p> + +<p>The room was large and clean and well +furnished. There wanted neither bed nor +hearth nor aught else for comfort. Guillem +caused all his belongings to be brought +and placed therein. Then, when his host +had retired, he dismissed his squires, instructing +them to let none know his name, +saying simply that he was from Besançon.</p> + +<p>It was the night after Easter, the season +when the nightingale accuses with his songs +those who have no care of love. One sang<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> +in the grove near Guillem’s window, and the +young man could not close his eyes, though +his couch was white and soft and wide.</p> + +<p>“Ah Love,” he sighed, “what will become +of me? At your behest, leaving my own +people, I have come into this country a +pilgrim, a stranger. Sighing without cease, +I suffer from a desire that has taken fast +hold of my heart. I feign sickness now, +it is true; but I shall need to feign it no +longer, if I am not soon cured of this ill.”</p> + +<p>Then, as day was beginning to break, +and his bed brought him no repose, he arose, +crossed himself, and prayed to Saint Blaise, +Saint Martin, Saint George, Saint Genies, +and five or six other saints who were gentle +knights, that they might make intercession +for him. Before beginning to dress, he opened +his window and looked upon the tower where +his lady languished.</p> + +<p>“O lady tower,” he cried, “you are beautiful +without and pure and white within. +Would to God I were inside your walls, so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span> +as not to be seen of Archambaut, of Margarida, +or of Alis!”</p> + +<p>So saying, his arms fell, his feet no longer +sustained him, his color fled, and he fainted. +One of his squires, seeing him about to fall, +seized him, held him close, and bore him to +the bed. The squire was greatly frightened, +for he could not feel the beat of his master’s +heart. This was because Love had transported +his spirit to Flamenca’s tower, where +Guillem held her in his arms, and caressed her +so gently she was not aware of it. Then his +soul, having had its will, returned to his body, +which was not long in reviving.</p> + +<p>It was clear he had come back from a +place full of delight, for he was more blithe +and beautiful than before. The young +squire had wept so much that his master’s +face was wet with his tears.</p> + +<p>“Sir,” he said, drying his eyes, “I have +been sore troubled.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, my friend,” sighed Guillem, “your +concern was occasioned by my happiness.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p> + +<p>Clad in breeches and shirt, he took his +place once more in the window, throwing +over his shoulders a mantle of vair trimmed +with gris. The tower stood to the right, and +naught could turn Guillem from it, while +putting on his shoes—elegant buskins fashioned +at Douai.</p> + +<p>He called for his ewer. Then, when he +had washed, he laced up his sleeves with a +silver bodkin. Over all he passed a cape of +black silk, and studied carefully the figure +he made.</p> + +<p>As he was thus occupied, his host entered +to lead him to the church. There Guillem, +kneeling at the altar of Saint Clement, +prayed devoutly to God, as also to Mary, +to Michael, and to all the saints, to aid him. +Then, taking a psalter, he opened it. Straight +way he came upon a verse which filled him +with delight: “Dilexi quoniam.”</p> + +<p>“God knows well what I desire,” he exclaimed, +closing the book. He made careful +note of the place where his lady would sit,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span> +and prayed that naught might keep her from +coming.</p> + +<p>When it was time for mass, Guillem took +his place, with his host, in the choir, where +he could look out through a little opening, +without being seen. His heart beat loudly +as he awaited the arrival of Flamenca; and, +at each shadow that fell across the doorway, +he thought Archambaut was about to enter.</p> + +<p>Everyone else had arrived, and the third +bell had rung, when the jealous husband, +uncouth and unkempt, entered the church. +Beside him, but keeping well her distance, +for it was clear he filled her with disgust, +came Flamenca.</p> + +<p>She paused an instant on the threshold, +to make her reverence, and then it was, for +the first time, that Guillem saw his lady. +He ceased to gaze upon her only when she +passed behind her screen. Then he knelt +with the others.</p> + +<p>“Asperges me,” proclaimed the priest. +Guillem took up the response at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span> +“Domine,” and sang it clear through. +Never before had it been so well sung in that +church.</p> + +<p>The priest left the choir, followed by a +clerk bearing the holy water. When he came +to Flamenca, he did his best to spray her +across the screen, and she uncovered a +little her hair, where it was parted in the +middle, the better to receive the water on +her forehead. Her skin showed white and +fine, and the golden crown of her hair, where +the sun chanced to strike it with one of his +rays, at that instant, shone resplendent. +At the sight of this splendid sample of what +love held in store for him, Guillem trembled +with joy, and intoned the “Signum salutis.”</p> + +<p>The priest then returned to the altar and +said the “Confiteor,” with his little clerk. +At the Evangel, Flamenca arose. At first +a burgher, to Guillem’s disgust, stood in +front of her; but God willed him to move +to one side, that she might be seen unobscured. +To cross herself, she lowered a little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> +the band which covered her mouth and chin, +and with one finger loosened the latchets +of her mantle. Guillem gazed at her bare +hand which seemed to steal his heart from +his breast and bear it away. The emotion +which seized him was so strong that he was +like to faint of it.</p> + +<p>By good fortune, he found at his feet a +stool on which to kneel, as if in prayer. +He stayed thus, quite still, till the little +clerk gave him the pax. When, in her turn, +Flamenca kissed the breviary, Guillem saw, +for a moment, her red mouth, and the sight +filled him with sweet joy.</p> + +<p>When the clerk had finished giving the +pax, Guillem considered how he might gain +possession of the book.</p> + +<p>“My friend,” he whispered to the clerk, +“have you a calendar? I wish to learn on +what day falls Pentecost.”</p> + +<p>The youth handed him the book, but Guillem +gave small heed to the day of the month +or the year. He turned the leaves from end<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span> +to end, and would fain have kissed them all +for the sake of one, could he have done so +without being remarked.</p> + +<p>“Clerk,” he asked, “where is it that you +give the pax? Is it not in the psalter?”</p> + +<p>“Here is the place, sir,” the clerk answered, +and showed it to Guillem who, kneeling +again as if in prayer, kissed the page more +than a thousand times, and did not cease +from his devotions till the priest had said: +“Ite missa.”</p> + +<p>Archambaut left the church without delay, +forcing Flamenca to follow with her +damsels. Guillem waited for the priest to +finish none, then addressed him courteously:</p> + +<p>“Sir,” he said, “I demand a boon. Dine +with me today at my hostel, and hereafter, +as long as I stay, be my guest at table.”</p> + +<p>The priest consented gladly, and all three +repaired at once to the hostel, where dinner +awaited them.</p> + +<p>When they had finished and the table was +cleared, Guillem sent one of his squires to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span> +fetch the gifts he had designed for his host and +hostess. To the former he gave a long belt +with a buckle of French make, worth more +than a silver mark; to the latter, a piece of +stuff to fashion a summer mantle. So grateful +were they for these gifts that they promised +to do all in their power to serve Guillem. +They even offered to move out of their house +and leave it all to him, should he so desire.</p> + +<p>He accepted gladly. Then, turning to the +priest, Dom Justin, he said: “I ask you now +to cut the hair from the top of my head, and +make me a tonsure such as I had before. I +am a canon of Péronne, and would return +now to that estate.”</p> + +<p>The priest could scarce answer at first, so +surprised was he at Guillem’s request; but, +while the others wept to see the young man +thus despoiled of his golden crown, the little +clerk, whose name was Nicholas, held the +basin, and Dom Justin shore off the locks +with sharp shears, clipping the hair close +about the neck, and making a large tonsure.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p> + +<p>Guillem gave the priest a gilded goblet, +worth four marks, as his reward.</p> + +<p>“The barber,” said he, “must be well paid.”</p> + +<p>“My lord, it is too much!” protested the +priest. “Tell me what I can do to merit +more fully so rich a gift.”</p> + +<p>“Take me for your clerk,” said Guillem. +“As for Nicholas, here, send him to Paris to +study. He is not yet too old, and he will +learn more in two years there than here in +three. I will give him four golden marks a +year, and furnish him with raiment.”</p> + +<p>“My lord, blessed be the day we first met,” +cried the priest. “Nothing has so pained +me as to see my nephew losing time precious +for his studies. Already he can write and +make verses, and when he has studied two +years he will know twice as much. As for +your request, you shall be master, and I will +do all you desire.”</p> + +<p>“Nay,” exclaimed Guillem hastily, “you +must give me your promise to treat me in +all ways as your little clerk. Else I shall<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span> +fail of my purpose, which is to serve humbly +both you and God at the same time.”</p> + +<p>Then he instructed the priest to have +fashioned for him a large round cape of +brown silk or garbardine, which should +cover him from head to foot.</p> + +<p>“I no longer wish to follow the fêtes of +the court,” he said, “for all that is but derision +and vain smoke; and he who thinks to have +gained most from it, finds himself poorest +when night falls.”</p> + +<p>Thus preached Isengrin. Had the priest +been wilier he might have said, with Renard: +“You are hiding your real game.” But he +suspected nothing, and went out with the +squires to order the cape.</p> + +<p>Next morning, after mass, Guillem went +to the baths. There he examined carefully +the soil, and found it was of tufa so soft he +could cut it with a knife. That very afternoon, +when his hosts had moved out, he sent +to Chatillon secretly for some laborers.</p> + +<p>Saturday Nicholas left, and Guillem assisted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> +at vespers. At first he held his cape +a little high, for he was forever placing his +hand upon his hip, as had been his habit; +but he played his part well, and Dom Justin +was overjoyed at having such a clerk sent +him by heaven.</p> + +<p>After vespers Guillem went over with the +priest the lessons and responses for the next +morning.</p> + +<p>That night he did not sleep. At the first +stroke of the bell for matins, he arose and +ran to the church, where, seizing the rope +from the hands of the priest, he finished +ringing lustily.</p> + +<p>After matins Dom Justin told Guillem he +might rest a little, and led him to a room, +next the belfry, which had belonged to +Nicholas; but, though the floor was strewn +with reeds and rushes, he could not close his +eyes, for now a new care assailed him. What +should he say to his lady, when he gave her +the pax?</p> + +<p>Long he lay and pondered, calling on Love<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span> +to aid him at this pass. At last, finding +naught, he arose and went out, closing the +door and putting the key on the shelf, +whence Dom Justin had taken it. Then +he requested a beadle, one Vidal, to bring +him the salt for the holy water. While mixing +this, the priest awoke, and Guillem gave +him some of the water to wash. Then they +began prime.</p> + +<p>When they had sung tierce and rung again, +the people began to come for mass. After +the main body, as usual, arrived Archambaut, +followed by Flamenca, who passed +behind her screen.</p> + +<p>Seeing her, Guillem had eyes for naught +else. He did not, however, neglect his duties. +As he had the offices by heart, these were +easy for him. His voice was fresh and clear, +and rang out as he sang the “Agnus Dei.” +Then he took the book and offered it to his +host, who sat in the choir. Pierre Gui passed +it to those without, and the pax proceeded +thus through the church.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span></p> + +<p>Guillem followed the book as it went +from hand to hand; but he moved so slowly +through the press that Archambaut had +already received the pax, by the time he +reached the little cell that held his treasure. +Trembling, without daring to look up, he +drew near, fully resolved to say at least a +word, yet not knowing, even now, what it +would be. With a prayer to Love to aid him, +he approached, and as Flamenca kissed the +psalter, he murmured: “Alas!” then withdrew, +his head humbly bowed. Had he disarmed +a hundred knights in a tourney, he +would have been less happy.</p> + +<p>His joy was great, but of brief duration. +It lasted while he folded up the altar cloths +and put away safely the chalice and the +paten; but, when he was alone in his room +once more, he was all despair.</p> + +<p>“Alas,” he cried, “I deserve to die. Love, +thou hast been of slight aid to me. I thought +to throw a six, and I have come off with an +ace. Never in this world could my lady have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> +heard me. Else she would at least have +lifted her eyes, nor so soon drawn back behind +her screen. It was her wimple betrayed +me, that covered her ears so closely. Curses +on the father of such a fashion!”</p> + +<p>Flamenca, however, had not failed to hear +Guillem’s “alas,” and suffered some despite +from it. She showed no sign while Archambaut +was with her; but, when he went out +after dinner, she gave way to her grief.</p> + +<p>“It would have been for me, rather, to cry +‘alas!’” she made moan. “He suffers not, +being neither sick nor in prison. Why then +insult my sufferings? Dear God, what harm +have I done him, that he should assail me +in such a place?”</p> + +<p>“Come hither, sweet children,” she cried +to Alis and Margarida, “and give heed to +what is troubling me. A young man I know +not, whose face I have never seen before, has +basely insulted me.”</p> + +<p>“What young man, my lady?” demanded +Margarida.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> + +<p>“He who gave me the pax.”</p> + +<p>“What did he say, madam?” asked Alis.</p> + +<p>“I will tell you, though it pains me even to +recall it. To mock and torment me, in handing +me the psalter, he murmured ‘alas!’ +as if it were he who suffered, not I.”</p> + +<p>“What was his bearing, my lady, as he +said this?”</p> + +<p>“He kept his eyes cast down.”</p> + +<p>“Why, then, madam, I am not so sure +he meant to insult you. It appears to me as +if he felt some fear in your presence, rather +than overweening pride.”</p> + +<p>“It is true,” reflected Flamenca, that “he +blushed and sighed.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” then broke in Alis, “this +young man did not seem so ill-bred as to +wish to harm you. Besides, he is not the +one who always gives us the pax. He is taller +and handsomer. He is more skilled at reading, +also, and sings more clearly. In short, +he had all the seeming of a gentleman.”</p> + +<p>“My lady,” spoke up Margarida, once<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> +more, “I do not know this young man, or +what he wants of you, but I think you would +do well to discover his meaning.”</p> + +<p>“You speak as if that were an easy matter,” +replied Flamenca, petulantly. “How +can I?”</p> + +<p>“Christ, my lady,” exclaimed Alis, “if +it were left to me, I should manage easily +enough. Ask him! He said ‘alas’. Do +you say to him now: ‘Why do you complain?’”</p> + +<p>“I can try,” said Flamenca, still doubtful.</p> + +<p>So the following Sunday, when Guillem +gave her the pax, she took the psalter +and, tilting it a trifle towards Archambaut, +she whispered: “Why do you complain?”</p> + +<p>It was Flamenca’s turn now to be troubled +and to ask if Guillem had heard her.</p> + +<p>“Did you hear me, Alis?” she demanded +when they had returned from church.</p> + +<p>“Not I, madam.”</p> + +<p>“And you, Margarida?”</p> + +<p>“No, my lady, I heard nothing. How did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> +you speak? Show us, and we shall be able +to tell you if he heard.”</p> + +<p>“Stand up, Alis,” commanded Flamenca, +“and pretend you are giving me the pax. +Take that copy of <em>Blanchefleur</em> for the +breviary.”</p> + +<p>Alis jumped up, ran to the table where the +book lay, and came back to her mistress, +who, for all her sadness, could scarce keep +from laughing at the sight of the young girl +counterfeiting the clerk. Then Flamenca, +tilting the book a trifle, as in the church, and +pretending to kiss it, said: “Why do you +complain?”</p> + +<p>“There, did you hear me?” she asked +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Yes indeed,” they both cried. “If you +spoke like that, there can be no doubt.”</p> + +<p>Next week, Guillem, this time having prepared +his answer, came straight towards his +lady, who loosened her wimple that she might +hear the more clearly. As she took the pax, +he said: “I die.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> + +<p>“Nay, he must not die, my lady!” cried +Margarida, when Flamenca had repeated +this response. “I swear I have never seen +so handsome a young clerk.”</p> + +<p>“What can I do?” asked her mistress, +weakly.</p> + +<p>“Ask him: ‘Of what?’ since that is what +we wish to know.”</p> + +<p>This same Sunday the workmen came +from Chatillon. They marvelled greatly +at the oath Guillem required of them before +making known the task they were to accomplish. +This was to dig a passage under the +ground between the baths and his own room. +They were skilful and worked rapidly, in +such wise that in short space the passage +was completed and so cunningly contrived +at both ends that not a sign of it +showed.</p> + +<p>When, on the eighth day, Guillem gave +the pax, Flamenca whispered: “Of what?” +then drew back quickly.</p> + +<p>“My little Margarida, I said it,” she exclaimed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span> +when they were back in the +tower.</p> + +<p>“Thank God for that, my lady! I only +hope he heard you this time, too.”</p> + +<p>“You may set your mind at rest, my dear. +He moved away so slowly that he could not +have helped hearing me. Now we shall +know the answer on Thursday, for that is +the feast of the Ascension.”</p> + +<p>“Madam, methinks these feasts come far +less often now than at any other season,” +pouted Alis. “The rest of the year, when +we have no need of them, there is one nearly +every day. While here, this summer, we have +had five full weeks with nothing but Sundays!”</p> + +<p>On his side, Guillem repeated Flamenca’s +question and pondered it.</p> + +<p>“‘Of what?’ she asked me. Well, it will +not be hard to tell her that, for I know only +too well whereof I suffer.”</p> + +<p>Thursday, therefore, at tierce, he said: +“Of love.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p> + +<p>That night Flamenca lay on her bed, +more pensive than ever, and with something +resembling distress at her heart.</p> + +<p>“Well, what did he say, my lady?” asked +Alis at last.</p> + +<p>“Ah, my friend, you could never guess. +It is quite different from anything we might +have imagined. He says it is love of which +he suffers. Did anyone ever hear of a stranger +coming thus to complain of love?”</p> + +<p>“Faith, madam,” laughed Alis, with a +sly look at Margarida, “of what evil did you +think he came here to complain? Surely, had +he been beaten or robbed, he would not have +sought to lay his complaint before you.”</p> + +<p>“But for whom is this love? pursued Flamenca, +still puzzled.</p> + +<p>“Why my lady, I can guess readily +enough,” replied Margarida, also laughing; +“but since you would have sure knowledge, +ask him that, too.”</p> + +<p>“Good God! Is it a jest?” cried Guillem +on Sunday, when she had asked him: “For<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> +whom?” “Is it possible she does not suspect +my love? How can she help knowing that +I love her with all my heart? But, since she +asks me, I will gladly tell her.”</p> + +<p>So on the day of Pentecost, Guillem, +trembling, answered: “For you.”</p> + +<p>Then was Flamenca sore troubled.</p> + +<p>“What!” she exclaimed. “Can it be for +me he cherishes an amorous desire? Then +he must needs seek another mistress, for +my love is no love at all, but sorrow and +anguish. Sobs and sighs, troubles and +tears, bitterness and sadness of heart—these +are my near neighbors, my privy companions. +What shall I do, what shall I +say?”</p> + +<p>“My lady,” exclaimed Margarida, “whatever +you do or say, you will surely not let +that gallant young man love you and entreat +you in vain! Who knows but God +Himself has sent him to deliver you from +prison?”</p> + +<p>“Even were I to return his love, I do not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span> +see how that would advantage him in aught,” +said Flamenca.</p> + +<p>“Ask him, my lady. He has done so well +already, he will surely know.”</p> + +<p>So, the following Sunday Flamenca said: +“What can I do?” and the eighth day after +Pentecost, on the feast of Saint Barnaby—a +little feast for which Flamenca would no +more have set foot out of doors than for +that of a simple martyr not in the calendar—Guillem +answered “Cure.”</p> + +<p>“How can I cure his ills, who am without +remedy for my own?” pondered Flamenca, +and her damsels counselled her to +ask: “How?”</p> + +<p>“Trust him. He will easily find a way to +compass your happiness at the same time +as his own.”</p> + +<p>“May God in His mercy will it so,” +sighed Flamenca, “for at present I do not +see how we shall ever be able to do more for +each other than we do now.”</p> + +<p>“In little space God works,” replied Alis<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> +devoutly, “and brave effort overcomes all +obstacles.”</p> + +<p>The following Sunday was the feast of +Saint John. It was not a day lost for Guillem, +whose lady, in taking the psalter, and +whispering: “How?” brushed his finger with +her hand. When he was alone again, he sang +for joy.</p> + +<p>“O God,” he cried, “I swear by the +apostles and the prophets, I will give all +my rents from France for the building of +churches and bridges, if you will but let me +see my lady face to face!”</p> + +<p>The next time, drawing near with a high +heart, he said: “I have found a way!”</p> + +<p>“He has already found a way!” exclaimed +Alis, gleefully. “Were this the +olden time, lady dear, and there came such +a friend to me, I should think ’twas Jupiter +or some other God, who was in love with +me.” Answer him boldly, then: “Take +it.”</p> + +<p>Flamenca sighed, her colour came and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> +went, she still hesitated. Suddenly Alis +sneezed.</p> + +<p>“Bless you!” the damsel exclaimed. “Now +everything is bound to come out right. We +could not have a better omen.”</p> + +<p>“God bless you both,” cried Flamenca, +deeply touched, “for all the hope and courage +you have given me. I will do as you say, +though I know not if, in thus accepting his +love so readily, I shall not be dishonoured.”</p> + +<p>“My Lady,” Alis assured her, “there +can be no dishonour, since Love wills it so.”</p> + +<p>Thursday was the feast of the passion of +the two glorious apostles, who hold the first +place after Saint Michael, in Paradise. That +day, then, by her answer, Flamenca confirmed +Guillem’s every hope. How shall +I tell his delight? Now he was sure that +Love wished to exalt him above all other +lovers, and the next time he said to his lady: +“I have taken it.” At the same moment +their eyes met and their hearts embraced.</p> + +<p>“Can it be possible,” wondered Flamenca,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> +“that in three days’ time, he has found a +way whereby I may heal him? How wanting +in faith was I! It was a sin even to doubt +him. I promise now, before God, that if he +can bring us together, I shall be his, and his +alone, forever more.”</p> + +<p>“Small love do I owe the knights of my +country! Two whole years have I dwelt +in bitter grief, and not one has given a +thought to me. And the knights of this +country! Scarcely do they merit the renown +of true knighthood, who permit a poor +stranger lady to perish thus miserably! But +this knight has a right to all my love, who, +for my sake, has placed his own life in +jeopardy.”</p> + +<p>So Flamenca hesitated no longer but next +time asked him boldly: “What shall I do?” +and eight days later Guillem, in his turn, +answered: “You will go,” but did not say +where. So, on the feast of the Magdalen, +Flamenca inquired: “Where?” and the day +following Guillem said: “To the baths,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> +whereat Flamenca divined he had found +some way of coming to her in the baths, and +prayed God and His saints that there might +not thereby come to her any dishonour.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday, which was the feast of Saint +James of Compostella, she demanded resolutely: +“When?”</p> + +<p>Great was Guillem’s joy, and it would not +have been hard for him to answer at once; +but he would rather have let himself be tonsured +with a cross like a thief, or branded +with a red-hot iron, than speak a word which +might have betrayed them.</p> + +<p>The fifth day thereafter he replied: “Soon.”</p> + +<p>Then again was Flamenca sorely distressed.</p> + +<p>“Fear, shame and love, draw me in different +directions,” she cried. “Fear chides me +and warns that, if he caught me, my husband +would burn me alive. Shame bids +me beware of the world’s dispraise. Love +says, on the other hand, that Fear and Shame +have never made a brave heart, and that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> +she can never be called a true lover who, +through them, lets herself be turned aside.</p> + +<p>“Yet, O Love, how grievous are thy +darts! Never could I have guessed that to +love meant to suffer so sorely! But, since +I am at thy mercy, naught remains for me +but to receive thee. Enter then into this +dwelling which is thine own. My heart shall +be thy chamber. Naught shall avail to +oppose thy will, for I belong to thee +only.</p> + +<p>“And to him who comes to claim that +which I hold from thee, as thy vassal, +I shall answer, without longer delaying, +‘With all my heart!’”</p> + +<p>At these words she fell into a swoon and +remained without consciousness till Archambaut’s +return.</p> + +<p>“Madam, here is our master,” cried Alis, +fearful lest her mistress, awaking, might +let fall some word to arouse his suspicions. +She cried so loudly that Flamenca recovered +her senses; but, before opening her eyes, she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> +lay still a moment, to prepare what she +should say to her husband.</p> + +<p>Archambaut was all disturbed. Bringing +water, he dashed it in her face. Then at last, +opening her eyes, and looking up, she drew +a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>“My lady,” he inquired anxiously, “what +ails you?”</p> + +<p>“My lord, a pain at my heart is killing +me.”</p> + +<p>“I believe if you took a little nutmeg +every day it would cure you.”</p> + +<p>“No, sire, the baths alone can bring me +any relief. Lead me there on Wednesday, +I beseech you.”</p> + +<p>It did not please lord Archambaut to have +his wife go to the baths. He took her there +as seldom as possible, and always examined +each corner carefully before leaving her, +for fear some man might be lurking in +the corner; but he could not refuse her +now.</p> + +<p>“Very well, I am willing,” he grumbled,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span> +going out in a bad humour to find Pierre +Gui and to tell him to make ready the +baths.</p> + +<p>Tuesday Flamenca, who found herself +well enough to go to the church, said: “With +all my heart,” and, with her left hand, lightly +brushed Guillem’s right. He returned home +in a state of rapture, and that evening he +heard his host say to two servants:</p> + +<p>“Cleanse the baths and empty them so +that they will fill up afresh for our lady, who +will come tomorrow at an early hour.”</p> + +<p>Wednesday, at daybreak, Flamenca, feigning +a return of her malady, made great dole, +as well she might, for she had not slept a +wink. She called feebly to her husband:</p> + +<p>“Never in all my life have I suffered as +I do now. Hasten, I beseech you, and be +not too vexed, for you will soon be rid of +me. Indeed, rather would I die than endure +my present pain; and, if the baths restore +me not, already I hold myself to be no better +than one dead.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span></p> + +<p>The damsels were already up and dressed. +They went first, taking with them their +basins and unguents, while Archambaut +followed reluctantly, leading his wife to +her lover.</p> + +<p>When he had looked well in all the corners, +as was his wont, he went out, locking the +door. Quickly the damsels sprang to bar +it on the inside. Then, looking at each other, +they said:</p> + +<p>“What shall we do? We know not where +or how he will enter, who has given us this +tryst.”</p> + +<p>“I am no wiser than you,” replied Flamenca. +“I see nothing changed in the appearance +of the place. Yet I have no thought +to undress, since I did not come here to +bathe.”</p> + +<p>Scarcely had she spoken, when they heard +a little noise. The next instant Guillem +lifted a stone in the floor, and entered.</p> + +<p>In his hand he held a candle. His shirt +and his breeches were of fine linen from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> +Rheims. His shoes were of silk embroidered +with flowers. His well-cut doublet was +fashioned of some costly stuff, and he wore, +on his head, a little cloth cap, sewn with silk. +Love had lent him somewhat of his pallor, +but he was only the handsomer for that. +Kneeling before Flamenca, he said:</p> + +<p>“My lady, may He Who created you, +and Whose will it is that you should be +without peer for beauty and graciousness, +save you—you and yours!”</p> + +<p>And he bowed low at her feet.</p> + +<p>“Fair sir,” replied Flamenca, “may He +Who never lies and Who willed you to come +hither, protect you, and permit you to accomplish +all your desire.”</p> + +<p>“All my desire, sweet lady, all my thought, +all my trouble and my pain, are for you, to +whom I have given myself. And, if you, in +turn, will give yourself to me, all my wishes +will be fulfilled.”</p> + +<p>“Fear not. Since God has granted us to +come together, you will have naught to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span> +complain of in me. Besides, since long time, +my heart has been yours.”</p> + +<p>He took her in his arms and kissed her +tenderly and embraced her, then said:</p> + +<p>“If it be your pleasure, we can seek, by +the safe way I have made, the room where I +have so often gazed upon your tower.”</p> + +<p>“As you will, sweet friend. I shall go +whithersoever you lead me, sure that you +will bring me back again in all security.”</p> + +<p>The passage was not dark, for it was +lighted with candles, and, before they knew +it, they were in the chamber, which was +richly furnished with tapestries, with benches, +with precious stuffs of all sorts, and strewn +with green rushes.</p> + +<p>Guillem and Flamenca seated themselves +upon a couch raised a little above the level +of the floor, while Alis and Margarida took +cushions at their feet.</p> + +<p>Flamenca looked at them fondly.</p> + +<p>“Dear friend,” she said, “never have +these damsels grown weary in pleading your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span> +suit. And, had it not been for their wise +counsels and good sense, never would you +have had your desire.”</p> + +<p>Guillem thanked them warmly, begging +them to accept of him girdles, diadems, +ribbons, bracelets, brooches, rings, little +bags of musk, and still other trinkets. Then, +turning to Flamenca, he said:</p> + +<p>“Sweet love, a boon, I beseech you.”</p> + +<p>“Name it, dear friend. I think no wish +of yours could prove displeasing to me.”</p> + +<p>“I have two cousins,” he answered, “Otho +and Clari, who follow me that they, too, +one day, may be made knights. It would +please me were they to have some share in +our happiness.”</p> + +<p>“How mean you?”</p> + +<p>“My squires are young and debonair, +like your two damsels, in whose company +they would not want whereof to speak. +And, if they found it in their hearts to love +one another, they would but love us the +more.”</p> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="p61" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/p61.jpg" alt="Man and woman holding hands"> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> + +<p>“It shall be even as you say,” assented +Flamenca gladly, and Guillem, opening the +door, told his squires to enter.</p> + +<p>They marvelled greatly at seeing Flamenca, +and when their eyes fell upon the +two damsels, they believed they were under +some spell. Quickly they fell to their +knees.</p> + +<p>“Here am I, lady, to do your bidding,” +said each of them in turn.</p> + +<p>Flamenca was well pleased, and welcomed +the young men graciously. Then, turning +to her young women:</p> + +<p>“Come hither, both of you,” she addressed +them. “Here are two young men, and you +are two, also. It is my wish that each should +have her friend. Wait not to be entreated. +’Tis I, your mistress, who entreat, who tell, +who command you, to do all their desire. +Go to the baths. Pleasure awaits you there.”</p> + +<p>Then Alis chose Otho, and Margarida +had Clari. Together all four went to the +baths, where there were pleasant chambers,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> +from which Alis and Margarida had no need +to come forth as they went in, unless they so +desired.</p> + +<p>When they were alone, Guillem, turning +to Flamenca, said:</p> + +<p>“Long have I suffered for your sweet +sake a martyr’s pains. Now that we have +come together at last, I thank you for these; +but you know not yet who I am, unless it be +that Love has told you I am your man.”</p> + +<p>“My friend,” said Flamenca, “I doubt +not you are of some high estate. This I +know by the knightly soul you have shown +in wishing to be my lover.”</p> + +<p>Then Guillem recounted to her, word by +word, who he was, how he had come, and +all he had done since he had been at Bourbon.</p> + +<p>When Flamenca knew what manner of +man her Guillem was, she was so full of +joy she gave herself to him without stint. +She threw her arms about his neck and +kissed him with all her heart.</p> + +<p>Many times did they kiss each other on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span> +the eyes and on the mouth and on the hands +and on the neck, and many times did they +do for each other all those things without +which joy in love is incomplete. Each +sought to appease the heavy burden and the +long desire that each for the other had suffered.</p> + +<p>They took pleasure too, in rehearsing the +words they had spoken, and so lovely was +their delight, that man would not know how +to record, or mouth to speak, or mind to +conceive it.</p> + +<p>When it came time to part, Guillem called +his squires and the damsels. These, their +eyes wet with tears, thanked him for the +happiness that had been theirs in the company +of the young men.</p> + +<p>Guillem, too, wept when he took leave +of his lady, for it seemed to him he would +never see her more. He was, however, to +see her again, and that many times; for, +henceforth, Flamenca would return to the +baths as often as she pleased.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span></p> + +<p>The season of sorrow and sadness was over +at last for this lady and her two damsels. +No longer did they remember their prison, +or the jealous husband who kept them there +in vain; for, from this sad trial, had sprung, +for them, joy and happiness.</p> +<br> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter transnote"> +<h2 class="nobreak bold fs150" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">pg 28 Changed:</td> +<td class="tdl">a desire that has taken fast hold of my heat</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">to:</td> +<td class="tdl">a desire that has taken fast hold of my heart</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75417 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75417-h/images/cover.jpg b/75417-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..09bc643 --- /dev/null +++ b/75417-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75417-h/images/p03.jpg b/75417-h/images/p03.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ccf751d --- /dev/null +++ b/75417-h/images/p03.jpg diff --git a/75417-h/images/p61.jpg b/75417-h/images/p61.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5675bc --- /dev/null +++ b/75417-h/images/p61.jpg diff --git a/75417-h/images/pageb4title.jpg b/75417-h/images/pageb4title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b84b2b --- /dev/null +++ b/75417-h/images/pageb4title.jpg diff --git a/75417-h/images/title.jpg b/75417-h/images/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..49c9a7a --- /dev/null +++ b/75417-h/images/title.jpg |
