The Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 2 (of 5)Marguerite, Queen, consort of Henry II, King of Navarre
General
The Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 2 (of 5)
Marguerite, Queen, consort of Henry II, King of Navarre
Love stories, French -- Translations into English; Tales -- France -- Translations into English
4 “Our Lady of Pity” is the designation usually applied to
the Virgin when she is shown seated with the corpse of
Christ on her knees. Michael Angelo’s famous group at St.
Peter’s is commonly known by this name. In the present
instance, however, Queen Margaret undoubtedly refers to a
crucifix showing the Virgin at the foot of the Cross,
contemplating her son’s sufferings. Such crucifixes were
formerly not uncommon.--M.
The hour of his departure arrived, and when he had taken leave of the
husband, who was falling asleep, and came to bid his lady farewell, he
beheld tears standing in her eyes by reason of the honourable affection
which she entertained for him. The sight of these rendered his passion
for her so unendurable that, not daring to say anything concerning it,
he almost fainted, and broke out into an exceeding sweat, so that he
seemed to weep not only with his eyes, but with his entire body.
And thus he departed without speaking, leaving the lady in great
astonishment, for she had never before seen such tokens of regret.
Nevertheless she did not change in her good opinion of him, and followed
him with her prayers.
After a month had gone by, however, as the lady was returning to her
house, she met a gentleman who handed her a letter from the Captain, and
begged her to read it in private.
He told her how he had seen the Captain embark, fully resolved to
accomplish whatever might be pleasing to the King and of advantage to
Christianity. For his own part, the gentleman added, he was straightway
going back to Marseilles to set the Captain’s affairs in order.
The lady withdrew to a window by herself, and opening the letter,
found it to consist of two sheets of paper, covered on either side with
writing which formed the following epistle:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account