The Lay of Marie and Vignettes in VerseBetham, Matilda
General
The Lay of Marie and Vignettes in Verse
Betham, Matilda
Marie, de France, active 12th century -- Poetry; Women poets -- Poetry
that, as a monument of her grief, she intended to compose a lay, the
title of which should be "Les quatre Dols," (the four griefs). The
lover, instead of attempting to argue her out of this resolution, only
employs his eloquence in convincing her that the title of the new lay
ought to be "Le Chaitivel," (the wretch), because his rivals had found
in death the end of their disappointments, while he was doomed to a life
of sorrow and privation. The lady having assented to this change, the
story is abruptly brought to a conclusion.
* * * * *
No. XI.--_Translation of the Lai DEE CHEVREFOIL_:
_(From Notes to Sir Tristrem, edited by Walter Scott, Esq.)_
I am much pleased with the lay which is called Chevrefoil. Let me relate
to you truly on what occasion it was made, and by whom. Many persons
have narrated the story to me; and I have also found it in writing, in
the work which treats of Tristrem, and of the Queen; and of their
constant love, from which they suffered a thousand sorrows; and expired
on the same day.[81]
King Markes had been much offended with his nephew, Tristrem; and had
banished him on account of his attachment to the queen. The knight
retired into the country where he was born; spent there a whole year of
affliction; and, being still forbidden to return, became careless of
life. Do not wonder at this; for a true lover, where his wishes are
crossed by insuperable obstacles, can set no bounds to his grief.
Tristrem, therefore, thus driven to despair, left his home; passed into
Cornwall, the abode of the queen, and concealed himself in the thickest
part of the forest; from which he issued only at the close of the day,
at which time he took up his lodgings among the peasants and the poorest
of mankind. After frequent questions to these his hosts, concerning the
public news of the court, he at length learned the king had convoked his
barons, and summoned them to attend him at Pentecost, at the castle of
Tintagel. Tristrem was rejoiced at this news; because it was impossible
the queen could arrive at the meeting without giving him an opportunity
of getting sight of her during the journey. On the appointed day,
therefore, be took his station, in that part of the wood through which
the road passed, cut down a branch of _codre_ (hazel), smoothed it,
wrote his name on it with the point of his knife, together with other
characters, which the queen would well know how to decypher. He
perceives her approaching; he sees her examine with attention every
object on her road. In former times they had recognized each other by
means of a similar device; and he trusts, that, should she cast her eyes
on the stick, she will suspect it to belong to her lover. This was the
purport of the characters traced on it: "That he had long been waiting
at a distance, in hopes of being favoured with some expedient which
might procure him a meeting, without which he could no longer exist. It
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