Enough of such serious themes; let us discourse a while of merrier matters. [Illustration: Decorative scrollwork above chapter start] CONTENTS PAGE HISTORICAL NOTE. BY HENRI VIGNEAU xiii FIRST DISCOURSE OF LADIES WHICH DO MAKE LOVE, AND THEIR HUSBANDS CUCKOLDS 3 SECOND DISCOURSE ON THE QUESTION WHICH DOTH GIVE THE MORE CONTENT IN LOVE, WHETHER TOUCHING, SEEING, OR SPEAKING 213 1. OF THE SENSE OF TOUCH IN LOVE 215 2. OF THE POWER OF SPEECH IN LOVE 226 3. OF THE POWER OF SIGHT IN LOVE 233 THIRD DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE BEAUTY OF A FINE LEG, AND THE VIRTUE THE SAME DOTH POSSESS 273 FOURTH DISCOURSE CONCERNING OLD DAMES AS FOND TO PRACTISE LOVE AS EVER THE YOUNG ONES BE 293 BIBLIOGRAPHY 341 APPENDIX A. BRANTÔME, BY ARTHUR TILLEY 345 APPENDIX B. BRANTÔME, BY GEORGE SAINTSBURY 351 NOTES 355 [Illustration: Decorative scrollwork above chapter start] HISTORICAL NOTE Pierre de Bourdeille, Abbé de Brantôme et d’André, Vicomte de Bourdeille, was born in Périgord, in 1527, in the reign of François I. He early took up the career of arms, serving under his friend François de Guise, Duke of Lorraine, as his Captain, the same who was killed before Orleans by Poltrot de Méré. Afterwards he came up to Court, and was Gentleman of the Bedchamber under Charles IX., who showed him much favour. On the King’s death he retired to his estates, where he composed his Works. These are: _Vies des hommes illustres et des grands capitaines françois_; _Vies des grands capitaines étrangers_; _Vies des dames illustres_; _Vies des dames galantes_; _Anecdotes touchant le duel_; and _Rodomontades et jurements des Espagnols_.—All that really concerns us here is the _Vies des dames galantes_. It is especially from this point of view that we propose to speak of Pierre de Bourdeille, known almost exclusively to posterity under the name of Brantôme. As to his Essays in the manner of Plutarch, these do not come into our purview at all. Besides which, I am of opinion, it is in this book that Brantôme appears under his most characteristic aspect, and that it is here we may best learn to know and appreciate his genius.