When Margaret undertook the regency of the Netherlands in 1507, her father, Maximilian, gave her as a New Year's gift a beautifully illuminated _Livre de Chants_, in the frontispiece of which the United States are represented swearing fealty to her as regent. Maximilian is seated in the centre on a throne; in front of him sits his grandson Charles, with Margaret opposite; and the three young arch-duchesses, Eleanor, Mary, and Isabel, are grouped seated on the ground, whilst the representatives of the United States stand round, and with uplifted hands swear to uphold the regent's rule. This interesting book was one of Margaret's most prized possessions, and is now amongst the archives of Malines. From the titles of the books in her library we learn how large and varied was her taste in reading: Froissart, the _Fables_ of Æsop and of Ovid, several editions of Aristotle, Livy, the _Letters of Seneca_, and the _Commentaries of Julius Caesar_, Saint Augustine's _City of God_, of which she had four copies, and Boethius _On Consolation_. Besides these, there were _The Golden Legend_, _The Round Table_, _Lancelot of the Lake_, _Merlin_, _The Story of Jason and the Golden Fleece_, etc. Also several books on chess, on the interpretation of dreams, on the nature of birds, and on manners and customs, such as the _Miroir du Monde_ and the _Miroir des Dames_; various works of Boccaccio, _Le Livre du Trésor_, and Phebus on hunting, etc. Besides many missals, breviaries, lives and legends of the Saints, 'Books of Hours,' and other religious works. Jean Lemaire says: 'Madame Margaret not only read wise books, but she also took the pen in hand to write'... and fortunately many of her poems have been preserved. Through nearly all there runs a strain of sadness, of loneliness, and disappointed hope, for Margaret's life was very solitary in spite of her great position and many duties; every one came to her for help and sympathy, but there was no one on whom she could lean. Her verses are simple, graceful, and to the point, and may well bear comparison with those of her contemporaries. The following charming rondeau in her handwriting is a good example:-- 'C'est pour jamès qu'un regret me demeure; Que sans sesser nuit et jour à tout eure Tant me tourmant que bien voudroi mourir; Car ma vie n'est fors seulement languir, Et s'y faudra à la fin que j'en meure. De l'infortune estais bien seure Quan le regret maudit où je demeure Me coury sus pour me faire mourir, Car ma vie n'est fors Seulement languir: Sy faudra que j'en meure.'[144] [144] In the Bibliothèque Royale, Brussels. Her poem, 'La complainte de dame Marguerite d'Autriche, fille de Maximilien, Roy des Romans,' is an interesting résumé of her life and misfortunes, full of feeling charmingly expressed, but is too long to quote here. In the following she gives advice to her maids of honour, and warns them not to trust to lovers' deceitful promises:--