fc>STC^
 
 w
 
 THE 
 
 L I T E R A R Y HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TROUBADOURS. 
 
 CONTAINING TTIEIR 
 
 LIVES, EXTRACTS from their WORKS, 
 
 AnJ many Particulars relative to the 
 
 CUSTOMS, MORALS, and HISTORY 
 
 of the T.vclfih and Thirtccnih Centuries. 
 
 CoIlctSed and AbriJged from the French of 
 
 Mr. D e S a 1 N T-P E L a I E, 
 
 By the Author of the Life of Petrarch. 
 
 LONDON, 
 Printed for T. CAD ELL, in the Strand. 
 
 MDCCLXXLT. 
 
 » « 
 
 • • « I 
 
 • • •
 
 < • « • • « 
 
 « « « 4 %
 
 T O 
 
 'W! 
 
 cS 
 
 SOAME JENYNS, Esq, 
 
 Si r, 
 
 A S the following Lives are 
 dcfcriptivc of the two ages im- 
 mediately preceding that in which 
 Petrarch flouriflied, I beg leave to 
 unite thefe works in the honour 
 of your patronage : and ani, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 with perfect refpe(ft, 
 your obliged an-l 
 
 obedient Servant, 
 
 S. D()BS<>V 
 A 2
 
 *A 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE word Troubadour fignlfies an 
 Inventor, and is worthy of the 
 fubjed to which it refers, as it exprelfes 
 the genius ot thole poets, whofe compofi- 
 tions are recorded in the following work. 
 
 The Jongleurs, who are mentioned by 
 Petrarch and others, were a fet of rrien, 
 who went about finging or reciting the 
 compofitions of the Troubadours, * and 
 who^metimes a^ired at the rewards and 
 honours of both profeflions. 
 
 The works and fame of the Trouba- 
 dours had long been buried in oblivion ; 
 and it was owing to the immen^ labours 
 of the author of the Me^noirs on Ancient 
 Chivalry, that they were at la(t raifed 
 from the tomb. This refpedable Aca- 
 demician, Mr. de St. Pelaie, was almoft 
 whoUj- occupied in rcfearches into the 
 
 ^' , A -2 antiquities 
 
 ji > -^ • 
 
 <
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 antiquities of nations ; without a know- 
 lege of which, the Htcrary hiftory of 
 Europe, and of France in particular, 
 ^)ufl: have remained incomplete^ It waa 
 not, therefore, an attempt of mere cu- 
 riofity, or unimportant erudition, to fearch 
 after and explain the writmgs. of the 
 ^Troubadours, who were the ancient Pro- 
 vencal poets, and the fathers of modern 
 literature. 
 
 There were but Tout manufcripts re- 
 lative to this fubjed in the library of the 
 King of France ; h*M in Italy there was 
 a great number, Mr, de St. Pelaie, 
 therefore, went into Italy, and obtained 
 the permiffion of the Pope to confult the £i 
 manufcripts. This prcjed and expedition 
 were celebrated in the Nouvc//cs Litej-mres 
 de Florence, for the month of February, 
 1740. After having collecled near four 
 thoufand compofitions, and the original 
 lives of feveral of the poets ; and after 
 proving, that the fragments, fcattered in 
 
 di fiacre at
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Vll 
 
 I 
 
 different places, to the amount of twelve 
 hundred, were all to be found in this col- 
 ledion, there was yet a delay to the work, 
 from the difficulty, in many parts, of 
 underftanding the Provencal language : 
 but this difficulty was overcome, by great 
 pains, in comparing different words, and 
 different paffages, and by paying the moft 
 exadl attention to the correfpondence of 
 the fenfe, and the idiom of the expreffion. 
 
 The idea alone of this work Is afto- 
 nilhing. Mr. de St. Pelaie had fifteen 
 volumes in folio to go through, together 
 with a multitude of various readings i and 
 eight volumes of extracts, befides glcf- 
 faries, tables, and an infinity of notes. 
 Yet did he encounter and overcome all 
 thefe difficulties, infpired with the ho- 
 nourable motive peculiar to men of letters, 
 the defire of acquiring and communi- 
 cating knowlege. 
 
 A 4 Mr.
 
 viii PREFACE. 
 
 Mr. de St. Pelaie lived not, how- 
 ever, to give the fruits of his labours to 
 the world ; and his ingenious friend, the 
 editor of this work, at firft declined the 
 tafk, from the fuppofition that the mate- 
 rials confided of nothing but gallantry, 
 and that it was of little importance to be 
 informed in what manner the firft poets 
 fung the praifes of their miftrefles. But 
 curiofity leading him to run over fome 
 parts of the collection, he difcovered many 
 Interefting details towards a hifi.ory of 
 the heart, and its various movements : he 
 likewifejdifcovered,_that much light might 
 be thrown upon a variety of fubjects, ei- 
 ther entirely unknown in our days, or 
 obfcured by the clouds of prejudice. His 
 fcruples, therefore, began to vanifh ; and 
 he was fall farther determined to under- 
 take the Vv'ork, from a delicate fear which 
 had been fuggefled by Mr. de St. Pelaie, 
 that ionr.e licentious pen might be em- 
 ployed in the work, and give it to the 
 public in a manner degrading to its reid
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 IX 
 
 merit, and dangerous to the morals of 
 foclety. Depraved and worthlefs charac- 
 ters are fometimes ncceflarily developed, 
 but thefe, like the enchanted ifle of Ca- 
 ypfo in the hands of the chafle Fenelon, 
 may be fo drawn as to furnifh abundant 
 leflbns of wifdom. It is likewife of ufe 
 to charaderife the fpirit and manners of 
 thefe ages of chivalry ; to point out the 
 abufes of an ignorant and diforderly 
 clergy, and the tyranny of the church of 
 Rome. 
 
 Accordingly we have here a great 
 and ftriking pidure of the twelfth and 
 
 .i]l!Ii?5£l^-^^"^u^ies, when ignorance and 
 ba:rbarifm held dominion over Europe. 
 We ^e paffing in review Sovereigns and 
 great Lords, Knights and noble Ladies, 
 Monks and Prelates, libertines and devo- 
 
 """t'ees, 'enthufiafls in love or in rclio-ion, 
 fatirifts or licentious flatterers. All thefe 
 are exhibited, and form the great fuc- 
 cefiioa of Troubadours. 
 
 With
 
 ^ PREFACE. 
 
 With refped to the writings of the 
 Troubadours, a ruiiic ^mplicity, joined 
 with lively and fometimes fublime images, 
 are diftinguifhed in their produ(flions. 
 The uncultivated mountains of Scotland, 
 the forefts of America, and the frozen 
 deferts of Lapland, have yielded fruits of 
 genius which even now excite our ad- 
 miration. Minds, indeed, which are con- 
 fined within the narrow limits of art, 
 and refleft not on the energy of nature, 
 find it difficult to conceive that fuch pro- 
 dudlions fliould arife in a ftate of igno- 
 rance and barbarifm : not refledling, that 
 when the foul is ftrongly imprefled by a 
 fingle objed, its powers are exerted with 
 the greater vigour ; there are few ideas, 
 and confequently little to enfeeble the 
 flights of the imagination. 
 
 iNf ajl nations, poets have preceded 
 profe-writers. A wifli to perpetuate any 
 ftriking fadts, gave rife to a language be- 
 yond that of common life ; a language 
 
 more
 
 PREFACE. xi 
 
 more exprcffive and more cafily retained. 
 Hence the origin of poetry : and as there 
 is a natural ainnity between mufic and 
 poetry, the words were accompanied with 
 fuitable airs, which fixed them ftill deeper 
 in the memory, and gave, as it were, a 
 body to thought. Such is the progrefs of 
 the human mind. The firfl: hiftorians, 
 and philofophers, whether in Greece or 
 Rome, were poets ; the bards too, of 
 other nations, have celebrated the exploits, 
 and roufed the valour and emulation of 
 their countrymen, in verfe. 
 
 In a country favoured by nature, under 
 a ferene fky, and where the genial warmth 
 of the climate enlivens the imagination, 
 without enervating the body, the tafle 
 will be more refined, and the compofi- 
 tions more animated. Such was the for- 
 tunate fituation of the Troubadours ; they 
 inhabited the fouthern provinces of 
 France, comprelicnded under the name of 
 Frovencc ; and were likewiie called the 
 
 Provencal
 
 xii PREFACE. 
 
 Provencal poets, becaufe this language 
 was common to them all. 
 
 William IX. Count of Poitou, and 
 Duke of Aquitaine, is recorded as the firft 
 Provencal poet ; others, hovvever, had 
 no doubt preceded him, as the graces of 
 his ftyle imply an art already cultivated. 
 But it is from this period that v/e muft 
 begin to trace the Proven9al poetry; 
 from this time it took a rapid flight, pe- 
 netrated into the courts, and formed the 
 delight and the admiration of a great part 
 of Europe.' 
 
 '/Xhe advances from a flate of igno- 
 rance and barbarifm., to that of cultiva- 
 tion of manners, of reafon, and of ta- 
 lents, form one of the moft intcrefting 
 fpedacles that is prefented in the hidory 
 of mankind. After a long train of evils, 
 into which error and anarchy had plunged 
 the Inhabitants of Europe, the ignorance 
 of the tenth, century, acconipanied with 
 
 the
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 xui 
 
 the ravages committed by a delajL^c o't 
 robbers, gave the finilTiing ftroke to their 
 calamities, and com^^Ie^ed their debale- 
 ment. 
 
 In the fiicceeding age cultivation began 
 to take place, feeble indeed, and ill di- 
 rected, and more fruitful in error, proba- 
 bly, than even ignorance itfelf ; calculated, 
 however, to draw the mind from its fatal 
 ftupefadion. The Pontificate of Gre- 
 gory Vn. the fhocks which he gave the 
 nations, the violent ftrugglcs of the 
 Priefthood with the Empire, and which 
 were urged on by their fucceffors, excited 
 a general kind of fermentation, which 
 opened, as it were, the faculties of the 
 foul ; while chivalry introduced a career 
 of heroifm, in which fome of the fecial 
 virtues gave an eclat to the exploits of 
 military life. 
 
 To thefe different caufes may be added 
 the Crufades, which commenced towards 
 
 the
 
 xlv PREFACE. 
 
 the clofe of the fame century. An un- 
 heard-of enthufiafm broke through the 
 barriers of nations, united them for the 
 purpofe of religious conquefts, tranfport- 
 ed them into the country of Phidias and 
 Homer, and made them breathe the vo- 
 luptuous air of Afia. Hence new fenfa- 
 tions, new ideas, new tafles : and, ado- 
 nifliing to relate, the blind and fanguinary 
 devotion of the Crufades contributed to 
 the developement of reafon, and of the 
 fine arts; and forwarded the triumph of 
 the Mufes, vv^hofe inventive labours gave 
 birth to fuch a variety of pleafures. 
 
 At this period, the clafs of poets call- 
 ed Troubadours began to increafe j and 
 they found, in the courts of Princes, 
 which were then almoft as numerous as 
 the caftles, fortune, pleafure, and the 
 mod flattering diftiadion. Thefe confi- 
 derations induced fome to enter into the 
 profeffion, who were deticient in point of 
 talents j others depended upon their rank, 
 
 which
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 XV 
 
 which readily commands flattery j and, 
 being diffipated charadlers, promoted li- 
 centioufnefs, and became dangerous and 
 corrupt models. 
 
 The works of the Troubadours are 
 neverthelefs of great value, as the cuftoms 
 and morals of thefe diflant ages are, in 
 them, more exadly copied from nature 
 than in any other memoirs of the times. 
 The ancient chroniclers, educated in the 
 gloom and prejudices of a cloifter, gave 
 only tirefome narrations ; their fadts were 
 intermixed with vulgar opinions, and ri- 
 diculous legends, and thus they darkened 
 and degraded hiftory. But the poets may 
 be juftly ftylcd painters from life. Ho- 
 nker was in facl: the hiilorian of his own 
 a"-e ; and even his fictions are a fource of 
 knowlege and truth. But the compofi- 
 tions of the Troubadours had, in fome 
 refpects, their peculiar ufesj their fub- 
 ie<Sts were in general more familiar, and 
 taken from common life, and thus formed 
 
 pldures
 
 xvl PREFACE. 
 
 pidures of greater fimpliclty, and from 
 which practical conclufions might more 
 eafiiy be deduced. 
 
 There we behold a paffionate and out- 
 rageous valour, which breathed after 
 combats as its deareil pleafures, and which 
 drew the firft laws of nature from the 
 barbarous decifions of the fword. There 
 we behold the prodigality of the Nobles, 
 fet up as the effential virtue of their 
 nobility ; as little delicate in acquiring 
 the means, as in the manner of their 
 diflipation ; and not blufhing to accumu- 
 late by rapine, what was to be exhibited 
 in a ruinous oftentation. There we be- 
 hold that fpirit of independence which 
 fofters the difordcrs of anarchy ; fome- 
 times indeed with a view to intereft, 
 crouching under the pliant and humble 
 demeanour of a courtier, but always ready 
 to (land forth with audacity on the firft 
 favourable conjundure. There we be- 
 hold a boorifli and mafculine familiarity, 
 
 which
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 xvii 
 
 which talks without referve of pcrfons 
 and things ; wliich cenfurcs with equal 
 rudenefs the Prince and the fubjecl, and 
 eftablifhes a tyranny often greater than 
 that it oppofes. There we behold a blind 
 fuperflition, feeding itfeif with follies and 
 abfurditles ; facrificing to its chimeras, 
 reafon, humanity, and the Divinity it- 
 feif; debafmg the Supreme Being by a 
 miilaken homage, and furnifhing arms to 
 that irreligion to which it gives birth. 
 There we behold the fyfteni of chivalry 
 fully delineated. War, love, and religion 
 formed the bafis of this fingular inflitu- 
 tion ; and the gallantry borrowed from 
 the northern nations, was by it extended 
 and refined. 
 
 JTiiE Crufades, of which Gregory VII. 
 conceived the firll idea, were_J_hc mafler- 
 ftroke of Papal defpotifm. By thefe the 
 Pontiff fummoned at pleafure the fub- 
 jeQs of other Princes .to arms ; fentthem 
 to conquer kingdoms, and make them 
 tributary to the Hoij See; regulated, 
 
 a even
 
 xvili PREFACE. 
 
 even beyond the boundaries of the ocean, 
 the condud: of Kings and Emperors, and 
 thus eflablifhed an univerfal empire. 
 
 In the works of the Troubadours we 
 meet with numberlefs examples of this 
 mad enthufiafm J and fome of thefe poets 
 had even the courage to cenfare and ex- 
 po fe tTierii. 
 
 The abufe of Ecclefiaftical power was 
 the true origin of the various fedaries in 
 the fouthern provinces of France, called 
 Vaudois, AlbigenfeSj_&c. . A cruel war 
 was waged againft thefe fedaries, in 
 which the ruin of the Count of Touloufe 
 was particularly meditated, who was con- 
 fidered as their head. Hitherto the 
 Crufades had for their cbjed:, the ene- 
 mies of the Chriftian name ; but now 
 even Chriilians themfelvcs, provided 
 they were reputed enemies of the church, 
 were confidered as a facrifice (iill more 
 worthy of their zeal ; and the fcvereign, 
 who dared to protecl, or even tolerate 
 
 them 5
 
 P R E F A C E. xlx 
 
 them, was covered with anathemas, and 
 driven from his kingdom. The cifgrace- 
 ful and domefllc crufade againil Rai- 
 mond VI. and Raimond VI f. proved fatal 
 to thefe Counts of Touloufe ; and from 
 their fpoils the court of Rome forir.ed a 
 principahty, even in the heart of France. 
 Several of the Troubadours were engaged 
 in thefe civil wars, either as a6tors, or as 
 partifans of the opprefTed, and have left 
 many curious details, which muft be re- 
 ferved for their refpedive articles, in the 
 followincr Hiilorv. 
 
 Among the memorable events they re- 
 late, are the contells between France and 
 England ; the quarrels of the Popes with 
 the houfe of Swabia ; the imprifonmeiit 
 of Richard I. on his return from^Palef- 
 tine i the conquefis of Philip Augullus 
 over John, the fucceffor of Richard ; and 
 the claihing interefts in the feveral feudal 
 governments, particularly thofc of Pro- 
 vence. 
 
 a 2 The
 
 XX PREFACE. 
 
 The compofitlons of the Troubadours 
 
 may be divided into the gallant, the hif- 
 
 torical, the didadic, and the fatirical. 
 
 The lail of thefe are the moft valuable, 
 
 \ as they explain the manners, and correct 
 
 I the vices of the times. The didactic 
 
 pieces are few, but curious ; ^ome of 
 
 them comprehend the maxims of univerlal 
 
 morality ; others, inftrudions relative to 
 
 \ the different conditions of fociety, to the 
 
 ' candidates in chivalry, to the Ladies, the 
 
 poets, and the jongleurs. 
 
 The Proven9al language, as well as 
 the French, the Italian, and the Spaniel, 
 was derived from the Latin : this was 
 the language in which the Troubadours 
 wrote, and was ejleemed more perfecfl 
 than any of the others, either from its 
 partaking more of the beauties of the 
 Greek, which was a long time the lan- 
 guage of the people of Marieilles, or 
 from its being cultivated by men of ^fupe- 
 rior taile and abilities. The Troubadours 
 gave it nevv^ charms, and more extended 
 
 fame.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 XXI 
 
 fame. Dii^^erJed through mod of the 
 courts of Europe, they created a relifh 
 for their compofitions, and gave a cele- 
 brity to their language, almoft as great as 
 the bell modern productions have given to 
 our own, 
 
 Italy, Spain, England, and even 
 Germany, liflened to thefe Amphions ; 
 admired, and attempted to imitate them ; 
 and thus promoted the reformation and 
 refinement of the language of thefe fe- 
 veral countries. This has been acknow- 
 
 leged by feveral of the Englifh, and a 
 much greater number of the Italian 
 writers. Dry den confofies, that the Pro- 
 venfal was the nioft polifhed of all the 
 modern languages ; and that Chaucer 
 availed himfelf of this, to ornament and 
 enrich his ov/n *. Bembo afferts, tliat 
 this language had a great fuperiority over 
 the EaPcern ; and that whoever would 
 write well, particularly in verfe, mud 
 write in the Provencal. 
 
 * Preface to Dry den's Fables. 
 
 Nothing
 
 %xn PREFACE. 
 
 Nothing was more honourable to the 
 Troubadours, than to have the Itahans 
 for their difciplcs ; and who not only- 
 equalled, but furpafTed their mafters.— 
 At the end of the thirteenth century, 
 Dante raifed the Italian language to per- 
 fedion ; and from that time it took the 
 lead of the Proven9al. Petrarch then 
 appeared ; love infpired his mufe, and he 
 poured forth, in the very country of the 
 Troubadours, fuch eloquent and melo- 
 dious numbers, that their language, their 
 poetry, and theirlTame, aimoft entirely 
 difappeared in Europe. 
 
 The languages of other countries uould 
 have improved as rapidly as the Italian, 
 had they been cultivated vv^ith equal care, 
 and by men of equal genius with Dante, 
 Petrarch, and Boccace. Unfortunately, 
 however, from the want of fuch, other 
 nations were long inferior to Italy in 
 works of genius and of tafte. 
 
 In
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 xxm 
 
 In Germany, the Troubadours had 
 their unltators, whom the Baron Zurlan- 
 ben has attempted to draw from their 
 obfcurlty. He has found a manufcrlpt In 
 the library of the King, containing the 
 fonncts of a hundred and forty poets, 
 who flourlflied between the end of the 
 twelfth and the middle of the fourteenth 
 century. In the number of thefe poets 
 we find the Emperor Elcnry VI. the un- 
 fortunate Conradin, the fon of Frede- 
 rick II. a King of Bohemia, feveral other 
 Princes, Eledors, Dukes, Margraves, Sec. 
 befides Prelates and Monks. The Baron 
 Zurlanben, in a memoir read before the 
 Academy of Belles Lettres in the year 
 177:, has given fome extrat^s from thefe 
 compofitlons ; and a more complete ac- 
 count v/ould throw great light on the 
 hlftory of that age. To each fonnet is 
 prefixed a defign, reprefenting the fieges, 
 tournaments, hunting-matches, emblems, 
 and armories of the German Trouba- 
 dours. 
 
 Tj
 
 XXIV 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 To conclude. — The origin of modern 
 literature is to be found among the Pro- 
 vencal poets. The Troubadours awaken- 
 ed Europe from its ignorance and le- 
 thargy ; they re-animated the minds of 
 men y and, by amufmg, they led them to 
 think, to refled, and to judge. 
 
 Such a revolution of the human mind 
 is truly worthy our curioiity ; and the 
 view Mr. de St. Pelaie has given, cannot 
 fail to intereft us, who reap the fruits of 
 his labour, and that of his fucceffor, in 
 this arduous undertaking. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 4.3. line iS. for her riad his. P. 44. 1. S. for often 
 read after. P. 49. 1. S./tr bore read borne : 1. 16. dele is. 
 P. 113. 1. 8. after power; di'le the ; and add by: 1. 20. 
 for fncceeds read fucceed, P. 130. 1. 7. /of impudence 
 r^fl^ imprudence. P. j6i. l.a. dele thefullfopatiorth. 
 \. 3. ififiead of the , nt evening, put a full jhp, P. 201. 
 I. 8. for cloncorde read claiicord. 1. 18. for juggler 
 jfflfl' jugglers. P. 323.1. 3./0'- yourf rfa^yourfelf. P. 347. 
 1. 5. dels fuch. P. 351. 1. 3. dele and. P. 356. 1. \. for 
 Cl)arity read Chaftiiy. P. 419. 1. •'. for profered read 
 firofefled. P, 43 J. 1. ;. after comply y.ith this put ajuli 
 flop.
 
 THE 
 
 LITERARY HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TROUBADOURS. 
 
 WILLIAM, Count OF POITOU. 
 
 THE fir ft Troubadour on record was 
 a Prince, William, Count of Poi- 
 tou ; he lived at the end of the eleventh 
 and the beginning of the tv^elfth century. 
 Charaders, in thofe early ages, were fcen 
 without difguife even in a Court, and 
 art was not then employed to conceal 
 nature. 
 
 B WiL-
 
 2 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 William, Count of Poitou, united 
 figure, fenfe, and courage, to the advart- : 
 tages of birth and fortune i but he de* 
 graded them all by an extreme licentiouf- 
 nefs of manners. It is neceflary to give 
 him a place here, as he was the firft pro- 
 ven9al poet ; but one circumflance of his 
 life, not incurious in itfelf, will fuffice to 
 fhow the prevalence of vice, no lefs than 
 of wit, in the charader of this Priiice^ 
 
 In difdain of all laws, he had married^ 
 Malberge, wife of the Vifcount ofChatte- 
 leraud. This adulterous marriage excited 
 the difpleafure of the Clergy, infomuchj. 
 that the Bifhop of Poitiers was beginning 
 one day, in the prefence of the Count,, 
 to read over hira the form of excommuni- 
 cation. William draws his fword, andi 
 threatens to kill tlie Bifiiop, unlefs he will 
 immediately abfolve him. The Prelate 
 feigning himfelf alarmed, defires a mo- 
 ment's reflexion, and makes ufe of it to- 
 fjiiifli the ceremony of e.^icommunication. 
 
 Stiikc-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 3 
 
 Strike now, fald be, I am ready. — No, 
 replied the Prince, 1 do not love you well 
 enough to difmifs your foul to paradife ; 
 but I will fend your body into exile. The 
 pieces wrote by this Troubadour (except 
 one) are full ofobfcenity : in this he bids 
 adieu to his native country, to chivalry, 
 as it refped:ed gallantry and pleafure, and 
 to all the vanities of the world. He em- 
 barks for the Crufade, as an expiation 
 for his finful life, afks pardon of all thofe 
 he may have offended; and having com- 
 mitted the government of Poitou, and the 
 care of his fon, yet an infant, to the 
 Count of Anjou, his coufin, he implores 
 the protection and afTiftance of Almighty 
 God, and commends himfelf to his mercy. 
 He proved unfortunate in this expedition 5 
 and fuch were the exceffes and impru- 
 dence of the Crufaders, that no one can 
 be furprlfed at the miferies they under- 
 went. On his return he fung the fa- 
 tigues, the dangers, and the misfortunes 
 
 B 2 \ of
 
 4 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 of this enterprize J but the poem is lofl. 
 He died in 1 122. 
 
 ,V..,V,.?•^,,V.,.V.,/»^.V.,.:;.^./•^./»\/•^/«\..-^^/•\/♦•v/•\.•••\ 
 
 BERNARD de VENTADOUR. 
 
 "OERN ARD de Ventadour was born 
 in the csfile of Ventadour in Limofin, 
 towards the middle of the twelfth cen- 
 tury : his father was a domefticof the fa- 
 mily, who had the care of the bakehoufe : 
 but his obfcure birth did not prevent his 
 fhining in Courts ; for though the infe- 
 rior claffes of men were at this time in no 
 eftimation, a genius for poetry fupplied 
 the want of nobility in the fouthern pro- 
 vinces, while every other literary talent 
 was uarefpeded. The interefting figure 
 of Bernard, joined to an amiable temper, 
 and many failles of forward wit, engaged 
 tlve attention of Ebles, the fecond Vif- 
 couut of Ventadour, who was his Lord. 
 
 Care
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 5 
 
 Care was taken of his education, and this 
 care was attended with all poflible fuccefs. 
 He was courteous and well bred, he com- 
 pofed good pieces, and fung them grace- 
 fully ; a great elogy in a dark age. 
 
 The chronicle of thefe times reports, 
 that Ebles was firnamed the Singer ; that 
 he was fond of gay fonnets even in his old 
 age ; and that by thofe he wrote himfelf 
 he gained the favour of William Duke of 
 Aquitaine and Poitou. The fame chro- 
 nicle alfo relates a curious anecdote of 
 Ebles and William, which paints the 
 charaders of thefe great Lords, and the 
 manner in which they lived in the exten- 
 five territories they occupied. Though 
 this narrative is not immediately connecfted 
 with the life of Bernard, I will give it a 
 place here, becaufe it concerns the general 
 hlftory of the Troubadours, and the cuf- 
 toms which belonged to thefe early ages. 
 The fadt is related as follows ; 
 
 B 7 <* One
 
 6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 One day Ebles came to Poitiers, and 
 entered the palace when the Count was 
 at table; the latter ordered his fervants, 
 with all difpatch to make ready a dinner 
 for his gueft. Great was the preparation, 
 and it was necefTary to wait. Ebles grow- 
 ing impatient with this delay — 1 ruly, 
 faid he, a Count of your importance 
 9Ught not to be obliged to fend orders to 
 his kitchen, for the reception of a little 
 Vifcount like myfelf. — The obfervation 
 pafled unnoticed ; but fome days atter, 
 the Lord of Ventadour being returned to 
 his caftle, the Count of Poitou came 
 thither, at the hour of dinner, followed 
 by a hundred Knights. 
 
 The Vifcount got up from table, fuf- 
 peding that William meant to take him 
 by furprlze, and thus revenge himfelf 
 for the freedom he had been guilty of ^ 
 for they lived in a pleafant familiarity 
 with each other. After the firfl: greeting 
 was palled, Ebles, with an air of indif- 
 ference,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 7 
 
 ierence, commanded his fcrvants to bring 
 in water to wafh ; immediately the table 
 was covered with didics, and fo great was 
 •the number, as learcclv to be paralleled 
 at the marriage feafl of a Prince. It hap- 
 pened fortunately to be the miarket-day at 
 Ventadour, and the fubjeds of the Vif- 
 count had brought in all forts of game 
 and wild-fowl to the caflle. Nor was this 
 ^11 J towards evening, a pcafant, unknown 
 to his Lord, cauie into the court-yard» 
 with a cart drawn by oxen, and cried out 
 with a loud voice, Let the attendants of 
 the Count of Poltou behold in w^hat man- 
 ner they give white bread at the caflle of 
 Ventadour. He then knocked off the 
 hoops of a large barrel, with which his 
 cart w^as loaded, and there rolled out a 
 prodigious quantity of loaves as white as 
 wax, which he left on the place as a thing 
 of little value. Tht Vifcount, to recom- 
 penfe a man who had ferved him fo ufc- 
 fully, gave him in poffefTion the place of 
 Mahnont, where he lived, and honoured 
 
 B 4 his
 
 8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 his children with the badge of Chi- 
 valry. In all times vanity has been the 
 great fpring of human affairs; and in 
 this age the Princes and great Lords 
 piqued themfelves on a profufion which 
 favoured more of parade than hofpitality, 
 and their fubje61:s confidered it as a point 
 of honour to aid them herein on all occa- 
 fions of public and private feftivity. 
 
 In this magnificent houfe of the Vif- 
 count, Bernard was educated, and his 
 talents rendered him dear to his Lord. 
 The wife of Ebles, who was beautiful 
 and witty, foon became the only fubje£l: 
 of his verfe. She was young and lively, 
 and a dangerous object for Bernard, who 
 found a more tender fentiment than admi- 
 ration taking place in his heart : he thus 
 unfolds the progrefs of his love : 
 
 '* I CANNOT hide from myfelf the 
 anxiety of my foul, but by feigned mirth 
 and fong I can at leafl conceal it from 
 
 others. 
 
 >>
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 9 
 
 others.** Sometimes he fung the return 
 of fpring reftoring verdure to tlie trees, 
 to the meadows, the enamel of the flowers, 
 and melody of voice to the nightingale. 
 Sometimes he celebrated the power of 
 love, the delights and the torments of 
 a violent paffion, the infidelity or the im- 
 prudence of men, the Inconftancy and ca- 
 price of women ; vain efforts thefe, as he 
 confeffes, to difguife his feelings ! 
 
 ** It Is love infpires my pen ; its pene- 
 trating influence embelliflies my fong : 
 lovers alone can charm the ear and touch 
 the heart ; the heart is the feat of love !" 
 And fpeaking of falfe lovers, he fays, 
 " Why has not providence branded them 
 with an outward mark of reproach ! " 
 
 Respect, and the fear of difpleafing, 
 kept Bernard a long time from declaring 
 his paffion ; at lafl: he took courage, and 
 met with nothing but difdain from the 
 Vifcountefs, which gave rife to many la- 
 
 menations ;
 
 lo THE HISTORY OF 
 
 mentations ; yet he exhorts his heart to 
 perfevere, from the example of water, 
 which, falling drop by drop on a ftone^ 
 penetrates into it at laft. 
 
 '' While the feafons return in regular 
 variety, and one year gives place to an- 
 other, I continually languilh : my ftate is 
 ever the fame ; I feel the inquietudes of 
 love alone, yet its fufferings are dear to 
 me. I figh without ceafing, and am never 
 heard ! When love is not mutual, what 
 does it avail ? I appear gay, but anguifh 
 deftroys my heart. My penitence pre- 
 cedes my fm— I will fmg no more— I will 
 depart from hence— No, I will Ray— My 
 conftancy will, perhaps, touch the dear 
 objea from whom, in vain, J attempt to 
 fly." At laft, being one day feated by 
 the Vifcountefs, under the fhade of a 
 large oak, he received a kifs, which he 
 compared to the lance of Achilles, alone 
 capable of curing the wound it had made. 
 It was in the middle of winter, but it ap- 
 peared
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. ii 
 
 peared to him the delightful month of 
 May, when the fpring (hines forth with 
 all its frefhnefs and delight. Bernard, 
 thus encouraged, became lefs difcreet, and 
 had the imprudence to name the Vif- 
 countefs in one of his pieces. His pafTion 
 for her came to the ear of Ebles, who 
 confined his wife, and turned the poet out 
 of doors, with an exprefs command never 
 more to be feen in any of his territories. 
 The unhappy Troubadour had only one 
 confolation, that he left his heart an hoftage 
 with the lady of his love. Such a poet as 
 Bernard could not fail of an afylum in an 
 age enthufiaftically fond of gallant poetry. 
 
 He found one in the Court of the 
 Duchefs of Normandy ; this was Eleanor 
 of Guienne, who, after her divorce from 
 Lewis the Seventh of France, was married 
 in 1 152 to Henry Duke of Normandy, 
 afterwards Henry the Second, King of 
 England. This Princefs, too well known 
 by her gallantries, received Bernard with 
 
 great
 
 12 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 great refpecfl. He paints Eleanor, in 
 one of his fongs, as a lady of whom he is 
 unworthy ; neverthelefs, adds he, ihe ap- 
 proves my writings, and fhe can read 
 them. To read was not a common ac- 
 quifition,even among the great, in this age. 
 
 Eleanor foon after departed for Eng- 
 land ; and the poet, touched with the re- 
 colledion of her, writes thus to his friend : 
 
 <* Why cannot I cut the air like the 
 fwallow, and offer my heart at her feet, 
 to whom I addrefs my verfe ! Every morn- 
 ing I am awakened by the nightingale ; 
 with his tender fong he revives the image 
 of my love; and I prefer the foothing 
 thoughts he infpires, to the fvvTet refrefh- 
 ment of fleep." 
 
 From the Court of Normandy he went 
 to that of Raimond, Count ofTholoufe, 
 firnamed the Good, and remained there 
 till the death of that Prince in 1194. 
 
 This
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 13 
 
 This was R almond the Fifth, the cele- 
 brated protedtor of the Troubadours. 
 
 One piece of his alone is hfftorical ; in 
 it he exhorts the Emperor, Frederick the 
 Firft, to punifli the people of Milan for 
 their revolt. Frederick a£ted agreeable to 
 this advice, for Milan was taken and 
 burnt in 1163. 
 
 In one of his pieces, written in the 
 form of a dialogue, Peyrols afks him how 
 he can refift the voice of the nightingale 
 inviting him to fing ? 
 
 " I WOULD rather fleep, he replied ; love 
 is a folly of which I am cured, and love 
 alone infpires the mufe. Neither Queen 
 nor Duchefs can now tempt me to love ! 
 I would even refufe the Countefs of Pro- 
 vence, the lady of Saluces, and her 
 charming fifter Beatrice of Viennois." He 
 had poffibly at this time formed the de- 
 fign of retreating from the world ; nor is 
 
 It
 
 14 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 it wonderful that a life fpent In gallant 
 poetry, and in a Court, fliould have this 
 conclufion. After the death of Raimond 
 the Fifth, his patron, he retired to the 
 Abbey of Dalon in Limoufin, and there 
 ended his days. 
 
 RICHARD I. King of England. 
 
 T T will aftonifh many to find among 
 the Troubadours, a King, whom the 
 hiftorians fpeak of only as a fierce war- 
 rior, and a debauched and avaricious 
 tyrant. His poetic talents were concealed 
 under his martial enterprizes and his ads 
 of oppreflion. Charles the Ninth of 
 France, though he wrote fome good poems, 
 is not known as a poet ; but the malTacre 
 of St. Bartholomew will perpetuate his 
 name with infamy. 
 
 Rich-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. i^ 
 
 Richard, the fon and fucceObr of Hen- 
 ry the Second, of the houfe of Anjou and 
 Plantagenet, had been made Count of 
 Poitou in 1 174. Here the provencal 
 poetry flourifhed, and he had time to tafte 
 and to cultivate its beauties : a liberal and 
 magnificent patron of the Troubadours, 
 he drew many of them to his Court, and, 
 in amufing himfelf with their compofi- 
 tions, he learnt to imitate them ; but he 
 could hardly be fiiid to be infpired with 
 love, for martial rage was predominant 
 in his writings. Two of his pieces are 
 very interefting, as they relate to hiftory 
 and to his private misfortunes. The third 
 Crufade to the Holy Land was a fource 
 of multiplied diftrefles to Richard. He 
 went thither in the year 1191, with Phi- 
 lip Auguftus i on his return, the following 
 year, after manifefling prodigies of bra- 
 very, as ufelefs as brilliant, he was ihip- 
 wrecked on the coaft of Iflria; from hence 
 he purfued his route, difguifcd like a pil- 
 grim, through the dominions of Leopold, 
 
 Duke
 
 i6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Duke of Auftria ; but he was difcovered 
 and taken prifoner by that Prince. A 
 quarrel that had happened between them 
 at the fiege of Acre, had rendered them 
 implacable enemies to each other. Rich- 
 ard had ordered the colours, which Leo- 
 pold had fet up on a tower which he had 
 taken, to be pulled down and trodden 
 under foot. The Duke feized this occa- 
 lion of revenging himfelf for the infult 
 he had received. Henry the Sixth, Em- 
 peror of the houfe of Suabia, was not 
 lefs enraged againfl: Richard. He had 
 made an alliance with Tancred, who had 
 wrefted the crown of Sicily from Henry ; 
 and he, therefore, defired Leopold to 
 commit this illuftrious prifoner to his 
 cuftody. He treated him with indignity, 
 and gave him his liberty, at the end of 
 eighteen months, only on condition of 
 paying a hundred and fifty thoufand 
 marks of filver, the third of which (hould 
 be for the Duke of Auftria. 
 
 Nothing
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 17 
 
 Nothing couM be more fingular than 
 the manner of difcovering the tituation of 
 King Richard, and which Fauchet relates 
 from an ancient chronicle. 
 
 A MINSTREL, called Blondel, who owed 
 his fortune to Richard, animated with 
 tendernefs towards his iiluftrioiis mafter, 
 was refolved to go over the w^orld till he 
 had difcovered the deftiny of this prince. 
 He had already traverfed Europe, and 
 was returning through Germany, when 
 talking one day at Lintz, in Auflria with 
 the inn-keeper, in order to make this dif- 
 covery, he learnt that there was near the 
 city, at the entrance of a forefl:* a llrong 
 and ancient caRle, in which there was a 
 prifoner who was guarded with great care. 
 A fecret impulfe perfuaded Blondel that 
 this prifoner was Richard; he went im- 
 mediately to the caftle, the fight of which 
 made him tremble ; he got acquainted 
 with a peafant, who went often there to 
 carry provifion ; queilioned and offered 
 
 C him
 
 1 8 THE IIISTOPvY '^F 
 
 him a confiderable fuin to declare who it 
 was that was fhut up there ; but the good 
 man, though he readily told all he knew, 
 was ignorant both of the name and the 
 quality of the prifoner. He could only 
 inform him^ that he was watched with 
 the mofl: exadl attention, and was fufFered 
 no communication with any one, but the 
 keeper of the caftle and his fervants. He 
 add.d, that the prifoner had no other 
 amufement than looking over the country, 
 through a fmall grated window, which 
 ferved alfo for the light that glimmered 
 into his apartment. 
 
 He told him that this caflle was a hor- 
 rid abode; that the (lair-cafe and the 
 apartments were black with age ; and fo 
 dark, that at noon-day it was ncceffary 
 to have lighted flambeaux to find the way 
 along them. Ilondel liftened with eager 
 attention, and meditated feveral ways of 
 coming at the prifoner, but all in vain. 
 At laft, when he found that from the 
 
 height
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 19 
 
 Irciglit and narrowncfs of tlic window he 
 c ould not get a fight of his dear maftcr, 
 for he firmly believed it was him, he be- 
 thought himfelf of a French fong, t!ie 
 laH; couplet of which had been compofcd 
 by Richard, and the firfi: by himfelf. 
 After he had fung, with a loud and har- 
 monious voice, the firfl: part, he fuddcnly 
 flopped, and heard a voice, Vvhich came 
 from the caftle-window, continue and finifli 
 the fong, Tranfported with joy, he was 
 now allured it was the King his raaRer, 
 who was confip.ed in this difmal caftle. 
 The chronicle adds, that one of the keep- 
 er's fervants falling fick, he hired himfelf 
 to him, and thus made himfelf known 
 to Richard ; and informing his nobles, 
 with all pofnblc expedition, of the fitua- 
 tion of their monarch, he w^as rcleafcd 
 from his confinement on paying a large 
 ranfom. 
 
 Whether this anecdote be true or 
 falfc, it is curious enough to be included 
 
 C 2 among
 
 20 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 among the extraordinary events of Ri- 
 chard's life. During the captivity of this 
 monarch, his amhitious rival, Philip 
 / iiguflus, employed his utmoft fkill to 
 ruin him; for this purpofe he raifed up 
 againll- him his brother, John Lack-land, 
 who took from Richard feveral places in 
 Normandy, though the pofleffions, as well 
 as the perfons of the Cruladers, fliould 
 have been held inviolable. At the fame 
 time the vafTals of the imprifoned King 
 fliewed little zeal for his deliverance. On 
 the view of his calamities, Richard com- 
 pofed the following piece in prifon. 
 
 " No prifoner can fpeak of his fate 
 without grief of foul. If he would charm 
 away his trouble, he mult compofe a 
 fong. Small is the benefit he receives 
 ; though he may have many friends : they 
 may v/ell blulh, when they refied they 
 have left me in prifon two years, through 
 negled of paying my ranfom. And know, 
 my Barons of England, Normandy, Gaf- 
 
 coignca
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 21 
 
 colgne, and Poitou, that there was not 
 the loweft and mofl: mifcrahle of my com- 
 panions in adverfity, vvhofe deliverance I 
 would not have purchafcd. I mean not 
 by this to reproach them, but 1 am Hill 
 a prifoner. — It is too true, the dead have 
 neither friends nor parents ; like fuch [ 
 am abandoned, for the fake of a little 
 filver and gold. I fuffer from my misfor- 
 tunes, but I grieve flill more for the hard 
 hearts of my fubje6ls ! what a refledion 
 will It be on them, fliould 1 die in this 
 long captivity. Well may 1 be troubled ! I 
 know that the King my Lord ravages my 
 land, notwithftanding the oath we took 
 for the common fafety ! Chail and 
 Penfavin, my minflrels and my friends ! 
 you whom I have loved, and whom I fhall 
 ever love ! by your fongs inform my 
 enemies they will obtain fmall glory i;i 
 attacking me : that 1 have never been per- 
 fidious to them ; and they will cover 
 themfelves v/ith everlading infamy, if thcv 
 make war upon me while I am in prifon. 
 
 C ^ Couutefs
 
 zz THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Countefs of Solr, Heaven prefcrve your 
 fovefeignty, and that 1 reclaim, and for 
 which I am heM. a prifoner." 
 
 Richard \Tas no fooner at liberty thaiT 
 ke determined to revenge himfelf on Phi- 
 lip Auguftus, for the ravages the latter 
 had made on his dominions. He took up 
 arms againfl: him in 1195; little fangui- 
 narv expeditions fucceeded one another 
 rapidly, without any confiderable event, 
 and a peace was foon concluded, for want 
 of refources, on both fides. The Dau* 
 phin of Auvergne, and the Count Gui^ 
 his coufm, were very uneafy under the 
 governm.ent of a prince fo ambitious and 
 cruel as Philip. Some coaquefts he had 
 lately made, and the rich town of IfToire,. 
 , which he had feized, prefaged to them. 
 many future calamities. 
 
 Richard renewing the war ngainfl 
 Philip, eafiiy excited their rcfcntmenS 
 againpL him, and promiied, if they would- 
 
 d£.clare
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 23 
 
 declare tliemfclves openly on his fide, to 
 fiirnilh them with arms and horfes : this 
 brought upon them a terrible vengeance; 
 for by the peace that followed, they were 
 deprived of all fuccour from Richard. 
 The King of France immediately fell up- 
 on Auvergne, and put all the inhabitants 
 to fire and fword : too weak to refift him, 
 they obtained a truce for five months. 
 Count Gui went to England, to fummoii 
 Richard to the performance of his pro- 
 mife, but he received only proofs of dif- 
 dain. He returned in defpair, and fiib- 
 mitted v^ith the Dauphin to the hardeft 
 conditions. 
 
 War was again renewed between the 
 two Kings. Philip Auguftus anticipated 
 the purpofes of his enemy, by carrying 
 devartation into his lands. Richard paucs 
 the fea ; folicits the Dauphin and the 
 Count to renew their alliance with him ; 
 but not being able to engage them, thus 
 
 writes. 
 
 C 4 *' D->i'PI!:n^
 
 Z4 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " Dauphin, and you Count Qui, an- 
 fwer mc ? What is become of the martial 
 ardour which (hone forth in you, when we 
 were leagued againfi the common enemy ? 
 You gave me your faith, and you have 
 kept it as the wolf did with the fox, whom 
 you refembie in the colour of your hair, 
 as well as the difpofition of your hearts. 
 You have failed to fuccour me, in the fear 
 of not being well paid for your fervices; 
 for you know there is no money at Chi- 
 non *. You feek the alliance of a King, rich, 
 valiant, and faithful to his word. You' 
 fear my cowardice, and my avarice ; it is 
 this which carries you to the other fide. 
 Remember the adventure of Iflbire ; are 
 you content with the lofs of that place ? 
 Will you raife foldiers to revenge that 
 ufurpation ? However you aft. King Ri- 
 chard, his ftandard raifed, will prove him- 
 fclf a brave enemy. I have feen you for- 
 merly delight in magnificence j but now 
 
 *" The fubfidies were to be paid at Chinon, in 
 Touraine ; this is all irony, 
 
 the
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 25 
 
 the ambition of building yourfelves ftrong 
 caftles, has caufed you to abandon gallan- 
 try and the ladies ; and you have forfaken 
 courts and tournaments. Guard your- 
 felves againft the French, for they want 
 probity as much as the Lombards. 
 
 <« Go, my fong, to Auvergne, tell 
 the two counts from me, that if they 
 will remain in peace, God be with them ! 
 Of what confequence is the faithleflhefs 
 of an inferior ! Ought we to depend on 
 the word of a groom ! the event will 
 prove they have taken the wrong fide." 
 
 Such pieces as thefe will be always in- 
 terefting ; rough as is the fimplicity with 
 which they are marked, they paint the 
 manner of the age as naturally as the 
 converfations of Homer ; and of an age 
 comparable in many inflances to the he- 
 roic periods of Greece ; and the poet be- 
 ing himfelf the adlor in them, gives a 
 
 particular
 
 2b THE HISTORY OF 
 
 particular value to thefe monuments of 
 antiquity. > 
 
 The Dauphin of Auvergne was alfo a 
 Troubadour, and he anfwers Richard with 
 the fame Irony in the following piece. 
 
 ' *''King: Since you fing of me, you 
 have alfo found your minftrel I You in- 
 .fpire me with fo much dread, that I muft 
 needs perform all you pleafe to prefer ibe: 
 but I forwarn you, if hereafter you fuf- 
 rfer your own provinces to be invaded, do 
 not come and ravage mine. I am not a 
 crowned King ; I have not refources fuf- 
 ficient to defend my territories againft a 
 Lord fo powerful as mine : but you, 
 whom the perfidious Tartar dread more 
 than a lion ! you, King, Duke of Nor- 
 mandy, Count of Anjou! how come you 
 to fufFer them to detain Gifors *. 
 
 ■■* Philip AiigufTus had feized this flrong caftle 
 -in Normandv, 
 
 (S 
 
 Was
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 27 
 
 •' Were I to pledge my faith to you, I 
 own I fhould commit a folly. You have 
 given to my coufiii Guy and myfelf fo 
 many horfcs, worth a thoufand gold pence, 
 fo many cQerlings of a great weight * ; our 
 foldiers fwear to be faithful to you as long 
 as you are {o liberal to them. You have 
 abandoned me f]:iamefully ! though to 
 your face I proved my valour. You ac- 
 cufe me of wanting bravery; and I declare 
 that I am ftill valiant enough to wait 
 firmly for my enemies, between Pui and 
 Aubufibn, who are neither flaves nor 
 Jews. — Brave and honoured Lord, you 
 once befriended and ferved me ; if you 
 •had not changed your condud, I fliould 
 ever have remained your faithful ally. 
 Make yourfelf eafy^ ray King, who is 
 alfo yours, will reftore to me Iflbire ; I 
 have his letters of promife. I am defirous 
 of your friendfliip, but the example of 
 
 * The Englifli money was in cflcrlingsas that 
 of France in pounds, from whence came the 
 phrafe of pounds (lerling. 
 
 the
 
 28 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 the Count of Angouleme deters me : you 
 have lo well paid the honours he rendered 
 you ; you have been fo generous toward 
 him, that he has ever fince forbore to 
 trouble you. King, you fhall behold me 
 a6t like a brave Knight : the love of a 
 lady, whofe will I adore, Ihall excite my 
 courage." 
 
 Such quarrels as thefe were common 
 between the Kings of thefe times and 
 their Lords. Their bravados againft their 
 fovereigns were not at all furprifing, but 
 were the natural confequence of the feu- 
 dal fyftem, which placed them on a level 
 with each other ; and they were flill more 
 excited againft a foreign Prince, when 
 they had for their fuppor t and their Lord 
 a King like Philip Auguftus. Richard 
 was the vidim of his fiery temper, in a 
 particular conteft with a gentleman of 
 Limofm, his vaffal, whom he would ob- 
 lige to refign to him a treafure found in 
 his lands. Pie befieged the caille of Cha- 
 
 lus,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 29 
 
 lus, in 1 199, and was pierced with an ar- 
 row, of which he died. 
 
 PONS DE CAPDUEIL- 
 
 POns de Capdueil was a rich 
 Baron, in the diocefe of Pui, and 
 united, fays the hi dorian of his life, the 
 advantages of figure, valour, and eloquence, 
 the manners of an agreeable and gallant 
 man, and a genius for poetry and mufic. 
 
 He was only charged with too great ceco- 
 nomy, which feems a very unjuft accufa- 
 tion, from the account given of his fplen- 
 did entertainments, and the manner of 
 employing his wealth. 
 
 The great Lords made a magnificent 
 appearance, and ruined themfelves by their 
 prodigality j and Capdueil wifhed perhaps 
 
 to
 
 30 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 to ihine like others, without involving 
 himfelf in their difHcultie&. 
 
 He therefore regulated his domeftic 
 charges with luch prudence, as enabled 
 him with eafe to fupply his extraordinary 
 expences. It is not furprifmg he was 
 blamed for this vv'ife management, in an 
 age wherein excefs in every thing obtain- 
 ed the admiration of the public. 
 
 This Troubadour poffeffed the true^ 
 manners of chivalry ; and he rendered his 
 gallantries famous, without exceeding the 
 bounds of modefty. 
 
 AzALAis, the daughter of Bernard d* 
 Andufe, a Lord of great diftindlion in 
 Provence, and the wnfe of Noifil de Mer- 
 ccEur, Baron of Auvergne, was the lady 
 to whom he devoted his fervices : the feafts 
 he made for her were fo many grand 
 courts, to which all the nobility reforted 
 
 in crowds. 
 
 Tour-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. -ji 
 
 o 
 
 Tournaments rendered tliefe affcm- 
 blles more brilliant, where Azalais and 
 Capdueil were celebrated in mufic and in 
 fong: the Baron of Mcrcccur himfelf af- 
 fifled at thefe gallant Ipedacles ; fo that 
 they might be juftly fuppofed not only ir- 
 reproachable, but honourable. 
 
 Such romantic love, however, being 
 full of fantaflic ideas, muft ever be fub- 
 je£t to whim and caprice ; thus it hap- 
 pened to Capdueil. After having long 
 poffefTed the good graces of Azala'is, and 
 cultivated her favour by many fplendid 
 feafts, in which fhe took great delight, 
 he fufpecls that her love refults only from 
 the diverfions he has procured her : tor- 
 mented by this fecret jealoufy, he becomes 
 unjuft, and infenfible to every proof of 
 kindnefs from Azalais, and he thinks of 
 nothing but trying a heart, where he de- 
 fires to reign with all the ardour of a pure 
 difintcreilcd love. 
 
 To
 
 32 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 To effect this, he retires Into another 
 part of Provence, and attaches himfelf to 
 the Vifcoimtefs of Marfeille, the wife of 
 
 Rofcelin, Vifcount of Marfeille. He flat- 
 tered himfelf that the Baronefs of Mer- 
 coeur, inconfolable for this change, would 
 exprefs her grief, if he was really belov- 
 ed ; and then he fhould return with joy, 
 and renew his court to her : and that if it 
 happened otherwife, it was a certain proof 
 he was not the object of her love. 
 
 When the Baronefs knew fhe had a 
 rival, believing herfelf negleded, and her 
 Knight difloyal, flie refolved to forget him, 
 and forbade them to pronounce his name 
 before her; and, if by accident he was 
 mentioned, a dlfdainful filence evinced the 
 fentiments of her heart. At laft, to di- 
 vert her chagrin, fhe gave herfelf up to 
 all kinds of diverfions. 
 
 Capdueil, who waited in vain for re- 
 proaches from AzalaYsj fought informa- 
 tion
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 33 
 
 tion of her by his friends, and what im- 
 prefTion his retreat had made on her mind. 
 Their anfwer only fharpened his grief. 
 Impatient to repair his fault, he returned, 
 and wrote to requeft grace of the Ba- 
 ronefs. — No anfwer. — He wrote again, 
 with the moft humble fubmlfTion, be- 
 feechlng he might vindicate hlmfclf, and 
 refufing no punifliment of which he might 
 be judged worthy. No anfwer flill. He 
 then fends a fonnet, as a pledge of his 
 feelings. 
 
 *' You have perceived only levity and 
 inconftancy in my retreat, while it pro- 
 ceeded from an excefs of love. I willied 
 to prove the effedl of my abfence on your 
 heart : I was to blame to make fuch a trial 
 of your love ! what a grief was it to me, 
 you expreffed no concern at my caprice ; 
 but vou are as far diftant from freedom 
 as ever, for nothing can feparate me from 
 you." 
 
 D To
 
 34 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 To this fonnet, wliich proved little ef- 
 fedual, fuccceded another, expreffing the 
 fame feelings, but which was equally un- 
 fuccefsfuL 
 
 Our mlferable Troubadour, at laft, 
 employed a furer method ; he applied to 
 three ladies of diftinQion, by whofe me- 
 diation and intreaties he w^as again receiv- 
 ed into favour ; and he vows never more 
 to v^ander from the true path of love. 
 
 KiS fidelity was not put to the proof, 
 for death took Azalais from him -, and in 
 an elegy on her he fays, that the angels 
 of Paradife are employed in fingln"- her 
 praife. Grief penetrates his foul 1 his 
 hopes are all vanifhed ! he will fing no 
 more — he renounces love for ever. 
 
 Depiuved of the object of his affec- 
 tion, and plunged in the deepeft uiRrefs, 
 Capdueil turns monk, and devotes himfelf 
 to the cultivation of thofe pious fenti- 
 
 mentSj
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 35 
 
 ments, which can alone fill up the void 
 the pafiTions leave in the foul. 
 
 The misfortunes attendant upon love, 
 have often infpired a tafte for the cloifter ; 
 but a Knight in this age could fignalize 
 his devotion without quitting the world ; 
 for it was the age of the crufades. Not 
 content with taking the crofs, this Trou- 
 badour became a zealous preacher in favour 
 of the holy war ; and two of his pieces 
 have this for their objedt : in one of them 
 he fays, that the Vicar of St. Peter * has 
 fent abfolution by his Cardinals and Le- 
 gates, in virtue of the power which he 
 has received, to remit the fins of the 
 whole world. 
 
 He therefore urges the Chrldlans to 
 obey the exhortations to the crufade, and 
 to go and punilh the outrages of the 
 Turks, againfl: the Koly Land. 
 
 * Why he calls the Pope vicar, inftead of the 
 fuccefibr of St. Peter, is doubtful. 
 
 D 2 He
 
 36 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 He affares them, that on taking the 
 crofs, the crimes of finners (hall be wafh- 
 ed away, without being obliged to em- 
 brace the monaftic ftate. He promifes 
 Paradife to thofe who ga ; but the pains- 
 of hell to thofe who ftay behind : he ex- 
 cepts only the fick and aged, and they 
 are to give money to the crufaders, to 
 nm about Afia, fword in hand j to turn 
 jiriefts, or pay them well. This alone, ac- 
 cording to Capdueil, will gain heaven > 
 or fave from hell. Into what an abyfs of 
 error may the mind of man be driven, by 
 a weak blind credulity ! 
 
 In fine, this Troubadour exhorts the 
 Kings of France and England to make 
 peace with each other ; adding, that 
 whichever of them fets the example firft, 
 he fliall be mofl: honoured, and receive a 
 heavenly crown. 
 
 The wars of Philip Auguflus, and of 
 Henry, were a fcandal to all Europe j for 
 
 i
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 37 
 
 all its powers were united in the lioly 
 war. Thefe two Kings facrificed their ani- 
 mofities in 1180, to take the crofs toge- 
 ther ; fo much influence had the public 
 opinion in this caufe, even on crowned 
 heads. 
 
 Pons de Capdueil accompanied his 
 -exhortations with his example, for he died 
 in the third crufade. 
 
 
 ARNAUD DE MARVEIL. 
 
 A 
 
 Rnaud de Marveil wac born in the 
 caftle of that name, in Perigoid. 
 His parents being in a low condition, and 
 unable to provide for liim, he fought to 
 make his fortune by his talents. 
 
 At firft he embraced the profefPionof 
 a clerk, or notary ; but he foon perceived, 
 that with a good figure, and a tafte for 
 poetry, he might fuftain a charader more 
 
 D 3 ad van-
 
 38 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 advantageous and agreeable. Difgufled 
 with his prefent employment, he there- 
 fore determined to ufher himTelf into the 
 world as a Troubadour, the only way of 
 being diflinguifhed among the great. 
 
 Ambition, and a view of intered-, 
 might perhaps unite with his genius, and 
 fpur him on to this determination. 
 
 The great Lords of thefe times lived 
 like Princes, and their caftles were fo 
 many courts of luxurious and fplendid en- 
 tertainments. 
 
 Adelaide, Countefs of Bezlers, above 
 all others, attracted the homage of our 
 poet. She was the daughter of Raimond 
 the Fifth, Count of Thouloufe, and the 
 wife of Roger the Second, furnanied Tail- 
 lifer, Vifcount of Beziers. 
 
 According to the cuftom of this age, 
 women retained the title of the houle they 
 
 de-
 
 . THE TROUBADOURS. 39 
 
 defcendedfrom, when that of their hufbands 
 was of an inferior rank (and it is flill fo 
 in England and Germany) ; from whence 
 the wife of this Vifcount had the title of 
 Countefs. 
 
 To be well received by PrincefTcs, to 
 celebrate them at firfl: from gratitude, and 
 then from paffion, feems to have been the 
 deftiny of a great nimiber of Trouba- 
 dours, and was the efte£l of that charm 
 which the Proven9al mufe infpired. Thus 
 it happened to /\rnaud ; and his pieces 
 chiefly contain the hidory of his love, as 
 the following lines are a proof. 
 
 *' I FORESAW' not that I fliould fo dear- 
 ly pay for the pleafure I have obtained, in 
 the view of fo much grace and beauty. 
 Of that proverb I am a fatal proof, He 
 that would be warmed, fiiall burn. 1 love 
 wivhout daring to confefs my pafTion. — I 
 behold myfelf condem.ned to fly her, whom 
 I adore j for fliould my eyes letrav the 
 
 D 4. fecret,
 
 40 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fecret, my temerity would appear to her 
 unpardonable. But my heart is a faith- 
 ful mirrour, in which I ever behold and 
 contemplate her charms ; and in every 
 thing around me is this beloved objedt 
 painted. The frefhnefs of the air, the 
 enamel of the meadows, the brightnefs 
 of the flowers, each reminds me of fome 
 beauty fhe poffefies, and invite me to 
 fing her pralfe. 
 
 *' Thanks to the exaggeration of 
 others ; I can extol her as Ihe deferves, 
 without publifhing the objedl of my love. 
 I can aver fhe is the mod beautiful lady in 
 
 the univerfe." 
 
 But though the poet difguifed his 
 own name, and fpoke of the Countefs al- 
 legorically, he wifhed to be underftood; 
 and he perceived Adelaide was flattered 
 by his verfe j he therefore compofed an- 
 other piece, the objed of which was appa- 
 rent. 
 
 Adelaide,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 41 
 
 Adelaide, (o far from being difpleaf- 
 cd, honoured him with a magnificent ha- 
 bit * ; and fhe confented to be the heroine 
 of his fong. There was a great refem- 
 blance between the Knights and the > 
 Troubadours- Each devoted themfelves 
 to the glory of their ladies ; the latter as 
 poets, the former as heroes. At firft their 
 addrefles were innocent ; but the praife 
 that fucceeded, often arofe to profanation ; 
 and the event fometimes proved difho- 
 nourable. 
 
 The mind, too prone to recede from 
 that virtue which is its only flability, needs 
 not the impulfe of vanity and unlawful 
 pafTion, to undermine its facred influence. 
 We learn this important truth from the 
 behaviour of Arnaud ; being allowed a 
 more intimate approach to Adelaide, his 
 paflion increafes, and though he cannot 
 
 * Cloaths, money, horfes, and arms, were the 
 ufual gifts of the great, proportioned to their rank, 
 and the merit of thofe they wifhed to oblige. 
 
 captivate
 
 42 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 captivate her heart, he nourlfhes a vain 
 and fruitlefs hope, from the favour with 
 which (he treats him. Thefe fond and 
 unworthy imaginations were fucceeded by 
 the bitter torments they merited; and, 
 after comparing the Countef* to the maker 
 of all, he writes thus of her. 
 
 ** Lions have been moved to pity : 
 but ihe is ruthlefs." 
 
 The King of Caflile, Alphonfo the 
 fourth, was Jikewife an admirer of Ade- 
 la'ide, and he conHdered Arnaud as a dan- 
 gerous rival. To pleafe this monarch, 
 the Countefs difm.ilTed the Troubadour; 
 and, to foften his chagrin, forbade him 
 to love her more. Withdrawing himfelf 
 to the Lord of Montpelier, he preferves 
 his tendernefs for Adelaide, and thus ex- 
 prefies its bitter efFeds en his heart. 
 
 " Say not, ye interpreters of the mind, 
 that the foul is only touched by the in- 
 tervention
 
 ; 
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 43 
 
 tervention of the eyes. I no longer be- 
 hold the objc(ft of my love, yet am I 
 more affeded than ever with contemplat- 
 ing her charms ! They may banifli mc 
 from her prefcnce, but they can never 
 banlfli her from my heart. Blefl abodes, 
 where (lie inhabits ! when fiiall I be per- 
 mitted to view you again ! 
 
 *' Shall I never more behold a mor- 
 tal who has rejoiced in her prcfence. A 
 fhepherd from her caftle would be receiv- 
 ed by me with the acclamations of a 
 prince. Why can I not be immiured in a 
 defert, and meet her there ? then would 
 that defert be to me a Paradife !" 
 
 The tender nefs of the lover was tranf- 
 formeu, by degrees, into gloom and feve- 
 rity. He accufes thofe who were her pro- 
 testors, of becoming his enemies ; and, 
 inftead of foftening his misfortunes, of 
 abandoning him to the rigour of his cruel 
 fats. 
 
 *' Therf
 
 44 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ** There is nothing left in the world 
 worth living for," fays he. " Neither 
 lovers nor friends do I poifefs ! This is 
 the true hiftory of the human mind, 
 when it wanders from reafon, it is loft 
 both to itfelf and others ! Happy, if in 
 this extremity its indifcretions conduct to 
 wifdom; and, if often having been the 
 fport of the paflions, experience refleds 
 the light of virtue." 
 
 The laft piece of Arnaud proves this 
 was the calm and happy ftate of mind he 
 obtained in his latter years ; and in it he 
 philofophizes juftly on the character and 
 conduct of men. 
 
 He advifes men of underRandino: to 
 
 o 
 
 communicate their knowlege liberally ; 
 he exhorts to the fear of God j and to that 
 juft dillindion of the moral charaders of 
 men, that will lead to a juft behaviour to- 
 wards them ; will teach the proper feafons 
 
 for
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 45 
 
 for every adlon, and the equitable appli- 
 cation of cenfure and of praife. 
 
 He obferves, " That principles of ho- 
 nour do not always defcend from parents 
 to children ; and that the highefl: rank, 
 joined with the moft ample fortune, can- 
 not reflect honour on that man, who wants 
 the native excellencies of the heart. Pru- 
 dence, goodnefs, and generofity (thefe are 
 his fingular expreffions), are the keys of 
 fame; riches, authority, power, and 
 ftrcngth, are its locks ; reafon is the keep- 
 er of thefe keys, and knowlege the por- 
 ter that exhibits the glory of merit. 
 
 *^ This merit is of many kinds, and 
 various degrees ; and is differently diftri- 
 buted to the feveral characters in human 
 nature. 
 
 " The merit of a Knight is to perform 
 his exercifes with fkill, to condufl an 
 army with judgmerit, to charge with cou- 
 rage,
 
 46 THE KI6TORY OF 
 
 rage, to be well armed, to mount a horfc 
 with agility, to prefent himfelf Vs^ith grace 
 in courts, and to render himfelf agreeable 
 in company. Rarely are all thefe quali- 
 ties united ; tliofe v/ho poiTefs them in the 
 greatefl; perfection are the mod eftimable; 
 yet he who wants them all, often ufurps 
 the title of Knight. 
 
 •* Beauty, modefly, the talent of 
 charming in converfation, a graceful air 
 and polite manner, thefe are the portion 
 of the ladles. Beauty is a great advan- 
 tage ; but it becomes an evil if unaccom- 
 panied with wifdom. 
 
 " Even commoners may obtain confi- 
 deration by probity, by an obliging de- 
 portment, by gaiety, franknefs, and na- 
 tive politenefs. If they have an agreeable 
 figure, if they can converfe with eafe, 
 ihey may plcafe in courts, and be admit- 
 ted to feftivals. Among clerks, fome have 
 knowlege, eloc^uence, and good manners; 
 
 others.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 47 
 
 others, integrity and judgment : thus, in 
 each condition, men may come into no- 
 tice by their merit." 
 
 The poet concludes thefe moral obfer- 
 vations with an invedive againft the great 
 of that age, who, by the abufe of their 
 privileges, rendered themfelves worthy of 
 contempt. 
 
 " Ordained to keep the world in awe, 
 to give examples of clemency, juftice, and 
 generofity, their corruption," fays he, *' is 
 fuch, that all their dependents are doomed 
 to fervitude and oppreflion." 
 
 It Is not known when Arnaud died. 
 The Countefs of Beziers died about the 
 year 1201 ; in the laft pieces of Arnaud 
 her death is not mentioned, fo that it is 
 probable the poet died before her. 
 
 GEOFFROI
 
 48 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 GEOFFROI RUDEL. 
 
 GEoFFRoi RuDEL was Princc of 
 Blaye, a town near Bourdeaux. 
 A paffion the moft fingularly romantic dif- 
 tinguifhed this Troubadour, What the 
 Proven9al hiflorian relates of him, will no 
 doubt appear incredible ; but the ages of 
 chivalry have produced adventures no lefs 
 true than improbable. 
 
 Tripoli, in Paleftine, had been taken 
 by the Chriliians in the year 1109, and 
 ereded into an Earldom, for Bertrand of 
 Touloufe, the fon of Count Raimond- 
 Gilles. 
 
 This city was flill in the pofTelTion of 
 the Chriftians, when the fame of the 
 Countefs of Tripoli warmed the imagina- 
 tion
 
 * 
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 49 
 
 tion of GeofFrol Rudcl. From the rcprc- 
 fentation given of licr beauty, and her 
 virtue, by the pilgrims who came from 
 thence, he felt himfelf tranfportcd with 
 the moft ardent delire of beholding her; 
 he took the crofs, and embarked. 
 
 From the following $Dnnet,' love fecms 
 to have bore an equal fliare with curiofity, 
 in exciting him to this voyage. 
 
 " I ADORE an objc£l whom I have ne- 
 ver ^en; to whom I cannot exprefe my 
 own feelings, or:^licit the explanation of 
 her's. Yet f am convinced, that among 
 all the Saracen, Jewifii, and Chrlfiian 
 beauties, none can be compared with her. 
 Every night I retire to reft, my :R)ul is poS^ 
 SeSed with her image, and in enchanting 
 dreams "flie appears before me. 1 he 
 light, alas! di^pates the illudon ; and 
 the moment I awake, '0ie vaniflies away. 
 1 then reflect, fhe inhabits a foreign land, 
 and how immenfe the"fpace that "^parates 
 
 E her
 
 50 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 her from my fight. I will pierce through 
 this Ipace ! My voyage cannot be unfor- 
 tunate, for love'^fliall be my guide. The 
 beauty I adore iliall behold me, for her 
 ^ake, clad in a woollen habit, and v;ith a 
 pilgrim's tlaff. 
 
 " Ah, if for the love of God ^e 
 ^ould grant me an afylura in her palace ! , 
 No. — It will be Sufficient for my felicity 
 to be pri^ner among the Saracens. I fhall 
 then be near the happy dwelling '^e in- 
 habits ! Oh, my God, tranfport me thi- 
 ther ! Grant me only the fight of this be- 
 loved object. — It is refolved. I depart. 
 May heaven at leaiifpare my life, to con- 
 vince her what the love I feel for her has 
 caujed me to undertake, 
 
 " On my arrival, my fong fhall in- 
 form h|er of my paffion ; and, by the voice 
 of an interpreter, my verfe fhall be fung 
 before her. Such tendernefs cannot, fure- 
 ly, fail to touch her heart. Should fhe 
 
 prove
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 51 
 
 prove ruthlefs, my god-fatlier muft have 
 bcftowed on me an evil fate." 
 
 Tins obfervation, with which Geoffroi 
 concludes his fonnet, alludes to the gii'ts 
 beilowed on infants by the fairies, and 
 fhcws the antiquity of this opinion, which 
 has been tranfmlttcd by the ancient wri- 
 ters of romances. 
 
 Possessed with this ardour of foul, 
 our Troubadour failed for Paleiline ; but 
 juft as they were going to debark at Tri- 
 poli, he fell down, to all appearance dead, 
 and was laid in the frft houfe they came 
 to, by the companions of his voyage. 
 They immediately ran to inform the Coun- 
 tefs of an event, fo calculated to excite 
 her compaffion. 
 
 The aiFedlon of GcoJroi, the motive 
 and the circumftances of his voyage, and 
 his cruel defliny, juit as he touched the 
 port, penetrated a foul fo full of fenf.bi- 
 
 E 2 lity,
 
 52 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 llty, and who, unknown to herfelf, had 
 lighted up, at fuch a diflance, fo ardent 
 and wonderful a flame. 
 
 She came out immediately to behold 
 this vidim of love. Geoffroi yet breath- 
 ed. She embraces him ! He fixes his eyes 
 on her, and then lifting them up to hea- 
 ven, with joy, expires in her arms. 
 
 The Countefs had him magnificently 
 burled among the Knights-Templars, at 
 Tripoli ; and the fame day, whether 
 from grief, or piety, flie devoted herfelf 
 to the cloifler. 
 
 Though this piece has the air of a 
 romance, there is reafon to believe it is 
 founded on fad. 
 
 An ancient Proven9al record, the au- 
 thor unknown, fays exprefsly : " The 
 Vifcount Geoffroi Rudel, in pafling the 
 feas to vifit his lady, voluntarily died for 
 
 her
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 53 
 
 her fake." And this is confirmed by a 
 paflage in Petrarch. 
 
 " By the aid of fails and oars, Gcof- 
 froi Rudel obtained the death he defircd.'' 
 
 The monk of the Golden Illes had fccn 
 a dialogue on this qucftion, Which con- 
 tributed the moft powerfully to infpire 
 love, fentiment, or fight, the heart or 
 the eyes ? The author, who decided in 
 favour of fentiment, cited the example of 
 GeofTroi Rudel, with that of Andrew of 
 France. Thefe are teflimonics which 
 feem to confirm the truth of the relation. 
 
 One of the gallant pieces nfthis Trou- 
 badour, in which he thus beautifully ex- 
 prefles himfelf, remains only to be men- 
 tioned. 
 
 ** All nature fets me an example of 
 elegance and of love. The trees, when re- 
 newing their leaves, and their fruits, in- 
 
 E 3 vite
 
 54 
 
 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 vite me to adorn myfelf in my gayefi: ap- 
 parel. When I behold the nightingale 
 careffing his faithful mate, who returns 
 his tendernefs in every look, and who fo 
 delightfully warble their joys in unifon ; 
 I feel my foul penetrated with delight ; 
 I feel my heart melt with their tender love. 
 Happy birds ! you are ever at liberty to 
 exprefs what you feel ; while I languifh 
 in filence. The Hiepherds amufe them- 
 felves with their pipes, and children with 
 their little tabors. I alone rejoice not; 
 for diftant is the objed of my love. Day 
 and night a thouilmd tender thoughts 
 tranfport me to the bleft mjanfion ! When, 
 v/hifper I, my foul's delight I when fi:iall 
 I meet thee there/* 
 
 Not w I TKST AND I i^cG the tendernefs of 
 thefe pieces, Geoffrui efcaped not the 
 cenfure of the monk of Montmajour, 
 who fpeaks of him as an unpoliflied man, 
 and an enemy of the fair fex -, but the in- 
 jufiice of this charge is clearly Hiewn, 
 
 both
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. ^^ 
 
 both in his Hfe and death ; and they pre- 
 fent a ftriking leflbn to mankind, as his 
 death was probably occafioned by the vio- 
 lent agitation of his mind ; for fuch is the 
 nice contexture of the human frame, 
 that intemperance of thought is often as 
 fatal to its welfare, as intemperance of 
 body. And it is devoutly to be wifhed, 
 that the guilt of felf-murder, by the nou- 
 rifhing any fecret paffion, where doubt 
 and fear alternately diftradl the foul, had 
 never been, and was not ftill lamentably 
 verified, in characters more known, and 
 more enlightened than that of GeofFroi 
 Rudel, 
 
 E 4 GAVAU-
 
 ^6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 GAVAUDAN the ELDER. 
 
 GAvAUDAN flourifhed at the end of 
 the twelfth eentury, and his pieces 
 Gontaln fome curious remarks. He la- 
 ments, in bitter terms, the lofs of Jeru- 
 ialem, which Saladin had conquered in 
 1 1 87. The manner in which he exhorts 
 the Chriftians to make war againft the 
 infidels, is remarkable for its fimplicity of 
 ftyle, and n& lefs for the rudenefs pecu- 
 liar to the age.. 
 
 " Lord ! it is bccaufe of our fins the 
 power of the Saracens Incrcafe. Saladia 
 has taken Jerufalem, and is ftill in pofi^ef- 
 fion of it. Encouraged by this fuccefs, 
 the King of Morocco has declared, that 
 he will aiTemble all his infidels, to fight 
 the Chrifiian Kings ; he has ordered all 
 his Mcors, Arabians j and Andalufians, to 
 
 aiDi
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 57 
 
 arm againfl: the faith of Jefus Chrift. As 
 thick, and as fwift as rain will they join 
 in this caufe ; thofe carcafes, which are 
 the proper food of kites, deftroy the ver- 
 dure, and leave neither root nor bud in 
 the fields. 
 
 ** Tiie followers of the King of Mo- 
 rocco are fo puffed up with pride, that 
 they infult us with the fharpefl raillery, 
 and look upon themfelves to be mailers of 
 the whole vv^orld. 
 
 '' Hear, O Emperor, and you King 
 of France, his coufin, and you King of 
 England, Count of Poitou ; hear all, and 
 delay not your fuccour to ".he King of 
 Spain i for he is ardent in the caufe of 
 God : and in union with him you will 
 fubdue all thefe Mahometan dogs. Let us 
 not hefitate to leave our heritage and coun- 
 try, and go againft thefe renegade dogs, 
 that we may not incur damnation. 
 
 " The
 
 58 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *' The Portuguefe, Galicians, Caill- 
 lians, the people of Navarre, and the Ar- 
 ragonlans, when they fhall behold, united 
 "with you, the Englifh, the French, the 
 German Barons, the people of Cambrefis, 
 of Angevins, of Eearn, of Gafcony, Pro- 
 vence, and Bretagne, will all fide with 
 us : and reft affurtd, w^ith fuch a power, 
 we (hall cut to pieces thefe miferable 
 wretches. Then it will be feen that Ga^ 
 vaudan was a true prophet. His predic- 
 tions fliall be fulfilled ; thefe dogs fhall 
 all be maflacred ! and on thofe altars, 
 polluted by the worfhip of Mahomet, 
 God fliall be honoured and glorified.'* 
 
 Such prophecies v/ere common ; and 
 falfe as they proved, it did not lelTen the 
 confidence of enthufiafts, and the credu- 
 lity of the people. 
 
 They treated the Muffulmen like dogs ; 
 and we are now treated in the fame man- 
 ner by them. The glory of the great 
 
 Saladin
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 59 
 
 Saladin had no weight where fupcrflltlon 
 reigned ; and it is the fame in all ages 
 where ignorance and enthiifiarm prevail. 
 
 Gavaudan was furrounded with thefe 
 prejudices ; but in another piece he wrote, 
 in favour of that dark and obfcure ftyle, 
 then fo much in life, and which he aflerts 
 is the moft eftedual means of trying the 
 imderdanding of men, he makes the fol- 
 lowing admirable remark. 
 
 *' Let none blame me," fays he, *' for 
 preferring a myfterious flyle ; let none 
 ridicule on tlils account, till they are ca- 
 pable of feparating the flour from the 
 chaff; for the fool makes haac to con- 
 demn, and the ignorant only pretends to 
 know all things, and mufes in the won- 
 ders which are too mighty for his pene- 
 tration." 
 
 In another piece he inveighs again ll 
 women, and fays : '* It iseafier to guard 
 
 againft
 
 6o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 againft the waves of the fea, againft 
 flames of fire, and even againfl murderers 
 themfelves, than to be proof againfl: the 
 artifices of that fex." Their inclination to 
 libertinifm is the objecfl of his fatire, and 
 his ftyle on this occafion is very far from 
 being myfterious, or referved. But his 
 lamentation on the death of his miftrefs, 
 expreflTes a very different turn of mind. 
 
 " Insensible to all joy, dead to every 
 impreffion but that of defpair, I fhall 
 languifh out the remainder of my fad 
 days, like a turtle v^^hich hath lofl: its tender 
 mate !" 
 
 In one of his pafiorals he fpeaks of a 
 fliepherdefs, who befi:owed on him the 
 tendereft marks of affedion ; and that he 
 had been loft to himfelf in her abfence. 
 
 " I WELL knew your feelings ;" re- 
 plied the fhepherdefs, " for I have been 
 every night a ftranger to repofe ; and 
 
 what
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 6i 
 
 what have they gained, who were the 
 caufe of our feparatlon ? they are not the 
 happier ! They were cruel to part us ! 
 but we enjoy every thing ; we poffefs the 
 exquifite dehght of re-union !" Gavaudaii 
 bleffesLove, for having releafed them from 
 their cruel tyrants, and placed them again 
 in his empire. 
 
 The time of this poet's death is not 
 known. 
 
 PETER ROGIERS. 
 
 PEter Rogiers was a gentleman of 
 Auvergne; his parents had edu- 
 cated him for the church : and he was 
 made canon of Clermont. But his dif- 
 pofition was toward the world, and its 
 pleafures ; and though he was in high 
 efteem for his learning, he preferred thefe 
 pleafures to a life of ftudy and retirement. 
 
 Hf,
 
 62 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 He, therefore, forfook his canonfliip, 
 and became a Troubadour. Ermengarde, 
 the eldeft daughter of Aimeri, the fecond 
 Vifcount of Narbonne, who was killed 
 in I i34i at the battle of Fraga, in Spain, 
 againft the Saracens, was the heirefs of 
 her father, and governed his dominions 
 with as much glory as wifdom. Befides 
 the wut and the charms of an amiable 
 woman, (he had the talents of a politician, 
 and the valour of a Knight. Her merit 
 drew around her a crowd of admirers ; 
 and the poets, whom fhe honoured with 
 her favour, were not the leaf! ardent in 
 their homage towards her. 
 
 It was at the court of this renowned 
 Vifcountefs our poet fixed his refidence ; 
 and the kindnefs with which he was 
 treated merited all his acknowlegement. 
 
 Attached to Ermengarde, at firil 
 by her benevolence, fhe foon became the 
 objed of his love, as well as of his verfe. 
 
 The
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 63 
 
 The mofl: rude and iinpolifhed mind, 
 fays he, would acquire grace, if they had 
 the happinefs to converfe with this amiable 
 lady. 
 
 In the perfon of love, he exhorts him- 
 fclf to become worthy of her, by the cul- 
 tivation of every noble difpofition. He 
 fears fo much fuperiority in rank, and in 
 merit, will not deign to receive his ad- 
 drefles ; '* But hope is my fupport." 
 
 ** Senseless lovers ;" adds he, *' too 
 much ardour towards your friends, tor- 
 ments and renders you miferable. Hence 
 the quarrels you raife, and the jealoufies 
 you nourifh ; thefe render you infupport- 
 able, thefe are unworthy of love. Thofe 
 who love truly, will difdain all unfriend- 
 ly fufpicions, and will (hew their tendcr- 
 nefs by a firm reliance on their friends." 
 
 These delicate fentiments touched the 
 Vifcountefs, and fhe refufed not the de- 
 votion
 
 64 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 votion of our Troubadour. But how was 
 it poffible to efcape the malicious com- 
 ments of her courtiers. She could not 
 efcape them. Envy, jealoufy, the mofi: 
 unkind reports refounded every where, 
 and the reputation of Ermengarde was 
 wounded. 
 
 Nice of honour, and pure of heart, 
 fhe thought it incumbent on her to banifh 
 the Troubadour, on whom flie had fhower- 
 ed down her grace and favour. A reverfe 
 of fortune thefe gallant poets were ob- 
 liged often to experience. Rombaud, 
 Lord of Orange, who was himfelf a Trou- 
 badour, received the unfortunate Rogiers, 
 whofe chagrin was proportioned to his 
 lofs ; and he thus exprefles his grief. 
 
 '* I WOULD rather be the lowefl: flave 
 in the houfe of Ermengarde, than reign 
 over the whole world." 
 
 Rambaud,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 65 
 
 Rambaud, who received our Trouba- 
 dour, was beloved by the Countefs of Die, 
 the wife of William of Poitiers. She was 
 a woman of genius, but little reputation ; 
 and her fonnets befpoke much levity of 
 chara<5ter. In one of them {lie celebrates 
 the merit of Rambaud ; a merit he pof- 
 feflcd not ; for he was as unfaithful to the 
 Countefs, as he had been to many others, 
 and particularly to Azela'is, who was the 
 £rfl woman among the Provencal poets, 
 and defcended from a noble family of 
 Montpellier. Being reproached by his 
 miftrefs, becaufe he partakes not with her 
 the pains and inquietudes of love, he 
 anfwers her with a cruel witticifm. 
 
 ** I WOULD free you from any fhare of 
 thefe fufferings, by bearing all the weight 
 of them myfelf.'* 
 
 After a refidence for feme time at 
 
 the court of Orange, our Troubadour 
 
 'paiTed fuccefllvely to that of Alphonfo II. 
 
 F King
 
 66 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 King of Arragon, and Raimond V, 
 Count of TouloLife. He received the mofl 
 generous treatment at the latter ; but ns- 
 thing could efface the tender melancholy, 
 which the recollection of Ermengarde 
 impreffed on his foul. The world, into 
 which he had entered with fo much eager- 
 nefs, had no longer any charms in his 
 fight ; and as he had formerly quitted his 
 convent in purfuit of happinefs, he now 
 retreated from the world, to obtain that 
 peace he was deprived of, by his unhappy 
 attachment to Ermengarde. Devoured 
 with defpair, and often refufing to take 
 fuftenance, he died, not long after this> 
 in the monaflery of Grammont. 
 
 Petrarch fpeaks of him in his Tri- 
 umph of Love. 
 
 FOLQUET
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. (,j 
 
 FOLQJJET DE MARSEILLES, 
 Bifliop of Toulouse, 
 
 F"^Olquet was the fon of a Genoefe 
 merchant, named Alphonfo, who 
 was fettled at Marfellles, and when he 
 died, left Folquet the heir of a rich eftate, 
 at an age when riches moil powerfully 
 estite to pleafure and prodigality, 
 
 Folquet had a lively imagination ; 
 he had no tafle for commerce ; and opu- 
 lence in this age gave no diftindlion to 
 perfons of obfcure birth. He preferred 
 fervice with the great, and the fituation 
 
 of a Troubadour, to that quiet and inde- 
 pendent life, which his fortune bellowed 
 on him. By thefe means he gained free 
 accefs to many great Lords. 
 
 F 2 Richard
 
 6S THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Richard I. King of England, Al- 
 phonfo II. King of Arragon, Raimond V. 
 Count of Touloufe, granted him marks 
 of their efteem ; but he attached himfelf 
 particularly to Barral, Vifcount of Mar- 
 feilles, whofe court was a theatre of gal- 
 lantry. 
 
 The wife of the Vifcount had too 
 much grace, and wit, to fail of enchant- 
 ing Folquet. He celebrated her under 
 borrowed names; for the ilrlQ virtue of 
 ihe Vifcountefs impofed filence on any ex- 
 prefs declaration of his paffion. 
 
 One of his pieces, on this fubjevfl, is 
 in too lingular a ftyle to be paffed over ; 
 but, to underftand it, we mud: obferve, that 
 love and mercy were fupplicated as divi- 
 nities by the Troubadours, • 
 
 *' Love, thou haft done me wrong>. ta 
 come and lodge in my heart, without 
 
 kinging
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 69 
 
 bringing Mercy to relieve me ! without 
 the aid of Mercy, Love is only a torment. 
 
 " Love, thou would ft ruin all the 
 world ! But would it not be more honour- 
 able for thee to be overcome by Mercy ? 
 by fuffering this conqueft, wouldfl thou 
 lofe any glory ? 
 
 *' Ah, how bleft were I, if Mercy 
 would bend that firm and lofty branch, 
 to which I am for ever bound. The 
 higheft among the great, the worthieft 
 among the good, can eafily accord thefe 
 divinities : that flic unites things more 
 oppofite, the clear white and the beauti- 
 ful carnation in her face, are a full proof. 
 I wirh only to declare my feelings , but 
 this would be an unpardonable temerity. 
 How can my heart contain fo vaft a love ! 
 It is like a great tower refleded from a 
 fmall mirrour." 
 
 F 3 FOLQUET,.
 
 70 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 FoLQ^JET, fo far from keeping his paC- 
 fiori within due bounds, meditates the fe- 
 dudlion of the Countefs ; and, to accom- 
 plifli it, pays the moft zealous court to 
 her two fifters, Laura de Saint-JuUen, 
 and Mobile de Pontevez ; women of 
 diilinguiihed beauty, and flUl more dif- 
 tinguiihed merit. He hoped, by this ar- 
 tiiice, not only to fucceed in his defigns 
 on Azalais, but to induce her to recieive 
 his love, under the veil of myftery. 
 
 The fenfibility and delicacy of Azalais 
 was fo wounded, by the difcovery of 
 Folquet's bafenefs, that, to whatever mo^ 
 live it was ov^ing, in the height of her 
 indignation, llie accufed him of criminal 
 views on the Lady Saint- Julien ; of this 
 fhe brought feveral witnefles, overwhelm- 
 ed him with reproaches, and had him im^ 
 ?nediately expelled from her court. 
 
 In defpair, at fo terrible a difgrace, 
 Folquet fwore he would never more com- 
 
 pofc
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 71 
 
 pofe verfes. Marfelllcs became Infiinport- 
 able to him, and lie fought an afylum 
 at the court of William VIII. Lord of 
 Montpellier, who had married Eudoxia, 
 the daughter of Manuel, Emperor of 
 Conllantinople. 
 
 According to the cuilom of that age, 
 flie bore the title of Emprcfs, which Ihc 
 inherited from her birth. 
 
 Generous and amiable, fhe received 
 the Troubadour w'ith kindnefs, intereflcd 
 herfelf, in a lively manner, in his cha- 
 grin, and re- animated his mufe. The 
 oath of a poet would be ill kept, with' 
 fuch encouragement to break it. 
 
 " The order I have received from the 
 Emprefs, to renew my fong, is too niucli 
 for my glory; I can make no refiftancc." 
 
 In the piece he compofcd, he inveiglis 
 againft the malice of his ccnfurcr?, and 
 
 F 4 fays :
 
 73 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fays : " The grief of being renounced, 
 and denied pardon by Azalais, will dif- 
 trefs ray foul to the day of my death.** 
 A fpirit fo turbulent as Folquet's, could 
 not be at rePc, and he employed it in ex- 
 citing the Chriftians to make war againft 
 the Infidels. 
 
 The battle of Alarcos, gained, in 1 194, 
 by the Miramolin of Africa, againft Al- 
 phonfo, King of Cafiile, fpread an uni- 
 verfal terror in Spain, and the neighbour- 
 ing territories. Twenty thoufand Cafli- 
 lians perifned in this battle, their King 
 fled to Toledo, and feveral cities were 
 taken and plundered. 
 
 New attacks were dreaded ; the army 
 of the Miramolin, augmented by preach- 
 ing up an Infidel crufade, in oppofition 
 to that of the Chriflians ; and this was 
 very natural, as the wars of the MuJfTul- 
 men pafied always for religious wars,_ 
 Alphonfo, on his part, implored the af- 
 
 fi fiance
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 73 
 
 finance of tlie Pope, the Kings of France 
 and England, and the other Catholic 
 powers ; and rolquet, to implore their 
 zeal, thus addrefles them. 
 
 " There is no pretext for your delay ; 
 God muft be ferved. The lofs of the 
 Chridians muft be revenged. The King 
 of Arragon, who invites the aid of others, 
 cannot refufe his own princes ; this is the 
 price you muft all pay, if you would 
 purchafe the crown of glory ! King of 
 Caftile, lend no ear to the falfe reports of 
 your enemies ; neither be difcouraged by 
 your misfortunes ; God teaches you, by 
 them, to put your truft in him alone.'* 
 
 These fentlments accorded with the 
 change in Folquet's character. Having 
 loft moft of his patrons, by death, in a 
 ihort fpace of time, he was feized with a 
 deep melancholy, and gave himfelf up to 
 devotion ; and, as a laft piece, he publicly 
 confelTes his enormous fins, and implores 
 
 the
 
 74 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 the mercy of God, in the humbleft pro- 
 llration before him, his hands clafped to- 
 gether, and tears flreaming from his eyes : 
 his fighs, his defires, were now only for 
 a cloifter. 
 
 He engaged his wife, (of whom no 
 mention was made before), to take the 
 veil. He took the monaftic vow at Ci- 
 teaux, about the year 1200; and his two 
 fons followed his example. 
 
 If this converted Troubadour had end- 
 ed his life as an obfcure and peaceful 
 monk, his hi (lory, confidering the age he 
 lived in, might juftly have been conclud- 
 ed with celebrating his virtue ; but, un- 
 fortunately for the world, he appeared in 
 it again, to play the part of a fanatic ; 
 a part much more dreadful and danger- 
 ous, than that of a gallant and libertine 
 poet, above all, when it holds its power 
 from the intrigue and authority of courts. 
 
 Two
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 75 
 
 Two years after his transformation , 
 Folquet became Abbe of Torronet, in the 
 diocefe of Toulon; and, in 1205 , the 
 chapter of Touloulc eleded him, in the 
 place of William Rabaftcns, bifhop of 
 that city, who was depofed by the legates 
 of Pope Innocent III. 
 
 This was the period when the mofl 
 cruel ftorms were gathering againfl thofe 
 unfortunate people, fligmatlfed by differ- 
 ent names, but principally that of the 
 Albigenfes, who rofe up againft the riches 
 and the power of the clergy, and were ex- 
 pofed to their keeneft hatred, becaufe they 
 juftly reproached them with the falfehood 
 of their dodrines, and the irregularity of 
 their lives. 
 
 These people multiplied every day in 
 Languedoc ; and our new prelate found a 
 caufe, on wMch to exert his furious and 
 ungovernable temper. 
 
 , These
 
 76 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 These wars, with the Albigenfes, are 
 an cllential part of the hiftory of the 
 Troubadours; as many of their pieces are 
 invectives on the cruelties exercifed againft 
 them ; and to determine the truth of thefe 
 invectives, their hiilory mud be known. 
 
 Innocent III. fo celebrated for r.is 
 cnterprifes, had iffued orders to reclaim 
 the fecular power, in order to punilh thofe 
 who fhould refufe to fubmit themfelves to 
 the church ; and, if the great Lords re- 
 fufed to fupport him with their aid, they 
 were to be excommunicated. 
 
 Raimond the fixth, Count of Ton- 
 loufe, did not relifh this {Irange method 
 of converfion ; and thought it by no 
 means incumbent on him to deilroy his 
 fubjeds, becaufe they had fallen into an 
 error. On his refufal to do this, Peter 
 Caftelneau, a legate monk, excommuni- 
 cates him without any ceremony, A 
 threatening letter, from the Pop.", gives 
 
 him
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 77 
 
 him new inquietude ; intimidated by thcfc 
 meafures, lie promlfes to do all they de- 
 fire, and receives abfolution. But the le- 
 gate, not finding fufFicient rigour in his 
 condud: againft the heretics, becomes more 
 incenfed againil him than ever. After 
 having accufed him, to his face, of cow- 
 ardice, of perjury, and even of tyranny, 
 he thunders out againft him the moft ter- 
 rible anathemas. All the offers, all the 
 promifes of Raimond, are rejected with 
 arrogance. Enraged at laft with this treat- 
 ment, he threatens the audacious monk 
 with death : appaled at the threat, he 
 withdraws from court. Two unknown 
 perfons attack him as he is pafTing the 
 Rhone, and one of them kills him with 
 his fpear. 
 
 Count Raimond was fufpeded of this 
 murder. Innocent publifhed a crufade 
 againft the heretics, which had in view 
 the deftrudion of this prince, rather llian 
 the extirpation of herefy. The crofs had 
 
 never
 
 78 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 never before been taken to exterminate 
 Chriftians. This firft example of it was 
 followed by the moft dreadful confe- 
 qucnces, 
 
 FoLQUET fignallzed his violent zeal at 
 Touloufe ; and, in confequence of this, 
 he was fent by the new legates to the 
 Pope, as an agent the moft worthy to be 
 employed in this crufade. Raimond, on 
 his part, fent his minider, charged with 
 his fubmiffions. The Pope promifed to 
 abfolve him when he had proved his in- 
 nocence ; but demanded, as a furety, that 
 he fhould give up feven of his largefl 
 caftles to the Romilh church, which was 
 in efFe£t faying, he muft deliver himfelf 
 up to his enemies. 
 
 The weaknefs of this prince, in ac- 
 cepting fuch conditions, is truly aflonifli- 
 ing ; but the conduct of the bifhop of 
 Touloufe is ftill more fo, who, though 
 his fubjed, excited againfl him the fufpi- 
 
 cion
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 79 
 
 cion and the hatred of the Pontiff, and 
 urged him, by inftrucllons to his legates, 
 to make ufe of the mioft odious perfidy 
 agalnft Raimond. '* With rcfpedl to the 
 Count," fays he, *' I advife you to em- 
 ploy deceit. You may begin by making 
 war on the other heretics, as if you feared, 
 when united, they would be more difEcult 
 to conquer ; and then you may attack the 
 Count, when he is alone, and unable to 
 receive fuccour. We advife you, with the 
 apoftle, to employ deceit.'* 
 
 FoLQUET ought, atleaft, to have blufh- 
 ed for fo unworthily profaning the name 
 of the apoftle. 
 
 The crufaders advanced, and the orders 
 of Rome were going to be executed. 
 
 Raimond, with all fpeed, delivered up 
 the feven cadles to the legate Milon. 
 
 A COUNCIL was to judge him at Saint 
 Gilles ; he prefentcd hlmfelf in his fhirt, 
 
 at
 
 8o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 at the porch of the church, and took all 
 the oaths they required of him. He was 
 led into the church by the legate, who 
 whipped him with rods ; after which he 
 received abfolution. 
 
 Obliged, after this, to take the crofs, 
 and fight againft his own fubjeds, he was 
 at the fackingof Beziers, in 1209, where 
 the inhabitants were maflacred, without 
 fparing even the Catholics. " Kill them 
 all ;" fald a legate monk, of Citteaux> 
 *' God knows thofe who are his." 
 
 Ir was not fufEcient to gratify the 
 court of Rome, its fanatic partifans, and 
 the famous general of the crufade, Simon, 
 Count of Montfort, to overwhelm Rai- 
 mond with fhame and grief; they w^ere 
 bent on depriving him of his territories ; 
 and, to effect this, laid every day fome 
 new crime to his charge, and commanded 
 him to deliver up all the Touloufians who 
 were fufpeded of herefy. Raimond re- 
 
 fuied
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 8f 
 
 fufed to comply, and protcfted he wou'd 
 go to the Pope, and make complahit of 
 thefe horrible injuries. 
 
 The legates, on this, laid his city under 
 an interdict, and went to the Pope to 
 make their accufations againft him. Rai- 
 mond went to Rome, where a folemn ab- 
 folution reftored, to appearance, his tran- 
 quillity. Neverthelefs, on his return to his 
 dominions, offering to juftify himfelf, at 
 a new council at Saint Gilles, either from 
 the crime of herefy, or from the murder 
 of Peter Caftclneau, his juftification was 
 not only rejeded, but he was again ex- 
 communicated by the legates. 
 
 There was little doubt but that it was 
 by the order of the Pope, as he aiTured 
 to the Count of Montfort the property he 
 had invaded of this unfortunate prince. 
 Folquet completed his mifery, by raifing 
 a particular crufade againft the heretics in 
 Touloufe, to whom he granted extraor- 
 
 G dinarv
 
 82 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 dinary indulgences. The party which 
 was flrongeft, and who poffefTed the chief 
 part of the city, was called the White 
 Brotherhood ; and the burghers, who op- 
 pofed them, the Black Brotherhood ; be- 
 tween thefe parties there were continual 
 and bloody engagements. The bifliop, 
 having ordered the white brotherhood to 
 march to the fiege of Lavour, where the 
 fury of the cru fader s was now (ignalized, 
 the Count forbade them; they defpifed 
 his prohibition, and obeyed the commands 
 of the biihop. 
 
 Soon after this, Folquet found himfelf 
 perplexed, in what manner to condud his 
 ordination, becaufe the legates had laid 
 every place under an interdid, which be- 
 longed to the excommunicated prince. 
 He, therefore, defired Raimond to leave 
 the city on fuch a day, for the benefit of 
 air and exerclfe. Raimond confidered this 
 requeft as an infult, and fent orders <■'>
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 83 
 
 Folquet, Immediately to leave his domi- 
 nions. 
 
 " I WAS not made a blfhop by the 
 Count ;" fald Folquet. " I will not go : 
 I am eleded according to ecclefiaflical law, 
 and not by violence, or his power. I will 
 not, therefore, go at his bidding. Let 
 him come and oblige me, If he dare. I 
 am ready to die, that I may obtain glory 
 by the blood of the holy paiTion. Let 
 him come, the tvrant ! accompanied with 
 all his fatellltes, he will find me unarmed, 
 and alone. 
 
 ** I WAIT my recompenfe from heaven ; 
 and I fear nought that man can do unto 
 me." 
 
 Could there be a more terrible enemy 
 to princes than fanaticifm, difguifed un- 
 der this fervour of devotion, and this 
 feeming paffion for martyrdom. Thus 
 was that religion rendered odious, which 
 
 G 2 thefe
 
 84 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 thefe ambitious zealots affected moft zea- 
 louOy to defend. 
 
 FoLC^JET braved the Count for three 
 weeks, in his capital, and then went from 
 Touloufe of his own accord ; but it was 
 only with the view of exciting, every 
 where, againft him the fpirit of revolt 
 and of treachery. He joined the army 
 of Montfort, who laid liege to Touloufe, 
 and declared to the Toulouhans, that they 
 beheged them for no other reafon but for 
 acknowleging Raimond as their prince, 
 and permitting him to remain among 
 them ; and that they fhould receive no in- 
 jury, if they would expel the Count and 
 his partifans, and receive, for their lord, 
 whcmfoever the church ihould appoint; 
 but that, if they would not comply with 
 thefe terms, they fhould be treated as he- 
 retics, and abettors of herefy. 
 
 The Touloufians refuling to deliver up 
 their prince, Folquet lent orders to all the 
 
 eccle-
 
 THE TPvOUBADOURS. 85 
 
 ecclcfiaftics to go out of the city immedi- 
 ately. They came out in procellion, bare- 
 footed, bringing away with them the holy 
 facrament. 
 
 The fidelity of the Touloufians, and 
 their admirable affection to their prince, 
 was not a fufncient defence againft the 
 cruel power that affaulted them. In 1215, 
 Folquet, deputed by the legate, took pof- 
 fcffion, in the name of the church of 
 Rome, of tiie city and the caftle, which 
 was the palace of Raimond. The city 
 and the caftle were delivered up to him, 
 and Raimond, his Ions, and their wives, 
 were conftrained to withdraw to a private 
 houfe> 
 
 Triumphing in the fuccefs of thefe 
 outrages, Folquet went to Rome the fame 
 year, and took with him Saint Dominic, 
 whofe order was juft fet on foot, at Tou- 
 loulb. He preiented him to the Pope, 
 
 G 3 and
 
 86 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 and earneftly follicited the confirmation of 
 an order, fo formidable to the innovators. 
 
 Raimond, with his fons, and the 
 Counts of Foix and Cominge, appearing 
 in the Lateran council, Folquet oppofed a 
 Cardinal who fpoke in their favour, and 
 gave this reafon for oppofing him : " The 
 Count of Foix cannot deny, that his pro- 
 vince is filled with heretics; for, after the 
 caftle of Montfegues was taken, they 
 burnt all the inhabhants." Among the 
 prelates in this council, there were fome 
 who would have had the difpolTefTed 
 princes re-eflablifhed in their dominions ; 
 but Folquet and the reft threatened them 
 with joining all their forces with the 
 ufiarper, Simon Montfort, if they pre- 
 fumed to deprive him of the conquefts he 
 had made. The council, at laft, decided, 
 that the conquefts of the crufaders fhould 
 be held by that General : and the reft of 
 Raimond's dominions ftiould be fequefter- 
 gd for his fon, 
 
 Fana-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 87 
 
 Fanaticism had no more regard for 
 juftice,^than for religion; and this will 
 more flagrantly appear in the finifhlng 
 ftroke of Folquet's execrable charadcr. 
 
 MoNTFoRT had been expelled from 
 Beaucaire. Sufpeding the Touloufians 
 held intelligence with his enemies, he 
 marched again ft their city, and fwore he 
 would never lay down his arms, till they 
 had delivered up the principal citizens, as 
 hoftages ; they font deputies to him to 
 clear up his fufpicions. His relations, his 
 friends, exhorted him to clemency. Fol- 
 quet alone, whofe function obliged him, 
 in a fpecial manner, to join in thcfe ex- 
 hortations, urged him to the greatefl bar- 
 barities. He advifed him to ftrip the inha- 
 bitants of all their polTefTions, and to put 
 the moft diftinguiflied among them into 
 prifon : and, not fatisfied with having 
 urged thefe violent meafures, he deter- 
 mined to infure the fuccefs of them by an 
 infamous treachery. He went into the 
 
 G 4 city,
 
 83 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 city, and alTared his dioceHans, that Mont- 
 fort would pardon the citizens, if they 
 would go and afk it of him ; they relied 
 on this afTurance, and crowded out of the 
 city in multitudes ; as faft as they advanc- 
 ed, they were made prifoners ; and Fol- 
 quet, in the rnean time, commanded the 
 foldiers, who followed him, to pillage the 
 city. His perndy thus became apparent ; 
 the enraged people lake up arms, fall 
 upon the crufaders, and repulfe them. 
 
 On this the General threatens the pri- 
 foners with death, if they do not perfuade 
 their fellow-citizens to furrender ; but 
 Folquet, and the Abbe of Saint Sernin, 
 take a more efredlual method ; they run 
 through the (ireets, declaring that Mont- 
 fort relents i that he beholds their dif- 
 treffes with grief; that he offers liberty to 
 the prifoners, and pardon for what is paft, 
 if the inhabitants will refign to him their 
 arms, and their towers ; if not, he will 
 execute the prifoners. Folquet and the 
 
 Abbe
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. Sg 
 
 Abbe gave thenifclves for guarantees of 
 thefc promifes, and the Touloufians ac- 
 cepted conditions ; from whence they 
 hoped for the reftoration of their peace. 
 
 The next day Montfort came to (:^n 
 the peace at the city hotel, where the arms 
 were to be depofited ; and, according to 
 the convention, his foldiers took pofleflioa 
 of the towers. 
 
 Beholding himfelf thus mafler of the 
 city, he propofed, in council, the giving 
 up Touloufe, to pillage, and then razing 
 it to its foundations. The perfons of ho- 
 nour, in his council, vehemently oppofed 
 fo deteftab'e a perfidy ; but Folquet, and 
 the reft, who no doubt direded the opi- 
 nion of Montfort, adviled a fort of me- 
 dium, which only rendered their diflioneil: 
 meafures more atrocious ; this was, to 
 detain the prifoners, and dilperfe them 
 hereafter, and to make the citizens redeem 
 the fackage of their city, by a heavy fum- 
 
 In
 
 90 
 
 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 In efFed, they exaded from the Toulou- 
 fians thirty thoufand marks of filver. 
 
 After fuch repeated excefles, which 
 branded with infamy the epifcopal order, 
 Folquet, in 12 17, defired leave of the 
 Pope to return to the cloifter : what 
 was his motive is uncertain, whether en- 
 thufiafm, artifice, or chagrin ; for the dif- 
 pofitions of fuch a man can never be 
 afcertained. 
 
 The Pope obliged him to continue in 
 his fee ; and Montfort, to recompence 
 him for his zeal in his caufe, gave him 
 the caftle of Urefeuil, with a number of 
 villages which belonged to it. Thus was 
 the crufade, againft the Albigenfes, afource 
 of riches to the church of Touloufe. The 
 Inquifition was more worthy of fuch an 
 origin : Folquet firmly eftablifhed it in his 
 diocefe, and completed there, by its 
 means, the reign of fanaticifm. 
 
 This
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 91 
 
 This prelate died in 1231, and was 
 fainted, after his death, by the monks of 
 Citteaux ; even Petrarch extols him, in 
 his Triumph of Love. Dante places 
 him in his Paradife, with the fouls of 
 the blefled ; and Genoa, and Marfeilles, 
 difputed the glory of having given 
 him birth, as if he had been another 
 Homer. 
 
 Poetical canonifations were of no 
 confequence, but that of the church was 
 likely to do much harm. 
 
 The prejudices of the cloifter, and of 
 the age, account for ftranger things than 
 thefe. 
 
 The wading through fuch a fcene of 
 blood, is a painful tajQi 5 but it is recom- 
 penfed by the happy reflections conveyed 
 to the mind, on the comparifon of pafl 
 and prefent a^^cs. Folquet would have 
 
 had
 
 92 
 
 .THE HISTORY OF 
 
 had lefs renown as a fimple Troubadour : 
 as a cruel bigot, his name will be brand- 
 ed with eternal reproach. 
 
 The Dauphin of AUVERGNE, 
 and the Bishop of CLERMONT. 
 
 ROM whence came the title of Dau- 
 phin, is a queftion of fmall import 
 in the hiftory of the Troubadours ; but 
 as a few words will ferve to explain its 
 origin, it may not be amifs to give it a 
 place here. 
 
 At the tournaments, each Lord bore 
 upon his fliieid fome dillinguifhed mark. 
 A Count d' Albon, had taken a dolphin 
 for his emblem ; he fignalized himfcif in 
 the tournaments, and was extolled as the 
 Knight of the Dolphin, it became foon 
 the prevailing cuftom to call him fimply 
 the Dauphin j and this celebrated name 
 
 became
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 93 
 
 became a title of honour for his dcfcend- 
 ants. It pafled into the houfe of Au- 
 vergne, (according to Balufe and Charier), 
 by a daughter of Guigncs III. Count of 
 Albon and Vienne, who married WilHam 
 VIL Count of Auvergne. Contrary to the 
 right of repreferttation, he was difpofTef- 
 fed by WilHam Vlll. his uncle, and on- 
 ly granted a confiderable ellate, which he 
 tranfmitted to his pofterity. His fon was 
 the firft who took the title of Dauphin ; 
 and this new title diftinguifhed his branch 
 from that of William VIII. 
 
 The Dauphin of Auvergne is the fame 
 Troubadour who is fpoken of in the life 
 of Richard, King of England. 
 
 The Provencal manufcripts reprefent 
 him as a mofl: accomplifhed Knight ; in 
 valour and in tendernefs exceeded by none ; 
 of a hne imagination, folid fenfe, diflin- 
 guiihed courtefy, and poliflied converfa- 
 tion ; an emulator of genius, and patron 
 
 of
 
 94 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 of poets, whom he drew in vaft numbers 
 to his court, and whom he honoured and 
 loaded with his favours. Perhaps the 
 fads that will be related of his charader 
 may take fomething from the high praife 
 here bellowed on it ; and which accord 
 neither with his ruinous prodigality on 
 one fide, nor his demeaning avarice on 
 the other. 
 
 The fplendour on which he piqued 
 himfelf, had reduced him to fuch difficul- 
 ties, that he is charged with the moft dif- 
 honourable adions to repair his fortune, 
 and to continue that excefs, which was 
 confidered in this age, as it has been in 
 too many others, to be the proof of a 
 noble mind, and the greateft virtue in fo- 
 ciety. The firft inftance given of the 
 avarice of this prince, is however a little 
 fingular. 
 
 A Lady, named Marina, of whom 
 he was very fond, having one day afked 
 
 his
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 95 
 
 his under-fteward for fome bacon, to fry 
 with eggs, received only half of a flitch ; 
 and this was the fubjedl of a violent fatire. 
 
 The biflnop of Clermont, brother of 
 Count Gui, coufin of the Dauphin, whofe 
 difpofition was turbulent, and fevere, 
 wrote a Iharp couplet, to reproach the 
 prince for this ftinginefs. 
 
 The Dauphin, touched to the quick 
 with this accufation, revenges himfelf 
 with all the fury of a poet ; he accufes 
 the Bifhop of his amours with a woman, 
 whofe hufband he had caufed to beafTaffin- 
 ated ', and adds, that if he w^as not with- 
 held by other motives, he fhould rejoice, 
 from his foul, to kill an extravagant 
 Biihop. 
 
 Anew fatire from the Bifhop produced 
 the fame effect as the former. The 
 Dauphin retorted with terrible feverity, 
 reproaching the Bifhop with refufing a 
 
 place
 
 96 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 place of burial to his bed: friends, unlefs 
 they paid him profufely ; of exading 
 from the rich a thoufand crowns for a cof- 
 fin ; and of employing the tax he raifed 
 upon the dead, in a war againfl: the living *. 
 He prays God to hate the Bifhop as much 
 as the Bifhop loves England. " It is by 
 treafons," he adds, '' that he has made ac- 
 knowlegement for the bounties of the 
 King of France, who promifed to raife 
 him from the fituation of a canon, to a 
 high dignity in the church. Is it afto- 
 nifhing he fhould fail in his allegiance 
 to Kings and Princes, who difhonours his 
 profeffion, and difobeys his God ! The 
 Prelate reviles me unjuOly ; and, did I 
 not rerpe(3: the office of the Prelate, I 
 would reveal fuch things of him, as 
 fliould caufe his gown to be ftripped over 
 his ears. ' How fingular and contradictory 
 a manner his was, of expreffing refpedt, 
 appears from another paflage in this in- 
 
 * The Bifhop had been the caufe of prolonging 
 
 ve^ive, 
 
 the war againfl the King.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 97 
 
 vecSlIve, in which he fays, '* He waited 
 with impatience for the legate, who was 
 to depofe the Bifliop." Violent paflion 
 operates like drunkennefs on the mind, 
 and produces the mod: glaring contradic- 
 tions, both in word and acftion. 
 
 As to the Bilhop of Clermont, his con- 
 duit merited the fevereft reproaches At 
 variance with his brother, Count Gui> 
 (probably becaufe the latter had abandon- 
 ed the King of England, to fcrve Philip 
 Auguftus), he plundered his territories, 
 and launched againfl: him a general inter- 
 didion ; a more fatal enemy to princes 
 than the greateft martial power. The 
 Count had recourfe to Pope Innocent III. 
 The Archbifhop of Narbonne was ccm- 
 miffioned to do him juRice. 
 
 After a fliort reconciliation, in 11 99 
 the animofitles of thefe brothers revived, 
 with fo much violence, that the Pope, and 
 Philip AuguRus, could fcarce put a flop 
 
 H to
 
 9S' THE HISTORY OF 
 
 to them, by the exertion of all their au- 
 thority. 
 
 In a piece of the Bifliop's againO: his 
 brother, addreflcd to the Troubadour 
 Feter Maenzac, he fays : 
 
 *' The whole v/orld would be ruined^ 
 if the power of the Count equalled his 
 de fire to torment and deftroy.'* 
 
 To return to the Dauphin of Auvergne. 
 He fecmed formed for quarrels,, inftead of 
 the courtefy and tendernefs afcribed to 
 him I hs had a fhameful broil Vv^ith Peter 
 Pellifier, a citizen of Turenne, whofe- 
 couragc, courtefy, and liberality, are highly 
 praifed by the Provencal hiftorian. By 
 thefe good qualities, this citizen acquired' 
 a confideration and refpedt, which was 
 fingular in an age, wherein perfons ia^ 
 common life were univerjallv treated with 
 indifference and contempt. The Vifcount. 
 of Turenne made him Bailiff of his 
 
 province ^,
 
 'i' 
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 99 
 
 province ; this was an office of great dig- 
 nity, and generally filled by perfons of 
 rank. The Bailiff aflcmbled all the 
 militia in his jurifdidion, publifhcd the 
 orders of his Lord, and prefided at the 
 execution of them ; received all the duties 
 of the province, pafled the invcftitures, 
 and received the homage of the purchafers. 
 In fine, the Bailiff governed as mini- 
 fter under the Prince. 
 
 The Dauphin of Auvergnc, who was 
 in love with the daughter of the Vifcount, 
 had occafion for the affiftance of Pcllifier : 
 he was generous, and lent the Dauphin the 
 money he wanted ; but he never reffored 
 w^hat he had borrowed. At lafl:, Pellificr 
 demanded his money ; the Dauphin af- 
 feded ignorance of the loan, and ceafed 
 to frequent the houfe of the Vifcount, to 
 avoid the fhame of fuch a conduct, or 
 the obligation of paying the debt. Pelli- 
 fier thus reproaches him with his bafenefs. 
 
 H 2 •♦ I AD-
 
 loo THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *' I ADVISE, and I order the Dauphin 
 to keep within his own doors, and not to 
 ilarve himfelf, left his vifage iliould be- 
 tray his meannefs ; no one can behave 
 more vilely to a fiiend. When he could 
 obtain principal and intereft, then what 
 couriers, what mefiages ! Now, not a 
 fingle letter or billet. Never was any one 
 fo unfaithful to their word ; but he is 
 young, he will aiiiend," 
 
 A RUDE anfwer from the Dauphin wa& 
 all the fruit he reaped, for the mlldnefs of 
 his conduct towards him. 
 
 " Courteous villain ! (an expreiTioa 
 meant to reoroach him with his low birth, 
 and his high airs ;) Courteous villain I af- 
 ter having fpent the inheritance left you 
 by your father, in folly and excefs, do 
 you think I {hall enrich you with m.y 
 wealth, in fpite of heaven, Vv^ho made you 
 a fool ? I fwcar to you, on my faith, you 
 fliall never have a fous from me. Go, 
 
 and
 
 THE TROUBADOUPvS. loi 
 
 and fcek your fortune as a pilgrim. — Goy 
 and aik alms as a blind beggar ; and iin^ 
 againfl: thofc who rcfufc you." 
 
 These lines icrve to fhew the rude 
 tone which was ufcd, even by perfons of 
 rank in this age, to their enemies and in- 
 feriors. There are two other fatires of 
 the Dauphin, againi^ fome jongleurs, which 
 <:ould net be read with patience. 
 
 The Dauphin of Auvergne died in 
 1234, as well as the Bilhop of Clermont, 
 who w-as made Archbifliop of Lyons in 
 
 1227. 
 
 H 3 ALBERT,
 
 102 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ALBERT, Marquifs of Malaspina. 
 
 /TT^HE houfe of Malafpina was one of 
 -1. the moft illuftrious in Lombardy. 
 Albert was contemporary with Rambaud, 
 of Vaqueiras, and floarilhed at the end 
 of the twelfth century, as appears from a 
 curious dialogue of Albert and Rambaud, 
 in which the Marquifs afks the latter, if 
 it was true that his miilrefs had difmiffed 
 him ; that all the fongs he had made for 
 her were in vain ; and that (he had writ- 
 ten againfl: him with feverity ? 
 
 Rambaud. 
 
 " The deceiver has abandoned me; 
 I think you would do well to marry her, 
 for I find much refemblance between you. 
 Your word and your oath is as foon broken ; 
 you will facriiice both to your intereft ; 
 yo'j, vv'hom the Genoefe reproach with 
 
 having
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 103 
 
 having robbed in the highway; and of 
 this the Milanefe are not ignorant." 
 
 Albert. 
 
 " If I gave myfelf to pillage, it was 
 not from the defire of heaping up riches ; 
 but for the plcafure of fpending them. 
 You, Rambaud, I have feen in Lombardy, 
 walking on foot like a vile jongleur ; as 
 defpifed in love, as v/retched in fortune. 
 It would then have been a generous alms 
 to have given you food. Recolieift in 
 what a miferable condition I found you at 
 Pavia." 
 
 Rambaud. 
 
 " You are the firft man in the world 
 for calumny, and every evil Vs'ork ; the 
 lad for valour and merit." 
 
 Albert. 
 
 *' And you have been guilty of a ri- 
 diculous folly, in quitting the occupation 
 of a jongleur, by which you lived in eafe, 
 
 H 4 to
 
 104 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 to become a Knight : this new profeflion 
 has caufed you ftrange inquietudes. Since 
 you have betaken yourfelf to a courtier, 
 inflead of a rumpter-horTe, you have not 
 once employed either fword or lance." 
 
 From this dialogue, pillage and vio- 
 lence appear to have been the Iport of 
 warriors ; and, fo far from being aihamed 
 of it, they made it their boall, when they 
 appropriated the fruit of their rapine to 
 vain profufion and expence. The rob- 
 bery on the highway, with which the 
 Marquis is here reproached, was efleeraed 
 a kind of right ; and, in that continual 
 itate of v;ar which the great v/ere in with 
 one another, bravery was looked upon as 
 the foul of fociety. 
 
 There is a dialogue of great fimpli- 
 city between this Troubadour, and his 
 miftrefs, which merits to be noticed. 
 
 " I COMMEND myfelf toyou, Madam. 
 Never have I loved any one as 1 love you." 
 
 " Friend,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 105 
 
 " Friend. I aflfure, I promife you, I 
 ^A'ill reward your love." 
 
 *' You delay too long, Madam." 
 
 " Friend. You fhall lofe nothing by 
 this delay.'* 
 
 ** I SWEAR to you, Madam, that I fhall 
 die if you defer my happinefs !" 
 
 '• Friend. Confider that I love you in 
 good truth ', that I love you with all my 
 heart." 
 
 " Have pity on me, therefore. Ma- 
 dam." 
 
 <' And fo I will, my friend." 
 
 *' I AM fo rejoiced, fo tranfported with 
 the love I bear you, Madam.'* 
 
 *' Mv joyous friend, my heart is ever 
 yours." 
 
 •* Give it me then, Madam.'* 
 
 *< Yis,
 
 ic6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *' Yes, I confcnt, my handfome, my 
 amiable friend." 
 
 " I PLACE in you all my confidence. 
 Madam ; for you I figh, for you I fmg." 
 
 " Friend. You are in the right ; for 
 you know how much I love you." 
 
 '* What proof fhali I have of it, 
 Madam.'* 
 
 " Friend, I give you my faith. I 
 pledge it with this kifs!" 
 
 '« This tender proof of love foothes 
 every pain." 
 
 " Friend. It is by patience and fub- 
 niiflion that loyal lovers arrive at felicity." 
 
 Simplicity like this mufl: plcafe la 
 every age. 
 
 We have no other account of this 
 
 Troubadour, but that he was courteous, 
 
 and liberal. It is not known in what 
 
 year he died. 
 
 W I L^
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 107 
 
 WILLIAM CABESTAING. 
 
 THE life of this Troubadour appears 
 fo much Intermixed with romance, 
 that was it not confirmed by other writ- 
 ings, both in manufcript and in print, it 
 would have been paft over ; but as a view 
 of ancient manners are included, it de- 
 ferves a place. 
 
 William Cabestain'g was a gentle- 
 man of Rouffillon ; noble by birth, but 
 poor in fortune. He ferved as page to 
 Raimond, of CaQel-Rouflillon *. The 
 hiftorian gives Raimond the title of my 
 Lord, a title always claimed by Knights. 
 
 Though the houfe of Cabeftaing was 
 as ancient as that of Raimond, it did not 
 
 * There is ftill at ^oufiillon a tower, called 
 Caftel RolTello. 
 
 prevent
 
 io8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 prevent his ferving him ; Raimond's fu- 
 periority of fortune being dignified by hi^ 
 rank of Knight. 
 
 The happy expreffion of countenance, 
 the wit, and amiable qualities of this 
 young man, rendered him dear to his 
 mafter, and beloved by his family. Rai- 
 mond foon gave him a fmgular proof of 
 his afFedion, by making him gentleman- 
 iifher to his wife ; he was far from ap- 
 prehending the fatal confequence of his 
 generofjty. 
 
 Madam Marguerita (for fo was 
 this Lady called) found fo much attention, 
 and defire to pleafe, in her young domef- 
 tic, joined with fo graceful a figure, and 
 manner fo lively and interefting, that fhe 
 was inchanted with his fociety, and yield- 
 ed her heart to every tender imprefTion of 
 love. Whether Cabeftaing was with-held 
 by timidity, or refped, he did not notice 
 her behaviour, thojgh his fenfibility was 
 
 extreme*
 
 ; ' 
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 109 
 
 extreme. Marguerita wldied to be un- 
 dcrftood in filcnce ; but, having waited 
 long in vain, llie was determined to break 
 the ice herfelf, and thus cueliioned him. 
 
 *' William, if a lady loved thee, 
 couldd: thou love again ?" — *' Yes, truly. 
 Madam, if I believed her in earneO:." — 
 ** Thou fpeakeft well ; and canll thou not 
 diftinguifh true love, from feigned .?" — 
 Thefe queftions opened the eyes of Ca- 
 beftaing ; and this paffion produced the 
 following tender lines. ' 
 
 ** Gay is my fong ; for the fofteft love 
 infpires me ! — O tliou, Vv-hofe beauty 
 tranfports my foul, may I be forfakcn, 
 may I be curfed by love, if I give my 
 heart to another. Was ray faith to hea- 
 ven equal, I lliould inftantly be received 
 into Paradife ! I have no power to defend 
 myfelf againd your charms ; be honour- 
 able, therefore, and take pity on me. 
 Permit, at lead, that I kifs your gloves ; 
 
 i pre-
 
 no THE HISTORY OF 
 
 I prefume not to afk any higher mark of 
 your favour." 
 
 To a heart already conquered, fuch 
 lines were irrefiftible. Though they were 
 not addrelTed to her, Marguerita well 
 knew their import, and made this known 
 to Cabeftaing, when they were alone. 
 
 *' And haft thou, then, at laft, difco- 
 vered, William, that a lady can love thee ; 
 and doft thou find in me a true or a faith- 
 iefs friend ?" 
 
 '* Ah, Madam, fmce that happy mo- 
 ment I entered your fervice, I have been 
 always charmed with your goodnefs, and 
 the truth and franknefs of your behaviour 
 towards me." 
 
 ** I SWEAR to thee," replied Mar- 
 guerita, " thou flialt never have caufe to 
 change thy opinion. Never, no, never 
 will I deceive thee!" With thefe words 
 
 fhe
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, in 
 
 fhe embraced him, as a pledge of her 
 eternal love. Cabeflaing thus gave vent 
 to his feelings. 
 
 ** Among a thoufand flowers, in a 
 fpacious garden, 1 have chofen the faireft. 
 Heaven made it, no doubt, to refemble 
 its own beauty. The dignity of her 
 charms is ilill heightened by humility ; 
 the fweetnefs of her countenance, by ten- 
 dernefs ; her afl'edion has rendered me 
 the mo ft blefled of lovers. I weep with 
 joy ! but in my fong only 1 dare make 
 known my love. The dear objedl of my 
 foul will receive my fong. In the midll 
 of a thoufand adorers, fhe liftens to none 
 but me ! Many have been touched with 
 her beauty ; but none have loved like me. 
 Her merit imprefTes refpedl ; and her re- 
 putation is unfullied." 
 
 We fee in thefe addreflcs of Cabefiaign, 
 how deceitfully an unlav/ful paiTicn makes- 
 its firfl: approaches; and thus gliding into 
 
 thi:^
 
 112 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 the heart, a remedilefs paffion covers Its 
 unworthy views with undeferved praifes, 
 and the moft honourable expreffions of 
 love. But the fecret he wi{hed to conceal 
 from the eyes of the world, Toon became 
 pubhc ; and the reputation of Marguerita 
 was not long untainted. 
 
 The courtiers, who have a nice difcern- 
 ment of evil, and a ready tongue to re- 
 veal it, poiTefled Raimond with the moft 
 tormenting fufpicions, which fliocked him 
 the more, as he loved his wife, and re- 
 lied on the fidelity of his fervant. 
 
 Having inquired one day what was 
 become of Cabedaign, they told him he 
 was hawking ; immediately he hid arms 
 under his cloaths, mounted his horfe, and 
 took the road they had pointed out to him. 
 Cabeflaing perceived, and advanced to- 
 ward him, but not without uneafinefs, 
 feeing he was alone. " Ah ! are you here, 
 my Lord ; how chanced it you came 
 
 alone ?"*
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 113 
 
 alone ?" *' It was," fald Raimond, " be- 
 caufe I wlflied to convcrfc with you, and 
 to partake of your amufcment. Have 
 you had goodfport?" " Very little; I 
 have fcarcely found a finglc birii ; and 
 you know the proverb, Who finds no- 
 thing, cannot take much." " Very well," 
 anfwered Raimond, ** let us change the 
 fubje£t, and anfwer me, as a true and loyal 
 fervant, to all that I fliall afk you." 
 
 *' By heaven, my Lord, if it is what I 
 can reveal, I will hide nothing from you." 
 
 *' I WILL have no conditions: you 
 fhall reply honeftly, whatever queflions 
 I put to you." 
 
 ** When you command, I will anfwer 
 confcientioufly." 
 
 ** I WOULD then know, by your God, 
 and your faith,'* faid Raimond, '* if love 
 infpires the verfes you make ; and if a. 
 lady is really the fubjed cf them I" 
 
 I *' Unless
 
 114 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " Unless I loved," replied Cabeftaing, 
 " how could I fing ? In good truth, love 
 has the entire pofleffion of my foul."— • 
 " I believe it ;" faid Raimond, " or you 
 would not fmg fo well : but this is not 
 all. I would know who is the lady you 
 celebrate.'' — ** Ah, my Lord, do you con- 
 fidcr ! r appeal to your own heart j can 
 one, without perfidy, reveal the object of 
 one's love ? You know what Bernard of 
 Ventadour fays on this fubjedl:. 
 
 " If thofe who fpy out my love, in- 
 quire the name of my fair one, I know 
 how a loyal lover ought to avoid the fnare ; 
 he ought to confide his fecret to none but 
 thofe, who are able to advife and affift 
 him ; but the fidelity vv^e owe a miftrefs, 
 confifts in difcovering all things to her, 
 and revealing nothing concerning her.'" 
 
 *' Well, then,'' replied Raimond, 
 *' whoever' is the object of your love, I 
 promife you my utmoil aid and advice." 
 
 Case-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 115 
 
 Cabestaing, thus prcflTed, and de- 
 firous of changing the idea of Raimond, 
 told him, that he loved Aladam Agnts, the 
 fifter of Madam Margucrita ; and that he 
 received proofs of her kindncfs : he be- 
 fought Raimond to favour his fuit, or at 
 leaft not to injure him in her efteem. 
 
 Raimond was taken in the fnarc. — 
 Tranfported with this declaration, which 
 removed his fufpicions, he fhook hands 
 with the Troubadour, promifed him his 
 good offices ; and, pointing toward the 
 caftle of Robert of Tarafcon, the huf- 
 band of Agnes, he told him they would 
 go there together. When they arrived at 
 the caftle of Tarafcon, Raimond, after 
 the ufual civilities, proceeds to fulfil his 
 defign ; and, being alone with Agnes, 
 addreflfes her thus : 
 
 " By the faith yon owe me, my lovely 
 fifter, anfwer me. Have you a lover? ' — 
 ** Yes, my Lord." — '■'• I befeech you, wiio 
 
 I 2 is
 
 ii6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 is he ?" — " That I will not tell yon : 
 women are not obliged to confefs^ fuch 
 things ; and, if they are urged, it con- 
 ftrains them to be guilty of falfehood." 
 
 R AIM-ON D afTures her, (lie will viHi no- 
 thing in confiding this fecret ; but that to- 
 him it was of the utmoft importance. — 
 The lady had remarked diftrefs in the 
 countenance of Cabeflal ng. She was not 
 ignorant of his amour, and fufpeding 
 how the matter lay between him and his 
 mader, {he owned herfelf in love with 
 Cabeflaing, as readily as if he had given 
 h.er the hint. She then went and related 
 the whole affair to her hufband, wha very 
 much approved the deceit of his wife, and 
 permitted her to invite Cabeftaing to fup- 
 per; and do all fhe could to perfuade 
 Raimond of her love for him. They 
 fupped together, with great gaiety ; and 
 Raimond, perfectly convinced of their 
 reciprocal tendernefs, departs content and. 
 joyous with Cabeflaing, defirous of no- 
 thing;
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 117 
 
 dung fo much, as to reveal to his wife the 
 intrigue he had difcovercd. 
 
 Marguerita had no doubt of lier 
 lover's infidelity ; flie paflcd the night in 
 extreme agony of mind; and calling him 
 to her the next morning, (he overwhelm- 
 ed him with reproaches. Cabeftaing eafily 
 judified himfelf, by the fimple recital of 
 what had paflcd. 
 
 Her vanity, flill greater tlian her love, 
 prompted her to commit an inconceivable 
 error ; fhe obliged the Troubadour to de- 
 clare in a fonnet, that he loved her, and 
 her alone. The fonnet was compofed, 
 and, by a fecond imprudence, more a!lo- 
 nlfhing than the firll, the piece was ad- 
 drefled to Raimond ; for though it was 
 the cufiom of many poets to addrcfs what 
 they wrote, in praife of their ladies, to 
 their hufbands, in this cafe it could not 
 certainly be done with impunity. 
 
 I 3 In
 
 ii8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 In effed, the mo ft dreadful jealoufy 
 took poffefTion of Raimond ; he no longer 
 doubts his wife's falfehood ; he becomes 
 furious, and breathes nothing but ven- 
 geance. Having found a pretext to draw 
 Cabeftaing out of the caille, he ftabs him, 
 cuts OiF his head, and tears out his heart; 
 he then brings it to his cook, and orders 
 him to drefs this heart in the manner of 
 venifon. He has it ferved up ; his w^ife 
 eats it. '^ Do you know what it is you 
 have been eating ?" fays he. *' No ; but 
 I found it delicious." — " I believe it, fince 
 it is that you have always delighted in ; 
 it is juft you fliould love that when dead, 
 you was fo paihonately fond of when 
 living;" and pulling out the head of Ca- 
 beftaing, *' Behold him whofe heart you 
 have juft eaten" At this fliocking fight, 
 at thefe horrible words, flie fainted -, but, 
 foon recovering her fenfes, flie cried out : 
 ** Yes, barbarian, I have found this meat 
 fo exquifite, that, left I fliould lofe the 
 tafte of it, I will never eat any other." 
 
 Trams-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 119 
 
 Transported witli rage, Raimond 
 draws his fvvorcl ; flue flies ; (lie precipi- 
 tates herfelf from a balcony, and is killed 
 with the fall ! 
 
 The noife of this event was likely to 
 imprefs tlie mind with terror, in an age 
 when love ruled over the manners, like a 
 defpotic fovereign, and was confidered as 
 the foul of military exploits. The rela- 
 tions of Marguerita, and of Cabeftaing, 
 all the Knights, and the lovers of that 
 country, joined together againft the 
 bloody-minded Raimond ; he had alfo for 
 his enemy the King of Arragon. Al- 
 phonfo, after having informed himfelf of 
 the fad; on the fpot, had him feized and 
 imprifoned, and demolifhed his caftle : 
 after this the prince, by pompous fune- 
 rals, did honour to the memory of thefe 
 lovers. He caufed them to be laid in the 
 fame tomb, before the church, in Perpig- 
 non, and their hiftory engraved on it. 
 
 I 4 Thus
 
 120 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Thus religion ferved, in this age, 
 among many other abufes, to defend the 
 horrid crime of adultery, and to confe- 
 crate a licentious amour, which, from the 
 miferable event attending it, was cele- 
 brated with enthufiafm. 
 
 According to the Proven9al hiftorian, 
 it was ufual for all the Knights of Rouf- 
 fillon, of Cerdagne, and of Norbonnois, 
 to affift each year in a folemn fervice, in 
 memory of Marguerita, and of Ca- 
 beftaing ; and all the lovers, of both fexes, 
 came to pray for the repofe of their fouls, 
 And it is added, this anniverfary was in- 
 ftituted by the order of King Alphonfo. 
 
 Such cuftoms muft have been very pre- 
 judicial to the manners, and a great of- 
 fence to the honour of conjugal life. 
 Belleforefl relates, that the Duke of Bour- 
 gundy rendered the like honour to the 
 Lady of Vergi, and the Lord of Vau- 
 droi I and the adventure of Couci and 
 
 Fayel,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 121 
 
 Fayel, fo well known, is of a fimihr 
 kind. 
 
 To relieve the mind from fo difagrce- 
 able a fcene, one line, from a fonnet of 
 Cabeflaing's, intermixed with many com- 
 mon fentiments, fhall conclude this ac- 
 count of his life : for the beautiful turn 
 of thought, it well deferves remembrance. 
 
 Speaking of Marguerita, he fays, 
 ** From hence to Meffina there is not her 
 equal. Would you know her name ? if 
 is written, in the fairefl charaders, on the 
 
 Winer of everv dove !" 
 
 WIL-
 
 122 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 V/ILLIAM RAINOLS d'APT, and 
 WILLIAM RAIMOND DE DURFORT. 
 
 Illiam Rainols was a Knight 
 of the city of Apt, in the county 
 of Forcalquier. He wrote on the events 
 that happened in Provence, between the 
 King of Arragon and the Count of 
 Thouloufe, in the twelfth century, with 
 refped to the houfe of Barcelona. He fet 
 thefe pieces to mufical airs, of his own 
 compofing ; and as they were all filled with 
 keen fatire on the great, he rendered him- 
 felf hated and feared by the Barons. Thefe 
 pieces are not in the Provencal manu- 
 fcripts ; they are only mentioned ; and that 
 given, was compofed at the beginning of 
 the thirteenth century, when the crufade 
 againft the Albigenfes, inflamed all the 
 foLithern provinces of France. 
 
 This
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 123 
 
 This Troubadour declaims againft the 
 clergy, to whom were attributed thefe un- 
 jufl: and violent proceedings. 
 
 '^ A VILE and cowardly populace, 
 armed with furplices Inftead of fwords, 
 wreft from the nobles their palaces and 
 towers ; fo formidable have they rendered 
 themfelves, as to eflablifli their power ; a 
 new court of juftice, (the Inqulfitlon), 
 where none are heard but the favourers of 
 injuftice. 
 
 " I BEHOLD wickednefs triumphant, 
 while merit and honour are laid low : 
 I behold the world deftroyed by thefe vil- 
 lains ! The flieep dares to attack the wolf; 
 the partridge chafes the vulture ; the lamb 
 guards the (hepherd ! I behold the weak 
 become ftrong, and the ftrong defence- 
 lefs ; che cart go before the oxen ; and 
 Chriflmas fuccecds the new year !" 
 
 These original expreflions paint the 
 
 flate of things in this period, with great 
 
 fim-
 
 124 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fimpliclty ; when churchmen fpread ter- 
 ror around, and overthrew the moft pow- 
 erful and mighty ; affifted by the arms of 
 thofe ambitious enthufiafts, without whofe 
 aid, neither their anathemas, nor their 
 Inquifition, could have produced thefe 
 dreadful efFeds. 
 
 The praifes given by William and Rai- 
 mond de Durfort, to a nobleman called 
 Gui Cap de Pore, are an amiable con- 
 trail to the charadkr of William Rainols. 
 From the caflle of Durfort, in Querci, 
 this illuflrious houfe took its name -, it was 
 one of the moft ancient v^^hich fubfifted 
 in the kingdom ; was perpetuated by the 
 greateft number of branches, and rendered 
 as illuflrious by the noble fentiments of 
 its owners, as the antiquity of their origin. 
 The two Troubadours I have named come 
 out of it ; there is but one piece worthy 
 notice, fuppofed to be written by Wil- 
 liam, and addreffed to the Lord of Peri- 
 gord, in praife of the nobleman we have 
 mentioned. — iiifter celebrating him for his 
 
 love.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 125 
 
 love of honour, and firm oppofition to 
 vice, he adds ; 
 
 ** How ufelefs to his dignity are out- 
 ward ornaments ; he fhines bright in vir- 
 tue ! Why do we not ardently defire to 
 refemble him ? Each would be happy if 
 he did. The poor fhould imitate his tem- 
 perance; the rich his humility. It grieves 
 me he has not as many marks*, as de- 
 niers f : whom others beggar, he would 
 enrich ; whom others opprefs, he would 
 exalt to honour." 
 
 These few lines anounce a noble writer, 
 fuperior to the prejudices and vices of his 
 age. 
 
 The reft of his works are dark; and 
 thofe of Raimond quite unintelligible. 
 It is thought they were contemporaries with 
 Arnaud Daniel : the time of their death> 
 01 that of Rainols, is not mentioned. 
 
 ♦' A piece of money worth thirteen (hillings, 
 t A" rmall coin, 
 
 BER-
 
 J26 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 BERTPvAND de BORN. 
 
 "OErtrand de Born, Vifcount of 
 Hautefort, in the diocefe of Perigueux, 
 was one of the heroes of the twelfth century. 
 A paflion for arms, and glory ; pride, 
 joined with meannefs; gallantry, with the 
 poetic talent ; an ardent and lively ima- 
 gination ; great adlivity and courage, with 
 a diftinguiflied rank, were the peculiar 
 qualities that marked his charader. A 
 falfe and ambitious vaiour, rather than a 
 juft courage was his pride, which he 
 ihewed in his contefls w^ith his brother 
 Conftantine, whom he expelled from his 
 territories, and deprived of his right to 
 part of the LordOiip of Hautefort ; for 
 nothing lefs than all would fatisfy his am- 
 bition : but the opprelTed in this age met 
 with protedors. The Vifcount of Li- 
 moges, and Richard, Count of Poitou, 
 
 the
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 127 
 
 the fon of Henry II. King of England, 
 fufpended their own quarrels, to maintain 
 the cauie of Conftantine; they lacked the 
 dominions of Bertrand. In a piece, 
 wherein he exclaims againft his brother, 
 for not delivering up all to him, he fpeaks 
 the language of a defpotic tyrant. " I 
 will pull out the eyes of any one, who 
 jQiall dare to invade my pofleffions. Peace 
 fuits me not ; it is war alone that I love. 
 To fear nothing is my only law ; I regard 
 neither Mondays nor Tuefdays, efteemed 
 unlucky days ; weeks, months, and years 
 are all alike to me ; at all times I will ruin 
 thofe who trouble me, were they three 
 againfl: me, inftead of two ; and their 
 power ever fo great, they fiiould not gain 
 from me one inch of that land, which 
 belongs to my children. Let others feek, 
 if they choofe it, to aggrandife their 
 houfes, and to procure the conveniencles 
 of life. As for me, to provide lances, 
 helmets, fwords, and horfes, this is my 
 ambition. Right or wrong, I will give 
 
 up
 
 I2S THE HISTORY OF 
 
 up no part of the Lofdflilp of Hautefort : 
 ic is mine, and they may make war againfl 
 me as long as they will." Conftantin6 
 bad ceded to Bertrand the land in queftion, 
 on certain conditions, fettled between 
 themfelves ; but he afferted he had beeii 
 conftrained to do fo, and therefore reclaim- 
 ed his portion. This was all the founda- 
 -tion Bertrand had for his conduct. " I 
 fhould pafs for a coward," fays he, " to 
 give up the portion my brother had re- 
 figned on his faith. Since he refufes my 
 friendfhip, and all accommodation, why 
 fhould I be condemned for defending my 
 right againft him ? The givers of advice, 
 of whom there are always plenty, fatigue 
 and ftun me with their noife, I fhall be 
 called impudent, if I do not make peace; 
 and, if I do, a coward." 
 
 The Count of Poitou had a private 
 motive for veogeance againfl: Bertrand. 
 The revolts of Henry li's children are 
 well known. After they had forced from 
 
 him
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 129 
 
 him fcveral of his appcnagcs, they fell 
 out with one another. Richard, whofe 
 temper was ardent and fiery, had great 
 quarrels with Henry, his cldcfl: brother. 
 Their vaffals, on each fide, took up arms ; 
 and among them his moft dangerous foe 
 was Bertrand, who raifcd up enemies 
 againil: him on all fides, and Prince Henry 
 was the chief of this powerful league ; 
 but, though Richard was violent, he knew 
 how to dilperfe the gathering florm, by 
 
 his {kill and addrefj. He negotiated with 
 Henry, whofe inconftant and trifling 
 temper he well knew ; and he obtained 
 from him, for a penfion fuited to his love 
 of cafe, and tafte for trifling amufements, 
 « refignation of his rights, and his lands. 
 Henry retired into Normandy, and ainufed 
 himfelf with tiitings, tournament?, and 
 pleafures ; while his vaflals fuftered under 
 the vengeance of Richard, who made 
 cruel devafl:ations in their lands. Ber- 
 trand, on this occafion, was not filcnt. 
 
 K " Thjb
 
 I30 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " Thk young King alleges, (for Henry 
 had been crov*rned), that the commands 
 of his father has obliged him to facrlfice 
 his rights to his brother. Since he will 
 neither poffefs, nor govern any domain, 
 he fhall henceforward be the King of 
 Cowards. He fhews as much impudence, 
 as cowardice, in confenting to live on the 
 penfion of the Count of. Poitou ; there is 
 no great hopes of a crowned King, who 
 lives on the wealth of another. From the 
 moment he deceives and betrays his vaf- 
 fals, . he lofes all claim to their love ! Is it 
 by leading an idle life, and dreaming 
 away his hours in pleafure, that he will 
 render himfelf v\^orthy to reign over Eng- 
 land ? to conquer Ireland ; to be pro- 
 claimed Duke of Normandy ; to poffefs 
 Maine, Anjou, Poitou, and Guienne ? 
 Richardj who has no longer his brother 
 to dread, will caufe his fubjeds to dread 
 -him ' he may arm againft them, feize and 
 df^^"-ov their caftles, 
 
 " Would
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 131 
 
 " Would to heaven that Count Ccof- 
 froi, (the third ion of Henry II.) was 
 the heir of his dominions ; England and 
 Normandy would be gainers, in having 
 him for their fovereign : for he is frank 
 and loyal." Thefe pieces of Certrand 
 are interefting ; as a monument of that 
 liberty with which they then fpoke, and 
 wrote, and of the firaplicity with which 
 they treated the greatefl: affairs. By the 
 defection of Prince Henry, the league 
 was diflblved ; the greater part went away 
 on divers pretences, and Bertrand alone 
 dared to refift the power of Richard : 
 but he had foon reafon to repent fo rafh 
 an enterprize ; his caftle was befieged, 
 and, had he obftinateiy perfifled in de- 
 fending it, he would have been lofl, 
 without refource. He, therefore, furren- 
 dered, and Richard accepted his fubmilTion, 
 pardoned, and embraced him. Touched 
 with this clemency, Eertrand compofed 
 this piece in his praife. " Notwithlland- 
 ing my lofTes, 1 have flill the, heart to 
 
 K 2 fing.
 
 132 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fing. I have re(igned Hautefort to the 
 Lord Richard ; but fince I have appeared 
 before him to aflc his favour, and that he 
 has pardoned and embraced me, I fear no 
 other misfortune. The Barons of Li- 
 mofm, and of Perigord, who plighted me 
 their faith, have bafely betrayed and aban- 
 doned me. 1 alfo will forfake them. If 
 Count Richard will vouchfafe me his 
 grace, I will devote myfelf to his fervice^ 
 and my attachment to him fhall be as 
 J)ure as the finell filver. His high dig- 
 nity fhould caufe him to refemble the fea, 
 which feems to retain all llie receives, 
 within her bofom, but calls it back on 
 the fhore. It befits fo great a Baron, to 
 seftore v/hat he has taken from a vafial, 
 who humbles himfelf before him. I be- 
 feech him, at leaft, to confide to me the 
 care of my caflle ; for thofe to whom he 
 has committed the charge of it, are my 
 enemies, and we fliall have perpetual 
 broils ^ nor ¥/ill he expofe himfelf to dif- 
 lionai^r by thi^ refloration, fmce I fhall
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, j-^^ 
 
 be ever ready to fervc and honour him ; 
 whicli, had tliey not betrayed me, per- 
 haps I (liould never have done." 
 
 Whether this frank, and yet flatter- 
 ing addrefs to Richard pleafed him, or 
 whether hs merely confidered the advan- 
 tage of attaching lb vahant a Knight to 
 his fervice, he received his oath, and re- 
 flored to him his caRIc. 
 
 Bertrand made ufe of this peace to 
 revenge himfclf on the Vifcounts of Li- 
 moges, and of Perigord, v.'ho had fo 
 fhamefully abandoned him ; all the ra- 
 vages war produced in this age, were the 
 confequences of this vengeance. 
 
 The three fons of Henry II. having 
 again revolted, Bertrand fcizcd this op- 
 portunity of gratifying his prevailing love 
 of intrigue and difcord, by renewing his 
 league with Prince Henry, who was go- 
 in cr to war with the Gafcons. The fick- 
 
 K 3 nefs
 
 134 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 * 
 
 nefs and death of this young Prince, In 
 
 1 1 83, penetrated Bcrtrand with the mofl 
 lively grief, becaufe it difconcerted his 
 defigns ; he compofed two pieces on this 
 occafion, and the prince whom he had 
 bitterly cenfured, he now as lavifhly com- 
 mends. Among other things, common 
 to panegyric, and tedious to relate, fpeak- 
 ing of his generous charader, and ob- 
 liging manners, of the order, magniii- 
 cence, and hofpitality of his houfe, and 
 the brilliant appearance of his guefts, he 
 has thefe fingular paffages. " Amiable 
 Prince, hadft thou lived, thou wouldft 
 have become the Kino: of Courtefy ; and 
 the Emperor of the Brave and Plonour- 
 able. Cruel Death ! thou may'fl boafl; 
 thy conquefl over the beO: Knight that 
 ever lived I Why didft thou not launch 
 thy darts againft the many wicked, whom 
 thou ftill permitteft to live, the vile bur- 
 then of this univerfe ? May the virtues 
 of this young King ferve as a model for 
 all thofe to whom he was known. I im- 
 plore
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 135 
 
 plore the mercy of God, who chcd to 
 fave us, that he will vouchfafe to place 
 him In honourable company, and In that 
 region where is neither pain or forrow !" 
 
 The King of England, attributing to 
 Bertrand the feditious condudl of his fon 
 Plenry, determined to punlOi him ; he 
 befieged the caftle of Hautefort, and made 
 Bertrand, and all the garrifon, prifoners. 
 When Bertrand was conduded to his con- 
 queror, Henry reproached him with many 
 bitter taunts. 
 
 " It Is you, then," faid Henry, *' who 
 boafled, you had more underftanding than 
 you could make ufe of." 
 
 *' I HAD a right to fay fo formerly," 
 replied Bertrand; ** but In lofing the 
 young King, your fon, I have loft all the 
 reafon "and the ability 1 once pofTeifed." 
 
 At the name of his fon, Henry wept. 
 ** Ah, Bertrand!" he cried, ** unfortun- 
 
 K A ate
 
 136 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 at e Bertrand ! your mind might well be 
 perplexed on lofing my fon j for he loved 
 you moil tenderly ; and I, for the paren- 
 tal love I bore him, reflore to you your 
 liberty, your caftle, your pofTefTions ! I 
 reflore to you my favour and friendfliip ; 
 and I will give you five hundred marks, 
 to repair the mifchief i have done you." 
 
 Bertrand threw himfelf at his feet, 
 and fwore to him a faithful and everlaft- 
 ing attachment. 
 
 All hiftorians attefi:, that Henry was 
 a good father. Notwithftanding the con- 
 tinual revolts of his children, the death 
 of his eldeft fon had filled him with bit- 
 ter grief; and this fenfiblHty of mind, 
 joined to the fpirit of chivalry, might na- 
 turally produce this heroic ad of gene- 
 rofity. Ancient manners afford many 
 fmgular contrafts of violence and of 
 bounty. 
 
 No
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 137 
 
 No one was more fubjed to exccTs of 
 paffion than Bertrand, and to keen fatlre 
 on his enemies. Having fome pique 
 againfl: Alphonfo II. King of Arragon, 
 he wrote with feverity againft him, ac- 
 cufing him of detaining money confided 
 to his charge ; and of borrowing, with- 
 out repaying : and he adds, that the 
 perfon of whom he had borrowed the mo- 
 ney, being attacked by fome Jews, and 
 in his own defence kilHng one of the ag- 
 greffors, the Jews complained to Al- 
 phonfo, and promifed him a fum of mo- 
 ney, if he would deliver up the accufed 
 to their vengeance ; the money was ac- 
 cepted, and the vidira -delivered up to 
 their fury. 
 
 William Borgedon, a writer of 
 that time, declares pofitively, that the 
 Jews had him burnt on Chriftmas-day. 
 Bertrand does not relate this tragical end ; 
 but continues to reproach Alphonfo with 
 bitternefe, 
 
 *' AftL
 
 138 THE HISTORY OF ; 
 
 *« All the world fpeaks ill of this 
 Prince. I would have been at peace with 
 him, but he is fo difloyal, and wicked ; 
 to corred him, he muft be fharply dealt 
 with. 
 
 *' One of his vaflals related to me a 
 bafe adion he was guilty of toward a 
 Gentleman. This Gentleman had invited 
 him to a repaft ; the moment he entered 
 his houfe, he expelled his hofl-, and 
 ufurped his eftate. 
 
 " Having fent a number of Knights 
 to the fervice of the King of Cadile, fifty 
 of which were taken prifoners in a battle; 
 he exaded from that prince the payment 
 1 of their ranfom ; but he carried off the 
 money, and left them in prifon. 
 
 " It was juftly prophecied of Al- 
 phonfo, from his youth, that he would be 
 neither enterprifing, nor brave ; for he 
 was always obferved to gape when they 
 
 difcourfed
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 139 
 
 dircoiirfcd of war and battles ; and, when 
 a young King behaves tluis, it mnfl be 
 from dillike to martial exploits, and igno- 
 rance in feats of arms." 
 
 The wars of Richard, with Philip An- 
 guftiis, opened a new field to our Trou- 
 badour, in which to exercifc his martial 
 inclinations, and vent the fatire of his 
 fpirit. Attached to the firfl: of thefe il- 
 luflrious rivals, he was unjuft to the other, 
 and this is the natural confequence of a 
 prejudiced and paffionate mind. 
 
 The Provencal manufcripts afford fome 
 particulars of thefe contefls, not mentioned 
 in hiftory, and which are well deferving 
 of a place in biography. 
 
 A BLOODY battle was preparing on both 
 fides ; the two Kings of France and Eng- 
 land at the head of their troops, were only 
 feparated by the river Seure, near the Niort. 
 They continued in the view of each other 
 
 fifteen
 
 140 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fifteen days, retained in this fituation by 
 their clergy, whofe endeavours were un^ 
 intermitting to promote peace, and fave 
 the effufion of human blood. 
 
 One day, when Richard was going to 
 pafs the river, and the French army waited 
 with impatience the fignal for battle, the 
 prelates, and the monks, with their cru- 
 cifixes in hand, conjured the two mo- 
 narchs to facrihce their cruel enmity to 
 the God of peace and love. Philip pro- 
 tefled, that he would never difarm, if 
 Richard did not reftore to him Gifors, and 
 do him homage for Normandy, Foitou, 
 and Aquitaine. 
 
 Richard, exafperated at thefe de- 
 mands, mounts his horfe, puts on his hel- 
 met, and commands to found the charge. 
 He bad corrupted the Champenoife with 
 bribes ; they were in the army of Philip, 
 and he relied on their defection. At the 
 moment of giving battle, they alone, of 
 
 all
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 141 
 
 all Philip's troops, were difobcdicnt to 
 his orders. Diftrcfled, by their refufal, 
 to advance againft the enemy, Philip al- 
 fembled the prelates, and monks, who 
 had exerted themfelves (o much to pro- 
 mote peace, and feat them to the King of 
 England, with a promife to conclude it. 
 Their exhortations Were now efFe6lual, 
 becaufe they were accompanied with very 
 advantageous offers. 
 
 Philip Augustus ceded Gifors to Ri- 
 chard, the demand of the homage was 
 fufpended, and peace was ratified. The 
 ProYen9al hiftorian adds, that after this 
 the two Kings became ceconomifls, and 
 even mifers, expending their money only 
 in the purchafe of land, and accoutre- 
 ments for the chace. This the Barons be- 
 held with chagrin; for they were expoied 
 to many troubles and vexations from the 
 parfimonious condudt of thefe monarchs. 
 Bertrand was, in particular, afflided at 
 this event j war was his fole delight, and 
 
 his
 
 142 THE' HISTORY OF 
 
 his fortune, no lefs than his ambition, 
 fufFered from this league ; he therefore 
 employed every effort to rekindle the fire 
 of difcord. His fatire rendered him for- 
 midable to all Princes ; and he made ufe 
 of it, without reftraint, on this occafion. 
 
 He accufed Richard and Philip of ab- 
 ject cowardice ; and above all the latter, 
 whom he hated, 
 
 '* How contemptible," fays he, " is 
 an armed King, who ftoops to treat, 
 when he fhould charge his foe." 
 
 A SMALL fpark Is fufficient to kindle 
 the flame of war. The provinces were 
 all in confufion. Richard, more arrogant 
 than ever, behaved with the greatefl in- 
 juftice, and Philip complained bitterly of 
 his infradlons. At lad, thefe furious ri- 
 vals agreed on an interview. Philip broke 
 out into invedlves; Richard gave him 
 the lie, and they feparated in a rage, after 
 a mutual defiance of each other. 
 
 Ber-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 143 
 
 Bertrand triumphed In his fuccefs, 
 and wrote another piece, to widen the 
 breach he had made. In it he compares 
 the King of France to monks, who love 
 idlenefs ; and fpurs him on by the exam- 
 ple of Richard, 
 
 " He loves war," adds Bertrand, " as 
 much as the Algais." The Algais w^ere 
 four brothers, famous robbers, who, at 
 the head of eleven thoufand villains, pil- 
 laged and deflroyed the country around. 
 By this comparifon, their profefTion ap- 
 peared, no doubt, to Bertrand, worthy to 
 exalt even monarchs themfelves. 
 
 On the firft fignal of war between the 
 two Kings, he did not fail to excite the 
 fiery mind of Richard, by his applaufe. 
 This Prince, and the poet, called one an- 
 other by the nick-names of Oc, and No ; 
 and this was a common practice with per- 
 fons in this age, united by friendfhip, or 
 intercll. Thus Bertrand took the name 
 
 of
 
 144 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Rafla, with GeofFroi of Bretagne ; and, 
 with young Henry, crowned King of Eng- 
 land, the name of Marinier. This is a 
 convincing proof of his familiarity with 
 thefe Princes, and the affability of the 
 great to their favourites. The devotion 
 or ambition of the crufades reconciled 
 Philip and Richard, in appearance. It is 
 well known what reafon the latter had to 
 repent this expedition, from the ill fuccefs 
 of his attempts againft the Saracens ; 
 from his long imprifonment in Germany, 
 and the diforders which arofe in his domi- 
 nions, during his abfence ; the Barons of 
 Limoufin, and of Perigord, excited com- 
 motions, and regained feveral of the 
 places Ps^ichard had conquered. 
 
 The league that took place betvv^een 
 Philip and Richard, Vv^^s in vain oppofed 
 by Bertrand : but, on their return from 
 ■the holy war, he employed his pen in 
 exciting the vengeance of Pochard againft 
 the factious Barons, who now ia their 
 
 turn
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 14^ 
 
 turn experienced the rudenefs of his fa- 
 tire. 
 
 It would be furprifing to find a cha- 
 ra£lcr Hke Bertrand's, famed for gal- 
 lantry ; but this was ncceifary to form a 
 complete Knight. The Princefs Helene, 
 fifter of King Richard, who afterward 
 married the Duke of Saxe, and was mo- 
 ther of the Emperor Otho, did not dif- 
 dain the homage of Eertrand- Richard 
 himfelf, then Count of Poitou, had en- 
 couraged the love of the poet, by recom- 
 mending it to him to do all honour, and 
 procure all the diverfion pofTiblc for his 
 fifter. Helene, on her part, appeared 
 fenfible to the glory of being celebrated 
 by fuch a lover. Eertrand fpeaks of He- 
 lene as the mod excellent lady in the world. 
 " Nothing like her is to be met with, 
 either on fea or land.** At the time of 
 this commendation, he did indeed want 
 for every thing, being in the midft of 
 
 L a camp.
 
 146 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 a camp, where they had neither eaten nor 
 drank at mid day. 
 
 Be RTR AND charmed even Hunger her- 
 felf, by finglng the praifes of beautiful 
 Helene. It is probable, however, this 
 paffion only glanced on his heart ; for 
 Maenz, of Montagnac, daughter of the 
 Vifcount of Turenne, and the wife of 
 Tallerand, brother of the Vifcount of Pe- 
 rigord, infpired him with a more ardent 
 and tender flame ; but jealoufy foon in- 
 terrupted their love. Bertrand was pro- 
 fufe of his elogies on a lady of Bour- 
 gundy, named Guifcarde, Vvho had mar- 
 ried the Vifcount of Comborn ; and who> 
 before her marriage, had compofed fome 
 verfes in honour of Bertrand. Maenz 
 fafpe^led Bertrand of giving her a rival, 
 and difmilTed him from her prefence ; pe- 
 netrated with grief, he compofed the fol- 
 lowing lines, fingular for their turn of 
 exprelilon^ 
 
 S£ 
 
 I DIS'
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 147 
 
 *' I DiscuLPATE myfelf, for I merit 
 not the cenfure caft upon me ; for pity. 
 Madam, do not fufFer me to be banifhed 
 from your frank, lioneft, and amiable 
 pcrfon. At the firfl: flight, let n:e lofe 
 my fpar-hawk ; let falcons carry it away, 
 and tear it before my eyes, if I do not 
 prefer the thoughts of you, to the love 
 and favour of another ! 
 
 *' May I be on horfeback daring a 
 ftorm, with the bridle faifened to my 
 neck ; my reins be fo fliort, that 1 cannot 
 ftir ; may my hoft, at the inn, be in the 
 vilefl humour, if my accufer has not be- 
 lied me ! 
 
 " My Lady quits me for another 
 Knight. I know not what will become 
 of me, nor what oath to make for my 
 juflification. May the wind fail me at 
 fea ', may I be drubbed by the porters, 
 when I enter the King's court ; and may 
 they behold me fly in battle, if he is not 
 
 L 2 an
 
 148 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 an impoftcr, who has fo viilainoufly be- 
 lied me !" 
 
 # 
 
 In another of his pieces, he flatters 
 Maenz in the moft laviih manner, to foften 
 her anger, afcribing to her the different 
 perfections of all other women ; but her 
 inflexible rigour towards him, determined 
 him to leave her, and offer his heart to 
 Tiberge de Montaufier, a Lady who was 
 celebrated for her beauty, knowlege, and 
 virtue. This generous woman appeared 
 afHided, as well as flattered, by his ad- 
 dreffes, and feeks to reeonclle him to his 
 miftrefs. " If you have not wronged 
 her," fays fhe, " 1 ffiall know it; and, if 
 you are true, I will do my utmoft to re- 
 flore you to the favour cf Maenz : but, 
 if you are culpable, neither will I, nor 
 ought any other, to take you into their 
 fervice/^ 
 
 Bertrand, fatlsfied with this gener- 
 ous offer, promifed the Lady of ?v^on- 
 
 taufier
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 149 
 
 taiifier to love none but her, if he could 
 not recover tlie good graces of Maenz ; 
 and (lie promlfed, on her part, to take 
 him for her Knight, if flic could not fuc- 
 ceed in her negotiation. Convinced, at 
 laft, of the innocence of the Troubadour, 
 Maenz reftored him to her favour, exact- 
 ing, at the fame time, (fo ferious and nice 
 of honour were they in thefe love affairs,) 
 that he fliould go and take a folemn leave 
 of the Lady of Monlaufier ; and get him- 
 felf difculpated, by her, from the fort of 
 oath he had taken. 
 
 Bertrand celebrates this reconcilia- 
 tion in a piece, not given; where, mixing 
 gallantry with very oppofite ideas, he 
 concludes with faying, " The iirii lav,'s 
 of honour are, to make war ; to tilt at 
 Advent, and at Eafler; and to eiirich wo- 
 iTiCn with the fpoils of the contpered." 
 
 Maenz, of Montagnac, was alfo court- 
 ed by Richard, Count of Poitou i Ccof- 
 
 L 3 fi'OJ,
 
 150 THE PIISTORY OF 
 
 froi, Count of Bretagne^ Alphonfo, King 
 of Arragon ; and Raimond, Count of 
 Thouloufe : but fhe preferred Bertrand to 
 them all. She chofe Iilm, fays the Pro- 
 ven9al hiftorlan, for her lover, and her 
 Lord. But fuch exalted rivals gave Ber- 
 trand uneafinefs, and he fought to remove 
 them, by an odious piece, in which he 
 fullied the honour of Maenz. Plow ill 
 does fuch a charge accord with the pure, 
 and ancient laws of love ; and, without 
 regai-ding the rank of his rivals, any 
 more than the reputation of his miflrefs, 
 he adds, " I cannot endure a great Lord, 
 who never gives money or courtefy ; who 
 accufes people wrongfully; who a fks fa- 
 vours, but grants none ; who refufes to 
 recompence the fervices done him ; who 
 knows only how to hunt and hawk ; and 
 ■who is wholly ignorant, both of love and 
 of arms." 
 
 Discord reigned even in his love; 
 and the charader of Bertrand, through- 
 out,
 
 TPIE TROUBADOURS. 151 
 
 -out, is violent and fcverc : ml, as it was 
 his continual aim to promote quarrels, 
 he ufed frequently to fay, I would have 
 4he great Barons in continual feuds with 
 one another. 1 he demon of ill nature 
 feemed to have poflTefllon of his foul, not- 
 withftanding all his pretences to love and 
 gallantry, of which he feems to make a 
 joke, by the turn of fome of his expref- 
 fions ; and to act in the bafeft manner, if 
 his conduc^l: towards Maenz is to be his 
 judge in others. 
 
 Havimg done all the mlfchief he could 
 in his life, he ploufly finiihed his courfc 
 among the monks of Citteaux, which 
 did not, however, prevent Dante from 
 placing him in his Inferno, for having 
 divided the head and the members ; he 
 means the arming the young King of 
 England againfl: his flither, Henry II. 
 There, according to the Italian poet, he is 
 condemned to carry his own head, in the 
 
 L 4 fhape
 
 152 THE HISTOUY OF 
 
 fhape of a lanthorn, after its being fepa- 
 rated from his body. 
 
 The chief things concerning Al- 
 phonfo II. King of Arragon, being given 
 in this life, the account of this King will 
 be pafied over, it being only faid of him, 
 that he favoured the Troubadours, and 
 was therefore flattered by moft of them ; 
 though fo notorious, as we have feen, for 
 his vices Among the Troubadours, 
 adds the Provencal hiflorian, was a fon 
 of this Bertrand, who thus writes againft 
 the infamous cowardice of John, King of 
 England : " He fuffered himfelf to be 
 Gripped of his poffeflions in his life ; his 
 honour was funk into the duft, and he 
 appeared flattered, rather than grieved, 
 with the fliame and reproach that was 
 poured upon his defpoiled head." 
 
 OGIER.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, i 
 
 5^ 
 
 O G I E R. 
 
 OGIER was born in Saint Donat, a 
 town in the A^iennois ; he rcfided 
 a long time in Lombardy, and flouriflied 
 in the twelfth century. Moft of his 
 pieces are a mere play upon words. ** As 
 I fhall be always their fervant, to dlfierve 
 in ferving the corrupted corrupters, fur- 
 rounded by their bafe counfellors, who 
 counfel their difdain of honour." This 
 fpecimen may very well fufEce for this 
 ftyle of writing ; but, in another piece, 
 in which he refers to the tragical death of 
 the Vifcount of Beziers, nature raifes 
 him above fuch an affeded jargon. 
 
 The relation of this unhappy event is 
 given in the hiftory of Langucdoc ; and 
 not only merits notice for its fingularity, 
 
 but
 
 154 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 but for the pathetic lamentation of our 
 Troubadour. 
 
 Raimond Trancaval, Vifcount of 
 Beziers, went to the fuccour of one of 
 his nephews, who was attacked by his 
 enen:iies. On the way, a citizen of Be- 
 ziers quarrelled v/ith a Knight, and took 
 from him his fumpter-horfe. Enraged 
 with this injury, and animated by the 
 other Knights, the gentleman went and 
 complained to the Vifcount, demanding 
 fatisfadion for this infult ; the Knights 
 even threatened Trancaval, to abandon 
 him, if he did not render them immediate 
 juRice. Trancaval, therefore, de'ivered 
 up the citizen, on whom they inflided a 
 punifhment, not fevere in itfelf, but 
 which would refled difhonour on him 
 through his future life. All the citizens 
 of Beziers were refolved to revenge them- 
 felves on Trancaval for this adlion. 
 
 When the campaign was ended, 
 and the Vifcount returned home, a few of 
 
 thefe
 
 TFIE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 155 
 
 thefe citizens, deputed by the reft, went 
 to Trancaval, and intreated him to repair 
 the difgrace which was fallen on their 
 whole body. The Vifcount, naturally 
 civil and benevolent, replied with great 
 gentlenefs, that he would advife with the 
 principal inhabitants, and would willingly 
 fix a day, to make all the amends in his 
 power, for that, which neceffity alone ob- 
 liged him to do. 
 
 They appeared fatisfied w^ith his an- 
 fwer. The day came ; it was on Sunday 
 the 1 5th of Oclober, 1 1 67. He went to 
 the church of the Magdalen, followed by 
 his whole court. 
 
 The principal citizens came thither 
 foon after, armed with cuirafTes, and 
 poinards under their cloaths. The man, 
 who thought himfelf injured, advanced 
 the firft, and faid to the Vifcount, " Be- 
 hold a miferable wretch, weary of life, 
 fmce he cannot live without fhame ; tell 
 
 us,
 
 156 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 US', therefore, my Lord, will you repair 
 the wrong you have done me ?" 
 
 The Vifcount replied with great affa- 
 bility, " That he fhould refer this mat- 
 ter (as he had prornifed) to the council of 
 his Lords, and the decifion of the citi- 
 zens." 
 
 ** You would do well," replied the ci- 
 tizen, *' if our reproach could be wiped 
 away ; but that being impoifible, it muft 
 be v/afhed off in your blood !" 
 
 The confpirators inftantly drew out 
 tlicir poniards, and, throwing themfelves 
 furioully on their Lord, they aflaffinated 
 hira at the foot of the altar, with all his 
 friends, and his Barons, notwithflanding 
 the zealous efforts of the Eifhop, whom 
 they alfo wounded, as he was endeavour*- 
 ing to defend Trancaval from their rage ; 
 fo horrid and atrocious was their paffion 
 
 for
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 157 
 
 for revenge ! Ogier thus laments this 
 dreadful cataftrophe. 
 
 *« My heart is fo opprefled with grief, 
 that I {hould think a whole life too fhort, 
 to lament the death of the brave, the 
 good, the glorious Vifcount of Beziers ; 
 the moft valiant, the mofl: courteous, the 
 moft joyous, and the beft Knight, that 
 was ever in this w^orld ! Never was hea- 
 ven fo outraged, as by thefe renegade 
 dogs, who maflacred him, and who flew 
 his friends and Barons furrounding their 
 amiable Prince. What horror muft come 
 upon high and low, when they reflect, 
 that the love and humanity of fo kind a 
 Lord was forgotten ! Alas, he is dead ! 
 and to whom fhall we now appeal ? 
 
 " A THOUSAND Knights of high birth 
 are become fatherlefs ; and as many La- 
 dies of rank and merit afflided, and de- 
 folate widows. May God, who made tlie 
 Holy Trinity of himfelf, receive thofe 
 
 fouls !
 
 J53 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fouls, which the wicked have fent from 
 hence, into his Paradife of peace and 
 
 joy I 
 
 Among the other pieces of Ogicr, 
 there is fo jufl a fatire againfl thofe old 
 w^omen, who ufe art to cover their 
 wrinkles, that it may not be amifs to in- 
 fert it ; and it may ferve as a relief to the 
 mind, after the tragical ftory above re- 
 lated. 
 
 ** I CANNOT bear the red and white 
 faces the old put on, and which they 
 compofe of an ointment, made of an egg 
 beaten up, and white fmeared over that, 
 which makes their old battered Ikins fhine, 
 from the forehead to the fhoulder. 
 
 *' I HOLD that man for a fool, who is 
 fond of fuch a painted vifage ; and it is 
 a great fhame for a woman, who has loil 
 her beauty, to occupy herfelf, with fo 
 much anxiety, about her appearance and 
 
 drefs.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 159 
 
 drefs. Inftead of this folicltude for her 
 body, which is perifhing, fhe fhould em- 
 ploy herfclf in the falvation of her foul.** 
 
 There are no other particulars con- 
 cerning this Troubadour, or the time in 
 which he died. 
 
 PETER d'AUVERGNE. 
 
 PEter d'Auvergne was the fon of 
 a citizen, in the diocefe of Cler- 
 mont. A talent for poetry, joined to a 
 fine figure, an amiable character, and a 
 cultivated mind, procured him much fuc- 
 cefs ; and many high Barons, and noble 
 Ladies, treated him with favour. He 
 paffed, fays the "- Proven 9al manufcript» 
 for the beft writer among the Trouba- 
 dours, till the appearance of Gcraud Bor- 
 neil J but he is reproached by fome, ^ for 
 
 praifmg
 
 i6o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 praifing his own works immoderately, 
 and for equally cenfuring thofe of others. 
 
 He was To well received by the La- 
 dles, that, after reciting his works to them, 
 he received the reward of a kifs from 
 thofe who pleafed him the moft ; and the 
 beautiful Clarette, of Baux, daughter of 
 the Lord of Berre, had almoft always 
 the preference in his love. One of his 
 fongs to this Lady, is in the following 
 fimple" ftyle. 
 
 •' Go, fweet nightingale, go to the 
 beauty I adore ; tell her my feelings, and 
 acquaint thyfelf with her's; let her charge 
 thee to tell me, Vac forgets me not. Do 
 not fiay ; fly faft back, and bring me 
 word what thou haft heard ; for 1 have 
 neither parent, nor friend in the world, 
 from whom I i'o much wiih to receive in- 
 telligence." The pretty bird departs ^ he 
 flies gaily along, inquiring every where, 
 till he finds my fiiir one. On the view 
 
 of
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. i6i 
 
 of her he begins thofe melting founds, 
 which he warbles forth. On beholding 
 the flar of the evening, on a fudden he 
 becomes filent, and reflects in what man- 
 ner he fhould obtain her notice ; then 
 perching near her, he fpeaks thus :— 
 " Your loyal friend has difpatched me to 
 you, to pour forth thofe notes that may 
 pleafe and delight you. What fhall 1 tell 
 him, when he comes breathlefs to meet 
 me at my return ? If he receives a fa- 
 vourable anfwer, you ought to feel an 
 equal joy, fince he loves you more than 
 ever ; — but you are filent. I perceive 
 that my meflage is ill received. • Your 
 friend, I proteft to you, places all his hap- 
 pinefs in your love ! Why do you paufe ? 
 Embrace love while it is offered ; feize 
 the happy moment ; it is a flower that 
 fwiftly fades away !" 
 
 The Lady thus replied. «« Your pretty 
 bird came diredly to me ; your mcflagc 
 I received with joy ; he will alTure you, 
 
 M my
 
 i62 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 my kind friend, that your abfence afflids 
 me much ; for no one interefts me like 
 yourfelf : but you quitted me too foon ; 
 and, had 1 foreieen your abfence, you 
 would not have received fuch proofs of 
 my regard. I now' regret my pad: ten- 
 dernefs. My heart is fo penetrated with 
 love, that I am always melancholy, al- 
 ways fighing for the obje<fl of my affec- 
 tion. When v/ith him, I live in joy ! 
 I would not change him for ought the 
 w^orld could beflov\r. I wait with impa- 
 tience to behold him. True love, like 
 goM, continues alv^'ays refining ; mine 
 for you is always increafing. Gentle 
 bird, depart; tell him how much I love 
 him ! tell it him in thy fofteft tone. Fly ; 
 make hafte.— What ! art thou not yet 
 gone ?" 
 
 The other fonnets of this Troubadour 
 are a proof, that, notwithllanding all his 
 tendernefs, he was not happy in love. In 
 one of them he fpeaks of the falfehood 
 
 of
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 163 
 
 of women, and determines to renounce 
 them all. Whatever they fay, he will 
 never more return to the follies, and paf- 
 fions of this world ; but in God alone 
 will feek peace and confolation. In an- 
 other piece he very fharply declaims agalnft 
 thofe hufbands, who form connexions 
 out of their families. '* From thefe 
 adulteries," he adds, " arife children 
 without courage, honour, and merit; pof- 
 fefling titles and wealth that belongs not 
 unto them." In another fonnet he re- 
 marks the caprice of human nature. 
 *' Each one is eager to obtain what he 
 defires ; but, when attained, it becomes a 
 fource of chagrin and anxiety. All men 
 ought to be circumfpecl in their deGres, 
 and their adions ; for the fecrets of ail 
 hearts are foon divulged : fweetnefs is 
 turned into bitter nefs, and tender nefs into 
 hatred." 
 
 His pride was fufFjciently proved in 
 his pieces, where he calumniates all the 
 
 M 2 other
 
 164 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 other Troubadours ; and fpeaks of him- 
 felf as the only man in the world, who 
 compofes with perfect judgment. 
 
 *' Peter Rogiers fmgs always of 
 love 5 but he would do better to fnig his 
 Pfalter, and carry a chandelier to church, 
 ■with a lighted taper." — He was probably 
 an inferior clerk. 
 
 *' GiRARD DE BoRNEiL rciembles an 
 old flieet, burnt in the fun, with his thin 
 and languid compofitions; fit, at the beft, 
 for old women, who draw water at a 
 fountain. 
 
 *^ The father of Bernard de Ventadour 
 was a bad archer, and his mother gathered 
 faggots to heat the oven. 
 
 " Brival Limousin refembles a fick 
 pilgrim, who fings to the mob. I have 
 compafhon on him-. 
 
 ** William de Ribes is like a tree, 
 which is breaking ; and, to fee his eyes, 
 
 one
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 165 
 
 one fhould take him for one of the heads 
 which arc fixed on the walls of cliurchcs." 
 
 He fpeaks of the reft in ftill lower 
 terms ; and this is frequent with tliofe 
 who encourage ccnforious difpofitions, 
 they generally defcend at laft to ribaldry. 
 
 Tins Troubadour might be compared 
 to a frog, who went about croaking 
 againft his fellows. In his time, all poetry 
 wrent under the name of vcrfe, till Girard 
 de Borneil introduced the name of fonnet, 
 which exprelTed the gallant pieces that 
 were fung. 
 
 After having lived long in the world, 
 with honour, Peter d* Auvergne embraced 
 the monailic flate, and died a monk. 
 
 M 3 IZARN,
 
 i66 THE HISTORY OF. 
 
 IZARN, A DOMINICAN; 
 Missionary and Inquisitor. 
 
 ^1~*' HERE is no account given of this 
 A, Troubadour, but that he wrote a 
 piece which is called, 'T/:e Controverfy of 
 J%ar72, ivith an Albigenfe Theologian. It is 
 a precious monument of the doctrine then 
 imputed to thefe heretics, and fhews in what 
 manner they attempted to convince them 
 of their error, and to inforce their argu- 
 ments by the dread of torture. 
 
 If I may be allowed the expreflion, 
 ** It is a fpeaking image of the ancient 
 Inquifition." 
 
 " Answer me, heretic! talk a little 
 with me : but I have heard, thou wilt 
 not, unlefs thou art forced. Thou doft 
 make a fine mock of God, in denying ihy 
 
 f^ilh.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 167 
 
 faith, and thy baptifm ; in taking the 
 devil for thy creator, and helieving that 
 fuch a monRer is ab:e to favc thee ! God 
 alone, is the creator of man. Maniis tute 
 fecerunt me, & plafinaverimt me. This 
 Scripture proves, that God, and not the 
 devil, made a man, and the woman after 
 him ; for the devil has no power to fav, 
 or do, any thing that is good ; and how 
 then could he make man, who is better 
 than himfelf : how much lefs w^as it in 
 his power to beftow on him falvation ; he 
 would then have given thee more than he 
 has referved for himfelF. I do not thinJc 
 thou art a liundred years old, and it is 
 more than five thoufand fmcc thy father, 
 the devil, has delpaired of obtaining 
 mercy. 
 
 *' Tiiou, who art filled with the Holy 
 Ghoft, and who dolt make a traffick of it 
 among thy difciples, why dofl thou not 
 give falvation to thy father ? — No. I will 
 uever believe that man fhould proceed 
 
 M 4 fvom
 
 i68 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 from fo bad a father as the devil. The 
 true father of man is God ; Formavit 
 hominem adimaginem^ ^ fimilitudinemfuam. 
 Here are two great tedimonies to con- 
 vince thee ; but, if they fuffice not, thou 
 flialt be obliged to fubmit to a third proof, 
 Suppofmg, as thou fayeft, the devil did 
 make thee from head to foot, I will de- 
 monflrate to thee this was impoffible. 
 Neither Solomon, nor any prophet, nei- 
 ther Apoflle, nor Pope, has faid that fal- 
 vation was produced by the work of the 
 devil ; and the Holy Ghoft is not fo re- 
 mifs, as to fix his refidence in the edifice 
 of Satan : but thou art as wafteful of the 
 Holy Ghoft, as if it was lard ; and thou 
 doft pretend, by this prodigality, to fave 
 the fouls of thy brethren." 
 
 These very fingular obfcrvations are, 
 no doubt, over-flrained, and arofe from 
 the ignorance of the miffionary, as to the 
 real dodrine of thefe heretics ; but they 
 had their foundation in the Manichean 
 
 fyftem,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 169 
 
 fyftem, of two over-ruling Intclllgencics, 
 a Good, and an Evil Being. They Vvcre 
 charged with believing, that God had 
 made Lucifer, with his angels ; that Lu- 
 cifer had revolted againft God ; that he 
 had been driven from heaven, with all his 
 angels ; and that, in his banifliment, he 
 had employed himfelf in creating the vi- 
 fible world, over which he reigned. 
 
 The minifters of this fedl, as many- 
 modern fanatics have fmce done, pretend- 
 ed to communicate the Holy GhoH: ; and, 
 to do this, according to the hiftorians of 
 thefe times, they blew feven times into the 
 mouths of the believers. It was this 
 which gave rife to the pleafantry of Izarn, 
 who thus proceeds. 
 
 " Thou art on thy guard, and wilt 
 
 ' not preach thy dodrine in churches, or 
 
 in market-places ; thou preacheft it in 
 
 woods, in thickets, and among the buflies, 
 
 v/here the Ladies Domergua, Renau^, 
 
 Bernard,
 
 170 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Bernard, Garfens, fit fpinning at their 
 diltaffs. While fome fpin, and others 
 weave, the Gofpel is explained, and the 
 preacher holds forth. Was there ever 
 fach an aflembly feen ! people, who neither 
 know how to read, nor write, yet pre- 
 tending to deprive God of his right, but 
 in vain ; for we have a crowd of witnef- 
 fes, that it was he who formed the heaven, 
 the earth, the fun, the moon, and the 
 ftars ; and that he calls the beings he has , 
 made, fons and brothers, according to 
 their order in the creation. The prophet 
 David fays, on this fubjed, Filii tni Jicut 
 novellc? Qlivarnmr 
 
 It deferves notice, that the abfurd ap- 
 plication of this text would hardly have 
 efcaped the moft. ignorant devotees of this 
 fe£t, notwithftanding the ridicule caft 
 upon them by the mifTionary. It is v/ell 
 known the new feCc triumphed in their 
 references to the facred books ; and that 
 the Inquifition forbade the reading them 
 
 iu
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, i-i 
 
 in the vulgar tongue, as if they feared 
 their authority. 
 
 This prohibition conQrained the Albi- 
 genfes to hold their meetings in deferts, 
 and in woods ; and the precautions they 
 iifed, occafioned the profoundeft igno- 
 rance in the Catholics concerning them. 
 
 '* Let us now fee, heretic," continues 
 Izarn, *' whether thou art not guilty of 
 an infamous perfidy, in calling man the 
 adulterous child of God, and in giving 
 him any other father than that holy and 
 juft one from whom he is derived. Thou 
 lieft like a thief; and thou art, in truth, 
 the thief of fouls : but I will put thee to 
 it beyond reply, by this other queflion. 
 If the devil has indeed made man, he has 
 then made God alfo, who was crucified, 
 and who, before his paffion, was called 
 man, according to thefe words, ecce homo. 
 If my other arguments have not (hook 
 thee, this cannot fail ; but fmce thou wilt 
 
 have
 
 172 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 have one more, here it Is. If thou hafl 
 the power of blotting out the fins of men, 
 and the devil has not, of what ufe has it 
 been to thee ? and if thou doil; not hold 
 this power from God, as thou fayeft thou 
 doft not, from whom had thou, then, re- 
 ceived it ? Thou doft not believe that God 
 has created the heavens, and the earth, nor 
 any thing that doth now exift. Thou Heft; 
 for St. John, who has feen all his glory, 
 fays in his Gofpel, Omnia per ipfum facia 
 funty & Jjne ipfo faBum ejl nihil \ and this 
 is confirmed by thefe words of Saint 
 Paul, Bit in principio terj-am fiindafii, 
 Thefe writers merit belief much more than 
 Peter Capella, and the reft of the here- 
 tics, and Vaudois, or than thee, who 
 acknowlegeft not confefiion. There are 
 four authors, filled with the Holy Ghoft, 
 and with truth ; if thou refufeft to believe 
 them, behold the fire, which is burning 
 thy brethren, ready to confume thee !" 
 
 It muft be remarked here, that the 
 Vaudois, properly fo called, were not 
 
 Mani-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 173 
 
 Manicheans, though Izarn confidcrs them 
 as alio infected with this herefy. Whe- 
 ther it was ignorance, or falfehood, on his 
 part, or that the Vaudois, having pene- 
 trated into Languedoc, were confounded 
 with the heretics of that country, cannot 
 be afcertained ; but, as their opinions 
 were eficntially different, they ought to 
 have been dillinguillied as fuch. 
 
 *' I WILL have thy anfwer," continues 
 Izarn, " in one or two fhort words. Ei- 
 ther thou fiialt be calf into the fire, or 
 thou fhalt range thyfelf on our fide ; on 
 ours, I fay, who have the true faith, 
 with its feven fteps, which are, the facra- 
 raents of baptifm, of the facerdotal order, 
 of confefFion, of marriage, of extreme 
 undion, of confirmation, and of the 
 euchariH:, the rnofl important of them 
 all, before which every creature ought 
 profoundly to bow down, and which every 
 day performs great miracles ; for, whe- 
 ther the Priefl be holy or wicked, the fa- 
 
 crament
 
 174 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 crament has an equally powerful opera- 
 tion. When the Prieft begins the confe- 
 cration, and the 'uere dignum, & jujium 
 ejiy when he pronounces over the hoft, 
 and the wine put into the chalice, the fa- 
 cred words, which God has ordained, 
 they infallibly caufe the body of Jefus 
 Chrifl to defcend, who was delivered up 
 for us all. The hoft becomes his flefli, 
 and the wine becomes his blood, which 
 •was flied for our redemption. Thus 
 oughteil thou to believe, as do we, and 
 all our convent, who are Catholics,'* 
 
 Ought this zealous Dominican to join 
 the vere d'lgmim ejl to the words of con- 
 fecration ; he feems, by this, to make 
 them facramental words, and that is very 
 ftrange. 
 
 " I will propofe to thee another argu- 
 ment; it is on the fubjecl of marriage. 
 Thou liefl up to thy throat, when thou 
 denied it, and fayefl, that thofe who have 
 
 fons
 
 TPIE TROUBADOURS. 175 
 
 fons and daughters, cannot be faved. 
 We have good proofs of the fandity of 
 this inftltution ; God himfelf was the au- 
 thor of it, to muhiply the human race, 
 and to raife again that world, which was 
 brought to ruin by the fall of the evil 
 angels. It was he, who, to repair their 
 lofs, created man, and woman, defiined 
 to become one flefli. £/ eru?it duo in came 
 una. Propter hoc relinquet homo patretriy 
 ^ matrem^ & adharebit uxori Juce. St. 
 Paul charges them to live well together, 
 and fays, that inelius ejl nubere quam uri, 
 
 ** There is no chaftity fo agreeable to 
 God, as a faithful marriage ; but there is 
 more merit in living chaftely, when one 
 can be contented with the ftate of virgi- 
 nity *. Jefus Chrift has wifely permitted 
 thofe men to be faved, who, by marriage, 
 propagate their fpecies. If he had not 
 
 * What a flrlking contradI£lIon is this laft 
 aflcrtion of Izarn'i, to what goes before. 
 
 approved
 
 J76 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 approved marriage, would he, for his firft 
 miracle, have turned the water into wine, 
 at the court of the Architriclin, at whofe 
 marriage he affiled ? — What ! indocile to 
 thefe authorities of God, and St. Paul ! 
 Wilt thou not yet yield ? Fire and torture 
 -awaits thee, and to it thou flialt go : 
 but, before they throw thee into the 
 flames, I will give thy difmiffion by an- 
 other argument, on the refurredion of 
 man, and of woman, which thou doft not 
 believe, nor the univerfal judgement of 
 mankind. The word of God, on this 
 fubject, is unchanging, and infallible; 
 infomuch, that if the head of a man was 
 beyond the boundary of the ocean, one 
 of his feet at Alexandria, and the other 
 at Mount Calvary, one of his hands in 
 France, and the other at Haut-Villar *, 
 and that the trunk was carried into Spain, 
 in fine, that every part of him was burnt 
 to afhes, powdered to duft, and fcattered 
 
 * A place now unknown. 
 
 through
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 177 
 
 through the air, they would yet rcfumc, 
 at the day of judgement, the form tlicy 
 had at baptlfm. The proof of this is in 
 fcripture, In came mea videbo Deiim fal- 
 'V at or em me urn ^ quern uifurus fiim ego ipfc 
 & oculi mei^ &c. — Carnis refurreclionem. 
 As God was raifed from the dead, io fhall 
 we alfo be raifed ; and, if that was im- 
 poffible, our belief would be the fame as 
 yours ; but we find many palTages in 
 Scripture, which affures us, that all' the 
 dead fhall rife from their tombs at the 
 voice of Jefus Chrifl:. Then fhall he 
 place the juft at his right hand, and fay 
 unto them, Venite be?2edicfi , and caft the 
 unbelieving reprobates into the abyfs of 
 hell. 
 
 *' But, thou heretic, thou pretendefl 
 this cannot be ; and that the fouls of 
 thofe who are to be faved, fliall take a 
 new body, not their eld one, but one tl)at 
 refembles it. It is an impofture. — If Peter 
 Capella, John Colet, or any other mail 
 
 N of
 
 178 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 of your fevfV, can prove it is not, I would 
 then join your party ; but if this was 
 true, what would become of the w^ord of 
 God, who has promifed rewards to the 
 performers of good adlicns, if a new 
 body, having had no part in the good 
 adions of the old one, fhould flrip it af 
 the recompence, which was its due ? 
 Where, then, are the promifcs of God? 
 TliCy are infallible ; and, therefore, this 
 cannot be. 
 
 " But let us fup>pofe, for a moment, 
 that thou art right in this point, yet I 
 will overthrow thy dodrine by another 
 argument, 
 
 " If men have a new body, and God 
 will punifh them for the deeds done in 
 the old body, may they not plead, that 
 they have not the body v\^lth which they 
 could have vifited the poor, performed 
 alms, and other good works ; to which, 
 then, fhall it be referred ? It is the fam.e 
 
 with
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. i;p 
 
 with rcfpe«£l to rewards ; to whom, then, 
 ihall they be given ? Anfwer, heretic 
 Dov5tor; there is no lawyer fubtilc enough 
 to draw thee out of this perplexity." 
 
 It muft be owned, the Catholic Doflor 
 feems here to give the flefli, and not the 
 fpirit, the whole power ; with him it is 
 the body that is to be recompenfed, and 
 the body that is to be punifhed. One 
 would fuppofe, that it was the flefh which 
 had fentiment, the fleln which had merit; 
 and that the juflice of God was little 
 concerned with the foul. Perhaps Izarn 
 refers in this alfo, to the fyflem of the 
 Manicheans, who admitted a fort of me- 
 tempfychofis, or paiTage of fouls into 
 other bodies, after leaving thofe they had 
 before animated. But, if God had or- 
 dained it to be thus, it is yet evident, that 
 virtue might flill have been recompenfed, 
 and vice punifhed. 
 
 The fyf-em of tranfmigratlon came 
 from Afia, where it v.as commonly be- 
 
 N 2 lievcd.
 
 i8o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 lieved. Izarn thus proceeds. '* God 
 ought to puniih you in hell much more 
 than the devils, fi nee it is you who caufe 
 them, on earth, to he adored as God. 
 Curfed heretic ! it is you who have drawn 
 away (o many men, and women, to deny 
 their faith, their baptifm, and their God ! 
 who deny him the creation of all the be- 
 ings in the univerfe, and the power of 
 faving the fouls of men. 
 
 ** There is no fin equal to the fin 
 of herefy ! No. The Preaching Bro- 
 thers have declaimed againfl: none fo much, 
 as well as the learned Hugues Arnaud *, 
 whom they beheaded ; and brother B. 
 de Caux refembied him : not but that 
 thefe holy men had promifed a complete 
 abiblution to thofe who were well con- 
 feffed, and who had fincerely renounced 
 their error, and who were reftored to the 
 true faith, by the means of fome flight 
 
 * This was a Dominican Inquifitor, whofe 
 violences had rendeied him odious. 
 
 penitence.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. iSi 
 
 penitence. If they are blamed for their 
 facrlhce, I aiiiwer, they were engaged to 
 it by the Pope, and he has amply rccom- 
 penfed them *. I have drawn all thcfe 
 arguments from hlflory, to guard the be- 
 lievers from error, and reftore the Oiif- 
 creants into the path of truth ; and not 
 with any view to pleafe the Minor Bro- 
 thers, nor the Preaching Brothers t.'* 
 But they ought to have informed the mlf- 
 fionaries, that torture and- fire were not 
 the beft arguments of converfion ; for 
 the flames they prepared for fome heretics, 
 only ferved to light up the rage and en- 
 thufiafm of others. 
 
 " But ere thou art delivered up 
 to the flames," continues Izarn, *' as thou 
 art going to be, if thou doft not retract, 
 I would again afk thee, why thou doft 
 deny our baptifm, wdiich God, in the 
 
 * By indulgences he means, np doubt, 
 f Thefe monks cxerciled the office of Inquifi- 
 fitors in concert. 
 
 N 3 Scrip-
 
 i82 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Scriptures, hath ca;led good and holy ? 
 'Niji quis renatus fuerit ex aqua, & Spiritu 
 San^to non intrabit in rcgnuin Deu-— 
 None, then, can be faved, without the 
 baptifm of water, and of the Holy Ghoft. 
 When the water has been bleffed, and the 
 Prieft having taken the chrifm, comes to 
 the baptifmal font, with his ornaments, 
 his book, and his Hole, the faith of the 
 male or female child is then formed, by 
 the promifes made for it by the god-fa- 
 ther, that it lliall renounce the devil. 
 The prayers of the Prieft, the figns of the 
 crofs, abfolve the child, when it comes 
 out of the water, from every fin. 
 
 *' Such is the baptifm which God 
 giveth us, and which he received himfelf 
 from St. John, the bed of his three 
 friends. Thou beliefi: thyfelf, then, he- 
 retic i thou haft perjured the oath which 
 thy god-father took in thy name 3 thou 
 belieft the chrifm thou hafi: received, and 
 thou admitted another baptifm. Curfed 
 
 be
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 183 
 
 be the man, wlio firri: thought of putting 
 the miniflration of thefe things into the 
 hands of vile peafants ; who come from 
 foddering their cattle to thefe holy ordi- 
 nances, and whofc only fcience Is to 
 plough the land, and talk blafphcmy ; 
 they ufe neither water, oil, nor incenfe. 
 It was not thus they beatified Madam 
 Sainte Foi, nor faint Catherine, nor Saint 
 Agnes, nor Saint Cecile, patronefs of the 
 Albigenfes *, and fo many holy faints, 
 and martyrs, who work miracles every 
 day. Whoever believes not all this, 
 ought not to receive compalTion, if he is 
 feized and burnt. It is from the ignor- 
 ance of their patrons, that the miferahle 
 people are deceived ; they are, indeed, 
 worthy of compalTion f - 
 
 *' Teaks and penitence are the only 
 means of obtaining mercy ; but there are 
 
 * of the Metropolitan church of Albi. 
 
 t They weic not the lefs burnt, however, for 
 
 this. 
 
 N 4 cearg
 
 i84 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 tears that fail for the lofs of the body. 
 It is thefe only which are fhed for the 
 lofs of the foul, that will be efFedual. 
 In qudcumque die mTOcavero te^ &c. 
 
 *^ I HAVE, in eight points, convided 
 thee of error, obilinate heretic ; but all 
 the authority of prophets, and apodles, 
 weighs not with thee, and the time I give 
 to thee is loil ; yet a ninth argument fhall 
 force thee to return to that God, whom 
 thou half forfaken. Where haft thou 
 found in Scripture, and w^ho haft taught 
 thee, that thy foul proceeds from thofe 
 who fell from heaven to earth, and w^ere 
 nine days in their pafiage ? We know 
 what is become of them ; and how fayeft 
 thou that they fhall return to that glory 
 from whence they came ? The angel 
 Lucifer dragged them into the abyfs, by 
 the pride he had, at making himfelf equal 
 with God. Thefe beautiful and glorious 
 angels became black, and hideous ; and 
 never will they find grace or mercy. In 
 
 elFea-,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 185 
 
 efTe^t, would It not be a glaring iniufl.icc, 
 that men who come after them, being 
 dead, fhould be dcfpoiled of the joys of 
 Paradifc ; and that thefe joys fliould be 
 granted to thofe demons, who had, by 
 their own crimes, wilfully renounced, 
 and lolt this blifs ? And, befidcs, what 
 likelihood is there, that my foul fhould 
 have been the foul of one of thefc de- 
 mons, cafi; down from the higheft heaven 
 five thoufand years ago, fmce I am not 
 yet feventy years old ; fincc I have no 
 recoUcdlon of thofe things, that I muft 
 then have fcen or done, nor whether I 
 merited or demerlted In the fight of God? 
 This is what I can never believe ; and I 
 will behold thee dragged to prifon, and 
 hanged, ere I will give credit to thy vile 
 impoflures. 
 
 ** Answer me again. In what fchool 
 haft thou been taught, that the foul of 
 man, when it has quitted his body, goes 
 into that of an ox, an afs, a fhecp, a 
 
 P'S'
 
 i86 THE HISTOHY OF 
 
 pig, a fowl, or into the firft animal it 
 meets with, after its feparation from the 
 body, till it returns again into the body 
 of fome other man or woman ; and that 
 it does,a long penance, while it is waiting 
 for the day of judgment, when it is to 
 recover its firft glory ? This, however, 
 thou preacheft to thofe thou hafl feduced : 
 thou takeft from God to give to the devil, 
 and thus thou dofl caufe him to hope for 
 falvation. 
 
 *' Every country, every land, where 
 thy perfidious doclrine has been fown, 
 and received, ought to be fwallowed up. 
 If thou hadil the faith, and the religion 
 of B. of Montaigu, R. of Villar, or 
 of B. Pagat *y thou wouldd: long ere 
 this have made thy confefTion ; but, if 
 thou doft not do it immediately, the fire 
 is already lighted ; they fhall proclaim 
 thee by found of trumpet through the 
 
 * J fuppofe thcfe were Albigenfe converts. 
 
 City,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 1S7 
 
 city, and the people fhall aficinble to fee 
 the burnt !" 
 
 Ir fliould fecm that the ancient doc- 
 trine of the Indians, with refpedt to 
 tranfmigration, had penetrated into thcfc 
 fouthern provinces, a phenomenon fingu- 
 larly worthy of obfervation. 
 
 The fundamental principle of this 
 dovftrine was, that the fpirits, here called 
 demons, having difcbeyed their Creator, 
 were condemned to live in mortal bodies; 
 that they fubfifted herein in different 
 tranfmigration^: ; and that, after this ex- 
 piation of their crimes, they were to re- 
 join the fupreme fpirit : and that thus the 
 foul of man, immortal by nature, would 
 be punifhed, or recompenfed, according 
 to its works. 
 
 The m.iflionary, in refuting one abfurd 
 do6lrine, maintains another ftill more ex- 
 travap^ant. He 'jives a bodv to ihefe de- 
 
 mons,
 
 i88 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 mons, and fuppofes them nine days in 
 falling fro in heaven to earth. 
 
 This controverfy was followed by the 
 converfion of the heretic. Izarn is the 
 fpeaker for him j neverthelefs, we plainly 
 fee, that threats have operated much more 
 powerfully than convidlion. 
 
 " Izarn," replied the convert, *' pro- 
 mife me, give me your oath, that I fhall 
 not be burnt, neither fhut up in prifon, 
 nor cruelly treated, I will fabmit to all 
 you defire. If I may but rely on your 
 not abandoning me ; that you will pre- 
 ferve my honour from imputation, and 
 do me no violence, I will reveal to you 
 the whole fecret of our believers ; for 
 whatever Berit, and Parazols * might tell 
 you ; they did not know a tenth part of 
 thofe things they enquired after, concern- 
 ing the heretics. 
 
 * Thefe were etnifiaries of the Inquifition. 
 
 <^ But
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 189 
 
 <i 
 
 But I demand of you the grcatcfl: 
 fecrefy. If I thought you capable of 
 deceiving me, I would neither confefs 
 myfelf to you, nor to any other Preach- 
 ing Brother -, and I will give you my rea- 
 fon. 
 
 *' Since they made me a Bifliop, I 
 have, with thefe hands, which you be- 
 hold, faved at leaft five hundred men. 
 Jf I forfake them, it is fo many men loft, 
 delivered up to the devils, and to the pains 
 of hell. What would become of me, if 
 by chance I fhould meet any of their 
 friends, unlefs you afford me an afylum ? 
 I fhould lofe the dignity to which I have 
 been raifed, and become an objecSt of 
 contempt to the whole confiftory. As I 
 rendered up myfelf to you, on the faith 
 of a fafe condud, I will be free, and you 
 fhall give me all the fureties you pro- 
 mifed." 
 
 This heretic, we fee, was one of the 
 principal minifters of their fedt. The 
 
 Albi-
 
 I90 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Albigenfes divided thefe minifters Into two 
 claires; the fuperior were the Bifhops, 
 the minor Deacons. This Bifhop meant 
 to difTeOible with his Profylete brethren, 
 and hide his converfion from them, that 
 he might proted himfelf from injury, and 
 bring them to the falvation he had ob- 
 tained. This feems his meaning, though 
 at firft it appears contradidory, from his 
 expreffion, that he had faved five hundred 
 men, for whom he fears the pains of 
 hell ; no doubt meaning, he thought he 
 had faved them, but now they muft be 
 converted. 
 
 '' You ought to know, that it is nei- 
 ther hunger, third, nor indigence, that 
 have forced me hither ; that we are ex- 
 prefsly forbid to obey any citation, and 
 to confent to any conference with your 
 party, as others have done who have been 
 ill treated. But it will furpriie you more 
 to hear, that our beft and deareft friends 
 have turned againft us. They addrels us 
 
 with
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 191 
 
 with an appearance of friendflilp ; to 
 furprile us, then, they arrefl, and cafl: us 
 into prifon, hoping, hy our ruin, to ob- 
 tain their own falvation. 
 
 *' I AM come to your court*, without 
 conftralnt, and of my own free will. — 
 When you fl:iall hear the delicious life I 
 lead, you will be convinced of my par- 
 tiality toward you. I will give you an 
 account of it, if it will not fatigue you. 
 1 have a great number of friends, who 
 live In wealth and eafc i not one of 
 whom, but would rejoice to give me every 
 thing 1 could defire, and who, indeed, 
 depofit in my hands all their pofleflions." 
 
 It muft be remarked, that Izarn, who 
 writes this, reprefented them before as 
 vile peafants ; and it is known the Vau- 
 dois afFeded poverty, and the mod rigid 
 manners. 
 
 * The Inquifuion. 
 
 " I
 
 192 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ^' I HAVE a great quanity of veft- 
 ments, fhirts, Ihoes, fine and foft cloaths, 
 and the whitefl llieets, and coverlids, 
 with table-cloths, and napkins, for my 
 friends. When I invite them to repafts, 
 I make the befl: cheer with dainty meats, 
 feafoned with excellent faiice, made of 
 cloves and truffles, and completed with 
 the niceft paftry. Our filh is well worth 
 your bad meat ; our diftilled waters, your 
 wine ; and our new bread, the flale bread 
 of the cloifter *." 
 
 *' While you pafs many nights, tra- 
 velling through Vv^ind and rain, and re- 
 turn in a woeful plight from your pil- 
 grimages, I am eating and drinking, with 
 my brethren, in a w^arm hoiife, and 
 amufing myfelf as I pleafe, wath my he 
 or flie coufins ; for I can give myfelf ab- 
 
 * The Aibigenfes neither eat bread, nor drank 
 wine ; fo that it is plain the IVoubadour's ac- 
 count is ti venomous fatire. 
 
 folution
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, i 
 
 93 
 
 folution when I will ; and there is no fin 
 I cannot fave myfelf from the guilt of, 
 either by performing the office myfelf, or 
 by the firft Deacon J meet with. Such is 
 the happy life I lead. If I renounce it, 
 to embrace the Romifh faith, and own it 
 criminal, you will furely do me juftice, 
 and treat me with honour." 
 
 IzARN forgets, In this painting, what 
 he had afTerted of thefe people, preaching 
 in woods and thickets, and always in 
 dread of perfecution. How oppofite to 
 the delicious life here fet forth. No doubt, 
 it was to heighten the auilerlty of the 
 miffionaries, he drew this pidure. He 
 thus proceeds in it. 
 
 *« Ermengard de Figueiras was 
 my father. I might have been a Knight, 
 had fortune befriended me ; but, if I 
 am not armed at all points for the fervlce 
 of men, I will take care to be (o for the 
 fervice of God. Aid me with your coun- 
 
 O fel.
 
 194 
 
 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fel, Izarn ; you, whofe talents are great 
 as a poet, but whofe wifdom in holy 
 things is fo much greater, as you have 
 proved in fo triumphant a manner over 
 me, by your nine queftions. I believe 
 firmly all you have preached to me ; and 
 I am ready to believe more, if you can 
 produce authorities that are equal. 
 
 «* I WILL be baptized; fully convinced 
 of the religion you have taught me, you 
 and your brother, Ferrier, to whom was 
 given the power of binding, and of 
 loofing every fin whatever, committed by 
 the heretics ; and, if they afk you who 
 is your newly baptized convert, you may 
 anfwer, it is Sicard de Figueiras, who has 
 abjured his errors, and who will become 
 as great a perfecutor of the infidel here- 
 tics, as he was formerly an enemy of the 
 church of Rome. If I was ever kind to 
 Peter Capella, and the chiefs of his party, 
 if I was the friend and comrade of John 
 Colet, I will, from this moment, be 
 
 their
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 195 
 
 their declared foe. Unlefs they arc con- 
 verted before the month of February, I 
 will have them all hung up by our 
 archers. 
 
 " Berite, p. Razols, and Ricard le 
 Portier *, (hall know their caverns, and 
 fecret paths, and all the holes and corners 
 wherein they hide their money ; neither 
 you, nor brother Ferrier, need be there, 
 if they are not immediately converted at 
 the view of our meflengers." 
 
 The reader mufl: confider this as a 
 ftrange pidure, in which the unil^ilful 
 hand of the painter is very remarkable. 
 The proud miffionary pays himfelf the 
 moft abfurd compliments, by the tongue 
 of his profelyte ; not only for his pro- 
 digious wifdom in facred things, but alfo 
 his talent for poetry. He then transforms 
 his Albigenfe convert, all at once, into a 
 
 * Emiflaries of the Inquifition. 
 
 O 2 cruel
 
 196 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 cruel perfecutor, though he had juft he- 
 fore exprelTed his earnefl; defire of hav- 
 ing his converfion concealed, that he 
 might fave the fouls of his former mi- 
 riiilry. The drawing, however juflly, 
 and firaply, expofes the manners, and 
 the prejudices of thefe times. Izarn con- 
 cludes this Inquifitorial piece, by his be- 
 nediction to the new convert. 
 
 *' SiCARD, I wifh thee the blefllng of 
 God, who, without the aid of any one, 
 formed the heaven, the earth, the fun, 
 and the moon. May he give thee grace, 
 to be found among thofe good labourers, 
 whom he employs in his vineyard, and 
 who, though called the lafl, fhall re- 
 ceive as much as the firfl ; and this thou 
 fha-lt infallibly obtain, if thou wilt be as 
 firm to the truth, as thou wall before to 
 a lie. 
 
 *• But penitents are always fufpeded, 
 who have been gained over by fear ; 
 
 above
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, i 
 
 97 
 
 above all, v/hen they have been chiefs of 
 a party, and they need a powerful me- 
 dicine, to purge away the poifon with 
 which they have been infcded. Thou 
 muft, therefore, without delay, fliew thy 
 fincerity ; by thy works thou muft fliow 
 the truth of thy converfion. SIcard, 
 thou muft fhow an ardent zeal in the pur- 
 fuit of herefy, and in the perfccution of 
 heretics ; then, as maintains brother Fer- 
 ricr, for this faith in Jefus Chrift thou 
 fhalt receive the joys of Paradife ; as alfo 
 the Pope affures to thofe, who ftiall per- 
 fevere in good works, and fhall fufFer 
 for the fake of God. And this St. 
 Matthew lirft preached in his Gofpel.— • 
 Beat if qui pcrJecutio7iefn,'' &c. 
 
 We fhall fee, among the Troubadours, 
 a William of Figueira, of the fame fa- 
 mily, it is probable, with the Albigenfe 
 minifter, whofe pieces contain bitter in- 
 vedlives againft the church of Rome. 
 This renders it probable, that this piece 
 
 O3 of
 
 198 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 of Izarn is not a fidion 3 but that this 
 Dominican did really triumph, in his 
 manner, over the minifter Figueiras ; 
 that he wrote to celebrate this triumph, 
 and to teach the art of converting thefe 
 heretics ; and therefore caufes the Albi- 
 genfe convert to fpeak thofe things, which 
 would render his fed as odious, and def- 
 picablc, as he willied it to appear. 
 
 GIRARD CALANSON. - 
 
 Gi Irard Calanson was a jongleur, 
 » and Troubadour of Gafcony, well 
 fkilled in letters, and who compofed with 
 elegance. He wrote fongs, moral pieces, 
 and reflexions on the events of his age ; 
 but he was not, fays the Provencal hido- 
 rian, held in the elleem he deferved, 
 and his pieces were ill received at the 
 court of Provence, where he refided. — 
 
 ' Among
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, i 
 
 99 
 
 Among them there is an elegy on the 
 death of the Infant Don Ferdinand of 
 Caftile, the fon of Alphonfo IX. and 
 Eleanor of England, daughtcrof Henry II. 
 worthy of obfervation. 
 
 Ferdinand was a young Prince, of 
 the greateft valour. In 1210, he com- 
 manded the Caftillan army, againft the 
 Moors; he threw himfelf into Andalufia, 
 and ravaged all the country of Bae^a. 
 At his return he concerted new expedi- 
 tions with his father, when a premature 
 death deprived the Caflillans of their 
 hcroe, and caufed univerfal lamentation. 
 
 The Troubadour compares Ferdinand 
 to King Arthur. 
 
 ** In him" fays he, " was repaired the 
 lofs of the three fons of Henry II. he 
 refcmbled Henry in courage and figure, 
 and his father Alphonfo in the good qua- 
 lities of his mind. From the river of 
 
 O 4 Jourdain,
 
 20O THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Jourdain, to the Weftern ocean, never 
 was there a young King more fenfibly 
 regretted. His death is even mourned 
 by the French, the EngUfli, and the 
 Germans, by Spain, and Arragon, and 
 even by the Emperor himfelf ; for there 
 is no Chriflian prince, who was not his 
 relation, or his ally. Had he lived one 
 year more, he would have gone and ferved 
 God againfl the Arabs." 
 
 The mofl curious piece of this Trou- 
 badours, is a long inftrudlion given to a 
 jongleur ; it contains details on the art of 
 the Troubadours, and the Minftrels ; the 
 knowlege fuited to each profeflion, and 
 on the mufic of the ancients. Some 
 parts of it are curious, but in others the 
 matter is fo obfcure, and the text fo cor- 
 rupted, that it is impoflible to fathom the 
 meaning of it. 
 
 *' Learn to do well, fpeak well, and 
 fhime well, and to contrive amufing 
 
 games.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 201 
 
 games. Learn to play on the tabor, and 
 the cymbals, and make fymphony refound. 
 Learn to throw and catch little apples on 
 the points of knives ; to imitate the 
 fongs of birds, attacks on caftles, to 
 jump through four hoops, to play on the 
 cittall, and the mandorc, to perform on 
 the cloncorde, and the guitar, for they 
 are delightful to all ; to ftring the viol 
 with feventeen chords, found the bells, to 
 play on the harp, and to compofe a jig, 
 that fhall enliven the found of thepfaltery. 
 Jongleur, thou fhalt prepare nine inflru- 
 ments, of ten chords ; if thou learneft to 
 play well on them, they will furni{h thee 
 with ample melody." It appears by this, 
 a jongleur was to unite the games of 
 juggler with the knowlege of mufic. 
 
 After this follows a catalogue of ro- 
 mances, which the jongleur was to read ; 
 they were efteemed a fublime fcience.
 
 202 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " If thou learneft thefe things, they 
 will abundantly reward thee, and furnifh 
 all thy wants. Sound, then, the lyre, 
 and refound the bells. 
 
 *' Learn, alfo, how love runs and 
 flies; learn his fimplicity of appearance, 
 and be aware of his treachery. Behold how 
 he repels juftice with his fharpened darts, 
 and his two-pointed arrows ! the one is 
 of burnifhed gold, dazzling the eyes of 
 mortals, and the other of polifhed fteel, 
 •which ftrikes fo deep, that its wounds can 
 never be healed. 
 
 " Learn the laws and decrees of love, 
 and thou fhalt be able to explain its va- 
 rious degrees ; thou fhalt unfold its rapid 
 entrance, its irkfome life, its fwift decay, 
 the deceits which it exercifes, and the de- 
 ftrudion it occafions. When thou doft 
 perfedly underftand all this, fail not to 
 prefent thyfelf before the young King of 
 
 Arragon,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 203 
 
 Arragon, for he is the prince of gallantry, 
 and of all fcience. 
 
 ** If thou difiingulfhefi: thyfelf among 
 the excellent, thy gifts (hall be noticed ; 
 but if thou remaincft in mediocrity, thou 
 meriteft nothing but contempt, from the 
 moft gracious prince that ever lived." 
 
 This Troubadour had been rigorouHy 
 treated by his miflrefs ; he forfook her, 
 and attached himfelf to another, with no 
 better fuccefs. The time of his death is 
 not mentioned. 
 
 OAU-
 
 204 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 GAUCELM FAIDIT. 
 
 GAucELM Faidit was the fon of a 
 citizen of Uzerche, a town in the 
 diocefe of Limoges. Libertinifm, and a 
 paffion for gaming, brought him to want ; 
 and, for a living, he betook himfelf to 
 the profeffion of a jongleur. What he 
 gained by this, he fpent in good cheer, 
 and became of fuch a fize with eating and 
 drinking^, that he was pointed at as a fight. 
 
 He married a villager, who was called 
 Guillelmette Montja ; Ihe was handfome, 
 •witty, tolerably well inftrufted for her 
 ftation, and fhe fung the fongs of Gau- 
 celm with grace and fpirit. 
 
 It was many years before Faidit ac- 
 quired the title of Troubadour ; when he 
 was fought by Richard, Count of Poitou, 
 
 the 

 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 20^ 
 
 the fon and fucceflbr of Henry II. King 
 of England. 
 
 A CRUSADE was, at this time, con- 
 certed between Philip Auguftus, and 
 Henry II. to regain the kingdom of Je- 
 rufalem. 
 
 Mary de Ventadour, a lady of the 
 moft eflimable character in all Limoufin, 
 urged Faidit, who had prefamed to ad- 
 drefs her tenderly, to engage in this 
 war. She had treated him with rigour, 
 and he compares her to the tarantula, 
 which kills while it infpires with joy. 
 She told the Troubadour, this was the 
 only means of rendering himfelf worthy 
 her regard. He confented ; and, before 
 his departure, he compofed a fonnet, in 
 which he exprefl'es his diflrefs at leaving 
 the beautiful Limoufin, and bids adieu to 
 France, wherein he was nourifhed, edu- 
 cated, and raifed to honour. It was long, 
 however, before he embarked j and no 
 
 fooner
 
 2o6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fooner had he reached the Holy Land, 
 than he prepared for his return again to 
 France. « I die," fays he, '' to behold 
 Madam Mary ! Some rival, in my ab- 
 fence, will gain her heart." His miftrefs 
 proving more fevere, " I am like a man," 
 fays he, " caft into the fea, from whence 
 I cannot be drawn out, and death awaits 
 me there !" In defpair he prefents him- 
 felf, with a troubled air, before Mary. 
 " Madam," fays he, « you behold a 
 lover, whom your rigours have driven 
 mad. If you will not relent, I am re- 
 folved I will never more behold you ; per- 
 haps I Ihall find another Lady, who will 
 treat me with lefs difdain." Without 
 waiting for an anfwer, he departed in a 
 rage. 
 
 An offended poet was an objed of 
 dread. Mary fent for Madam Audiaft, 
 a kind and beautiful neighbour, and de- 
 fired her advice, in what manner {hs 
 might honourably retain the Troubadour. 
 
 The
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 207 
 
 The Lady advifed her, neither to rctahi, 
 nor let him go. I will find a method, 
 added (he, to detach him from you, and 
 to prevent his revenge. She then ex- 
 plained her defign to Madam Mary, who 
 was pleafed with it, and begged her to 
 haften the execution. 
 
 On her return home, Madam Audiafl: 
 fent a courteous meffenger to Faidit, to 
 afk him which he preferred, a fmall bird 
 in hand, or a crane in the air. This 
 queftion excited the curiofity of the Trou- 
 badour ; he mounts his horfe, repairs to 
 the Lady, and begs her to explain the 
 enigma £he had fent him. 
 
 it I PIXY you from my heart," replied 
 flie, *' knowing that you love Madam 
 Mary, who is only polite toward you, 
 becaufe fhe is flattered with your fongs. 
 This Lady is the crane, and I am the lit- 
 tle bird. You know that I am of noble 
 birth J that I have youth, and genius, and 
 
 there
 
 2o8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 there are that flatter me with being hand* 
 fome. Never have I promifed or beftow- 
 ed ought on a lover ; never have I de- 
 ceived, or been deceived. I am ambi- 
 tious to be loved, by a man who can give 
 me fame. You have all the merit that is 
 requifite for my reputation, and I choofe 
 you, therefore, for my fervant, and my 
 friend. I will prefent myfelf, and my 
 love to you, if you will take leave of 
 Madam Mary, and politely aflure her, 
 that, as you cannot gain her affection, 
 you have found another lady, who is 
 
 loyal and virtuous, and who will return 
 your love." Struck with her beauty, 
 and the gracious words fhe uttered, Faidit 
 compofed the fong that was to relieve 
 Madam Mary from his importunities ; 
 and promifed, he would celebrate no one 
 but Madam Audiaft, and devote himfelf 
 entirely to her. Some time after, Faidit 
 reminded this Lady of her promife to 
 vouchfafe him her love ; fhe received him 
 coiirteoufly, but gave him a cold anfwcr, 
 
 affuring
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 209 
 
 afl'uring lilm love was not in her power ; 
 and that what flie had done was for his 
 fake, to draw him out of the flavery hi 
 which he had langulflicd for fevcn years, 
 and to difTipate the vain hopes he had 
 encouraged. Thefe words were a thun- 
 der-ftroke to our Troubadour. He be- 
 fought the Lady to have mercy, and not 
 to betray and kill him in this manner. 
 
 *' My intention," replied flie, " is to 
 
 cure you, to deliver you from deceit, and 
 
 death ; and you ought to be fatisfied with 
 
 my conduct. " Not being able to move 
 
 her, he had recourfe again to Madam 
 
 Mary ; but flie was ruthlefs. He then 
 
 renounced poetry and love, againfl: which 
 
 he wrote an invedlive : but, foon after 
 
 this, he attached himfclf to Madam Mar- 
 
 , garita, wife of Renaud, Vifcount of 
 
 Aubuflbn. She received him, only be- 
 
 caufe fhe wanted a pancgyriiL She was 
 
 attached to Hugues de Lufignan, foii of 
 
 the Count de Marche 3 and, not daring 
 
 P to
 
 2LO THE HIS TOP. Y OF 
 
 to make an appointment with her lovet? 
 in her own caftle, flie continued to give 
 him a rendezvous at the houfe of Faidit, 
 who was from home. Counterfeiting a 
 ficknefs, therefore, fhe made a vow to 
 go in pilgrimage to Notre Dame, of 
 Rocamador -, and informed her lover fhe 
 ihould flop at' Uzerche, which was on the 
 road. Hugues did not fail to meet her at 
 the place, and the time appointed ; the 
 wife of Faidit received them kindly ; 
 they pafTed two days with her, and the 
 rival of Faidit triumphed in the houfe of 
 the Troubadour. 
 
 In the midfl: of thefe misfortunes in 
 love, Faidit loft his benefactor, Richard, 
 King of England, whom he highly cele- 
 brates for valour, and all virtue. 
 
 The anecdotes given of this Trouba« 
 dour will appear minute to many ; buti 
 they w^ere inferted, as they mark, in a' 
 ftriking manner, the fimpliclty of man^ 
 
 ners 
 
 I i
 
 THE rrvOUBADOURS. 211 
 
 ncrs which belonged to fomc women of 
 diftinguiflied nobihty, the virtue with 
 which it was, in thcfe Ladies, accom- 
 panied, amidft the licentious addrelles of 
 this libertine Troubadour, and the un- 
 bounded dcfire that all were infeded with, 
 of having thefe poets for their panegy- 
 rics, the confequences of which were fo 
 often detrimental to the honour and peace 
 of fociety. 
 
 Fatigued, and wore out with an ir- 
 regular life, Faidit died at the court of 
 Raimond de Agoult, in 1220. 
 
 P 2 ARNAUD
 
 212 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ARNAUD DANIEL. 
 
 ARnaud Daniel was born in the 
 twelfth century, in the caftle of 
 Ribeyrac, in Perigord, of poor, but noble 
 parents. His tafte was not for ftudy^ 
 but he was paffionately fond of rhiming. 
 Dante, in his Treatife on the Eloquence 
 of the Vulgar Tongue, after having mark- 
 ed the principal ends of poetry, which 
 he calls honeft, ufeful, and agreeable, 
 adds,* that the agreeable was the portion 
 of Arnaud, and that he excelled parti- 
 cularly in finging the' praife of love: 
 and, in his twenty- fi^jth canto of the In- 
 ferno, he fays, that this poet modelled 
 his language in the moft fuperior manner ; 
 that his tender verfe, and his romantic 
 profe, furpafled every thing that had ap- 
 peared before of the fame kind. 
 
 Petrarch
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 213 
 
 Petrarch fpeaks of him as tlic mofl 
 celebrated of all the Proven9al poets, and 
 calls him, " The great mafler of love.'* 
 He even imitated, and borrowed a verfe 
 from one of his fonnets, the only Pro- 
 ven9al to whom he has done that ho- 
 nour. 
 
 His fuccefs, and reputation w^rc, per- 
 haps, in great part owing to a new kind 
 of compofition, called Seftino, of which 
 he was the inventor ; the merit of which 
 ■confifted in the difficulty of certain com- 
 binations of verfes, repeated in a certain 
 order. Among many obfcure pieces, not 
 to be underflood, the following is an ex- 
 ample, rather more intelligible. Moft of 
 his pieces are fonnets, addreffcd probably 
 to the wife of William de Bouville, whom 
 he admired. PJe calls her, *' my dear 
 hope," or, ** my more than dear hope." 
 
 Count Ralmond de Thouloufe cre- 
 ated two hundred Knights in the full 
 
 P 3 court
 
 214 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 court he held in 1244, on his return from 
 Italy; among thefe was a William de 
 Bouville, probably the fon, or the grand- 
 Ibn of this Lady. Let us hear our poet. 
 
 ** The return of fpring invites my 
 fong ; and the enamel of the meadows 
 animates it, with all the gay and beauti- 
 ful variety of the flowers : but the flow-, 
 ers that I gather, fhall have love for their 
 fruit, as they have joy for their grain ;' 
 and their perfume fhall furpafs >that diviae 
 odour, which the month of May fpreads 
 over the meadows ! I love the mod 
 beautiful woman in the world ! I have 
 frequented many courts -, the pleafure I 
 receive from gay tents, refrefhing al- 
 coves, and magnificent balconies, where 
 the Ladies fit to affifl at the tournaments, 
 bears no proportion to my joy in be- 
 holding her. I have maffes faid, and 
 lamps, and tapers burnt, to render her 
 propitious ; for fhe is, next to God, the 
 objed of my worfliip. I fliould prefer 
 
 the
 
 THE TUOUBADOURS. 2:5 
 
 'the delight of pleafing her, to the pof- 
 feffion of thofe countries watered by the 
 Ebro, the Meander, and the Tigris ; to 
 all the glory of Alexander, to the honour 
 of being Emperor, or Pope. Yes, Paris 
 was lefs fond of Plelen, and Atalante 
 was lefs beloved by Meleager ! Aly love 
 is fhut up within my heart ; and fiie 
 who infpires it knows it not. Alas ! hov/ 
 ihould flie ? When at a diflance, I have 
 a hundred things to fay ; v/hen I ap- 
 proach her, I know not where to begin. 
 I figh in vain ! I piirfue her with the 
 fvviftncfs of a hare ; yet my approach is 
 like the flow and heavy fteps of an ox. 
 
 " To avoid the raillery of thofe who 
 snock my ufelefs conftancy, a thought 
 occurs ; I may feign that I am favourably 
 itreated, I fliall be believed ; for v/omen 
 are eafily foftened; fo fays Ovi.J, and all 
 the gallant poets." The Lady heard of 
 .ibis, and was offended. Arnaud cxcufed 
 himfelf, protefling, that he vras in joke. 
 
 P 4 After
 
 2i6 THE HISTORY O F^ 
 
 After all, he adds, *' Was my fault 
 greater, I am as worthy of compaffion 
 as the penitent thief. Could I obtain the 
 objea dear to me, I would love her a 
 thoufand times better, than ever hermit, 
 nionk, or prieft loved God ! I Ihould ht 
 even content, w^as I fare of polTeffing her 
 in old age : but how didant, how tedious 
 would the intermediate years appear." 
 
 The Lady had given him fome hopes ; 
 he accufes the fun of its flow progrefs, 
 and compares himfelf to the traveller, 
 who, approaching the famous mountain 
 of Auvergne, finds it recede in propor- 
 tion as he feems to draw near it. 
 
 At lafl the term of his fufFerings was 
 completed, and he received from the 
 hands of love a miflrefs, as much his 
 own, as he had ever been her's. He re- 
 prefents her (fo pure was his idea of love) 
 under the emblem of a caftle, prcfented 
 to bun without being fubjcd to any ac- 
 
 knov,'lege~.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 217 
 
 knowlegemcnt ; he only wiflies they had 
 joined to this freehold, the fmall revenue 
 of a few kiiles ; and fears he fliall die, 
 unlefs he obtains this favour. 
 
 Arnaud compofes the airs for lils 
 fongs, for which reafon he has been in- 
 cluded among the jongleurs, whofc pro- 
 feffion it was to fing the pieces of the 
 Troubadours ; but they were fometimcs 
 alfo poets, as the following curious anec- 
 dote evinces, taken from the Provencal 
 manufcript. 
 
 In a voyage Arnaud made Into Eng- 
 land> he met, at the court of the King, 
 a jongleur, who challenged him in thefe 
 terms : '* You pique yourfelf on excel- 
 ling in difficult rhimes ; let us fee which 
 of us can perform the beft.'* The chal- 
 lenge is accepted ; the wager is laid ; the 
 two rivals ihut thcmfelves up in fcparate 
 chambers. The King had given them 
 ten days for the compofition, and five to 
 
 learn
 
 ^i8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 learn their pieces ; after which, they were 
 to be fung, or recited in his prefence. — 
 From the third day, the jongleur an- 
 nounces that he is prepared. Arnaud 
 affedls to be diverted at this, faying, that 
 for his part, he has never given himfelf 
 the trouble to fet about this work. He 
 had, however, laboured, but could not 
 compofe two fyllables. 
 
 One evening, in defpair for this unex- 
 peded failure, he heard the jongleur re- 
 peating, with a loud voice, in his cham- 
 ber ; the fame thing happened the fol- 
 lowing days j he liftened attentively, and 
 at laft made himfelf maftcr, both of the 
 air, and the Vv^ords. On the day ap- 
 pointed, they appear before the King. 
 Arnaud defires to fing the firft. What 
 was the adoniflmient of the jongleur i 
 «' It is my fong,'' he cried out, interrupt- 
 ing the poet. ^' That cannot be," faid 
 the King. The jongleur infifls upon it, 
 and coniures the Kin": to nuciiion Ar- 
 
 ..-V- ^ naud,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 219 
 
 naiid, afiUring him, that he will not have 
 the impudence to deny tiie fadl. The 
 Troubadour agreed to this, and owned 
 the cu'cumflance. This adventure amulbd 
 the King, who, after having reftored to 
 each the money they had dcpofitcd, load- 
 ed them both with prefents ; but exacted 
 of Arnaud a fong. 
 
 We are not informed of any further 
 particulars of this celebrated Troubadour, 
 
 GIRAUD DE BORNEIL. 
 
 • 
 
 I'raud de Borneil was one of 
 the mofi: celebrated Troubadours 
 on record. He was born of low parents, 
 and fung the praifes of a miP.refs he call- 
 ed Fleur-de-lis. Amongll a thoufand 
 common extravagancies, he naturally ob- 
 ferves, that in the midft of a crowded 
 
 market,
 
 220 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 market, he fhould perceive no one, but^ 
 the miftrefs of his heart ; that he is un- 
 worthy of her, though his love is fo 
 great as to deftroy his reafon ; and he 
 compares himfelf to leaf-tin, which they 
 difiblve with azure, to ftrengthen and 
 embody the colour *. Giraud had fo- 
 journed in Spain. He addrefles one of 
 his pieces to King Ferdinand III. King of 
 Caftile ; and to Alphonfus IX. King of 
 Leon. In another, he records the falfe- 
 hood of women's hearts, and cites the 
 example of King Lewis, to prove, that 
 of two evils we ought to chufe the leaft; 
 alluding, no doubt, to the ancient divorce 
 of Lewis VII. in 1 1 50, from his wife 
 Eleanor of Guienne. " It was better for 
 him," fays he, " to lofe a part of his do- 
 minions, than to live with a wife of dif- 
 honourable charader." 
 
 * This appears to indicate the early knowlege 
 of painting in enamel, or in Mofaic, 
 
 Three
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 221 
 
 Three pieces of Giraud's, on the 
 crufade, breathes that wretched entau- 
 fiafm, with which weak and credulous 
 minds were inflamed. Sometimes he de- 
 plores the bllndnefs of Chriflians, who 
 abandon the holy fepulchre to the Infi- 
 dels ; fometlmes he promifes them mi- 
 racles from that God, who c^ufcd the 
 mighty Goliah to fall under the ftrokes 
 of feeble David ; and fometimes he re- 
 founds the fong of vidory, becaufe the 
 fovereigns are raifing troops, and going 
 to the deliverance of the Holy Land.— 
 The poets, as well as the preachers-up 
 of the crufade, confpired the ruin of 
 Europe. 
 
 A Troubadour, called Ignaure, dif- 
 puted with Borneil, and reproaches him 
 with cenfuring obfcure poetry. *' All 
 poets would be equal," fays he, " if thofe 
 compofitions were the beft, which all the 
 world underftands." Borneil replies :— • 
 " Let each one compofe according to his 
 
 humour ;
 
 222 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 humour ; but I maintain, that the poetry 
 mofl loved and admired, is that which is 
 moft fimple, and eafy to comprehend." 
 " I would not have general and indlflind: 
 approbation,' faid Ignaure ; '* I wilh that 
 fools may flight my compofitions ; and I 
 prefer reputation from a few chofen 
 minds, to general and extenfive fame." 
 
 Borneil's manner of living was greats 
 ly to his honour, and would give us an 
 advantageous idea of him, independent 
 of his works. He employed all the win- 
 ter in frequenting the fchools, and in 
 fludy ; a very diiferent courfe of life 
 from that mob of Troubadours, who 
 placed all fclence in the jargon of rhim- 
 ing. In the fummer he went to the 
 courts, and carried vvith him two good 
 fmgers, to recite his fongs. By fuch ma^^ 
 ture cultivation, the true fruits of know- 
 lege are obtained, and fitted for the view 
 of the public. Ke would never marry ; 
 but he was not one of thofe vicious celi- 
 
 ' bates,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 223 
 
 bates, whofe views and aflc6lions center 
 wholly in themfelvcs. What he gained 
 by hio labours, he gave to his poor rcla- 
 tions, by which means he enriched them 
 all : nor did this prevent his beftowing 
 large prefents on the church of Siducil, 
 in his native country. He was worthy of 
 praife, in particular, for not follow- 
 ing the torrent of that blind devotion, 
 which defpifing the bonds of humanity, 
 and the ties of blood, thought to pur- 
 chafe heaven, by giving all they poflefled 
 to the church. Borneil flourifhed at the 
 end of the twelfth century. Dante makes 
 mention of him more than once ; and, 
 in his Inferno, he places him much below 
 Arnaud Daniel, whofe life has juft been 
 given, that the reader may draw the com- 
 parifon between them. 
 
 RAM-
 
 224 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 RAMBAUD DE VAQUEIRAS. 
 
 Ambaud was fon of a Knight, 
 called Peirols de Vaquelras, or 
 Vacheires, in the principality of Orange. 
 He polTefTed not the gifts of fortune, but 
 he had talents to acquire them: Though 
 liberty was, by mod in this age, facri- 
 ficed to intereft, yet he wrote with free- 
 dom in the midft of courts. 
 
 He attached himfelf to William de 
 Baux, the firfl Prince of Orange, and 
 his fovereign. From the year 971, the 
 houfe of Baux became illuftrious. In the 
 twelfth century, it difputed the county of 
 Provence with the houfe of Barcelona. 
 Bertrand, the fon of him who failed in 
 this enterprize, (Raimond II.) had mar- 
 ried Tiberge d'Omelas, fiRer of Ram- 
 baud,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 225 
 
 baud, Count of Orange. Their fon 
 William took the title of Prince of Orange, 
 by the conceflion of the Emperor Fre- 
 deric I. This principality has pafTed fuc- 
 cefTively, by marriage, into the houfe of 
 Baux, into that of Chalon, and from 
 thence into the houfe of Naflau. Wil- 
 liam heaped wealth and honour upon this 
 Troubadour, and procured him the ac- 
 quaintance of many great Lords, which 
 was of great advantage to the improve- 
 ment of his fortune. 
 
 To fhew his gratitude, and prove his 
 zeal for the houfe of Baux, he wrote a piece 
 on the twenty years war it had fuftained 
 againft the houfe of Barcelona ; and to 
 which, after many fufFerings, it was at 
 lafl conftrained to fubmit. A more cu- 
 rious relation is that he gives of a tour- 
 nament, in which he fpeaks with great 
 freedom of thofe concerned. 
 
 ** I will tell you, without ceremony, 
 who behaved the bed ; for no one gloifes 
 
 Q^ over.
 
 226 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 over, or difguifes, lefs than myfelf, in ac- 
 counts of chivalry or gallantry. 
 
 *« The Lord of Baux began the fir ft 
 onfet bravely ; his horfe had a noble 
 cheft, and large flanks : fo rude was his 
 fliock, and fo fwift his career, that he 
 overthrew the brave Count R. and lamed 
 twenty other horfes, without injuring 
 himfelf, 
 
 ** In this crowd of combatants, I foon 
 perceived Dragonet, mounted on a little 
 horfe, of prodigious ftrength. The fiery 
 courfer exhaufted all the vigour and ad- 
 drefs of his mafter ; overthrew him on 
 the earth, and galloped away, without 
 regretting the lofs of his companion. 
 
 ' <* The Count de Beaucaire appeared 
 'at the tournament on a grey horfe. The 
 Lord Ponce de Montlaur, in tilting, re- 
 leafed the horfe of his Knight ; but the 
 
 Count
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 227 
 
 Count immediately remounted another 
 horfe, lighter and fitter for the juft. 
 
 " I SAW Barral dc Marfeille magnifi- 
 cently armed, on a good courfer ; but 
 that of N. which was ftill better, ran 
 againft him, and threw him into an ar- 
 bour ; he pitched on his head ; but, re- 
 covering, he caught his horfe, and held 
 him fait by one ear. 
 
 " Ponce de Mon tdr agon tilted alfo 
 in the lift ; I faw him fall without break- 
 ing his lance ; the equerry who overthrew 
 him was mounted on a forrel horfe, fo 
 meagre, that you perceived the great vein 
 of his neck. Ponce did not pique him- 
 felf on taking revenge, but went elfe- 
 where to feek a new engagement, 
 
 " The Lord of Mevaillon, completely* 
 armed and accoutred, came proudly on 
 an Arabian courfer, fomething bigger 
 than a quail ; he jufted againft Nicholas, 
 
 0^2 and
 
 228 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 and fhlvered his helmet to pieces ; but 
 Nicholas only laughed, and faid he cared 
 not for it. 
 
 ** In the midft of the fray, I perceived 
 the Prince of Orange advance brifkly, 
 on a Spanifh horfe, become impatient by 
 being too long reined in ; he put to flight 
 three ftrangers, united in a band ; but 1 
 heard no one pity them, becaufe they were 
 come from a ftrange land." 
 
 The poet feems to have viewed this 
 grand fpedacle in the light of ridicule, 
 though he has defcribed it with fo much 
 fimplicity. 
 
 The Troubadours loved to roam about 
 the world, as well as the Knights. From 
 the court of the Prince of Orange, Va- 
 queiras pafled into Italy, to Boniface, 
 Marquis of Montferrat. On his way, at 
 Genoa, he made acquaintance with a wo- 
 man,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 229 
 
 man, wliofe heart he wiflied to gain, but 
 whom he found inflexible. 
 
 This is the fubje(5t of a dialogue, in 
 which he exprefles himfelf in the Pro- 
 ven9al, and the woman in the Genoefe. 
 
 V A Q^U E I R A s. 
 
 *' Fair Lady, I have befought you 
 to vouchfafe to love me, for 1 am your 
 flave. You are good, well-bred, and 
 poffefTed of every virtue ; you are fo 
 courteous in all points, that my heart is 
 attached to you more than to a thoufand 
 others. It will be a work of charity to 
 return my love ! you will then render me 
 happier than if I pofTeiTed the city of 
 Genoa, with all the riches it contains." 
 
 Genoese. 
 
 •* Jew that you are, you have no 
 courtefy, in thus importuning me. No, 
 never fliould I be your friend, though I 
 was to behold you for ever proflrate at 
 
 0^3 my
 
 250 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 my feet ! I would ftrangle thee fooner, 
 forry Provencal. I have a hufband much 
 handfomer than thou art. Go thy way, 
 and feek thy fortune elfewherc." 
 
 V A QJJ E I R A s. 
 
 *' Genteel and difcreet, gay, fen- 
 fible, and v/orthy Lady, grant me your 
 favour ; for joy, and honour, reafon, 
 and every other virtue, is your guide ; for 
 this caufe, I am your faithful, frank, and 
 humble lover, without referve. My love 
 prelTes me to feek for yours." 
 
 Genoese. 
 
 " Thou art a fool to hold fuch dif- 
 courfe. Go as thou cameft. Thou haft 
 not the fenfe of a cat. I fhould do an 
 infamous thing to grant thee thy requeft. 
 Waft thou the King's fon, I would not 
 confent. Doft thou take me for a Have ? 
 By my faith thou ftialt not have me. 
 You Prove n9als are wicked people. " 
 
 Va-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, zii 
 
 V A Q^U E I R A S. 
 
 ** Lady, do not treat me with too 
 much rigour ; that is neither decent, nor 
 proper. It becomes me, if you pleafe, to 
 make my petition, to alTure you that I 
 love you with all my heart ; to conjure 
 you to eafe my anxiety, and to proteft to 
 you, that I am your Knight, and your 
 {lave. In your beauty, though frefh and 
 blooming as the rofe in May, I fee no- 
 thing fo uncommon ; but 1 love you ; 
 and, if you deceive my love, it will be 
 an offence againft heaven.' 
 
 )> 
 
 C( 
 
 Genoese. 
 
 I ESTEEM not a fmgle Genoefe *, 
 thy Provencal babble ; it perfuades me 
 not. I comprehend thee no more than a 
 German, a Sardinian, or a barbarian ; for 
 thee I care not at at all. Ceafe thy jar- 
 gon. If my hufband knew of it, it 
 
 * The coin of the country. 
 
 0^4 would
 
 232 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 would go ill with me. Leave me in 
 quiet." 
 
 However ruftic the poet paints the 
 Genoefe in this dialogue, he does not 
 difguife the idea they had in Italy of the 
 Proven9als, whofe exceffes in the king- 
 dom of Naples augmented, after this, 
 the hatred of the Italians. 
 
 Boniface, Pvlarquis of Montferrat, 
 was an enlightened and generous hene- 
 facftor to Vaqiieiras, who improved fo 
 much at his court in the art of war, as 
 well as in poetry, that he rofe much in 
 the public e(lcem. Thefe talents united, 
 were the delight of the Marquis. To 
 recompenfe the Troubadour, he raifed 
 him to the rank of Knight, made him his 
 companion in arms and accoutrements, 
 or brother in arms, a mark of the mod 
 perfed; union among warriors, and gave 
 him habits, exactly the fame as his own, 
 
 a dif-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 233 
 
 a dirilndion, of all others, the moll en- 
 vied in courts. 
 
 It muft be a fingular merit that could 
 preferve lb much favour, in fo high a 
 degree of elevation. With fuch advan- 
 tages he became attached to Beatrix, the 
 fifter of Eoniface, and the wife of the 
 Lord of Del Carat. As he had a fa- 
 vourable accefs to Beatrix, he faid to her 
 one day, *' Vouchfafe, Madam, to give 
 me your advice ; 1 ftand in great need of 
 counfel. I love a gentle Lady, full of 
 grace and merit. I converfe with her 
 continually, without daring to let her 
 know my aftedion ; fo much do 1 ftand 
 in awe of her virtue. For heaven, and 
 for pity's fake, tell me whether I ought 
 to die for love, from the fear of making 
 it known." 
 
 *' Every loyal lover," replied Bea- 
 trix, *' who attaches himfelf to a Lady 
 of merit, whom he fears as well as ref- 
 
 pedts,
 
 234 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 pedis, always explains his fentiments be- 
 fore he fufFers himfelf to die for her fake. 
 I advlfe you to declare your love, and to 
 requeft your Lady to retain you as her 
 fervant, and her friend. If (he is wife, 
 and courteous, fhe will neither take it 
 amifs, nor think herfelf dlfhonoured, but 
 will efteem you the more, for fuch a de- 
 claration ; for you are fo good, that there 
 is no Lady in the world, who ought not 
 freely to receive you as her Knight." 
 
 On this flattering alTurance, Vaqueiras 
 declared the objed of his love. " Wel- 
 come, my new-found lover," faid the 
 Lady, *' try more and more, by your 
 converfation and adlions, to render your- 
 leif valuable. I retain you for my 
 Knight." — This little dialogue accords 
 perfedly with the ideas of chivalry, in 
 its original and moft perfed ftate. 
 
 In a piece, wherein he celebrates his 
 felicity, he fays, '' When a heart, lefs 
 
 pene-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 235 
 
 penetrable by nature than others, is fof- 
 tened by aflfedion, it loves with more 
 tendcrnefs ; from the greateft height, \vc 
 rilk the fevered faU. Good Lady, do 
 not beheve the envious, who back-bite, 
 and traduce me." 
 
 Vaqjjkiras wrote a piece, in honour 
 of his miftrefs, in which he gives a hint 
 to thofe envious tongues who had wrong- 
 ed him. The invention, and images of 
 this poetic pidure are truly intereding. 
 He entitled it, Lo Garros, alluding to the 
 cuftom eftablifhed, at this time, in Italy, 
 of fixing the principal ftandard on a cha- 
 riot. The combatants had nothing more 
 at heart, on the one fide, than to defend 
 this chariot, and, on the other, to be- 
 come maflers of it. The idea of a war, 
 undertaken from jealoufy, againft the he- 
 roine of the Troubadour, and fuftained, 
 with honour, took its rife from an inci- 
 dent, v^7hich gave Beatrix the name of the 
 Bel-Cavalier. One day, when the Mar- 
 quis,
 
 236 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 quls, returned from the chace, paid her 
 his ufual vifit, he left his fvvord in her 
 apartment. 
 
 Beatrix, who joined to a beautiful 
 perfon a tafle for the exercifes of chivalry, 
 pulled off the long robe fhe wore, and 
 girding on the fword, like a Knight, fhe 
 draws it from the fcabbard, tofles it up 
 in the air, catches it again with dexterity, 
 and wheels about to the right, and to 
 the left ; having finirtied her exercife, 
 fhe puts the fword into its place. Va- 
 queiras obferved her through the crevice 
 of the door, and ever after gave her the 
 name of the Bel-Cavalier, 
 
 " The Ladies of this country would 
 begin a fhameful war, in imitation of the 
 peaiants who revolt agaiaft their Lord, 
 They are determined, whether on the 
 mountain, or in the plain, to build a caftle 
 with towers ; for the honour and glory 
 of Madam Beatrix rifes fo much above 
 
 theirs,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 *- j/ 
 
 theirs, that all are refolvcd to elevate the 
 ftandard, and attack her with war, fire, 
 duft, and fmoke ! 
 
 " Already the Common^; aflcmble to 
 make the walls, and the ditches ; the old 
 women haRen to the fignal in rage, for 
 having loft their youth, their beauty, 
 their merit. What tiltings will not the 
 daughter of the Marquis of Efte be ob- 
 liged to fuflain ; for ilie is poflefled of all 
 the graces, and of all the virtues ; and 
 {he will no more remain in peace, than 
 her father, when he once finds himfclf in 
 the field of battle. 
 
 ** The Ladies of Verceil defign to en- 
 lift in the army. Agnes of Lantu, and 
 of Vintimille, are eager to recover their 
 honour ; they run in hafte to the city, 
 which they call Troy. They have com- 
 mitted the government of it to Madame 
 de Savoie. 
 
 " They
 
 238 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *« They will have Beatrix reftore to 
 them their youth, even beyond the con- 
 fines of Mount Cenis. The CountefleB 
 invite the new city to make continual war 
 againft this Lady, who is fo good, and 
 fo beautiful, whofe fame has deprived 
 them of beauty, and whofe complexion 
 is admirable ! 
 
 "The governefs proudly announces 
 to them, fhe fiiall give battle ; fhe founds 
 the bell. The old Commons advance in 
 hafte. Madame Savoie affigns to each 
 her poft. She complains that Madame 
 Beatrix is become fovereign miftrefs of all 
 the Commons poffeft ; and affures them, 
 if fhe does ijot reftore it again, much 
 blood will be fpilled. 
 
 *' All their forces are affembled. They 
 march out of the city, followed by the 
 chariot which carries their ftandard ; they 
 are armed with cuiraiFes, and quivers. 
 The battle begins. They doubt not that 
 
 Beatrix
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 239 
 
 Beatrix will foon lofe all her glory ; but, 
 were they four againft one, they would 
 gain nothing. 
 
 " Behold them fetting up engines, 
 traps, and petraries. They light up the 
 fires, let fly the darts, and undermine the 
 walls with the battering rams. The he- 
 roine of noble manners will not fur- 
 render ! 
 
 "She mounts her horfe, armed with her 
 valour alone, without cuirafs or doublet. 
 She precipitates herfelf into the midft, 
 carrying certain death to every one fhe 
 encounters. She purfues here enemies 
 alone; fmites them furioufly, and puts 
 them to flight. The old Commons are 
 in confl:ernation. Beatrix purfues them 
 to Troy, and (huts them up in the city.'* 
 
 The more fuch elegies were agreeable 
 to the Princefs, the more defirous were 
 the envious to ruin, in her efl:eem, the 
 
 Trou-
 
 240 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Troubadour who compofed them. The 
 perfidious arts of courtiers, are well known 
 to feize any weak fide, that may receive 
 the fatal ftroke. Vanity governs mofl; 
 women ; what, then, mufl its power be 
 in the midft of a court ? This was the 
 fecret fpring they fet in motion. In pre- 
 fence of all the Ladies, they fild to Bea- 
 trix, " Who is, then, this Rambaud de 
 Vaqueiras, though the Marquis has made 
 him a Knight, that he fliould prefume 
 to love fo exalted a Lady as yourfelf? 
 Know, that this does honour neither to 
 you, nor to the Marquis." — In fine, ac- 
 cording to the genuine language of the 
 Provenfal author, fo much cenfure paffed 
 on all fides, as is the cuftom with all ill- 
 mouthed people, that Madam Beatrix be** 
 came enraged againft Rambaud; and, 
 when he befought her for love, and beg- 
 ged her for mercy, flie would not hear 
 his prayers ; on the contrary, fhe told 
 him, that he oaght to carry his love to 
 other Ladies who were made for him, 
 
 and
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 241 
 
 and that flic would never have any thing 
 more to fay to him." 
 
 The felicity of Vaquclras vanifhcd like 
 a dream. A violent chagrin devoured 
 him. He ccafed to fing of love ; and, 
 in his indignation, he didated an inju- 
 rious piece againft the whole fex. In 
 another he accufes his Lady of infidcity. 
 Notwithftanding all this, they were af- 
 terward reconciled, with cafe, by the 
 means of the Marquis of Boniface, at 
 whofe court arrived two French jong- 
 leurs, who played perfectly on the violin. 
 One day, when they were executing a 
 flampide, with which all the world was 
 enchanted, Vaqueiras, far from partaking 
 of the diverfion, appeared plunged in 
 grief. *' What ails you, Ramhaud ?" 
 faid Boniface, " Why are you not de- 
 lighted with fuch fine airs, and in behold- 
 ing fo beautiful and brave a Lady as my 
 fifier, who lias retained ycu lor her fcr- 
 vant ?" — ** I have no reafon to be joyful,'' 
 
 R replied
 
 242 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 replied he, drily. The Marquis knew hb 
 reafon ; and, refolving to reftore him to 
 joy and repofe, he faid to his fifter^ 
 ** For the love of me, and of all the 
 company, I will have you vouchfafe to 
 befeech Rambaud to cheer up, and to 
 fmg and rejoice, as he ufsd to do." We 
 fee, by this, the gallantry of the poeS 
 was not of a fufpicious nature. The Lady 
 complaifantly complied with the wilhes of 
 the Marquis. 
 
 Va QUE IRAS, more obedient than ever 
 to the orders of his miftrefs, compofed a 
 fonnet, which flie had requeued, 
 
 " The firfl of May, and its fmiling 
 lovely train, cannot delight me, unlefs 1 
 receive from you a joyous meflengerj. 
 who will make the jealous die with rage. 
 Do not make them laugh at my expence>, 
 I befeech you. I fhould not furvive the 
 fatal day I was to lofe you ! But how 
 lofe you ? I, who have never exceeded 
 
 tha-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 243 
 
 the tender meafure of fear, rcfpedl, ai^d 
 love." — This is followed by the greatcfl 
 elegies on his Bel-Cavalier ; and he vows 
 to her the molt ardent and everlafling 
 love ! 
 
 These adventures preceded the year 
 1204, in which a very intereRing fccne 
 engaged the attention of the public. 
 
 Innocent III. whofe enterprizes have 
 been related againft the unfortunate 
 Count of Thouloufe, ordered a crufade 
 to be preached up in France, againft the 
 Turks. The Count of Champagne was 
 to be the chief; he died. They chofe, 
 for his fucceflTors, the Duke of Bur- 
 gundy, and the Count of Bar ; but, on 
 the refufal of both, they had recourfe to 
 the Marquis of Montferrat, brother of 
 the famous Conrad, who, in the pre- 
 ceding crufadcs, was become Prince ot 
 Tyre, and had been proclaimed King of 
 Jerufalem, a few days before his death. 
 
 R 2 Boniface
 
 244 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Boniface accepted the command, which 
 was particularly agreeable to him ; he 
 pafled into France, where he took the 
 crofs, and concerted his enterprize with 
 the principal Lords of that country. 
 
 Our Troubadour embraced this occa- 
 fion of celebrating his proted:or. The 
 enthufiafm of the crufades breathe in this 
 piece. 
 
 *' We may now perceive that God is 
 pleafed to recompenfe the good. He has 
 exalted the glory of the Marquis of 
 Montferrat fo much above other warriors, 
 that the crufaders of France and Cham- 
 pagne have afked him of heaven, as the 
 moil: worthy of all men, to recover the 
 Holy Sepulchre. 
 
 *' God has beilov/ed on this brave 
 Marquis courageous vaflals, extenlive ter- 
 ritories, and great riches, to fecure him 
 the more fuccefs. He who made the air, 
 
 the
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 245 
 
 the heaven, the earth, the fea, the heat, 
 the cold, the wind, the rain, and the 
 thunder, will have us all pafs the fea in 
 his train ; as Gui, Gafpard, and Melchior, 
 the three Magi, went to Bethlehem, 
 where the Turks have taken from us 
 mountains and plains, without any in- 
 terpofition on the part of heaven. May 
 St. Nicholas guide our fleet. Let the 
 Champenois ered; their banners. Let the 
 Marquis cry Montferrat ! Let the Count 
 Badouin cry Flandre * ! Let each one 
 ftrike with all his might, and break the 
 lances, and the fwords. We fhall foon 
 put the Turks to flight ! Let the valiant 
 King of Spain purfue his conquefls over 
 the Moors, while the Marquis continues 
 his fiege againfl: the Sultan. 
 
 " Bel-Cavalier, for whom I write, 
 and of whom I converfe, I know not 
 
 * He was one of the principal crufaders, and 
 was elected Emperor after the taking of Conftan- 
 tiiiople, 
 
 R 3 wlic-"
 
 246 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 whether, for your fake, I fhall take, or 
 quit the crofs. You delight me fo much 
 when I behold you ! and I am fo afflidled 
 when I beiiold you not!" 
 
 It was rare for love to be weakened 
 by military ardour ; above all on the af- 
 fairs of the crufades, which excited the 
 warriors to (how themfelves worthy of 
 their Ladies, by high exploits. Vaqueiras 
 was, however, grieved, according to the 
 Proven9al hiflorian, at being obliged to 
 go to this war ; he wi{hcd to remain near 
 Beatrix j but he could not refufe to em- 
 bark with the Marquis. How ill do 
 thofe underdand the human heart, who 
 believe heroes exempt from the weaknefs 
 of love ! 
 
 This war, hallov^red by the errors of 
 the age, diflionoured the Chriftian name, 
 at the taking of Conftantinople, in 1204. 
 Inftead of deflroying the power of the 
 
 Mufful-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 247 
 
 Mil {Till men, the crufadcrs were employed 
 in dividing their conquefls. 
 
 The Marquis of Montferrat luid the 
 kingdom of Salonica, and tlic Ifle of 
 Candia. He enriched Kambaud ; who, 
 occupied as he was with th^e beautiful 
 Beatrix, and lamenting the abfcnce of his 
 Bel Cavalier, yet, in a piece, the images 
 and thoughts of which are very curious, 
 and original, he feems to boaR of his fer- 
 vices to the Marquis, as a man who foli- 
 cits new favours. 
 
 " Valiant Marquis, Lord of .\''ont- 
 ferrat, I thank God, from whom you 
 have received lb much honour; for no 
 Cliriftian, who wears a crown, has ac- 
 quired more, has fpent more, or has be- 
 llowed more, than yourfelf. In you I 
 find a good Lord, who have maintained 
 me, equipped me, exalted me, from a 
 Ijw to a high condition; who, from no- 
 thing, have advanced me to the honour- 
 
 R 4 able
 
 248 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 able flate of a Knight, to the approbation 
 of a court, and to the praife of the La- 
 dies. I have ferved you with faith and 
 truth. 1 have attended you in your court 
 to the Ladies, and in your warlike expe- 
 ditions. V/ith you I have loft and gain- 
 ed, given and received blows ; I have 
 affifled you to conquer empires, king- 
 corns, duchies, ifles, provinces, and the 
 territories of Grangers ; to take prifoners 
 kings, and princes ; to conquer armed 
 Knights, and to take cities and palaces by 
 ftorm. With you I have driven out the 
 Emperor of Romania, whom you difpof- 
 feffed of his kingdom, to beftow it on 
 another * ; and, had I not been raifed 
 by you to wealth, and fame, it could 
 never have been fuppofed I had ferved, 
 or been in your train. You know, 
 my Lord Marquis, that this is the fimple 
 truth, 
 
 * The Count of Flanders, 
 
 " When
 
 THE TPvOUBADOURS. 249 
 
 *' When we aflaultcd Azaillrlgo *, 
 four hundred Knights purfiied you, with 
 all their might. With ten companions 
 only you faced them ; and they dreaded 
 you more than the crane dreads the fal- 
 con. I came up with you when you 
 flood in great need of my afliilance. We 
 raifed up the Marquis Albert, whom they 
 had overthrown. I have been in grievous 
 prifons, for having happily fervcd you in 
 your wars. For you I have ventured 
 many aflaults, burnt many houfes, and 
 done many bold adions ; for which, as 
 you know, I was not over recompenfed- 
 At Meflina I covered you with my cloak ; 
 and I came up at the very moment when 
 the crofs-bows, the lances, the arrows, 
 the fwords, and the cutlafles were fhower- 
 ed on your head, and breaft ; and, when 
 you took Rondaflb, Paterno, Palermo, 
 Calatagiro, I was the firft under your 
 banner. 
 
 * An unknown place. 
 
 " Then,
 
 250 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ** Then, when you went to the cm- 
 fade, I had no ambition, Heaven for- 
 give me, to pafs with you beyond the fea ; 
 but, in compHance with your requeft, I 
 made my confeffion, and took the crofs. 
 And when I went under your ftandard, 
 toward Blaquerne *, I carried arms, 
 weighty as thofe at Braban^on. I fought 
 on the fteps, under the tower, and re- 
 ceived a wound through my armour. So 
 near the palace I fought, that the rebel- 
 lious Emperor was overthrown, the wicked 
 Greek, who treacheroufly killed his brother. 
 When he faw the fmoke, and the flame, 
 the walls pierced in feveral places j when 
 he beheld you fight defperately in the held, 
 and yet merrily, and without fear, (you 
 was but one agalnft a hundred) ; when 
 he faw the Count of Flanders, the French, 
 the Britons, the Germans, the Lombards, 
 the Burgundians, the Spanifh, Gafcons, 
 and Provencals, all engaged in battle, 
 
 * The palace at Confiantinople, 
 
 cavalry,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 251 
 
 cavalry, and Infantry, this Emperor, hav- 
 ing his heart in his heels, and his vile 
 Greeks, fled with the utmoR precipita- 
 tion. We purfued them as the wolf pur- 
 fues the lamb ; tliey appeared like young 
 eagles, and v\x like hawks. The Em- 
 peror dole off in the flight, leaving to us 
 the palace of Bucaleon, and his handfome 
 daughter. You know, and all thofe who 
 are with you know, I fpeak nothing but 
 truth. 
 
 *' I ADD, that your renown is fo much 
 increafed by my verfe, and my fong, that 
 it will extend to the lateft pofterity. 
 
 *' When a good vaflal ferves a good 
 Lord, honour and reward will be his por- 
 tion. Wherefore, I expcdt from you fuch 
 profit and reputation. 
 
 " My Lord Marquis, I would recall 
 to your memory all the high deeds of 
 your firil: campaigns. To give lefTons to 
 
 others
 
 252 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 others is our duty ; and the brilliant 
 deeds of your youth ought to ferve for 
 inftrudion to thofe who would enter into 
 the path of glory. Your bravery exalts 
 you fo much, that you are praifed as a 
 noble Lord, and I am next to a Banneret. 
 
 ct 
 
 Reflect upon my paft attachment, 
 and on the great adions we have done on 
 the fea. Recoiled:, when in the midft of 
 fupper you ran away with the Lady Sol- 
 dina, from the ftrongeft intrenchment of 
 the Marquis Malafpina. You gave her to 
 Poneet d'Aquilane, who was reduced to 
 extreme ficknefs for her fake. Call to 
 itiind the jongleur Aimonet, who brought 
 you news of Jacobina, whom they v/ere 
 carrying into Sardinia, to marry her 
 againft her will. Remember how ten- 
 derly fhe embraced you, when fhe took 
 her leave, and befought you, in the moft 
 touching manner, to defend her againft 
 the injustice of her uncle ! You ordered 
 five of your bed 'fquires to mount their 
 
 horfes.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 253 
 
 horfes. We ran through the darknefs. 
 I myfelf carried her off from the park, 
 while the multitude fhouted for joy. 
 Horfe and foot purfued us. We took 
 every meafure to efcape them. We 
 thought ourfelves out of danger, when 
 we were attacked by the Pifans. Behold- 
 ing fo many Knights at our elbow, fo 
 many dazzling fliields, fo many banners 
 fluttering in the air, none need queftion 
 the fear that pofTefTed us. We retired, 
 and hid ourfelves between Albergue and 
 Final -, there, on all fides, we heard the 
 found of cornets, and clarions, and the cry- 
 to arms, to arms ! We remained here two 
 days without meat or drink. The third 
 day we ventured out, and met, in a nar- 
 row way, twelve robbers. We knew not 
 what to do ; for we could not attack them 
 on horfeback. I went againll: them on 
 foot. I received a wound from a lance ; 
 but I wounded three or four, and put 
 them all to flight. My companions join- 
 ed me ; we forced the thieves to quit 
 
 the
 
 254 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 the paflage, and then we paiTed along in 
 fafety. You recoiled, without doubt, 
 how gaily we dined, though we had but 
 little to eat, having only one loaf, and 
 nothing to drink. In the evening we ar- 
 rived at Nice, and went to the houfe of 
 Puiclair, who was fo rejoiced at the fight 
 of us, that he would even have given 
 you his daughter Aiglete : but you, the 
 next morning, like a good Lord, and a 
 brave Baron, gave Aiglette in marriage 
 to Gui Adhemar de Monteil. You alfo 
 gave Jacobina to Anfelme, and caufed 
 him to recover his province of Vintimiglia, 
 in fpight of his uncle, who would have 
 difpofleffed him. 
 
 *' If I undertook, my Lord, to relate 
 all your great adions, of which I was 
 witnefs, it would fatigue me to repeat, 
 and you to liften to them. 
 
 " More than a hundred virgins have 
 I feen you marry to Counts, to Mar- 
 
 quiiles,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 255 
 
 qulfles, and to Barons of high rank, 
 without ever finning againft chaftity on 
 your own part, though in the prime of 
 your youth and vigour. More than a 
 hundred Knights have I feen you eftabhfh 
 in feudal tenures ; and a hundred others, , 
 who deferved it, I have beheld you ruin 
 and deftroy : thus elevating the good, 
 and abafing the wicked. So many wi- 
 dows and orphans have I feen you con- 
 fole, and fo many miferable people have 
 you relieved, that if mercy can gain en- 
 trance into Paradife, you muft be admit- 
 ted there ; for never was there a man 
 worthy of favour, whofe petition you 
 have ever refufed. And to fay the truth, 
 my Lord, you inherit the generofity of 
 Alexander, the courage of Roland the 
 twelfth Peer, and the gallantry and elo- 
 quence of the worthy Berard. The mag- 
 nificence of habits, the fplendour of 
 arms, the delight of games, of muHc, 
 and of fong furround your perfon ; and 
 all the virtues reign in your heart. 
 
 " I
 
 256 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *' I CAN boaft, my Lord, that I have 
 underflood how to condud myfelf in 
 your court ; to give, to ferve, to be com- 
 plaifant, and difcreet. I have never of- 
 fended any one ; and no one could ever 
 reproach me for having left your fide in 
 war, or that I feared death where your 
 glory was concerned. 
 
 *' Your whole life being thus known 
 to me, you ought to prefer and ferve me 
 before any other. This conduct is but 
 juft, my Lord Marquis, to your witnefs, 
 your Knight, and your jongleur.'* 
 
 An attentive reader will draw many 
 reflections from this piece. Befide thofe 
 traits which charaderife the ancient man- 
 ners, there is equal addrefs and limplicity. 
 The eulogies bellowed on the Marquis, 
 apologizes for thofe of the Troubadour. 
 Few would dare thus to fpeak of them- 
 felves, though with juflice, in modern 
 times ; but many would do it in an in- 
 
 fmuating
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 257 
 
 finuatingand lefs honourable manner ; and 
 Homer gives 118 examples of this plain 
 fpeaking, and the claim of that title 
 which becomes due to men from their 
 a(^ions. 
 
 The Marquis of Montferrat died in 
 1207, in a battle againfl the Turks, leav- 
 ing Montferrat to William, his eldcft fon, 
 and the kingdom of Salonica to his 
 youngefl: fon Demetrius. It is not known 
 whether Rambaud Vaqueiras died before, 
 or after his Lord. 
 
 In a fong of this poet, wherein he 
 complains of the rigours of his miflrefs, 
 there is a remarkable couplet. 
 
 ** The day in which love made choice 
 of us both, your beauty infpi ed me with 
 the vanity of the peacock, when he con- 
 templates the coku.s of his plumage, 
 and climbs up, in crefled pride, on thd 
 top of high walls ; this arrogance conti- 
 
 S nues
 
 258 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 nues, till, glancing his eyes downwards^, 
 he is humbled with the view of his 
 feet. Thus the lovely appearance of my 
 Lady puffs me up with vanity, and joy, 
 till ihe makes war upon me with a No !'* 
 
 RICHARD DE BARBESIEU. 
 
 IcHARD DE Barbesieu was bom in 
 the caftle of Barbefieu, in Sain- 
 tonge. With great genius, and a very 
 handfome perfon, he was fo balhful, 
 that in company he always appeared em- 
 barrafled, gloomy, and filent ; and it re- 
 quired the efforts of his particular friends 
 to give him the lead degree of freedom 
 and eafe. He became attached, however, 
 to a rich Baronefs, who was the daughter 
 of Geoffroi Rudel, Prince of Blaye, and 
 the wife of Geoffroi de Touai. Her 
 character v/as the very oppofue of his ; 
 
 ihe
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 259 
 
 flie was extremely gay, had a wonderful 
 pleafantry in converfation, and a great 
 ambition to be praifed, and admired. She 
 foon perceived the attachment of Bar- 
 befieu, and received it with p^cafure, as 
 fhe wifhed for nothing fo much as to be 
 celebrated by a poet of his talents ; but, 
 as this was her whole view in encouraging 
 his paflion, he complained bitterly of 
 her rigour, and quitted her for another 
 Lady, who, after encouraging him, ex- 
 prefled the greateft difdaia of his caprice. 
 ** Go," fays fhe, " you are unworthy of 
 any woman's love. You are the falfeft 
 man in the world, to abandon a Lady fo 
 lovely, fo amiable. Go ; f nee you 
 have forfaken her, you will forfake every 
 other." Batbefieu returned, and be- 
 fought the grace of Madam Touai, but 
 all in vain ; he became furious, and, in 
 his rage, compofed the following invedive 
 againft women : 
 
 " To feek for fidelity in women, is to 
 feek holy things among the carcalTcs of 
 
 S 2 dead
 
 26o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 dead and putrid dogs ; to confide in them, 
 is the confidence of the dove in the kite. 
 If they have no children, they beflovv a 
 fuppofed offspring, that they may inherit 
 the dowry, which belongs only to mo- 
 thers. What you love the mod, their 
 arts vAW caufe you to hate j and what you 
 cannot endure, they will force you to 
 love. Their lives are fpent in perverting 
 one another, and in. ruining all thofe who 
 are conneded with them ; and, when 
 they have filled up the meafure of their 
 iniquity, they laugh at their diforders, and 
 juftify their guilt." 
 
 Overwhelmed with defpair, our 
 Troubadour retired into a wood, where 
 he built himfelf a cottage, refolving never 
 more to appear in the world, unlefs he 
 could be rellored to the favour of Madam 
 Touai. Ail the Knights of the country 
 were touched with his fate. When two 
 years were elapied, they came and be- 
 fought him to abandon his retreat ; but 
 
 he
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 261 
 
 he remained firm to his firft refolutlon. 
 At lail all the Ladies, and the Knights 
 alFembled, and went to befeech Madam 
 Touai to have pity on him : but flie an- 
 fwered, flie would never grant tliis re- 
 queft, till a hundred Ladies, and a hun- 
 dred Knights, who were truly in love, 
 came to her with hands joined, and knees 
 bent, to aik for n:ercy, and fuliclt the 
 pardon of Barbefieu. On this condition 
 ihe promifcd to grant it. This news re- 
 fiored life to cur poet, and he tr.us ex- 
 prefles his defires, and his griefs. 
 
 ** As an elephant, v>;ho is overthrown, 
 cannot be raifed up till a number of ele- 
 phants roufe him by their cries, fo nei- 
 ther (hould I have ever been relieved 
 from my diftrefi, if thefe loyal lovers had 
 not obtained me grace, befceching it of 
 her who alone can beftow felicity. With- 
 out their charity I had continued filent, 
 ihut up as a reclufe, deprived of joy an 1 
 life ! for I partake not of the nature of 
 
 S3 the
 
 262 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 the bear, who fattens on hunger and mi- 
 fery. I would have died like the phcenix, 
 and, like him, have revived from my 
 afhes, to have regained the favour of her 
 whom I have offended, and whom, for. 
 two years, I have not dared to behold. 
 My fong, be the interpreter of my heart 
 toward her. I will fubmit to her mercy, 
 like the flag, who, having finifhed his 
 courfe, lies down and dies at the feet of 
 the huntfmen." 
 
 The Ladles and the Knights affembled, 
 according to the number prefcribed ; 
 they went to intercede for this unfortunate 
 lover, and they obtained for him the par- 
 don he defired : but Madam Touai died 
 foon after ; and Barbelieu, not being able 
 to live in a country which recalled to his 
 mind the fufferings he had undergone, 
 and the lofs of his beloved miflrefs, with- 
 drew into Spain, where he ended his 
 days. 
 
 SORDEL
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 263 
 
 SORDEL, BLACAS, 
 
 AND BLACASSET. 
 
 AS the bcfl: piece of Sordel's was an 
 elegy on Blacas, I have united the 
 account of thefe Troubadours, and of 
 BlacaiTet, the fon of Blacas, who inherited 
 the worth of his father. 
 
 SoRDEL was born at Gaito, In Mantua. 
 He was the fon of a poor Knight : from 
 his childhood he difcovered a tafle for 
 poetry ; and, when he grew up, he fre- 
 quented the court of St. Boniface, near 
 Verona, who proved to him a generous 
 Mecccnas ; but he repaid his kindnefs with 
 ingratitude. 
 
 EIe fell In love with the wife of Boni- 
 face, and was beloved by her. A quarrel 
 
 S 4 arifing
 
 264 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 arlfing between the Count and the bro- 
 thers of this Lady, fhe was harfhiy treat- 
 ed by her hufband, probably for Tiding 
 with them. In revenge, they engaged 
 Sordel to carry her off. He accompUflied 
 it, and lived with them. Afterward he 
 paiTed into Provence, where his talents 
 gained him much honour ; and he was 
 particularly noticed by the Count and 
 Countefs of Provence, who gave him a 
 cauie, and married hirn to a Lady of dif- 
 tinguiflied rank. Moft of the fonnets he 
 wrote were fevere and licentious ; and, 
 though in one of them, among many 
 common-place obfervations, he fpeaks 
 highly of pure and tender love, and fays, 
 words may be feigned, but tender looks 
 proceed from the heart, yet, in others, 
 he boafts of his libertinifm in fo lliame- 
 ful a manner, that they ought to be bu- 
 ried in oblivion, and I fhall therefore 
 omit them, notwithftanding the high 
 praifes given them in that age, and pro- 
 ceed
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 265 
 
 ceed to the charadcr of Elacas, and the 
 elegy fo juftly given him by Sordel. 
 
 Blacas was a noble Baron of Pro- 
 vence, rich and generous, formed for 
 love, and renowned in war. He kept an 
 open court, and was magnificent in all his 
 adlions. With the love of grandeur, he 
 joined an unlimited hofpitality ; and had 
 more joy in difpenfing, than others in 
 receiving his favours. He nouriflied, 
 and confoled the poor and wretched, and 
 was the protestor of all the opprefTed 
 and miferable; thefe virtues increafed with 
 his age, and obtained him the love of his 
 friends, and the refpe(ft of his enemies. 
 Thefe are all the particulars given of his 
 life, and which fully jufiify the follow- 
 ing lamentation and panegyric of Sordel. 
 
 *' I WEEP for Blacas. My grief is jufl:; 
 for in lofing him, I have loil a generous 
 Lord, and a kind friend ! There is no 
 compenfation for this lofs, but to give to 
 
 others
 
 266 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 others what he fo amply poflefled, and 
 they fo greatly need. 
 
 « His heart fhall be divided among the 
 Kings and Princes. 
 
 '* The Emperor of Rome fhall eat of 
 it the firft, that he may recover from 
 the Milanefe the country they have taken 
 from him, in defpight of his German 
 troops. 
 
 *' The noble King of France, St. Lewis, 
 fliall next eat of it, that he may regain 
 Caftile, which his folly has loft ; but, if 
 his mother is informed of it, he will not 
 eat ; for he fears her difpleafure more than 
 his own fame. 
 
 ** The King of England, Henry III. 
 ought to have a large (lice ; he has but 
 little heart at prefent, and he requires a 
 great deal to recover the dominions he has 
 fufFered the King of France to ufurp. 
 
 « The
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. oA^j 
 
 " The Kingof Caftile, Ferdinand III. 
 muft have the (hare of two princes ; for 
 he pofTefTes two kingdoms, and is not 
 able to govern one : but he, alfo, muft 
 conceal it from his mother, or llie will 
 baftinade him. 
 
 " James I. King of Arragon, muft 
 alio eat of this heart, if he would wipe 
 off the infult he received at Marfeilles ; 
 for by this only can he retrieve his ho- 
 nour. 
 
 " The King of Navarre has alfo great 
 need of this heart. When Count of 
 Champaigne, he was more a King than at 
 prefent. It is lamentable when the de- 
 fed of courage is found in thofe who are 
 raifed by heaven to dignity. 
 
 « If the Count of Touloufc, Ral- 
 mond VII. will recover what he formerly 
 pofleft, and preferve what ftill remains, 
 
 he
 
 268 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 he muft exchange his own heart for a 
 better. 
 
 ** The Count of Provence, Raimond 
 Berenger V. will do well alfo to eat of 
 this heart, if he reflects how fmall is the 
 confequence of a Count, who is flripped 
 of his dominions. He may a6t vigour- 
 oufly, but he will need the heart of Blacas 
 to fuUain the burthen that will be laid 
 upon him." 
 
 I 
 
 There is a little dialogue of Sordel, 
 in which he thus fpeaks of the bad faith 
 of Princes, and the importance of truth." 
 
 Sordel. 
 
 *' I AM aftonifhed that a Prince fhould 
 promife what is right, and perform what 
 is wrong. Adions fhould precede words, 
 or it is better to be filent ; but to promife, 
 without ever defigning to perform, is to 
 add lies to deceit." 
 
 MONTAN,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 269 
 
 M O N T A N. 
 
 " For my part, I wonder not at the 
 deceits exercifed by Princes ; it coils them 
 fo much to be generous and jull, that their 
 hearts can never keep pace with their 
 words. They think they can difculpate 
 themfelves by handfome Hes ; but in this 
 they wrong their judgment no lefs than 
 their hearts." 
 
 S o R D E L. 
 
 ** In every condition, the true maxim 
 is to promife nothing but what we know 
 we can perform. To be apt to promife, 
 is a lightnefs that refleds little honour ; 
 but to break our word is infamous." 
 
 SoRDEL could not be perfuaded to ven- 
 ture on the crufade with St. Lewis, and 
 gives this fingular and prophane refufal. 
 
 *' The fouls of all are faved, who pe- 
 rlfh at fea ; but I wifh to arrive at Para- 
 
 dife
 
 270 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 dife as late as pofTible, and therefore I will 
 not embark for it during my life." 
 
 There are no other particulars of Sor- 
 del's life, but thofe related in the beginning 
 of it- Of Blacaffet. the fon of Blacas, there 
 is the following fonnet, which, for its 
 fingularity, and tendernefs, was referved 
 for the conclufion of thefe lives ; the 
 charader of Blacaffet being only known 
 by his works, of which this is the prin- 
 cipal piece, and is a fort of elegy on two 
 Ladies who had taken the veil. 
 
 " If the pangs of love fhould now 
 torment me, to whom fliall I fly for fuc- 
 cour ? for they have entered the cloifter ; 
 they, to whom my fong, and the fong of 
 the Count of Provence was ever joyfully 
 addrefled. They are loft, and it is death 
 to live without them. 
 
 <* Honour, and Virtue, where will ye 
 now refide ? for they were your glory and 
 fupport ! 
 
 «« While.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 271 
 
 " While Huguette, and her fiflcr, 
 chant their conventual orifons, we are 
 fhedding tears, and making lamentations ; 
 but what avails our grief! I will tiy this 
 inftant ; I will go and fet fire to the con- 
 vent, and burn all the Nuns. I could 
 even blafpheme St. Pons, who has taken 
 ftom Provence all its pride and felicity. 
 
 «* Alas, they are loft ! We are for ever 
 deprived of Huguette and Etienette 1" 
 
 
 SAVARI DE MAULEON. 
 
 SAVARI was a rich Baron of Poitou, 
 Lord of Mauleon, and of feveral 
 other fiefs. He was a brave and gal- 
 lant Knight ; renowned for poetry, for 
 his {kill in tournaments, and for his tafte 
 and elegance at all public diverfions. 
 
 A VISIT
 
 2/2 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 A VISIT this Lord paid to Madam 
 Guillemette de Benavias, in company 
 with two other Lords, was the founda- 
 tion of a dialogue on three different proofs 
 of love, and which of them deferved the 
 preference. 
 
 Each of thefe Lords had befought the 
 love of Madam Guillemette. Being feat- 
 ed, one at her right hand, the other at 
 her left, and the third before her -, ihe 
 eyed the one with tendernefs, prefled the 
 hand of the other, and touched the foot 
 of Savari, giving him, at the fame time, 
 a kind and gracious fmile. 
 
 Savari went to his two friends, Gau- 
 celm Faidit, and Hugues de Bacalaria, 
 and defired they would refolve him, to 
 which of the three the Lady had fhown 
 the moft affedion. 
 
 G A u c E L M. 
 
 ** I THINK to him who received the 
 tender look ; that always arifes from the 
 
 foul.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 273 
 
 foul. 1 lic prcfTure of the hand is a cour- 
 tefy which belongs to all thofe who arc 
 politely received ; and, to touch the foot, 
 may arife from accident, and is no proof 
 of love. 
 
 H u G u E s. 
 
 *' In my opinion, the look is of no 
 fignification ; for kind looks are addrefTed 
 to all, as well as to thofe who are foolifhly 
 intrapped by them. Nor do I make any 
 account of touching the foot : but, when 
 a white hand, without glove, preffes ten- 
 derly its friend, this is a certain proof of 
 the love that proceeds from the heart. 
 
 S A V A R I. 
 
 ** I REJOICE you have left me the befl 
 proof of love. To touch the foot, is a fa- 
 vour of the highett kind, becaufe hidden 
 from the penetration of others; and, be- 
 ing accompanied with a gracious fmile, 
 it is alTuredly a proof of frank and fincere 
 afFellion. I am aftonilhed that Gaucelm 
 
 T prefers
 
 274 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 prefers the look, who has the reputation 
 of being fo fkilful in the art of love. 
 
 G A u c E L M. 
 
 ' " You do ill to flight the tendernefs 
 of looks. The eyes are the meflengers 
 of the foul ; they announce to thofe be- 
 loved, what a fond timidity would con- 
 ceal from others j they are the depofi- 
 torles of the whole treafure of love, and 
 well underftood by hearts united in affec- 
 tion. Looks are the only perfedl tokens 
 of preference, and of love !" 
 
 These gallant amufements were the 
 ferious occupations of heroes and poets in 
 this age. In another fragment of Sa- 
 fari's, he thus Angularly expreflTes him- 
 felf to his miflrefs* 
 
 " Lady, you have conquered all the 
 world. It is the height of my ambition 
 to conquer you. 1 have colleCied Bafques^ 
 
 and
 
 THE Tx^vOUBADOURS. 275 
 
 and Brabanyons * ; and, thanks to my 
 care, we are five hundred of us, who will 
 piindlually execute your orders. Explain 
 your wilhes ; give us' your commands. 
 Our couriers are ready bridled. We will 
 mount them inftantly in your caufe." — > 
 The Lady, no doubt, exa^^ed from her 
 hero fome military exploit; but what, is 
 not m.entioned. 
 
 This morfel perhaps referred to the 
 expeditions of Savari into Gafcoigne, and 
 Poitou, to maintain againft France the 
 declining party of the King of England. 
 The Proven9al manufcript unites with the 
 exploits of this Troubadour, fome ac- 
 counts which relate to the hiftory of thofe 
 times. 
 
 After the death of King Richard, ia 
 1199, his brother John fiicceeded to the 
 crown of England, with the duchy of 
 
 * Auxiliary troops, 
 
 T z Aqui-*
 
 276 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Aqultaiae, and the county of" Poitou-. 
 Immediately on his being raifed to fuch 
 dignity and power, he went to Bernard, 
 Count of Angouleme, (v/ho had a moll^ 
 beautiful daughter of fifteen, already af- 
 fianced to Hugues le Brun, Count of 
 Marche), and defired her in marriage -, 
 he obtained her of her father, married 
 her immediately, and brought her into 
 Normandy. 
 
 The Count of Marche, in defpair at 
 Baving his intended wife thus carried off, 
 implored the affiftance of all his relations 
 and friends, vA\o, touched with his grief, 
 and the injury done him, refolved to take 
 Arthur of Bretagne, the fon of Count 
 Geoffroi, and acknowlege him for their 
 Lord. 
 
 In this they confulted the right of 
 thefe Princes, fmce the father of Arthur 
 was the elded brother of King John. 
 The projeO: was executed. The Lords 
 
 did
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 277 
 
 ■did homage to the young Prince, and put 
 him in paflTcfllon of the country, except 
 fpme caftles and villages, which remained 
 firm to the King of England. 
 
 In the mean while John continued in 
 Normandy, nor could any thing prevail 
 on him to quit his wife ; and he pafTed 
 his time in hunting, fifhing, and hawk- 
 ing, in which amufements ihe always 
 partook : and, without any concern, he 
 fuffered his dominions to be wrefted from 
 him. To draw hirn out of this lethargy, 
 they told him, his mother was befieged 
 in the caftle of JVlirabeau. At this news 
 he fet off inftantly to her fuccour, with- 
 out inforrning any one of his defign, and 
 falling unexpectedly on the befiegers, in 
 the middle of the night, he carried off 
 Arthur, and all thofe who accompanied 
 him. But, impatient to rejoin his wife, 
 whom he loved fo tenderly that he could 
 not live v/ithout her, he abandoned Foi- 
 tou, and returned into Normandy. 
 
 T 3 After
 
 278 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 After this he releafed his prifoners 
 on their parole of honour, and obliged 
 them to give him hoflages. He then re- 
 imbarked for England, and brought with 
 him his nephew, Arthur, whom he caufed 
 to be drowned. As foon as the King of 
 France {Philip Auguftus) was informed 
 that John had paffed into England, with 
 his wife, he put himfelf at the head of a 
 great army, and conquered Normandy. 
 The Barons of Pcitou having revolt- 
 ed, took this province alfo from the 
 King of England, excepting the city of 
 Rochelle. 
 
 Savari had been Ihut up, by the order 
 of John, in the tower, where they im- 
 priibned thofe who were deflined to perifli 
 for want ; but he had fo much forefight, 
 and ingenuity, that he rendered himfelf 
 mafter of the caftle in which he was im- 
 prifoned. He made a treaty, after this, 
 with King John, and obtained the title 
 ^f Q:overnor, or commander of all the 
 
 places
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 279 
 
 places which this Prince retained in Gaf- 
 cony. 
 
 The Provencal hiflorlan adds, that 
 Savarl, becoming the defender of the 
 Prince who had meditated his ruin, pur- 
 fued all his enemies, and regained for 
 him all that John had loft in Gafcony and 
 Poitou, while the latter granted him nei- 
 ther troops nor money, but lived in the 
 fame retired manner with his wife, of 
 whnm he continued to be pafFionately 
 fond. 
 
 Bertrand de Born, the fon of the 
 famous Bertrand, wrote a fonnet, which 
 he addrefled to Savari, on the condudl of 
 John. 
 
 *' I WILL cover John with confufion, 
 by reminding him of the virtues of his 
 anceftors. What ought he not to fuffer, 
 when he com.pares their glorious deeds 
 with his fhameful indolence ? 
 
 T 4 " All
 
 28o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ** All Gulenne regrets King Richard, 
 his prcdeccffor, who fpent fo much money 
 to defend thofe provinces which he has 
 bafely given up ! but he careth not ; he 
 loves hawking and hunting, and would 
 rather pofTefs pointers and hawks, than 
 kingdoms ! What I fay is to correal his 
 flupidity, which fufrers the lofs of fub- 
 jeds, and of dominions, for want of giv- 
 ing them the fuccour they need. 
 
 '* My Lord, I arji diftrefled thus to 
 fpeak of your folly. You have fuffered 
 your honour to fink into the dull ; and 
 the more you are cenfured, the more it 
 feems to delight you ! 
 
 *' Savart, the King who wants cou- 
 rage, can neither make conquefts, nor 
 attach any to his fervice." 
 
 The Provencal hiHorian fays nothing 
 more concerning Savari. In Rymer's re- 
 cords there is an account, which confirms, 
 
 a part
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 281 
 
 a part of the anecdotes above related. It 
 is there faid, that In 1224, in the relgii 
 of Henry III. the fucceflTor of John, 
 Louis VIII. King of France, marched in- 
 to Saintonge ; that he befieged Rochelle, 
 of which Savari of Mauleon was the go- 
 vernor ; that Savari yielded it up, and 
 attached himfelf to the fervice of Louis 
 for the remainder of his days. 
 
 •3$()f(:^)^)^C^^}^>C^¥x}^3$()^)^^)^)^(¥)5(K< 
 
 FOLQUET DE LUNEL. 
 
 T^Olqjjet de Lunel is only known 
 bv his pieces. The Proven9al hi- 
 florlan gives no particulars of his life ; 
 but, in what he ^ritcs, his charader will, 
 in fome meafure, appear, and the man- 
 ners of the age in which he lived. 
 
 One of his pieces contains an elogy on 
 Aiphonfo, King of Caftile and Leon. — 
 
 " I am
 
 2^2 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " I am aflonifhed the Electors do not 
 confer on this valiant King the govern- 
 ment of the empire. 1 have heard that 
 the Lombards, the Germans, the Bra- 
 banfons, and the Romans, would have 
 him for Emperor ; and that the people 
 of Milan, of Pavia, and Cremona, are 
 preparing him an honourable reception, if 
 he comes into Italy." 
 
 History informs us, that a^ter the 
 depofition of Frederick 11. v/ho was per- 
 fecuted by the fovereign Pontiffs, Al- 
 phonfo X. King of CaRile, furnamed the 
 Wife, was eledcd Emperor, in 1257, by 
 a party of the Electors. The other gave 
 the empire to Richard, brother of Hen- 
 ry III. King of England ; and, after the 
 death of Richard, to Rodolphus of Hab- 
 fbourg, on whofe fide was the court of 
 Rome. Folquet complains of the par- 
 tiality of Pope Gregory X. for the com- 
 petitor of Alphonfo, and wifhes they 
 could appeal from the Pope to a greater 
 
 power.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 283 
 
 power. Henry, Count of Rhodes, was 
 indeed the patron of our poet, and to 
 him are mod of his pieces addrclTcd. 
 Notwithflanding this, they differed greatly 
 in thofe points of religion, which was ia 
 this age a fource of extreme difcord. 
 
 FoLQ^JET was a devotee to the Virgin 
 Mary, not only with all the fervour of 
 piety, but the gallantry and enthufiafm 
 of romance. He called the Virgin an 
 incomparable Lady, and magnified her 
 charms in the fame flrains as thofe with 
 which the poets celebrated their miflreffes, 
 and called her his Gerfon *. 
 
 The Count of Rhodes bantered Fol- 
 quet for this pious gallantry. The poet, 
 in his anfwer, after many friendly com- 
 mendations of this Prince, exhorts him 
 to do penance for having traduced his fair 
 one ; and accufes the Count of a great 
 
 * The fpundation of this name is not given. 
 
 herefy
 
 2S4 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 herefy, in fpeaklng difFerently of the 
 Virgin from himfelf. He even declares 
 war againil: him till he alters his language. 
 He then adds, " No praife is fufficient 
 for the valiant Count of Rhodes, and my 
 Gerfon, who was without fin. If the 
 Count will but forfake his bafe and ugly 
 miftrefs, and ceafe to fpeak ill of my 
 Gerfon, we (hall all be happy." 
 
 The other piece of this Troubadour's 
 is a fatire on the vices of every condition;^ 
 
 and begins in this fingular manner. 
 
 ** In the name of that glorious Father, 
 who formed man in his own image, I 
 compofe a fong, which will pleafe the 
 good, and difpleafe the bad, who neglect 
 God, whofe blood has redeemed us. No 
 longer do we behold Emperors, King?, 
 Pricfls, Dukes, Counts, or Barons, ferv- 
 ing God ! Formerly there was ever fome 
 of thefe who went into Syria, to avenge 
 the caufe of our Lord. The recovery of 
 
 the
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 2?j 
 
 the Holy Sepulchre is now wholly ncg- 
 leded, and the Turks remain the peace- 
 able pofTefTors of Jerufalein ! 
 
 '' By excommunications, Piiefts gain 
 the fummit of their wifhcs. The Em- 
 peror exercifes injufllce againft the Kings ; 
 the Kings againft the Counts ; the Counts 
 defpoil the Barons ; thefe feize tlie pofTef- 
 fions of their vaflals, and pillage their 
 pcafants. The farmers, and the £hep- 
 herds, in their turr>, commit fraud, in- 
 juftice, and pay not the daily wages of 
 their labourers. The phyficians take 
 upon themfelves a profeflion, of v/hich 
 they are ignorant ; they kill while they 
 pretend to cure, and yet they oblige men 
 10 pay them for the flaughtcr they make. 
 Merchants, and artift-s are thieves and 
 liars. Jongleurs run about the world, to 
 fpread abroad their falfe hiftories. Huf- 
 bands and wives fin mutually againft 
 each other. The women have their gal- 
 lants, to retort the falfehood of the men, 
 
 and
 
 286 THE HISTORY Op 
 
 and place to their account the children 
 provided for them by others. Innkeepers 
 addrefs you with civility, and make hafte 
 to. ferve you ; the hoftefs is full of com- 
 plaifancci the fervants are attentive to 
 your minuteft orders ; you agree they 
 fhall partake of your provifion ; you fur- 
 nilh them with gcefe, partridge, excellent 
 meats, frefh and falted, white bread, and 
 unmixed wine. In return, they fell you 
 bad hay, and rotten corn, and take care 
 to give you only half meafure. Befides 
 this, their mangers are pierced through 
 with holes, and what is put in them, for 
 your horfes, runs through to their pigs, 
 who are enjoying a comfortable meal at 
 your expence, while you are fleeping in 
 hard beds, and dirty fheets j and, after 
 all this, you are overwhelmed with in-' 
 juries, if you do not pay a double price 
 for the things fet down to your account. 
 
 " Ye heretics ; ye Vaudois ; ye ufu- 
 rers ; ye unfaithful depofitories ; ye infi- 
 del
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 2S7 
 
 del blafphcmcrs ; yc defrauding water- 
 men, and toll-gatherers, who rertore not 
 to your mafters what you have received 
 for them ; ye bailiffs, who unjuflly feize 
 the little all of the poor ; ye unworthy 
 borrowers, who pay not again, but live 
 on the property of others ; agalnft ye all 
 do I lift up my voice : fear the pains of 
 hell ; and think of the joys of Paradife ! 
 I myfelf have been a (inner, but I hope 
 the divine mercy will grant me fpace for 
 reformation. The nets of the devil are 
 fpread over the world ; they have entered 
 into the cloillers : nay, fo fubtile is their 
 texture, that they intrapped even the an- 
 gels, and caufed their fall. 
 
 " May God have mercy on all. May 
 he give peace to Kings. May he direct 
 the Pope, who ought to be the light, 
 and the guardi. a of Chriftianity, to ex- 
 pel war and tumult from thofe countries, 
 "which heaven has committed to his care ; 
 and to dread that difgrace, which muft 
 
 f;dl
 
 288 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fall on God, if he does not compofe thefe 
 troubles in Sicily, which afflid the Chrif- 
 tians, and rejoice the heathens *." 
 
 FoLQiJET concludes this piece in thefe 
 fingular words : 
 
 *' This romance was begun in the 
 name of God ; and in the name of God 
 it fhall end. It fhall be fent to the va- 
 liant Count of Rhodes, to corred what 
 he fhall find reprehenfible, for he has an 
 excellent judgement. 
 
 *« If this romance is good in his fight, 
 let it be inferted in his book, which is a 
 coUedion of ancient works.' — I, Fol- 
 quet, compofed at Lunel this romance, 
 of mortal life, in the year of Jefus Chrift, 
 1284; the fame Folquet who hath forty 
 years offended God. Aged forty years." 
 
 * The houfe of Arragon, at this time, difputed 
 the crown of Sicily with the houfe of Anjou. 
 
 WIL-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 289 
 
 WILLIAM MAGRET. 
 
 WIlliam Magret was a jongleur 
 of VIennols. There are a few 
 lines of his very fingular. He fays to 
 Peter III. who was killed at the battle of 
 Muret, " Since God has placed you in 
 heaven, be mindful of us who are left 
 on earth." The manner in which he 
 paints the feelings of his heart, is touch- 
 ing ; '* I am fo diftraL^ed with love, that 
 being feated, I perceive not thofe who 
 enter, nor rife to receive them ; and I 
 feek for that I hold in my hand. As I 
 believe in that God who was born at 
 Chriftnias, I never committed fault or 
 Clime to the Lady of my love, except it 
 was extinguifliing the lights to hide my 
 confufion ; and left fhe fhould perceive 
 the tears that roll down my cheeks, whea 
 I contemplate her Aveetnefs." 
 
 U AR-
 
 290 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ARNAUD DE COMMINGES. 
 
 A S this poet was of the celebrated 
 houfe of Comminees, which fuffered 
 fo dreadfully in the wars againft the Al- 
 bigerifes, though there are only the fol- 
 Ibwing lines, they are inferted with thefe 
 fliort extrads of Troubad'Oiirs, little 
 knovTn. " I am pleafed with a cuflom 
 among us, which is lately come into 
 vogue, that thofe who do injuflice to the 
 weak, fhall find fome more powerful 
 than themielves, -who will repay it unta 
 them. I wifli this cuftom may lad, and 
 that it may afcend fi'om me to the Em- 
 peror, infomuch, that every wicked man 
 may find one more wicked than himfelf ; 
 for the crimes that arife from power are- 
 terrible." The poet perhaps m.eant the 
 cruelties againft the Albigenfes, but thefe- 
 lines are all given of him. 
 
 DON.NA.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 291 
 
 DONNA C A S T E L L O Z A. 
 
 THIS female poet was a noble Lady 
 of Auvergne. She thus wiitcs to 
 an inconftant lover, to whom {he was 
 tenderly attached. 
 
 ** Friend, If I found you fubmlf- 
 fivc, and (Incere, how flioiild I yet love; 
 for though I recollect your pail: falfehoods, 
 I am yet ardently defirous to fmg your 
 praife. Could I banifli you from my 
 heart, that would engage your afTeciion ; 
 but, alas ! I cannot make the trial. I 
 will not expofe myfelf to the reproach of 
 changing, nor furnifh you with pretexts 
 for your inconftancy. 1 love you, and 
 I find a joy in nourifhing that love. 
 The world aflerts, it ill becomes our fex 
 to fliow their love, when it is ill received j 
 
 U 2 but
 
 292 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 but thofe who fay this, know not what 
 love is ; thofe who can pradife it, have 
 never loved ! Ignorant are they who 
 blame my tendernefs ; they little under- 
 ftand what pafles in my bread ; they ne- 
 ver beheld you with my eyes ; they ne- 
 ver liflened to you as I have done ! — 
 You told me, not to diftrefs myfelf, for 
 that one day you would be mine. This 
 dear hope remains the cordial of my 
 heart. Compared to your's, all other 
 love is a fhadow. 1 anticipate the joy of 
 having you wholly mine ; this is the de- 
 lightful dream which tranfports my foul I 
 What fliall I fay more to move your ten- 
 dernefs ? I do not tell you by others ; 
 but I tell you truly, that there is no re- 
 medy in (lore for me, if you difdain my 
 love ! If I cannot foften your infenfibi- 
 lity ; if I die by your cruelty, you v/iU 
 commit a heinous, and a grievous fin,, 
 both in the fight of God, and man." 
 
 \V I L-.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 293 
 
 )^}5i<S{)SOSjG-)S;}C(}^}G:)S^}G(?5l}0?)^^ 
 
 WILLIATvI DE LA TOUR. 
 
 WIlliam de la Tour was born 
 in the caftle of la Tour, in Fe- 
 rigord. There arc few particulars of his 
 life, but they are very fingular. Love 
 turned his head ; and the account given 
 of him, appears to be that of a mad 
 man. 
 
 The objed of his paiiion was a bar- 
 ter's wife at Milan. Slic was young and 
 handfome. He carried her off, and 
 brought her to Come. Soon after this 
 (he died, which cauied in him fo violent 
 a grief, that it deprived him of his rca- 
 fon. He was perfuaded (he vv'as ngt 
 4ead ; tor ten clays he remained nxed to 
 her tomb. He opened it every night; 
 he drcvv- her out ; he bokcd carneitly ^t 
 
 U 3 bcr;
 
 294- THE HISTORY OF 
 
 her ; he embraced, he kiffed her ! he 
 conjured her to tell him, whether Ihe was 
 dead or alive ? to return with him, if 
 flie lived J or, in cafe (lie was dead, to 
 declare to him what flie fufFered in pur- 
 gatory ? for he v/ould then bellow fo 
 many alms, and have (o many mafles faid 
 for her foul, that he would purchafe her 
 deliverance." 
 
 The inhabitants of Come, informed 
 of his madnefs, expelled him from their 
 town, and from the country. He wan- 
 dered from place to place, feeking every 
 where for aftrologers, to know from 
 them, whether his miflrefs could be re- 
 flored to life. One of them made a fport 
 of his wretched condition, and alTured 
 him, Hie v>?ould infallibly rife again, if 
 he recited, each day, for a year, the 
 whole Plalter, with five hundred Paters and 
 Aves, and gave alms to feven poor peo- 
 ple ; but that he mud do all this each 
 day, before he either eat, drank, or fpoke. 
 
 The
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 295 
 
 The mlferable man was raviflicd with 
 this dircovciy, and punQually executed 
 the conditions prcfcribed him : but, find- 
 ing himfclf no nearer his wifhes at the 
 end of the year, then the beginning, he 
 died in defpair. 
 
 This Troubadour compofed many fon- 
 nets. In one cf them he afks Sordel, 
 Whether a friend, who loved his friend 
 tenderly, and faw her expire before him, 
 had better die with, or furvive his mif- 
 trefs ? Sordel anfwered, *' If death fc- 
 parated the fouls of friends that loved, it 
 was better to follow them to the ton b, 
 than to remain a prey to agony and del- 
 pair." William dc la Tour replied : 
 ** Tlie friend beloved would gain nothing 
 by this voluntary death; and it could 
 never be right to do that, from which a 
 real evil, but no gccd could refult." 
 
 Sordel anfwers, '' The Rate of a 
 friend, feparated from the friend he loves, 
 
 U 4. is
 
 296 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 is fo dreadful, that death alone can ter- 
 minate their wretchednefs and defpair." 
 
 It is fingular, that our Troubadour 
 fnoiild mention fuch moderate fentiments 
 in his writings, oppofed to thofe of Sordel, 
 and yet, in his life, become an example of 
 the defpair he, in this fonnet, endeavours 
 to refute. 
 
 y^ym:^^o&yo^j&y^jm:m:mm^ -mk 
 
 AZALAIS DE PORCAI RAGUES. 
 
 A 2 A LAIS is the firft woman men- 
 •^— ^ tioned among the Proven9al hifto- 
 nans. She was defcended from a family 
 of diftindion in Montpelier ; flie loved 
 Gui Guerujat, and the poems fhe com-^ 
 pofed for him were admired. He was 
 the fon of William V{. of the houfe of 
 MontpelicT. 
 
 There
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 297 
 
 There remains only one piece of Aza- 
 la'is. After a defciiption of winter, not 
 given, " I love," fays fiie, *' to behold 
 nature in this weeping Hate. So much 
 the inhdelity of the Prince of Orange 
 chagrins me, that dlfmal objeds are dear 
 to my mind. Women {hew their folly in 
 attaching themfelves to great Lords — 
 Love, then, becomes to them a fource of 
 humiliation and contempt. They ought 
 rather to prefer gentlemen : for it is a 
 proverb in Vellai, Nothing is gained by 
 the great. As to myfelf, I am fo happy 
 to have a dear and loyal friend ; in giv- 
 ing him my heart, I have bellowed it 
 well. For ever will I be faithful to you, 
 my amiable friend ; for ever will you 
 poffefs my foul, if you exad nothing 
 from me contrary to my duty ; if you 
 ftill adhere to the laws of true and tcnr^er 
 love. Go, my fong, to him who is 
 form.ed for courage, and in whofe prcfence 
 13 joy and deliglit." This (liort life 
 proves the little regard fhewn, by the 
 
 f^reat
 
 298 TFIE HISTORY OF 
 
 great to their millrefles of inferior rank; 
 they even made a fport of forfaking and 
 betraying them : and it was juftly a dif- 
 lionour for women of a middling ftation, 
 to attach themfelves to lovers of rank ; 
 and this opinion was a barrier againfl their 
 licentioufnefs of manners. 
 
 }S(M^}^)3(3SC)S(MiS(:^}^^}£:^}SC^M^)Si}3()S::S::}S( 
 
 The count and COUNTESS 
 OF PROVENCE. 
 
 AiMOND Berenger V. of the houfe 
 of Barcelona, was the laft Count 
 of Provence. He cultivated the Pro- 
 vengal poetry, and patronized the Pro- 
 ven9al poets j but his works are not in- 
 ferted. He was accufed of ingratitude, 
 and called the Inconilant Catalonian, from 
 the following circum fiance, given by the 
 commentators of Dante, who, in his fixth 
 
 canto
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 2.79 
 
 canto of Paradife, reproaches the Count 
 with this part of his Ufe. 
 
 A Gentleman of an ancient houfe, 
 but a Urangcr in Provence, returning from 
 a pilgrimage to St. James of Compoftella, 
 arrived at the caflle of the Count of Pro- 
 vence ; and, charmed with his generous 
 behaviour, attached himfelf to his fervice. 
 In this fituation he fliewed fo much un- 
 derftanding, and vvnfdom, that this Prince 
 confided to him the admini ft ration of his 
 finances. The Labours, and ceconomy 
 of the new minder, tripled the revenue 
 of his flate; infomuch, that Berengcr was 
 not only able to fupport a brilliant court, 
 but glorioufly to maintain war again!!: 
 the Count of Touloufe, who had four- 
 teen Counts for his vafTals. By his coun- 
 fel, alfo, Berenger married his four 
 daughters to four great Princes, Levv'is IX. 
 King of France ; Plenry III. King of 
 England ; Richiird, the brother of Plcnry; 
 and to Charles of Anjou. This com- 
 
 flctcd
 
 -oo THE HISTOPvY OF 
 
 •D 
 
 pleted the faithful fervices of the amiable 
 pilgrim. But he efcaped not the calumny 
 of envious and wicked courtiers ; they 
 engaged the Prince to require his accounts, 
 and to difmifs him. The miniller de- 
 livered them up ; and, having proved his 
 virtue, and integrity, he added ihefe 
 words. 
 
 ** My Lord, I have ferved you iriivny 
 years. I have put your finances into fuch 
 an order, that, from a fmall revenue, you 
 have acquired a large eftate. The malice 
 of your Barons has engaged you to r^pay 
 my cares with ingratitude. I was a 
 poor pilgrim when 1 came to your court. 
 I have lived honeftly and reputably in it, 
 on the wages you have given me. Re- 
 ftore to me my mule, my wallet, and my 
 ftaff, and I will return in the fame man- 
 ner as I came." 
 
 The. Count, touched with this addrefs, 
 would have retained the pilgrim j but he 
 
 refift.'d
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 301 
 
 refifled all his lolicitatlons. He departccl, 
 and was never more heard of. 
 
 Others have given this account dif- 
 ferently, and afferted, that though this 
 minifler, v/ho was called Romieu, which 
 fignifies Pilgrim in the Provencal, was 
 baniflied ; he was again reftored to his 
 miniftry, and made tutor and guar- 
 dian of Beatrix, the helrefs of Provence; 
 and that from him defcended the illuftri- 
 ous houfe of Villeneuve ; and in the 
 archives of Vence there is the will of 
 Romieu of Villeneuve, made in 3250, 
 which proves his birth, parentage, and 
 poflefTions ; and that the Count of Pro- 
 vence had magnificently recompenfed his 
 fervices, in beftowing on him the town 
 of Vence, and feveral cadles in the ter- 
 ritories of Nice, and of Grafle. 
 
 Beatrix, Countefs of Provence, the 
 wife of P^aimond Eerenger, is included 
 among the Troubadours, though there is 
 
 but
 
 302 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 but one couplet remaining of her writings, 
 in which fhe lays to her friend, '' I would 
 not have you fo timid ; for in good faith 
 I believe you love. If tendernefs tran- 
 fports you, Vve may mutually rejoice ; 
 for you have infpired me with love ! 
 This timidity is diftrefling to us both. 
 You fear an explanation ; and the ad- 
 vances toward it cannot honourably be 
 made by our fex." This Princefs V\ras 
 enlightened, and generous : fhe was a 
 Hberal patronefs of the Troubadours, and 
 her beauty, vnt, and generofity attraded 
 
 their homage. The Count was no lefs 
 their patron ; and he added to all his 
 other favours, a free exemption to all 
 poets from the public taxes. 
 
 This Prince was the lafi: male defcend- 
 ant of the houfe of Provence j and he 
 died in 1245. 
 
 AU-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 303 
 
 )^^^^)^^^^)}()^^^)^K<)^^)5(^)^^)^^ 
 
 A U BERT DE PUICIBOT. 
 
 AUBERT, the fon of the Conftable 
 . of Pulcibot, was put into a mo- 
 naftery when a child, and defigned for a 
 monk. By the law of St. Benedid:, children 
 were admitted into the cloifter, and formed 
 to all its exercifes, and they were confi- 
 dered as devoted to its engagements. 
 
 Many of thefe pupils felt the weight 
 of this cruel yoke, as they grew in years, 
 and curfed the authors of their flavery. 
 Among thefe was the monk of Pulcibot, 
 whofe genius led him to poetry and let- 
 ters ; thefe amufements ferved to charm 
 away the tedious hours ; but they in- 
 creafed his defire of liberty, and his de- 
 teftation of the cloider. He determined 
 to change his fituation, Love infpired 
 
 him
 
 304 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 him with this refolution. A Lady, who 
 was related to him, paid him many vifits ; 
 and joining her fohcitatlons to his own 
 inclination, he left the convent, and re- 
 paired to the brave and valiant Lord Sa- 
 vari of Mauleon. 
 
 This generous protedor equipped him 
 with horfes, arms, and habits, and all 
 that v/as neceffary for his appearance in 
 the different courts he fhould refort to.— 
 On his travels he became enamoured v/ith 
 a Lady of great beauty, and noble birth, 
 but who had a very fmall fhare of un- 
 derdanding ; he foon difcovered this, and 
 complains bitterly and indifcreetly of it.; 
 that he repents his choice, but cannot 
 conquer his pafTion. " I fear, and yet I 
 hope. I am become a fool myfelf in the 
 caufe of beauty ; i fafpcdt ; I weep ; and 
 I love !" His miftrefs, of whom he was 
 jealous, having at laft declared that fhe 
 would never become his, till lie was made 
   a Knight, and v/ould marry her ; he 
 
 had
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. -;o- 
 
 had recourfc to his patron, who not only- 
 dubbed him a Kniglit, but gave him a 
 houfe, lands, and revenue. His beau- 
 tiful miftrefs then confented to become 
 his wife. Their union was happy at 
 firft ; but, while Aubert was abfent on a 
 voyage to Spain, an Englifli Knight gain- 
 ed the favour of his wife, and carried 
 her away with him. After having kept 
 her fome time, he difappeared, and left 
 her in poverty.* 
 
 Aubert, who was ignorant of all this, 
 returning from Spain, pafled through a 
 town, where his wife, perhaps for want 
 of any other refourcc, lived on the fruits 
 of difhonour. 
 
 As he was by no means fcrupulous in 
 conjugal duty, and made no fecret of his 
 vices, he was in fearch of fuch a one, 
 when he was informed, that, at a fmall 
 houfe belonging to a very poor woman, 
 he would find a beautiful girl, who had 
 
 X been
 
 3o6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 been reduced to wretchednefs, and gained 
 a fcanty pittance by the fale of her beauty. 
 
 Thither he went immediately, and in 
 the poor girl difcovered his wife ; her 
 beauty faded, and her health impaired 
 with the miferable life Ihc had led. 
 
 The next day he told her, fhe mud 
 prepare for the death fhe deferved, and 
 be caft headlong from the dreadful preci- 
 pice, oppofite the illes of Hieres, • into 
 the gulph of Argencier : but, touched 
 with her grief, and fupplications, he con- 
 tented himfelf with flmtting her up in a 
 cloifter. From that moment he renounced 
 every pleafure, fold all he poiTeffed, and 
 finiihed his life in the monaftery of Pig- 
 nan, where he died in 1263. 
 
 HU-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 307 
 
 >cc7^^¥}<(^)^>()?(>:)^}«(.40^)j()^)^^;;^:)}( 
 
 HUGUES DE SAINT- CYR, 
 AND CLARA OF ANDUSE. 
 
 HUgues de Saint-Cyr was born 
 in the village of Montegra, in 
 Querci. His father was an under-tenant 
 when the caftle of Saint-Cyr was demo- 
 lifiied by war. The elder brothers of 
 Hugues were defirous he fhould embrace 
 the ecclefiaftical flate, either to relieve 
 themfelves from prefent expence, or as 
 the means of enriching their family here- 
 after. They therefore fent him to ftudy 
 at Montpelicr ; but, by reading the hiftory 
 of men celebrated for valour, he formed 
 a defire to become a Troubadour, and 
 negle£led all his other ftudies. He began 
 his courfe as a jongleur, by reciting the 
 works of others ; but fortune did not fa- 
 
 X 2 vour
 
 3o8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 vour him. He travelled through Gafcony-y 
 fometlmes on horfeback, fometlmes on 
 foot, feeking the refources he wanted by 
 his talents. The Count of Rhodes, the 
 Vifcount of Turenne, the Dauphin of 
 /iuvergne, affifted him in his writings, 
 and thus helped to unfold his talents : 
 but a violent quarrel arifing between the 
 Count and Hugues, they reviled each 
 other in the mod opprobious manner. — 
 " Be not terrified," fays Hugues j " I am 
 not come to aflc any thing of you ; I 
 have what I need. I perceive you want 
 inoney yourfelf ; and 1 believe it would 
 be a great charity to beftow fome on you.'* 
 
 The Count replied : '* You came here 
 naked and miicrable ; i repent that I lent 
 you back rich and happy. You coft me 
 more than two archers, and two Knights ; 
 and even nov/, was I to offer you a pal- 
 frey, (from which heaven defend me), 
 you would be the man to receive it." 
 
 In
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 309 
 
 In fome other couplets the Count 
 threatens a Lord named Arnaud, and 
 who proteded Saint-Cyr, that he would 
 come and befiege his caftle. 
 
 " I FEAR you not," replied Arnaud. 
 " When two gameRcrs engage in play, 
 till^ the game is ended no one can deter- 
 mine the event. Till the clofe of the 
 day, none have reafon to rejoice ; for a 
 fair and beautiful morning is often fuc- 
 ceeded by a gloomy and dreadful night.". 
 
 The Countefs of Benangues favoured 
 our Troubadour, and procured him the 
 friendship of Savari of Mauleon, who 
 equipped him very handfomely. After 
 having been long with this Lord in Poi- 
 tou, and in the neighbouring provinces, 
 he went to Spain to vifit the courts of 
 Leon and Arragon ; and from thence into 
 Provence, where he lived in the fociety 
 of the Barons, happy in gaining inftruc- 
 
 X 3 tion
 
 3IO THE HISTORY OF 
 
 tion from them, and willingly commu- 
 nicating his knowlege to others. 
 
 Though he had but little tendernefs 
 for women, he could not refift the charms 
 of a Lady of Andufe, called Madam 
 Clara, v;ho was handfome, gracious, and 
 virtuous ; and whofe only foible was an 
 unbounded ambition to become renowned 
 for knowlege, and fought by the mofh 
 illuftrious Knights and Ladies. Our 
 Troubadour paid her the moil: refpedful 
 attention, and confulted her tafte in every 
 thing ; he procured her the friendfhip of 
 the noble Ladles in Provence, and eda- 
 bliihed between them and herfelf a regu- 
 lar commerce of meflages, letters, and 
 prefents. All thefe kind ofEces engaged 
 the growing paffion of Hugues ; but 
 Madam Clara would never avow her feel- 
 ings, but ordered him to addrefs the fon- 
 nets, made in her praife, to the Countefs 
 of Provence. In compliance with this 
 command, he thus prefaces one of them. 
 
 *' To
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 311 
 
 ** To the gallant Countefs of Pro- 
 vence, whofe every adion breathes wlf- 
 dom and honour, all her words courtefy, 
 and all her manners grace, love, and 
 dignity, I addrefs my icng : for the fair 
 one, who is the fubjed of it, has com- 
 manded me." 
 
 Many quarrels, and many accommo- 
 dations, as is ufual in fuch attachments, 
 happeneil betwe; n our poet, and his 
 miftrefs. Other Ladies fought him for 
 their panegyriil, and endeavoured to fup- 
 plant Madam Ciara ; and particularly a 
 Lady called Panfa, Hugues liftened to, 
 and believed her, which occafioned Ma- 
 dam Clara to write the following tender 
 lines. 
 
 " Those cenforious and fufpicious 
 minds, who are the enemies of all joy 
 and peace, have difturbed my heart. My 
 foul is agitated, my forrow is extreme I 
 Their evil tongues have banifhed me from 
 
 X 4 you ;
 
 312 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 you ; you whom I love above all the 
 world. I have loft the delight of be- 
 holding you ! 1 fhall die with rage and 
 grief. In vain do they reproach me for 
 my love ; nothing can augment my ten- 
 deinefs. I have no enemies, however 
 odious, but if they fpoke in your praife, 
 they would become dear to me; and I 
 would break v^^uh my beft friends, were 
 they to fpeak againft you. Fear not, my 
 amiable friend, that I will ever deceive 
 you ; that I will ever change. Though 
 a hundred lovers were to folicit my af- 
 fedion, love for you would be fovereign 
 in my bread; for you he referves my 
 heart, and for you I will referve it. — My 
 friend, I have fo much grief, fo much 
 dcfpair for your abfence, that when I at- 
 tempt to fing, I can only figh and weep ! 
 Oh, that by thefe couplets I may again 
 obtain the dear objed of all my prayers, 
 and all my vows." 
 
 The
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 313 
 
 The crime of Hugucs was followed 
 with repentance; and, after many prayers 
 and folicitations, be was again received 
 into favour : but, from jcal{3ury, or fome 
 other capricious motive, he forfook Ma- 
 dam Clara again, and went into Lom- 
 bardy, where he married a young and 
 noble Lady of Trevifane. 
 
 There are no other particulars of his 
 life ; nor is it known when this poet died. 
 Among his pieces is one againft a Lord, 
 whom he openly accufes of materialifm. 
 He fpeaks in it with the zealous rage of 
 a Guclf againft the Gibelins. 
 
 ** God ought, no doubt, to reward 
 and maintain the rights and freedom of 
 the church, againft them who have nei- 
 ther faith in God, nor in the law ; who 
 believe not in a future ftate, neither a Pa- 
 radife ; and who fay there is nothing re- 
 mains of man after his death. 
 
 t( 
 
 If
 
 3H THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " If Count Ralmond proteds him, let 
 him dread the fliaring his miiery. The 
 ambition of the Emperor Frederick, is to 
 ruin France and the church, and caufe 
 herefy to triumph. The church and the 
 King ought then to command a crufade, 
 and come to our affiftance ; for he that 
 beheveth not on God, ihould poiTefs no 
 inheritance." 
 
 HuGUES alfo thus fpeaks of Eccelino 
 of Romano, called the Tyrant. " I re- 
 joice to behold his power and pride over- 
 thrown. All the evil that befals him, 
 rejoices me more than my own good. 1 
 weep at his joys ; but I delight in his 
 griefs. The Ladies Vv'hom he has com- 
 mited to the flames, the Barons whom he 
 h?.s maflacred, the monaderies which he 
 has reduced to afhes, with their croiTes, 
 and their altars, all thefe crimes have 
 availed him nothing ; and, if God had 
 deferred his vengeance, men would dif- 
 believe his jufticc." 
 
 HuGUES
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 315 
 
 HuGUEs DE Saint-Cvr was held in 
 great efteem by Petrarch, who celebrates 
 him in his fourth chapter of his Triumph 
 of Love. 
 
 ^)5(>^)^)?(^)^)^^^^)i^M^)^^)^)^¥){^)!^. 
 
 NAT DE MONS. 
 
 N^At de Mons was of Touloufe. 
 He lived in the reigns of Al- 
 phonfo X. King of Caftile, and of James I. 
 ICing of Arragon, toward the middle of 
 the thirteenth century. School divinity 
 was at this time the chief liudy of the 
 learned ; and the pieces of this Trouba- 
 dour are a proof, that he was educated in 
 the fchools of the Monks. They contain 
 many lefTons of morality, and warnings 
 to the great, againfl: the abufe of grandeur. 
 In one of them he thus fpeaks to the 
 King of Arragon. 
 
 <' The
 
 3i6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 «* The valour, glory, and high deeds, 
 the noble, courteous, and graceful man- 
 ners of Kings, or of Lords, are fhining 
 qualifications; but they will not fhield 
 their reputation if they commit evil, and 
 are guilty of injuftice. The glory with 
 which they are furrounded, however at- 
 tractive, however admired, is often ob- 
 fcured by crimes, which they indulge 
 themfelves in with impunity, becaufe no 
 one dares to contradid their faults, or un- 
 veil their evil deeds. 
 
 '' Reproach is more dreadful than 
 death. Death is an evil to thofe alone, 
 for whom it obtains no good. To the 
 upright, who can make a valuable ufe of 
 it, it is a blefling. 
 
 " It is a reproach, and a fhame to a 
 King to change lightly his mind : he 
 ought to have a firm and determined dif- 
 pofition : he ought to be careful his refo- 
 
 lutions
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 317 
 
 lutions are well formed; for all fuddcn 
 opinions are fubjed: to error. 
 
 ** King of Arragon, worthy of fo 
 fnuch praife, fuffer me to addrefs this dif- 
 courfe to you ; and perfevere conftantly 
 in your endeavours for the fervice of the 
 Moft High." 
 
 In another piece, which treats of the 
 influence of the ftars on the minds of 
 men, he addrefles a queftion to Alphonfo 
 on this fubjedl. *' It often happens," 
 fays the poet, " that the befl and wifeft 
 men are perfecuted by ill fortune, with- 
 out incurring the evil by their own 
 faults ; while the wicked, who are full of 
 vice and falfehood, fucceed in all their 
 ways. On this view many have aflerted, 
 that the fate of men depends on the con- 
 flellation under which they were born. 
 Others maintain, on the contrary, that 
 the influence of the flars has no power ; 
 and that all things depend on chance, 
 
 The
 
 3i8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 The firft argue, that a number of learn- 
 ed men have ftudied the flars, and have 
 plainly fhewn, that all events are written 
 there ; and, in efFecSt, all that we behold 
 in the world derives its fource and pre- 
 lervation from the four elements, accord- 
 ing to the motion of the planets ; and 
 ■what is regulated by the (lars is equally 
 predeflinated and unchangeable. Is it 
 not feen, fay they, how all events are 
 conducted by their influence, from the 
 beginning to the end of them, often an- 
 nounced by dreams in fleep, and by au- 
 gury, and other infallible figns awake. 
 The tefiimony of our anceftors, of hifto- 
 rians, and of the facred prophets, con- 
 firm this opinion, and prove, that man is 
 happy or miferable according to the laws 
 of predeflination. 
 
 ** The rcfuters of this opinion argue, 
 that authorities can never combat reafon, 
 and that fhe teaches clearer than the light 
 itfelf, that a Power, ilrongtr than na- 
 ture,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 319 
 
 tiire, is our conductor ; and that chance 
 is not the arbiter of our fate. To believe 
 man fubje(Sl to the ftars, is to believe 
 that he has no power to do good or evil ; 
 and confequently that he cannot merit re- 
 ward, or incur blame and punifhment. 
 
 " And befides this, if he is compofcd 
 of the elements alone, there will remain 
 no part of his being beyond the term of 
 this prefent life. To believe this, is to 
 be unmindful of God, and his bounty ; 
 nay, it is offending the Creator, and in- 
 juring his goodnefs : how does fuch a 
 dodrine agree with the belief of God's 
 exiftence, the immortality of the foul, 
 and a future judgement ? 
 
 ** As to the abfolute influence of the 
 planets, in this opinion there is double 
 folly. Rains and winds, indeed, and 
 many other things in the natural world, 
 follow the courfe of the ftars ; but the 
 human mind is above the reach of fuch 
 
 caufes.
 
 320 THE HISTORY GF 
 
 caufes. P^is nature is even very different 
 from that of the bead; the latter is im- 
 pelled by defire alone to follow his appe- 
 tites, and to preferve his life : but man 
 is conducted by reafon, even to thofe 
 things which are repugnant to his prefent 
 inclination." 
 
 The decifion of King Alphonfo con^ 
 eludes thefe obfervations. " We, Al- 
 phonfo, King of the Romans, of Caftile, 
 Toledo, Compoflella, Seville, Leon, Cor- 
 dova, Murcia, &c. aflert, that man is 
 in part governed by the ftars, in part by 
 defliny, and principally by chance ; and 
 that good and evil proceeds from the, 
 firft, or the fecond, or from all thefe 
 caufes united ; but to fay with precifion 
 by which of thefe three principles, good 
 and evil is conveyed to each individual 
 of the human fpecies, no one can de- 
 cide ; for no mortal knoweth the decrees 
 of God." 
 
 A L-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 321 
 
 Alpiionso was firnamcd the Wife, 
 from his reputed fkill in aftronomy and 
 phih)rophy ; and there is a celebrated 
 laying of his recorded, which fomc have 
 confidered as impious, and others as only 
 meant to ridicule the aftronomers of that 
 age : " If God had ccnfulted me, the 
 world lliould have been better made." 
 
 The decifion he gave on thefe philofo- 
 J)hical arguments, would be thought by 
 many no great proof of his abilities. 
 
 Besides thefe pieces, there is a letter 
 of our poet to the King of Arragon, 
 James I. in which he inftrudis Princes in 
 tvhat manner they ought to form their 
 courts. 
 
 ** In courts there ought always to be 
 perfons who are capable of praifing the 
 good, and rebuking the evil they may 
 behold. There ought alfo to be mufjclana 
 -to ealiven the aflembly j gay and cheer- 
 
 Y fu4
 
 -22 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 J 
 
 ful perfons who converfe with eafe; kind 
 and gracious minds, who impart delight ; 
 fpies, to difcovcr crimes ; and men of ho- 
 nour and probity, to diftinguifti and to 
 reward merit. All are ufeful in a court, 
 and advantage may be drawn from each j 
 but a King ought not to confide the guard 
 of his perfon to any but thofe of approved 
 fidelity, or to take counfel of any but the 
 wife and judicious. But, above all, he 
 ought to be ever on his guard againft 
 flatterers ; they are more to be dreaded 
 than thieves, and murderers ; for they 
 ileal, they murder the moft precious of 
 all poileffions, honour and reputation. 
 Whoever liftens to their advice, will be 
 plunged into mifery ; for they know not 
 the joys of clemency and moderation, but 
 violence and cruelty are their delight." 
 
 There is alfo a reply of this Trouba- 
 dour to a jongleur, who afked him, what 
 was the befl means of pleafing, and fiic- 
 
 ceeding
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 323 
 
 cceding in the world ; to whom he an- 
 fwers : 
 
 «* Never praife you if. Be not too 
 hafty to fpeak, in the confidence of ex- 
 celling others. Avoid equally a vain pre- 
 fumption, and an awkward baflifulnefs. 
 Do not dlftrefs yourfelf fot the little 
 difcernment of the nobles ; among them 
 there are many who are enlightened, ho- 
 nourable, and judicious ; who reward the 
 merit of good jongleurs, and grant them 
 all forts of pleafure and diftindion ; and, 
 among the leaft knowing there are few 
 but who, from a natural refped for know- 
 lege, treat them with civility and po- 
 litenefs. Be not prepoflefled againft thofe 
 who are lefs generous at firft, or charmed 
 with the liberal and magnificent. Thofe 
 who fet out prodigally, and give all at 
 the beginning, have nothing to give in 
 the end; thofe, on the contrary, who 
 make lefs parade, and difpenfe their fa- 
 vours with more referve, have it in their 
 
 Y 2 power
 
 ■') 
 
 24 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 power to do generous anions, and al- 
 ways do them in a more fecret and nobk 
 manner. 
 
 " Go, firfi:, to the glorious King of 
 Arragon, addrcfs him with an open coun- 
 tenance, and a gay and refpedfal de- 
 meanour ; for Grangers are judged of by 
 their mien. Asa prince of his high im- 
 portance is often engaged in affairs, take 
 care to approach him at a leifure mo- 
 ment. Be not eager of applaufe ; but 
 wait patiently, till you obtain it by your 
 talents. You will judge of the pleafure 
 you give him, by the attention you per- 
 ceive he beflov^s on you." 
 
 TiTE laft piece of this Troubadour is 
 
 full of common invedives againft the 
 pride of the great. 
 
 Tkeke is no mention made of the par- 
 ticidars of his life, or what time he died. 
 
 PETER
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 325 
 
 PETER VIDAL. 
 
 PEter Vidal might jullly be called 
 the Don Quixotte of the Trouba- 
 dours. He was the ion of a {kinner at 
 Touloufc. Born with a poetic talent, and a 
 melodious voice, he foared above his fitua- 
 tion, and engaged in that career of ge- 
 nius, which in this age was fo adv^anta- 
 geous : his love of the fair fex induced 
 him principally to this courfe of life.— ^ 
 He admired every beautiful woman ; and, 
 with a prefumption not uncommon, he 
 believed himfclf as much the obje£t Oi. 
 their a.lmiration ; and he had even the 
 •dcfpicable ailurance to boaft of their fa- 
 vours. His behaviour to the greateft 
 liOrds was full of extravagance, and led 
 them to conGder him as an agreeable fool, 
 formed for the amufcment of their courts. 
 
 Y 3 Never-
 
 326 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Nevertheless, his compofitions an- 
 nounced a fuperior genius. Giorgi, a 
 diftinguifhed charadler among the Trou- 
 badours, fays in one of his pieces, that 
 to confider Vidal as a fool, is being a 
 fool one's felf, fince his writings difcover 
 a great underftanding : but the actions 
 and the writings of men of wit and ge- 
 nius are very often oppofite to each other ; 
 and of this, Vidal will appear a moft 
 confpicuous example. 
 
 In the firfl: part of his life, he received 
 a terrible lelTon from a Knight of Saint 
 Gilles, of whofe wife Vidal having fpoken 
 lightly, the Knight revenged himfelf on 
 our poet by flitting his tongue. Hu- 
 gues, the Lord of Baux, had compaflion 
 on him, and had him cured. Gratitude 
 attached him to the houfe of Baux. — 
 Barral, the phief Lord, honoured him 
 above all the reft, and found in him a 
 continual fource of entertainment. Ade- 
 laide of Roquemartine, wife of the Vif- 
 
 count,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 327 
 
 count, charmed VicJal, and became the 
 obj^Ci of his love. Barral, far from be- 
 ing jealous,, granted him the freeft accefs 
 to his \vifc; gave him arms and habits 
 like his own, and amufed himfelf vpith 
 the follies his paiTion inipired. The Vif- 
 countefs, whofe praifes he Tung under the 
 name of Audierna, joined in this paflime, 
 and pretended to be in love with Vidal ; 
 but fhe loon experienced the effe£l of 
 her folly. One day, v.hen the Vifcountefs 
 flept alone, Vidal flept llowly into her 
 chamber, and, kneeling down by the fide 
 of her bed, he gave her a kifs. Ade- 
 laide awaking, took him at firll: for her 
 hufband, his drefs being exadly the fame ; 
 but foon perceiving her midake, fhe 
 cried out with all her might. Her wo- 
 men, who lay in the next room, ran im- 
 mediately to her afliilance, and our poet 
 made a precipitate retreat. The Vif- 
 countefs defired they would fend inftantly 
 for Barral ; when he came, fhe intreated 
 he would revenge himfelf on the info- 
 
 Y 4 lence
 
 328 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 lence of Vidal. At lirft he only laughecl 
 3t tills adventure, and chid his wife for 
 making {o much noife aboi;t it -, but he 
 could not pacify her wrath. Vidal found 
 he was not in fafety, and that he had all 
 things to fear from the Vifcountefs, if he 
 continued in the houfe of Barral. He 
 therefore embarked for Genoa, vvhere lie 
 thus exprefles his regret for leaving Pro- 
 vence. 
 
 *' O HOW delicious is the air that blows 
 from France ! So dearly do 1 love that 
 charming country, that when I only hear 
 it named, I am ready to fwoon for joy ! 
 and for every word they fpeak, I defire a 
 hundred I have left my heart in that 
 amiable nation ; to it I owe all the wit, 
 the knowlege, the genius, and the fpirit 
 I ever poffelTed. 1 groan in exile from 
 my fair one. I reo aitt as immoveable at 
 the recolledion of her charms, as a fool 
 when he beholds the gUre of the burn- 
 irg fun refleded on the windows of his 
 
 cafe-'
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 329 
 
 carement. Why was I not upon my 
 guard againft fo lovely a creature, whofe 
 charms would deprive the moll fober 
 mind of its reafon ? but her heart to- 
 ward me is the heart ot a lionnefs. Tliifi 
 determines me on a pilgrimage ; for hcrQ 
 1 languifli, and I die." 
 
 Agreeable to this refolution, he fol- 
 lowed Richard I. King of England, into 
 Paleftine, where his bravados were thofc 
 of a madman. " My enemies," fays he, 
 -*' tremble at my name, and the earth 
 {hakes under my Heps. All that oppof# 
 pie, I bruife and cut to pieces 1" 
 
 While Vidal was thus boafting of his 
 prowefs, a fatal trick was played him in 
 Cyprus. They engaged him to marry a 
 young Greek, from the perfuafion that 
 fhe was niece to the Emperor of the Eaft, 
 and that to her the empire would be tranf- 
 ferred. In this defign on his vanity they 
 fionipletely fucceeded. They beheld him 
 
 ufurp
 
 33© THE HISTORY OF ' 
 
 ufurp the title of Emperor ; give that of 
 Empjefs to his wife, and inveft himfelf 
 with the marks of this dignity. He had 
 a throne carried before him ; and he 
 faved all he could for the honours of that 
 empire, which he looked upon to be his 
 rightful inheritance. In the midll: of this 
 glory he forgot not his love, and he be- 
 lieved it would be for ever obfcured, if 
 he failed to obtain the pardon of the Vif- 
 countefs of Marfeilles : for this purpofe, 
 he implored the mediation of Hugues, 
 and of Barral, his ancient patrons. By 
 their intreaties they obtained favour for 
 him at laft, and Vidal thus exprefles his 
 
 joy- 
 
 ** All my thoughts are now turned 
 to love J exprefs therefore, my fong its 
 foft delights ! When lovers, who have 
 been aggrieved, are tenderly reconciled, 
 the acceiTion of joy is inexpreflible. I 
 have fuffered all the agonies of difplea- 
 fure, and I now experience this delight I 
 
 lam
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 331 
 
 I am tranfported when I behold the re- 
 newed verdure, the expanding flowers, 
 the melodious birds, and the tender feli- 
 city of faithful lovers ! The diftrcfles I 
 underwent were fo fevere, they almofl 
 deprived me of reafon ; but I am again 
 redored to joy, a joy that will never end j 
 and 1 revive with the reviving fpring, 
 which re-animates all nature, and pours 
 into my foul the foft effufions of love I 
 
 ** Gayer than the gayeft bird, I will 
 fly to my fair one : fhe is in all I love, 
 and nothing without her is delightful. If 
 reftored to grace, fhe gives an afylum 
 to her fervant ; fhe will preferve him 
 long in youth, and in vigour, gay, frefh, 
 and tender as the new-blown flower on 
 the branch. Beautiful Audierna ! my 
 heart, long fubjecfl to your power, is now 
 revived by your mercy, like the new- 
 blown flower on the green branch." 
 
 ViDAL
 
 J32 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ViDAL was perfectly well received on 
 his return to Baux, by Hugues and Bar- 
 ral, and the former prefented him to the 
 Vifcountefs of Marfeilies, faying, fhe 
 muft now fign his peace, by freely giving 
 him that kifs he had before ftolen j but 
 Adelaide giving no more encouragement 
 to his paflion than ilie had done before, 
 he became weary of playing a part, 
 where his love was only an amufcment, 
 and engaged in another adventure, in 
 which he appeared completely mad. 
 
 Smitten with a Lady of Carcaflbnne, 
 called Louve de Penautier, he caufed him- 
 felf to be called Loup, or Wolf, in her 
 honour, and engaged himfelf to fubmit 
 to all the perils of being hunted in a 
 wolf's ikin, for her fake. In this dif- 
 guife the fhepherds, with their maftiffs 
 and greyhounds, drove him into the 
 mountains, and purfued him there ; and 
 fo cruelly was he mangled, for he would 
 not fuffer the dogs to be taken off him 
 
 till
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 233 
 
 till they bad almoft killed lilm, that they 
 carried him home for dead to his mlflrefs. 
 Tlie Lady and her hufband took care of 
 his cure, but they ridiculed his lament- 
 able folly. Nor were thefe all his extra- 
 vagancies. On the death of his Lord, 
 Raimond, the Count of Touloufe, he 
 gave unheard-of proofs of afflifllon ; he 
 dreffed himfelf in the deepeft mourning, 
 cut off the ears and tails of his horfes, 
 and his own hair, let his beard and his 
 nails grow to an immoderate length, and 
 required all his fervants to do the fame. 
 Alphonfo, King of Arragon, came into 
 Provence with a numerous retinue, when 
 Vidal was in this flrange plight. The 
 King and his Barons, who loved him, 
 befought him to refume his gaiety, and 
 to diflipate his grief by a fong ; and they 
 defired he would compofe one for them, 
 to carry with them into Spain ; and, af- 
 ter many intreaties, they obtained their 
 requefi. The King, to exprefs his fatif- 
 fa^flion, gave him the fame habits he 
 
 wore
 
 334 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 wore himfelf. In this piece he fpeaks of 
 his former adventures ; his grief for Ray- 
 mond : of a girdle given him by Ma-- 
 dam Rambaude, wife of WiUiam, Lord 
 of Beuil, near Nice. He profefTes, that 
 in this badge of her favour he thinks 
 himfelf poflefled of the riches of the 
 world ; and that even the King himfelf 
 does not equal him in honour and power* 
 « I am prouder of this gift than Count 
 Richard of his Poitou, his Touraine, and 
 his Anjou." He felicitates himfelf on 
 having been purfued, and almoft: killed 
 by the fliepherds, (which confirms the 
 adventure of this uncommon chace) ; and 
 alTures the King, that he is more devoted 
 to his dear Louve, than to any other be- 
 ing on earth I 
 
 After fuch a feries of uncommon 
 anions, and when many years had rolled 
 over his head, Vidai began to refled ; and 
 he compofed, among fundry other pieces, a 
 Treatife on reprefling the Licence and In- 
 
 difcretions
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 335 
 
 difcretlons of the Tongue, not inferted. 
 An invedive againft Philip Auguflus, King 
 of France, who, inftead of taking the 
 crofs, to recover the Holy Sepulchre, pafl- 
 cd his life in a vile traffic, which brought 
 evil on his fubjeds. Another againft 
 the Kings of Spain, who rendered the 
 Moors more infolent by purchafing peace 
 with them, and fighting againft each 
 other. He complains alfo of the prelates, 
 and the inferior clergy of the church, 
 who gave birth to herefy by their igno- 
 rance and bad lives ; and of the Emperor 
 Henry VI. who violated the privileges of 
 the crufaders, by retaining Richard I. in 
 prifon, whom, in his misfortunes, adds 
 he, the difloyal Englifh have (hamefuUy 
 infulted.— He exhorts the city of Milan 
 to be reconciled with Pavia ; and makes 
 vows for the Pifans, becaufe they abafed 
 the pride of the Genoefe. He cenfures 
 the flovenlinefs of the Germans in their 
 feafts, and compares their language to 
 the barking of dogs. He recites the af- 
 fairs
 
 ^^6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fairs of the Albigenfes, and the valour 
 of King Mainfroi againft the clergy, 
 who had aimed at his defirudion. As 
 there Is nothing fingular in thefe pieces, 
 they are only touched upon to (hev/ the. 
 variety of Vidal's compofitions. But 
 the following tale, in which he gives ex- 
 cellent advice to a jongleur, is entirely 
 deferving of regard, and is an aftonifh^ 
 ing contrail to the extravagancies of his 
 conduct. 
 
 Vidal's Tale of tjie Jongleur* 
 
 On a beautiful morning in fpring, Pe-' 
 ter Vidal being in the iquare of Befaudun, 
 walking there In profound meditation, 
 there came to him a jongleur, who com- 
 plained bitterly of the preference given 
 every where to boaflers. Vidal invited 
 him to return with him to dinner. The 
 repaft being ended, they went into the 
 orchard, and feated themfelves on the 
 grafs, at the edge of a little broo'k, (haded 
 
 by
 
 tHE TROUBADOURS. 337 
 
 by a tree in bloffom. The Iky was clear, 
 and the air Ibft and rcfrefliing. The 
 Jongleur, charmed with the fcene, aiid 
 enlivened by the encouraging frank- 
 nefs of his hoft, became collected and at 
 eafe, as befits a man of underflanding, 
 and thus ipoke to Vidal : ** 'v^hance led 
 me one day from Riora to Montferrand, 
 to the Dauphin of Auvergne. If ever 
 there was a court filled with pleafure, it 
 was his : there was neither Lady nor 
 Genileman, Knight nor 'Squire, but who 
 was as familiar as a little bird fed on the 
 hand. There I found a b illiant company 
 affembled together : here I flopped. It 
 w^as near Chriftmas, called in this country 
 the Calend. When the guefls rofe from 
 table, they feated themfelves round the 
 fire, and the Knights and the Jongleurs 
 difcourfed with mirth and pleafantry. Af- 
 ter much entertainment, the Knights> 
 without fpeaking, retired to repofe; but 
 my Lord feemed defirous of continuing 
 Ig converfation. The opportunity ap- 
 
 Z peared
 
 33S THE HISTORY OF 
 
 peared to me favourable, and I approachec! 
 toward him. 
 
 " My Lord, fald I, I had a father who 
 was well accomplilhed ; he was a marvel- 
 lous finger, an agreeable and copious 
 ilory- teller : I truft I refemble him. But 
 hearing of the favours which Henry, King 
 of England, the valiant Marquis of Mont- 
 ferrat, and a great number of Barons In 
 Lombardy, in Catalonia, in Gafcony, and 
 in Provence, beflowed on the Jongleurs, 
 I determined to embrace their profeflion. 
 I therefore travelled through many towns 
 and cities, but among the greater part of 
 the Barons I have found nothing refem- 
 bling the noble manner of living among 
 the ancients. For the moft part, they 
 live obfcurely in their houfes, confined to 
 their families ; and among them I beheld 
 an infinite number who were foolifli and 
 ignorant. You, my Lord, who appear to 
 ^me to have an excellent judgment, yoa 
 mufl have perceived this decadency of the 
 
 nobles ;
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 S39 
 
 nobles ; may I prefume to enquire of you 
 the caufe ?" The Dauphhi rofe, and after 
 having paufcd fome time, *' Friend, re- 
 plied he," *' I will not refufe to anfwer 
 you, though my knowlege is not what 
 you conceive it. Formerly the talents of 
 the mind, and the qualities of the heart, 
 ■were held in efteem, and the love of ge- 
 nius preiided in courts. Now, the Barons 
 have changed their condudl ; they opprefs 
 men of merit, and Nobles and Ladies, 
 who poffefs the moll: fhallow witr, receive 
 the highefl marks of their efleem. Know- 
 lege is no longer prized ; and all thofe who 
 aim to deferve pralfe, are fure of cenfurc. 
 I wifh thefe Barons were to fliare the fame 
 fate as the Moors in Spain. There was 
 at firft among them brave men, on whom 
 they beftowed nobility, lands, and power ; 
 but their defcendents enjoyed the good 
 fortune of their fathers, Vv'ithout troubling 
 themfelves to acquire their virtues. They 
 became indolent and faint-hearted ; they 
 filled the country w-ith injuftice and con- 
 
 Z 2 fufion.
 
 340 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fufion. A race of Mammelus arofe, who 
 fought to repair by their noble deeds the 
 defedl of their birth. The people revolted 
 againft their ancient Lords, and put them- 
 felves under the protedion of thefe new 
 maflers. Our nobility is degenerated in 
 the fame manner, and is threatened with 
 the fame ruin " When I retired to reft, 
 I refleded on what the Dauphin had faid, 
 and I felt the truth of it. Some days af- 
 ter, having taken my leave of him, I tra- 
 Yerfed Auvergne, returned to Thouloufe, 
 pafTed from thence to Catalonia ; and I 
 can alfure you, that had it not been for 
 my Lord the Dauphin, I fliould have- 
 found neither joy nor beauty in the w^orld." 
 
 ViDAL replied to the Jongleur, "Friend, 
 you complain of a change as new, which 
 is now become old ; and you fpealc of the 
 good ancient time, from the account you 
 have received of your fiither. For my 
 part, I have been to the court of King 
 Alphonfo, father of that Alphonfo who 
 
 did
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 34t 
 
 did fo much good, and (licwcd to all fo 
 much courtefy and honour ; and 1 have 
 feen fo many good examples, that 1 am 
 become the better for them in every re- 
 fpedl. If you had been there, you would 
 alfo have beheld that happy age, of which 
 your father fpoke, in which flione fuch 
 gallant and generous men ; you would 
 have heard the Troubadours relate hov7 
 well they were entertained in thefe courts ; 
 you would have feen their brilliant equi- 
 pages, and the honourable reception which 
 was given them by the nobles. You 
 would alfo have obferved the fame thing 
 in Lombardy, at the valiant Marquis of 
 Montferrat's ; in Provence, at the Lord 
 Blacas's ; at William's the good Lord of 
 Baux, and at many other nobles of worth 
 and refpect. Providence has alfo ordain- 
 ed, that in this very age there fhould be 
 in Germany an Emperor, Frederick ; in 
 England, a Plenry and his three fons ; at 
 Touloufe, a Count Raimond; and in Cata- 
 lonia, a Count of Barcelona, and his fon 
 
 Z3 Al-
 
 342 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Alphonfo. All thefe Lords knov/ well how 
 to cli^inguiih charaders, and rev/ard me- 
 rit ; and they have (hewn much honour, and 
 beitowed great favours, on thcfe jongleurs 
 an' Knights, who fought and had need 
 of their protection ; and in the expeditions 
 they made, they conferred benefits where- 
 ever they palled. The wife and the 
 learned have vifited their courts, and found 
 encouragement for their different talents, 
 j6 their generofity and their virtues. The 
 Lords whom I fpeak of were all gallant 
 and brave. They were either engaged 
 in wars and tournaments, or iield brilliant 
 affemblies for the noble, amiable, and 
 witty of the fair fex, for whom they ever 
 expreiled the higheft regard. At pre- 
 fent, it is true, the w^eaknefs and indolence 
 of Princes is communicated to their vaf- 
 fals the great Lords ; fenfe and knowlege 
 have difappeared in both, and Knights, 
 formerly loyal and brave, are become de- 
 ceiiful and effeminate. I lee but one re- 
 ■iiiedy for this evil, and that is, the art 
 
 of
 
 thp: troubadours. 343 
 
 of jongleury. This profcllion demands 
 gaiety, franknefs, foftnefs, and prudence. 
 Science is the greated: of all trcafures for 
 thofe who know how to make ufe of it. 
 Do not wade it on the ignorant ; they 
 only know how to difputc and fneer in 
 then* own iilly manner, and from them 
 we mull only expect the rudcd and mod 
 vulgar behaviour. Do not imitate thofe 
 infipid jongleurs, who weary with the 
 famenefs of their compohtions, and the 
 repetition of their amorous complaints. 
 Be always neat, but let not your drefs ap- 
 pear ftudied. Have your cloaths made to 
 fit eafy, and lay them by fmooth, that 
 they may always appear new. Let your 
 countenance be open and compofed, and 
 iet all you fay be accompanied with chear- 
 fulnefs and urbanity ; but do not talk too 
 much, and what you fay will appear the 
 more graceful. With thcfe qualifications 
 you may yet fucceed in your profefTion ; 
 for the world is not fo corrupted, but that 
 there are flill a few Lords who are capa- 
 
 Z 4. ble
 
 344 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ble of patronizing and honouring thofe 
 ^?vho cultivate their favours difcreetly. I 
 fpeak not of the conduct you fhould ob- 
 ferve with men of fenfe and genius. Be- 
 fides the infinite advantage of their focicty, 
 they will not only efteein you for your 
 knowiege, but will introduce and recom- 
 mend you to the efteem of others like 
 themfelves. Among the young Lords, 
 always give the preference to thofe who 
 Jiave fentiment : fuch are always ambi- 
 tious of true honour ; they are naturally 
 generous and noble-minded. They are 
 alfo more prone to love tenderly than ig- 
 norant, conceited, and fervile minds. Ten- 
 dernefs and genius are their delight, but 
 gravi;y, ftiffnefs, and infipidity their aver- 
 fion. But frequent thofe moft, if perfons 
 of merit, who are arrived at manhood. 
 They are come to the age of refledion ; 
 they are capable of diftinguifhing, and of 
 encouraging virtue ; and if they are truly 
 iamiable, they will oppofe and combat 
 vice, for their inclination will lead theih 
 
 to
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 345 
 
 to all goodnefs ! Avoid thofe vvhofe man- 
 ners are corrupt, whofe inclinations are 
 bafe and vicious. Whatever their rank 
 or fortune, you will find in all fuch a dif- 
 dain of fcience, and of all who pro- 
 fcfs the love of it. Of thofe, indeed, who 
 have led irregular and libertine lives, a 
 few have been brought to rcfled on their 
 condu£l, and have become wife and good. 
 When this is the cafe, they deferve your 
 regard, and are infinitely to be preferred 
 to thofe arrogant upftarts, whofe riches 
 only fcrve to fwell the bubble of their 
 pride, to expofe their ignorance and ftupi- 
 dity, and fink them into the duft from 
 whence they fprung. Shun thofe, who 
 join to fome knowlege a revolting rudc- 
 nefs and brutality of manner, and a dog- 
 matical turn of converfation; they mufl 
 have fomething ungenerous and illiberal 
 in their difpofitions, as well as thofe who 
 love to aflbciate with their inferiors, for 
 the pleafure of being thought the chief in 
 company, of giving law to others, and of 
 
 be-
 
 346 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 becoming important in their own eyes.-— 
 Receive thofe with kindnefs, who, failing 
 in genius hut pofleffing independence and 
 virtue, have good and generous minds, 
 who love and reward merit : but be care- 
 ful you never obtain their liberality by a 
 mean and cringing behaviour. You will 
 find among thofe you aflbciate with, per- 
 fons who, without any idea of what is 
 delicate, and pofleffing no judgement, 
 will defire you to exercife your talents to 
 amufe their indolence, to fing, or recite 
 before them ; and you will fcarcely have 
 uttered a line, ere they will begin to 
 whifper in their neighbour's ear, and per- 
 haps engage with them in fome ridiculous 
 ftory. It is irkfome to frequent fuch ; 
 but they mufl fometimes be borne with : 
 for thofe who are the moft ill-bred them- 
 felves, always expedt and exa6t the moft 
 perfesft behaviour from others. Even 
 among the highefl: Barons, you will meet 
 with fome who will confjder you as too 
 much honoured by their hearing your 
 
 com-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 347 
 
 compofitlons, without paying much atten- 
 tion to them. Others there arc, who think 
 of nothing hut eating, drinking, hrawl- 
 ing, and fleeping ; nothing but fliame can 
 be obtained by frequenting fuch men of 
 this turn, however diftlnguiflicd" by their 
 rank in Hfe. 
 
 ** Never condemn other jongleurs ; 
 thofe who are fevere on perfons of their 
 own profeffion, fliew a bafe and envious 
 mind, and expofe their own jealoufy much 
 more than the faults of their brethren. — 
 If you are afked to relate what you have 
 feen and heard in the world, be not too 
 diffufive, but proceed by degrees ; found 
 the difpofition of your hearers, till you 
 obferve they relifn your difcourfe ; then 
 fpeak of the brave Lords you have met 
 with, and of the Ladies in the higheil: 
 efteem ; and endeavour to infpire thofe, 
 who liften to you, with the love of virtue. 
 If the company are perfons of high rank, 
 and of elevated minds, difplay, both in 
 
 your
 
 348 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 your countenance and voice, the eloquence 
 which your fubjed infpires. Be diftindt 
 and grave in your manners ; let your car- 
 riage be firm and graceful, and abftain 
 from all mean and low expreflions. Some 
 jongleurs find fault with every thing, but 
 take care to extol themfelves highly ; and 
 fuch is their vanity and ignorance, that 
 were they in the prefence of the King 
 himfelf, they would afFecl the free and 
 familiar tone of men of importance. Do 
 not imitate thofe ; the more they are 
 known, the lefs they are efteemed. For 
 your part, whatever is your genius, your 
 knowlege, or your wit, do not make a 
 boaft of it : be modeft, and you will find 
 perfons enough who will fet forth your 
 merit and abilities. Avoid all excefs ; fly 
 all bad company ; but do not appear to 
 defpife any one ; for the meaneft, and the 
 woril perfon, is moft able to become your 
 enemy, and they fometimes purfue thofe 
 they hate, with fuch inveterate malice, 
 
 as
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 349 
 
 as to injure them in the opinion of the 
 worthy and the judicious. 
 
 ** While you are young and vigo- 
 rous, recommend in your writings, and 
 imprefs by your behaviour, the refpc£t 
 due to old age ; and maintain continually 
 this truth, that tliofe who frequent the 
 company of perfons, whofe lives have been 
 fpent in virtue, will derive to themfelves 
 a lading blefling and reward. 
 
 ** After this long converfation with 
 the jongleurs, faid Vidal, we returned 
 into my houfe, and fupped. The next 
 day my gueft departed. I knew not 
 whether he found the age better than he 
 had conceived it, for I have never feen 
 him fince." 
 
 It was from reading this excellent 
 piece of Vidal's, the Troubadour Giorgi 
 cried out, " Thofe are fools indeed, who 
 give that charai^er to Vidal.'* 
 
 Theke
 
 2S<? THE HISTORY OF 
 
 There is another tale of this famous 
 Troubadour, which is a poetic fidion in 
 the Oriental fiyle. It was compofed at 
 the court of the King of Caflile, and is 
 entitled. 
 
 The Novel of Vidal, 
 
 ** On the return of that delightful 
 feafon, which befpangles the meadovvs 
 with flowers, clothes the trees with a 
 beautiful foliage, decks the woods and 
 the groves with a verdanfand refrefhing 
 fliade, and fills all nature with melody, 
 and love ; I arofe one fine morning, to 
 go and vifit my Lord, who held his 
 court at Muret : that I might appear with 
 more refped: before him, I ordered my 
 Knights to fummon their 'Squires, well 
 mounted and armed. As we v/ere on the 
 way, we beheld a Knight approach us 
 in magnificent apparel ; he was of a 
 fwarthy complexion, but majeftic and 
 handfome 3 his eyes were foft and tender, 
 
 his
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 352 
 
 his nofe aquiline and well-fiiapcd, and 
 his teeth were like pollflied filver ; his 
 countenance was inexpreflibly fvveet, and 
 every tender charm played about his 
 mouth ; and his whole air and demeanour 
 exprefTed the lovelinefs of his chara(fter. 
 His flioes were ftudded with fapphires 
 and emeralds, his robe ornamented with 
 flowers of the rnoft beautiful colours, and 
 the mod fragrant fmell, and he wore a 
 crown on his head : he was mounted on 
 a palfrey of a middle fize, its tail and 
 one fide was as black as jet, the other 
 white as ivory i the right fhoutder was 
 brown, and the left grey ; his head and 
 mane were red ; one ear yellow, and the 
 other dappled grey. The fadxlle was of 
 jafper ; the houfmgs of ferpentine ; the 
 ftirrups of agate, and the bridles of fucli 
 ineflimable jewels, that they exceeded in 
 value the riches of Darius. By the fide 
 of this fplendid Knight rode a lovely 
 Lady, whofe beauty attraded all eyes ; 
 the whitenefs of her fkin was as the driven 
 
 fnow,
 
 352 THE HISTORY OV 
 
 fnow, and her complexion like the rofe- 
 bud in fpring, was exquifitely animated 
 with tender blufhes ; a wreath of flowers 
 encircled her long flaxen hair, which 
 .Ihone like gold ; her eyes were fparkling, 
 yet full of foftnefs, and her ftiape was 
 gracefully flender. Her habits were fuited 
 to her beauty, and difcovered an elegant 
 fimplicity; her palfrey was beautiful, and 
 its harnefs and bridles lily-white. After 
 them came a 'Squire, accompanied by a 
 gentlewoman. The 'Squire carried a bow 
 of polifhed ivory, with tftree arrows at 
 his girdle ; one was of burnifiied gold, 
 the fecond of poll (lied fteel of Poitou, 
 and the third of caft lead ; he had alfo a 
 wand of pliant wood. For the gentle- 
 woman, we could not perceive whether 
 (he was fair or brown, for her long hair 
 hung below her waift, covered her fad- 
 die, and came down over her face, below 
 the ends of her fingers^ 
 
 The
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 353 
 
 *< The beautiful pair fung a new fong, 
 which the woods re-echoed, and the birds 
 flrained their Httle throats to rcfound. 
 They fung, that thofe Knights who loved 
 not, or who had cealed to love, ought to 
 be mounted on afles, to diltinguifli them 
 from loyal lovers ; and that thofe Ladies 
 who bartered their love for gain, fhould 
 be condemned to traverfe the highways, 
 with a fack of corn upon their backs. 
 
 *• I WAS the firft to falute them.— 
 God preferve you from evil, faid I ; you, 
 your Lady, and your train. The Knight 
 replied, " God blefs you alfo, Peter Vi- 
 dal, and fend you a Lady who fhall love 
 you truly, for you have fought one long.** 
 «* 1 have found one," replied Vidal, ** and 
 fuch a one, that I am mort her's than my 
 own." — *' You may be her's," refumed 
 the Knight, " but fhe never will be 
 your's." — ** I am, however, fatisfied," re- 
 turned Vidal, " for fhe appears to be 
 
 A a mine."
 
 354 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 mine." — '' It is thus, my fiiend, that all 
 foolifh lovers deceive themfelves." 
 
 " But, if I love her conflantly, (lie 
 may be touched with compaffion." — •' No, 
 my friend ; for compaffion flie never knev/." 
 ** Yet flie w^as ardently defirous of my 
 love." — -'* Friend, when one has an un- 
 juft Lord, the left party we can take is 
 to abandon the fief." — " But Vvlien one 
 finds that is impoffible ?" " Remain, 
 then, like a galley-flave, Peter Vidal." — 
 ** But how is it you know me fo well ; 
 for you have often repealed my name ? 
 Ibefeech you continue with me this night, 
 for never gueft pleafed me as you do : 
 for^ the love of God remain with me !" — 
 The Lady fald, fhe fliould. like to repofe 
 near fome fountain, meadow, or v^^ood ; 
 for flie did not like the clofe air of caftles. 
 *' You will find, Madam," replied I, ** an 
 agreeable place of retreat, not' far from 
 the caftle, in an orchard, inclofed with a 
 hhd^Q of fweet calamus, v/here a laurel- 
 
 tree
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 25^ 
 
 tree fpreads its wide branches near a foun- 
 tain, which rolls its tranfparent waters 
 over the kicid pebbles." To this fpot I 
 led my guefts, and feated them on the 
 green turf; the flowers were fpringing 
 up under us^ they fent forth a moft de- 
 lightful odour ; and the tender warblings 
 of a thoufand fond and faithful lovers 
 were wafted, in every zephyr, to our de- 
 lighted imaginations. 
 
 " The Gentlewoman fpread or. the 
 grafs a carpet df gold brocade, wove in 
 the finefl manner, on which was worked, 
 
 in their natural colours, birds, animals, 
 and flowers, and a great falamander was 
 reprefented in the middle of it. This 
 carpet was of fuch a fize, that a millioa 
 of Knights might lay down on it, with- 
 out touching each other ; and yet, when 
 it was folded up, the Gentlewoman car- 
 ried it in a fmall bag ; there was alfo a 
 great many quilts, and cufhions for the 
 reft of the company. When our repaft 
 
 A a a was
 
 3S6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 was ended, the Knight fald to me, *' Pe- 
 ter Vidal, know that I am Love ; this 
 Lady is called Mercy ; this Gentlewoman, 
 Charity ; and this *8qiiire, Loyalty : he 
 
 carries the ivory bow ; and be afl'ured he 
 never fails his mark." *' My Lord," 
 faid 1, " could I prefume fo far, I would 
 afk you a quedion." '* Afk it," replied 
 he, ** I am ready to anfwer you." 
 
 *' Tell me in pity, then, my Lord, 
 if Mercy will affifl me with the object of 
 my love ! for as yet I have gathered only 
 the thorns. Tell me, I befeech you, the 
 fource and the progrefs of love ; how it 
 is lighted up in the heart, and how it is 
 nourifhed there j how it can fo flily in- 
 fmuate itfelf by its foftnefs ; how it can 
 fet fleep at defiance, wage war with the 
 elements themfelves, burning in water, 
 and freezing in fire. Tell me, I befeech 
 you, how it can bind without any chain, 
 and wound without any fear ; how it can 
 be produced without a father, and born 
 
 with-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 357 
 
 without a mother ; and how It happens, 
 that being confidered as fo cruel an ene- 
 my, it fhould yet be fo kindly fodered, 
 grow imperceptibly as a fpider's web, 
 and, in the very moment of its diffolu- 
 tion, become Wronger than ever. I would 
 fain know how all this is done, and how 
 Loyalty, your 'Squire, launches his darts 
 with fuch foftnefs and fecrefy, that the 
 wounded rejoice in their wounds, and 
 will never permit their cure. I wifh alfo 
 to be informed, why you bring away 
 Mercy, Loyalty, and Chaflity from our 
 country ; this Is to take the grain, and 
 leave us only the chaff. I would yet 
 further know, if it may not difpleafe you, 
 for what crime a Lady has a right to dif- 
 mifs her Knight, or a Knight to quit his 
 Lady ; for I have heard it reported, the 
 King of Navarre has forfaken his : for 
 her he held numberlefs tournaments, and 
 made many aflaults on cities, towers, and 
 caftles, gave fumptuous feafts, and laugh- 
 ed and fung continually, with fuch joy 
 
 A a 3 did
 
 58 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 did love infpire him : but now he la-* 
 ments in plaintive or fatiric ftrains. I 
 pray God to reftore him to his ancient 
 coiirtefy and urbanity; and that his Lady, 
 pardoning him, may never need forgive- 
 nels herfelf." 
 
 " Peter Vidal,'* replied Love, *' I 
 fhould look upon any other, who could 
 ^fk fuch queftions as you have done, to 
 be a fool -, but, fmce Mercy commands 
 me, I will conceal nothing from you. It 
 is not impoffible, but that after having 
 fuffered you to langulfh fo long, Mercy 
 niay touch the heart of your fair one, if 
 you remain coniiant in your love. I 
 will novv' tell you what is the fource, and 
 the food of love. It arifes from the 
 heart, where it is foftered by the will, 
 after having been conceived by the ima- 
 gination ; it lives on gaiety and joy, and 
 is ncuriilied by the perfecutions of perfi- 
 dious rivals j and it only arrives at per-^ 
 fedion when their falfehoods are un- 
 
 malked*
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 359 
 
 mafked. It fprings from the tcnderncfs 
 of the defire ; ^ and when delight and 
 aflurance are joined with this tenderncfs, 
 it is then in its pcrfe<5l ftate. 
 
 '* With refpe'ft to Loyalty, our 
 'Squire, he ftrikes the pcnfive melancholy 
 lover with one of his arrows, the flroke 
 enters with his fighs ; and, aflonifliing to 
 behold, inftantly makes two fouls one: 
 but there is neither man nor woman, 
 within whom thefe arrows will enter, if 
 their hearts are not frank and loyal ; and 
 much more impoilible is it for thofe who 
 make a trade of affedion, and fell them- 
 felves for money, to be owned or rewarded 
 by Love: they are falfe gallants, they 
 may go where they wi.ll for me ; for I 
 entirely abandon all fuch. I muft now 
 explain to you, for what offence a Knight 
 has a right to quit his Lady, w^ithout ever 
 pardoning her, whatever may be her re- 
 pentance i for infidelity to him, and bafe 
 compliance with another. This crime 
 
 A a 4 can
 
 ^6o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 can never be wafhed away ; for, as there 
 is nothing more important to women 
 than virtue, fo there is nothing more 
 odious to them than difhonour. Women 
 are the model of all courtefy, and true 
 love, and they ought to be infinitely ref- 
 pedted, when their condud is irreproach- 
 able." 
 
 The remainder of this piece is want- 
 ing. It is afferted that Vidal, in the laft 
 years of his life, was more poflefled than 
 ever with the defire of poflefring the em- 
 pire of the Eaft, and made a fecond voy- 
 age for that purpofe. He died in 1229, 
 two years after his return. 
 
 BAR«
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 361 
 
 BARTHOLOMEW GIORGI, 
 AND BONIFACE CALVO. 
 
 BARTHOLOMEW GioRGi was a gentle- 
 man of Venice, and one of his fa- 
 mily was made Doge in 1310. The no- 
 ble Venetians did not fcruple to enrich 
 themfelves by merchandife, and they went 
 to the ports of the Levant to carry on 
 their different branches of commerce.— 
 Giorgi aflbciated with fome other mer- 
 chants in an enterprize of this kinc:, and 
 embarked for Romania. 1 he veffel was 
 attacked in the night by Genoefe pirates, 
 who made themfelves mafters of it, and 
 took all the crew prifoners. 
 
 Gfnoa and Venice, long embroiled in 
 a fatal rivalry, maintained at this time a 
 fierce and open war. The fall of the 
 
 Latin
 
 362 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Latin empire at Conflantinople, in 1262, 
 was the caufe of this war ; the Genoefe 
 being for Michael Palseologus, and the Ve- 
 nbtians againft him. The latter had al- 
 inoft always the advantage, either from 
 the fuperiority of their forces, or the in- 
 tefline diffenfions of their enemies ; for 
 Genoa, was a theatre of difcord. 
 
 While Giorgi langiiifhed in prifon, 
 Boniface Calvo, a noble Genoefe, and a 
 Troubadour, who had fled for refuge far 
 from his country, compofed a piece, in 
 which he equally attacked thefe rival peo- 
 ple. 
 
 " I DESIRE neither the efteem, nor the 
 love of the wicked Genoefe ; I defpife 
 their friendihip : it .fuits not the man who 
 is a friend to virtue. Yet I am grieved 
 for their divifions. If they chofe peace, 
 they might obtain it ; for their power 
 would eafily furmount the malice of their 
 enemies. Ah, Genoefe ! where is that 
 
 valour
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 363 
 
 valour fled, which you forrucrly fignalized 
 again ft a people, who now fo cclipfe you 
 by their exploits, that all your friends 
 are filled with confternation ? Ceafe your 
 difcords; bethink yourfelves in time of 
 humbling your arrogant rivals, and put a 
 bridle on their mouths. They brave you, 
 becaufe they behold you difunitcd. Your 
 quarrels are now arifen to fuch a height, 
 that one or the other muft fall. While 
 they attack you, you attack one another ; 
 and the vidor derives no glory from his 
 fuccefs : for he only owes it to your dif- 
 fcnfions. 
 
 ** As you do not think of revenging 
 yourfelves on them, they will revenge 
 themfelves on you, for the reproach laid 
 on them every where, that thirty Vene- 
 tians would not dare encounter three Ge- 
 noefe : and know, Venetians, that you 
 have great need to have God on your fide 
 againfl the Genoefe. But for his aid, 
 they would have made many rich cap- 
 tures,
 
 364 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 tures, which you would have feverely re- 
 gretted." 
 
 This piece, in which the honour of 
 Venice was fo feverely attacked, inflamed 
 the patriotic zeal of Giorgi, and he be- 
 came the champion of his countrymen 
 againit Calvo. 
 
 ** I am aftonifhed at this inventive, be- 
 caufe of its author ! In all other refpedts, 
 he has a right to my fincere efteem. The 
 man who poflefles knowlege and merit, 
 fhould be more careful than others of what 
 he advances, for if he miilakes, as it is 
 not for want of judgment, he endangers 
 his reputation. 
 
 *« If Calvo had been well informed, he 
 would never have acknowleged that the 
 Venetians had the advantage over the Ge- 
 noefe. It is in vain he attributes this to 
 their difcords. They have conduded 
 th^mfelves fo well in the war, that their 
 
 dif-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 365 
 
 dlffenfions have never afFedcd their In- 
 tereils, nor have they failed in aught but 
 courage in battle ; for they were always 
 well armed, and often two againft one. 
 
 *' If Calvo would have paflcd for a 
 wife man, he would never have uttered 
 fuch inconriftencles, as that three cowards 
 were fuperior to thirty brave men, when 
 it is well known that a fmgle veflel of the 
 Venetians took three of the Genoefe vef- 
 fels prifoners. 
 
 *' Venetians, thofe who maintain that 
 the Genoefe have fubdued you, are igno- 
 rant of the terrible lofTes you have caufed 
 them to fuffer, as well of their treafure, 
 as of their men. 
 
 *' Boniface Calvo, I addrefs this 
 piece to you ; and I pray you be not angry 
 at what I have faid : you ought rather to 
 thank me for having faid no more." 
 
 It
 
 366 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Tt was a- great honour to both thefe 
 Troubadours, that they became friends 
 after this paper war. Calvo efleemed 
 Giorgi, for having had the courage, while 
 a prifoner among the Genoefe, to fupport 
 again ft them the honour of Venice. He 
 owned that he had done wrong to fpeak 
 ill of the Venetians, and he made excufes 
 for it to his rival. After many diftrefies 
 to both Itates, from the continuance of 
 war, Philip King of France exerted his 
 influence to procure peace, which was 
 eftabliflied in 1 270, between Genoa and 
 Venice ; and Giorgi, reftored to liberty, 
 returned to his own country. — -7 he Pvlorea 
 belonged to thd Venetians, ever fince the 
 crufaders had taken Conftantinople from 
 the Greeks. Giorgi was fent thither on 
 fome commiilion from the Doge. He fell 
 in love with a noble lady of that country, 
 and there ended his days. Calvo, during 
 the fadions which difturbed his country, 
 retired to the court of Alphonfo X. King 
 
 of
 
 TFIE TROUBADOURS. 367 
 
 of Caftllc, and attached himfelf to his 
 niece, celebrating her in a very prophane 
 and romantic manner on her death. 
 
 ** All the world," fays he, *' ought 
 to die of grief for her lofs ; and if I die 
 not, it is becaufe I am fo accuilomcd to 
 fuffer, that I live upon that which would 
 kill a thoufand others. — I fow tears, and 
 I reap forrow ! Her death has cut fhort 
 nil my hopes ! — I pray not that God would 
 receive her Into his Paradlfe ! — Paradlfe, 
 without her, would be ill furniflied with 
 courtefy ! — I lament not for her, but for 
 myfelf. — A great fool is he, who places 
 his heart on the joys of this world ; and 
 a much greater, who prides himfelf on 
 them P' To add to Calvo's afflidions, he 
 was expofed to the jealoufy of Alphonfo's 
 courtiers, which he fpcaks of with the 
 ufual bitternefs of thofe who feel them- 
 felves much aggrieved ; and he befeeches 
 the Princes and Nobles to encourage truth 
 
 and virtue. 
 
 Calvo
 
 368 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Calvo was, however, charged with 
 flattering the foibles of Alphonfo, to gain 
 his affection. The latter had feveral mif- 
 trefTes and natural children. Our poet 
 exhorts him, in one of his pieces, to love; 
 but he probably meant a more refined love 
 than Alphonfo had formerly cultivated. 
 What he fays feems clearly to prove this. 
 
 *' Joy and fong are ftill cherifhed by 
 the protection of King Alphonfo. — With- 
 out his favour, they would have been for- 
 gotten and loft. — If Alphonfo then wi{hes 
 to maintain their empire, he muft not 
 neglect Love ! Love ! without whom joy 
 and fong would ceafe ! Love invented 
 fong ; tlie employment of lovers is to fmg 
 and love !— nor can any who love not, 
 partake of their joy ! He who negledts 
 love, will never be infpired by the Mufe ! 
 If King Alphonfo, fo renowned for good- 
 nefs, approves my lay, can he refufe to 
 love ? — and will he not defire to be be- 
 loved tenderly for his fuperior merit ?— • 
 
 Though
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 369 
 
 Though now far dlftant from tliat tree, 
 which would yield him the rewards of 
 fuch love, let him not be deterred from 
 the purfuit, or negledl its pleafant fruits. 
 He may yet repair the lofles he has fuflain- 
 ed for the want of it. But I mufl fay no 
 more ; I fear the quarrels I may draw on 
 my head." 
 
 It is not known how many years Bo- 
 niface Calvo furvived the King of Caftile, 
 or w^hether he frequented the courts of 
 other princes. It is only recorded, that 
 Alphonfo fent him to the Count of Pro- 
 vence, who married him to a Ladv of 
 the houfe of Vintimiglla ; and that t4ie 
 Monk of the Golden Ifles introduces Phi- 
 lofophy fpejiking thus of this Trouba- 
 dour: 
 
 «' I DESIRE all thofe, who fiiall fee the 
 writings of Boniface Calvo, not to be at 
 the pains of correding them; becaufe I, 
 Philofophy, acknowlcge this Boniface fof^ 
 
 B b a great
 
 370 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 a great mafler ;n the art of poetry : anci 
 whoever fhall attempt to alter, or correal: 
 the pieces which Calvo has written, I 
 pronounce him the enemy of Philofophy, 
 and an ignorant and prefumptuous fool." 
 
 There is no account of the time when 
 Calvo died. 
 
 ARNAUD DE CARCASSES. 
 
 ' I "^HIS Troubadour is only known by 
 
 T 
 
 the following novel. 
 
 ** In an orchard, inclofed with high 
 walls, where the foot of man was never 
 fuffercd to enter, I beheld a Lady, who 
 fatunder the fhade of a pine. A par- 
 rots, who had travelled from far, flew 
 towards her, and addreffed her in thefe 
 words : ** Heaven preferve you, Madam. 
 
 I aiii
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 371 
 
 I am a meflengcr to you from the mofl 
 amiable and joyous Knight in the world, 
 Antiphanor, fon of the King; he falutes 
 you by me, and conjures you to give 
 fome relief to that love, with which you 
 have caufed him to langulfh." 
 
 " From whence come you, friend ? 
 You are very bold, methinks, that you 
 dare addrefs me in fuch language." — " I 
 am aftoniflied, on my part, if you refill 
 it, and love not from your heart the gal- 
 lant Knight I fpeak of . " — " Know, fond 
 bird, that I love the moft accomplifhcd 
 man in the world." — " Who is he, Ma- 
 dam, I befeech you ?" *' My hufband, 
 inquifitive bird," 
 
 " There is no reafon you fliould love 
 none but him, or that becaufe you love 
 him, you fliould be confined, and debar- 
 red the fight of all others. You may 
 love him in public ; but in fecret you may 
 
 B b 2 return
 
 372 THE HISTORY Gt^ 
 
 return the tendernefs of the amiable 
 Knight, my mafter.'* 
 
 " Thou talkefl: finely. It is a pityj 
 gay parrot, thou art not a Knight ; thou 
 "wouldft make love admirably. But tell 
 me, why Ihould I betray the faith I have 
 
 fworn ?" 
 
 " What a queftion. Love, t6 be 
 fure, is very fcrupulous of oaths ; it i& 
 not directed by inclination, but by juftieej 
 truly. This would be fine love indeed !"- 
 
 The libertine parrot perceiving the 
 Lady fo ready to give ear, continued to 
 plead his caufe againft the facred laws of 
 marriage, and enforced it with numerous 
 examples, drawn from romances, thofe 
 excellent fources . of corruption. The 
 Lady at length replied : *' Since you will 
 have it fo, parrot, go; then, and tell your 
 mafter, that I will love him confiantly. 
 As a- pledge of my atFedion, take this
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 373 
 
 ring, and this girdle of golden tifiTue, and 
 defire him to accept them for iny lake." 
 The parrot departs with thefc gifts, and 
 delivers his meflage, word for word, in 
 the manner of Homer. After which, he 
 concerted with Antiphanor the method of 
 introducing him to the Lady ; and they 
 concluded on fetting fire to the roof of 
 the houfe. Infpired with this lucky- 
 thought, Antiphanor and the parrot f^t 
 out for the caPdc together. When they 
 approached it, the parrot, flew hefore to 
 inform the Lad)'- of their arrival : he be- 
 holds her in the garden, falutes her, and 
 announces his maftcr. She reprefents to 
 the bird the impolhhility of feeing him, 
 the garden-gates being locked, and fen- 
 tinels on guard at each wall, night and 
 day. 
 
 " you cannot contrive It, then;" faid 
 the bird ;^ " but I. c:\n. i have prepared 
 jhe means. With your leave, 1 will fet 
 fire to the bclfrey, and tlue tower ; the 
 
 B b 3 whole
 
 374- THE HISTORY OF 
 
 >A7hole houfe will run thither to extlnguifh 
 it. The keys may eafily be taken from 
 under the pillow, and then you may give 
 entrance to Antiphanor ; and you will 
 have fome time to converfe together.*' 
 
 <« Nothing could be better contrived, 
 parrot ; fet about it with all fpeed, and 
 give notice to Antiphanor.'* 
 
 The parrot returns to his mafter, 
 who waited for him near the end of the 
 wall, mofl gallantly equipped. " You 
 will have no time to lofe," faid the par- 
 rot ; *' the moment you hear the lead 
 noifc, fly inftantly to your Lady." 
 
 Antiphanor then gave the parrot 
 fome wild fire, in an iron vefTel -, the 
 parrot takes it in his claw, and flies di- 
 redly to the tower ; the four corners 
 were foon in flames, and the cry of fire! 
 fire ! refounds through the houfe. The 
 
 keys
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. ^JS] 
 
 keys were taken from under the pilluv/ 
 by the parrot, and the d(jor opened. 
 
 *' The Lady, for once In her life at 
 liberty, runs to meet her lover, without 
 afking leave of any one. In the mean 
 time they had extingulflicd the lire by 
 the help of vinegar, and the parrot was 
 ready to die for fear, lell: his mafler ihoul J 
 be difcovered. He flies with all his 
 might to give him this information, and 
 befeeches him to take leave of hi:, mif- 
 trefs. Antlphanor obeyed with extreme 
 regret; but befought the Lady lo inturm 
 him, if there was nothing he could do to 
 ferve her. 
 
 "I RECOMMEND to you, above all 
 i things/' faid fhc, tenderly embracing him, 
 *' to llicw your love for me by your va- 
 lour." 
 
 This novel was made by Arnaud dc 
 CarcafTes, for the love he bears to many 
 
 B b 4 Ladles,
 
 11^ THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Ladies, to corred thofe hufLands who are 
 fuch fdols as to confine their wives. It 
 is a much better way to let them go where 
 they pleafe. The only fure bond of 
 fafety, and of virtue, is liberty. 
 
 )2():C):^):0^:);0:(>^(:^X>:(>:():<>:(>:<)K):<>:C):<X)K )K)K 
 
 RAIMOND DE MIRAVALS. 
 
 AlMOND DE MiRAVALS WaS a 
 
 Knight of Carcaflbnne, of fmall 
 fortune ; for he had only fifty vaifals on 
 his eflate. His adventures Ihew the man- 
 ners of fome perfons in this age ; after 
 x^hich he ended his days in the monaaery 
 of Citteaux. His firft paffion was for 
 Louve of Penautler, who was fo cele- 
 brated by Peter Vidal. She flattered him 
 with many hopes ; but flie fecretly loved 
 the Count de Foix : for in this country a 
 woman loll her reputation, who attached 
 
 herfelf
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 377 
 
 herfelf to a noble Lord ; fo extremely de- 
 cried were their manners, and their ho- 
 nour. He foon perceived her indiffer- 
 ence, and fpeaks of himfelf as being fub- 
 miifive to her will, as the Spanifli pri- 
 foners to the Moors their mailers *. 
 
 Weary of this purfult, he attached 
 himfelf to the miftrefo of the Count de 
 Minerve, young, handfome, and innocent ; 
 who had never deceived any, nor had ever 
 been deceived herfelf. The intrigue of 
 Louve with the Count de Foix, coming 
 to light, ihe was diflionoured. Miravals 
 appeared ^to defend her; and flie, charm- 
 ed with his zeal, abandoned herfelf to 
 his will, of which he took a moil dif- 
 honeft advantage, and vaunted aloud, that 
 he had deceived the deceiver, and taken 
 vengeance of her crimes : but foon after 
 he received the juft punifhment of his 
 villainy. 
 
 * The latter probably employed them in battle. 
 
 A Ladv,
 
 37S THE HISTORY OF 
 
 A Lady, whom he really loved, af- 
 fe(£ted to return it, but devoted herielf fe- 
 cretly to Peter II. King of Arragon : and 
 the widow of a rich citizen, who was 
 fought in marriage by a noble Baron, 
 feigned to attach herfelf to Miravals, and 
 told him fhe would marry him, if he 
 would repudiate his wife ; for fhe heard 
 he was married. Our poet promifed he 
 would bring about this divorce, to marry 
 her; and, with a blind confidence, he 
 hadened to execute this bafe projed:. 
 
 His wife was called Gaudeiren9a. She 
 had a talent for poetry, and this was his 
 pretext for their feparation. When he 
 returned to his cadle, he faid to her, 
 '^ I will not have a wife who can make 
 verfes ; one poet is enough in a family. — 
 Prepare yourfelf to return to your father's 
 houfe. In one word, I will have you no 
 longer for my wife." 
 
 Gau-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 37; 
 
 GAUDEIREN9A fecretly loved a Knight, 
 called Bremen, who loved her, and was 
 the objed of her verfe. — She afFeded a 
 forrowful air, and replied, that flic would 
 inform her parents and friends of his 
 ufage ; but fhe fent immediate notice to 
 Bremon, promifing to marry him, and 
 ihare in his fortune. Enchanted with this 
 news, he came diredly with his Knights, 
 and difmounted at the caftle-gate. The 
 Lady, informed of his arrival, told Mira- 
 vals that her parents and friends were 
 come to fetch her, and that fhe would go 
 away with them. The hufband and the 
 ■wife were now at the fummit of their 
 hopes, and the pacquet of Gaudeirenfa v^as 
 foon ready. Miravals conduced her to 
 the gate, where he found Bremon, and 
 fhewed him much civility. The Lady, 
 juft ready to mount on her horfe, defired 
 Miravals, fmce he chofe to part with her, 
 that he would give her in marriage to 
 Bremon. He confented with all his heart. 
 Her lover, advancing towards her, re- 
 ceived
 
 380 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 celved her from the hand of Miravals, put 
 the ring on her finger, and brought her 
 home with him. 
 
 The Troubadour then went in hafte to 
 his miftrefs, and told her he had perform- 
 ed her orders, and that he waited the ex- 
 ecution of her promife. " It is well done," 
 faid (he, " go and prepare every thing 
 for a magnificent wedding, and return 
 and fetch me when I fliall fend you word." 
 Immediately fhe fent for her lover, Oliver 
 de Saifiac, and married him the next day, 
 with great eclat, before a multitude of 
 guefts. 
 
 At this nevv^s Miravals was petrified 
 •with aftonifhrnent and grief, and was two 
 years deprived of his reafon. When he 
 •recovered his fenfes, he followed the 
 Counts of Touloufe and Foix to Arragon, 
 whither they retired, after being difpof- 
 feffed of their kingdoms, and Miravals of 
 his eilate, by the cruelty of Simoa Mont- 
 fort
 
 THE TROtJBADOURS. 381 
 
 fort, and the excommunications of the 
 Pope. One of the pieces of Miravals, ia 
 advice to a jongleur, what Barons he 
 fhould vifit, and what gifts he fliould ex- 
 pe£l from each, which was chiefly horfcs 
 and habits -, and he offers him a piece of 
 his compofing to take with him. In an- 
 other, he gives this good advice to a fer- 
 jeant called Forniers, who wnfhed to be- 
 come a jongleur : *' Forniers, I am told 
 you defire inftrudtion of me. Since God 
 has inclined you to leave the cccupatioa 
 of a foldier, you mufl firft learn the man- 
 ners in ufe among civilized people. You 
 inuft promife the Hofpitallei's and the 
 Monks, that you will never pillage their 
 facred houfes, or deflroy the produce of 
 their fields ; and befides this, you muft 
 forget a great number of other fins be- 
 longing to your profeffion ; the fhameful 
 oaths that you utter, when you are de- 
 prived of your lafl penny at the gaming- 
 table. All thofe horrid blafphemiesi leave 
 them off, my friend, for fwearing is a 
 
 grievous
 
 382 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 grievous fin. When you have corredled 
 thefe manners, you may then go to the 
 Lord Raimond, and tell him you have 
 been with Azalais, that mofl: amiable 
 Lady, who gives wit to the fimple, and 
 reafon to the fool, and deprives the wifeft 
 and moft eloquent of both." 
 
 The Monk of Mantaudon fays of Mi- 
 ravals ; *' He compofes good pieces, and 
 gives up his caftle to the ufe of the La- 
 dies ; for he does not pafs one year in it 
 himfelf." This pleafantry was founded 
 on a faying of Miravals, " that he held 
 of his miftrefles his heart and his caftle in 
 fee." 
 
 BER.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 383 
 
 BERTRAND of MARSEILLES. 
 
 BERTRAND was a Gentleman of 
 Marfeilles. In his youth he ap- 
 peared ftupid and infenfible, but the fo- 
 ciety of the fair fex infpircd him with wit 
 and fentiment. He fell in love with a 
 Lady of quahty, the daughter of Bertrand 
 of Porcelet, Lord of Ailes, and became a 
 poet for her fake ; but he was unfucccfs- 
 fuL She married a Gentleman of the 
 lioufe of Eiguieres, and the Troubadour, 
 in defpair, became a Monk in the Abbey 
 of Montmajour. The Lady of Eiguieres 
 dying in the flower of ber age, he put 
 this epitaph on her tomb. 
 
 *' Weep, virgins, weep ! and ye ho- 
 nourable wives, who are in the fame fruit- 
 ful ftate that fhe v/as j for the fun of 
 
 your
 
 384 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 your honour is loft !— Ere ihe had finifh- 
 ed her courfe of nature, the cloud of death 
 hid her from our fight, and raifed her 
 to the feat of blefled and eloquent fouls." 
 
 In one of his fonnets, Bertrand deplores 
 the cruelty of his miftrefs. 
 
 ** She anfwered me not a word, the 
 other day, when I confefTed to her the ar- 
 dour of my flame ! — My heart was in fo 
 terrible a confufion at her filence, that it 
 refembled a veffel whofe mafts and rudder 
 were torn in pieces by the tempeft ! — 
 The higher the dignity, the more gene- 
 rofity is fhewn in liftening to the prayers 
 of the humble! 1 trufl, therefore, (he 
 will not be inflexible, notwithftanding 
 the difproportion of our rank. — I befeech 
 her to put my affedion to the proof, for 
 nothing is fo delightful as fuch trials of 
 love, where the fentiments of love are 
 mutual 1— Love confiders neither riches 
 nor honour 3 but difcretiouj gaiety, fame, 
 
 and
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 3S5 
 
 and a wife mixture of rcafon and palTion. 
 If I inherit not the goods of fortune, I 
 am, however, rich in thcfe lart trcafures. 
 What have I not fuffered from the ^ a ns 
 of love ? yet how dear have been its re- 
 wards ? When guided by juflice, love is 
 never a fin ! True and pure love extln- 
 guidies all bafe and covetous difpoGtions, 
 gives to the falfe a loyal heart, under- 
 ftanding to the fimple, and cures fools of 
 their folly. If I have any worth, if I am 
 at all infpired by the Mufe, it is to you, 
 Madam, and to love, I owe my felicity." 
 
 One day, finding his miilrefs afleep, 
 he went up to her, and kiiTed her eyes. 
 » She av/oke, and broke out in violent re- 
 proaches ; nor could he find any means 
 to pacify her : 0:1 which he fays, " Like 
 a man who has found in his field a cof- 
 fer, which he believes filled with gold, 
 and who is overwhelmed with confufion 
 when he finds it empty ; {o was I tranf- 
 portcd with joy. Madam, believing I had 
 
 C c found
 
 386 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 found In you a heart full of fmcerity and 
 benevolence ! but, in difcovering the con- 
 trary of this, my prefent grief is equal' 
 to my former delight. I {hall, therefore, 
 go from hence, and feek a Lady of true 
 faith, in the place of her who has de- 
 ceived me, and of whom I take my leave. 
 It is but juft to love only thofe who love 
 us ; to deceive tiiofe who deceive us ; and 
 to play the fame game as thofe with whom 
 we engage." And he complains of his 
 heart, which is averfe to the good refo- 
 lutilon he has formed. 
 
 ** Why, O my heart, dofl thou caufe 
 me to love with fo much paffion, where 
 my homage is rejeded ? It is a great folly 
 to purfue what we cannot obtain. But, 
 alas ! my bonds are too ftrong to he- 
 broken I 
 
 " I FEEL that nothing in the world' 
 can loofen them but the Lady who has- 
 made me her captive ; and that I mult 
 fubmit to the yoke."' 
 
 The.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 387 
 
 The two lait pieces of our poet, paints 
 the dlforders of the clergy, who go 
 about, fays he, every where, preaching 
 what is good, and doing all the evil in 
 their power. 
 
 " Ah, falfe and wicked clergy ! trai- 
 tors, liars, perjurers, thieves, debauchcrs, 
 mifcreants ! every day ye commit fuch, 
 and fo many public dlforders, that the 
 world is overwhelmed with confufion ! — 
 St. Peter had never revenues, caftles, nor 
 domains ; never did he pronounce inter- 
 dicts, or excommunications, but he held 
 in his hands the balance of juttice. As 
 for you ! your balance is gold ; and your 
 interdids muft be fet afide by filver ! But 
 think not that I cenfure all Ecclefiaftics ; 
 there are fome who are worthy : nor be- 
 lieve that this reftridion proceei^s from 
 fear of any ; but I would have them make 
 peace between Kings ; pais the fea the 
 next year, with the Pope at their head, 
 and reilore tranquillity to Chridendom. 
 
 C c 2 They
 
 388 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 They refufe to give to their blefled Lord 
 their rich and fplendid habits, and their 
 veflels of filver, and of gold. — May 
 God exempt them from evils, as they 
 are exempt from pride and ambition 1 
 As they have no ambition for the pomps 
 of this world, and no relifli for its pro- 
 phane vanities, and fatal expences. Alas ! 
 fo many do I behold who have no merit 
 but their wealth ! who marry to their 
 nephews the offspring they have gained 
 by illegal commerce ! — Others, who have 
 no portion but the dower of hypocrify j 
 and who araafs incredible riches by a falfe 
 air of devotion, that I cannct hold my 
 peace." — And among thefe a Dean of the 
 church of Marfeilles is fatirized in the 
 moll violent manner by our Troubadour. 
 
 Bv thefe mifconduds of the clergy, 
 the /iibigenres, and Vaudois upheld 
 their caufe, increafed their influence,, and 
 ihook the power of the facerdotal empire. 
 
 GUI
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 389 
 
 GUI DE CAVAILLON, and 
 BERTRAND d'AVIGNON. 
 
 TH E city of Cavaillon, In tl.c 
 county of Venailloa, had for- 
 merly its VifcoLints, who maintained their 
 authority long after the dechne of the 
 houfe of Arragon. Gui was one of thefe 
 Vifcounts ; he was a brave and courteous 
 Knight, much beloved by' the fair fex,' 
 and eReemed by all the world. He was 
 attached to the Countefs of Provence,, 
 and addrcfled to her the following lines. 
 
 ** The exalted merit of that Lady 
 awes me to filence, and prevents my of- 
 tering her my vows ! 1 ill I have done 
 fome glorious deed, that may deferve her 
 notice, 1 cannot have the courage to ap- 
 proach her. A<i^ions fliould be the mef-' 
 fingers of the heart ; they are the ho- 
 
 C c 3 mage
 
 390 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 mage due to beauty ; they are the proofs 
 
 of faithful love." 
 
 , There is a fmall piece of Bertrand's, 
 in which he holds this fingular dialogue 
 vpith his cloak. 
 
 *' Thou haft caufed me fo much fhame 
 and trouble, that I blufh for thee ! I would 
 thou hadft: been burned, I have incurred 
 fuch reproach in wearing thee. Thou 
 haft loft me the good graces of the ami- 
 able Donfava, and of the beautiful Lady 
 Galberge." 
 
 '' You defpife me, and fcofF at me 
 now," replied the cloak, " though I have 
 defended you from the wintry blafts, and 
 done you innumerable other fervices. I 
 am grieved if the amiable Donfava aban- 
 dons you on my account. Much rather 
 would I inwrap and ihelter you both." 
 
 For this happy thought, and tender 
 expreftion of good will, Gui promifed 
 his cloak he w^oukl dye it in fcarlet. 
 
 " I AM
 
 THE TROUBADOUPvS. 791 
 
 <( 
 
 I AM ufcd," faid the cloak, " to hear 
 youf fine pronules ; but I do not dcpchd 
 on the performance of tlicni." 
 
 In anotlicr piece Gui fpcaks of the 
 war he maintained againft the French, for 
 the Count of Touloufe. And he tells 
 Folcon, a dcfcendant of the ancient Counts 
 of Avignon, to whom he addreucs it, that 
 lie is befiegcd in Chateau-Neuf ; that he 
 has fought againft them three months : 
 and he renroachcs Bertrand of Avif^non 
 with having quitted his pofl without leave, 
 and invites him to return. Eertrand re- 
 plies, •' I reproach you, in my turn, for 
 fubmitti ng to be forced by a bafc Count 
 in Chateau-Neuf. ill have you repaid the 
 fuccour I gave you; and i refer to Kc- 
 fortats, if you are ikilful in the defence 
 of a befieged caflle." 
 
 Gui was very zealous for Ralmond VII. 
 Count of Touloufe, who had fent him as 
 his ambaifadcr to the courts of France 
 
 C c 4 and
 
 392 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 and Rome, to treat of an accommoda- 
 tion. The Count obtained abiblution, 
 lays Gui, but not the reftitution of his 
 dominions. William VJ. of Baux, Prince 
 of Orange, was leagued with the French 
 againft Raimond, and Gui thus writes 
 a^ainft him. 
 
 '* The valiant vafTals of my Lord Rai- 
 mond, with their armed fieeds, and ban- 
 ners, will henceforward conquer ; and I 
 warn the chief of Courtefon *, though 
 he has the French on his fide, to expe(ft 
 no terms from the people of Avignon. — 
 I (hall not diffemble my joy for the evil 
 that iliall come to Baux j with reafon may 
 I rejoice ! for they deftroyed one of my 
 iiefs ; lOt which I have had no revenge. 
 But when I hoM the dice, they (hail 
 dearly rue their conqueft. — Count of Tou- 
 loufe, if you are ambitious of efteem, be 
 loyal, generous, and magnificent; give 
 
 The principiil city of Orange*. 
 
 nobly
 
 THE TROUBADOUPvS. 393 
 
 nobly to flrangers, and to friends; be al- 
 ways ready to grant, and unwilling to re- 
 fufe. Abafe your enemies, and exalt 
 your friends. 
 
 ** Our half Prince William of Laux 
 has been proclaimed King of Vicnnc, and 
 even crowned, as know all his Earons. 
 Go, Bonnardon '% go quickly, and warn 
 him not to leave his kingdom, without 
 he provides himielf with brave guards; 
 for he is fubjedl to be taken priibner." 
 
 William's title of King of Aries and 
 Vienne, was only nominal. The caution 
 to the Prince of Orange, which Gui 
 refers to as neceflary, is explained in the 
 life of William, to which v^re will, there- 
 fore, immediately proceed, as there are no 
 other particulars of Gui of Cavaillon. 
 
 * A jongleur. 
 
 WIL-
 
 394 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 WILLIAM DE BAUX, 
 Prince of Orange. 
 
 Illiam de Baux was the fon of 
 Bertrand de Baux, and became 
 Prince of Orange, in right of his mo- 
 ther Tiburge, Princefs of Orange, who, 
 in ii5o, married Ermengarde of Sabran, 
 an alliance worthy of his iiluftrious houfe. 
 She held her principality from the Earl- 
 dom of Venaiffon, which the Pope had 
 feized from the Count of Touloufe. — 
 William made ufe of this circumftance to 
 free himfelf from all fabjedion ; and, in 
 1214, he obtained letters patent from the 
 Emperor Frederick II. which confirmed 
 to him the title of King of Aries and 
 Vienne, though it did not belong to the 
 empire of Germany : but the Imperial, 
 as well as Pontifical court, conferred titles 
 
 and
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 395 
 
 and rights they never pofleflTed them- 
 felvcs ; and It was becaufc they did not 
 poflefs them, they conferred them on 
 others. William, from that time, afFccl- 
 ed all the privileges of fovereignty, and 
 entitled himfelf Prince, by the grace of 
 God. His fovereignty, and his royalty, 
 did not however defend him from two 
 very humbling adventures, which drew 
 upon him the raillery of fome daring 
 Troubadours. A French merchant, who 
 was travelling through his dominions, 
 was defpoiled of his effedls by William, 
 who confifcated them to his own ufe, al- 
 leging the merchant had defrauded him 
 of his rights. The merchant went and 
 complained of this treatment to Philip 
 Auguftus, King of France. The King; 
 replied, he v/as at too great a diltance 
 to do him juPiicc; but that he permitted 
 him to revenue hlmfclf in the bcfl man- 
 ner lie was able. This anfwer was pro- 
 bably not fcrious ; for Orange did not 
 depend on France, and its Prince was 
 
 leagued
 
 396 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 leagued with Philip, at this time, againft 
 the Albigenfes. On this merchant's re- 
 turn into Provence, he contrived a very 
 extraordinary method of revenge. Fie 
 got the feal of the French King counter- 
 feited, and wrote in his name a letter to 
 the Prince, by which Philip ordered him 
 to come to his court immediately, that he 
 might receive fonie great honours and re- 
 >?vards he had deftined for him. — Wil- 
 liam, charmed with the letter, after great 
 preparations, fets out for his journey. 
 Unfortunately for him, the town in which 
 the merchant lived was in his road, and 
 he flopped there to refrefh himfelf. The 
 merchant, who had taken his oieafures 
 with fuch fecrefy, that he had not given 
 
 the lead caufe for fufpicion, had the Prince 
 arrefled, with all his train, and obliged 
 him to repair the v^hole damage he had 
 fuflained. 
 
 William, too late informed of the 
 trick that was played him, returned to his 
 
 domi-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 7 
 
 97 
 
 dominions, dcfpollcd and dlfgraccd. To 
 underfland this, the reader will obfcrve, 
 that in this age there was no reflraint to 
 licence and robbery ; flrcngth and power 
 was the law of the world ; and William, 
 as a traveller, became the fubject of his 
 vad'al. William fuftained alio another af- 
 front of the Tame nature. Embroiled with 
 Aim.ard, Count of Valentinois, he wxnt 
 into his territories, infultcd the Count 
 with reproachful language, and pillaged 
 one of his provinces. — As he returned, in 
 his paflage on the Rhone, fome fiHier- 
 men, the fubjefis of Aimard, flopped him 
 on his courfe, and obliged him to pay for 
 his ranlbm. Thcfe were the events to 
 which Gui of Cavaillon alluded, when 
 he faid, the Prince of Orange is fubjedl: to 
 be taken prifoncr. Gui was piqued 
 againft William, and therefore reproached 
 him; but it is furprifing Rambaud de 
 Vaquciras fiiould do the fame, wdio was 
 at the court of this Prince, and gene- 
 rouDy entertained by him. — William an- 
 
 fwers
 
 393 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fwers his accufations very briefly and 
 poignantly. 
 
 *' I AM much furprifed, Rambaud, to 
 perceive you enraged againfl: me ; it will 
 foon be known you are the greatefl of all 
 great fools ! — Go to the King of Barce- 
 lona, the King of Arragon, to other great 
 Princes, as you have propofed ; for you 
 love money better than the poor Ar- 
 moriers.'* 
 
 Yaqueiras replied to him under a 
 feigned name. 
 
 ** Ingles-, Almard of Poitiers has taken 
 fpeedy vengeance for the aflault you made 
 on his province. One of his fifliermen 
 feized you, as a pike feizes its prey ! — I 
 do not fay you vv^ere beaten, except by the 
 counterblow of the King of France ; nor 
 that he delivered you up ; but that you 
 had the folly to give credit to the feal of 
 
 a crafty citizen." 
 
 William's
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 399 
 
 William's anfwer to Gui of Cavalllon 
 is as follows ; 
 
 " Render your lion tamer ; he is too 
 furious ', — and if he had devoured us all, 
 you would have been no gainer ! — Gui, 
 you was well advifed when you fought 
 peace with us, and when you furrendered 
 yourfelf a prifoner ; but the Count has 
 taken you from us, and your ranfom will 
 now be dear : Friend Gui of Cavaillon, 
 however noble and eftimable your cha- 
 rader really is, be more moderate; for 
 fortune changes in a moment." 
 
 William de Baux too fatally proved 
 this truth. He was the victim of his ha- 
 tred to the Albigenfes, whofe party the 
 city of Avignon maintained with great 
 violence. The people of Avignon made 
 him prifoner in an ambufcade, flayed him 
 alive, and cut his body into pieces. 
 
 Pope Honorius IH. difpatched thun- 
 dering briefs to exhort the cru fader s to 
 
 punl(l\
 
 400 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 punifh this cruelty ; and it was one of the 
 motives that induced Lewis VIII. to be- 
 iiege Avignon in 1226. 
 
 Several branches of the houfe of 
 Baux, eftabliihed at Naples, have pofleffed 
 the firfl dignities there, under the govern- 
 ment of the crown of France 3 with the 
 duchies of Andria and of Nardo, the 
 counties of Tricaffi, of Cailro, of Ugento, 
 of Avelino, and of Montefcaiolo. In 
 Provence they Hill call many places Bauf- 
 fenques lands, which are fiefs that belong- 
 ed to the illuftrious houfe of Bxiux. 
 
 WniXIAM
 
 THE TROUBx\DOURS. 401 
 
 WILLIAM DE FIGUEIRA, and 
 GERMONDA DE MONTPELLIIZR. 
 
 WILLIAM DE FiGUEiRA was a tav- 
 lor's ion, at Touloufe, and was 
 bred up in his father's trade. Having 
 been a fpeclator of the horrors of the 
 crufade againft the Albigenfes, and the 
 diftrefTes of his country, he retired into 
 Lombardy, and became a jongleur. An 
 inveterate enemy of the great, from a 
 hatred of their tyranny, he would never 
 frequent any but citizens and the common 
 people. — He went into ale-houfes and 
 fhops, and houfes of ill fame; and in 
 thefe places vented his morofe and fatiric 
 humour, tearing the nobility to pieces in 
 his compofitions, and placing them far 
 below the populace in merit and genius. 
 But, above all, he was fevere on the 
 
 D d clergy,
 
 402 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 clergy, and the court of Rome; and their 
 injuflice and corruption drew froai him 
 the following virulent fatire. 
 
 ** I KNovv^ I fhall he cenfured if I write 
 againft Rome, that fink of all evil j but 
 I cannot hold my peace. 
 
 *' I AM not aflcniflied the world lies In 
 wickednefs ! It is you, treacherous Rome, 
 who have fown confufion and war ! 
 
 *' Your avarice blinds your eyes, and 
 you fliear too clofe the wool of your 
 flieep ! 
 
 " If the Holy Ghoft, who took the 
 form of man, fhall liften to my prayers, 
 I will (lop thy mouth, O Rome, in whom 
 all the perfidy of the Greeks is revived ! 
 
 '* Rome, thou dofl: exceed the bounds 
 prefcribed thee by heaven ; and a blind 
 lea :er. of the blind> thou draggeft them 
 
 into
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 403 
 
 into the pit ! — Thou abfolvefl fins for 
 money, and charged thylelf with a bur- 
 then too mighty for thee to fuflaln ! — 
 Know, that thy bafe traffick, and thy ob- 
 flinate folly, have caufed thee to lofe 
 Damietta *. 
 
 *' God confound thee, Rome, who 
 reigneft with fo much wickednefs ! Thy 
 principles are evil, and thy manners trea- 
 cherous ! 
 
 '* It is by the baits of thy delufive par- 
 dons thou delivereft up the French nobi- 
 lity to perfecution ! — Thou didft banifli 
 the good King Lewis from Paris ; and 
 thou waft the caufe of his death f ! 
 
 * The imperious bigotry of the Legate Pelage, 
 who would never confent to any treaty with the 
 crul'aders, lofl this city, which was rcftored to the 
 bultan of Egypt. 
 
 + Pope Honorius engaged this Prince to go and 
 bcfiege Avignop, where he died. 
 
 D d 2 " ROMK !
 
 404 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *' Rome ! thou dofl; little harm to the 
 Saracens ; but thou makeft a dreadful 
 flaughter of the Greeks and Latins ! 
 
 ** Thou doft eflablifli thy throne in the 
 bottomlefs pit ! — May God remember 
 againft thee thy pilgrimage to Avignon * ! 
 May he never forgive thee the murders 
 thou committeit there ! 
 
 ** Thou takeft the crooked road; and 
 woe be unto him who follows thv track ! 
 
 " PvOME, it is a fport to thee to burn 
 Chriftians ! — May all the devils carry thee 
 into the flames of hell ! 
 
 *' In what book haft thou read, that It 
 was thy duty to exterminate Chriftians ? 
 Like an enraged beaft, thou devoured 
 both great and fmall !— But if the brave 
 Count Raimond lives only two years 
 
 * The enterprize againft the Albigenfes. 
 
 longer.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 405 
 
 longer, he will make France repent tlic 
 abandoning hcrfclf to thy impoflurcs ! 
 
 ** TiiY crimes are rifcn to fuch a height, 
 that thou defpifen God, and all his fainta ! 
 
 *' Thy tyranny is difcovcreJ ; thy In- 
 juflice to Count Raimcnd is known. — 
 May God defend and airifl him ; may he 
 give him the vidory over the French ; 
 may he flea them alive, tear them in 
 pieces ; and may he make a bridge of 
 their bodies, as he is hewing them down ! 
 
 " RoM!^ ! I comfort myfclf in the af- 
 furance tliat thy power will decay, and 
 thou wilt fjon be no more ! 
 
 *' If thy dominion Is not deHroyed, the 
 world will be overthrown ! 
 
 *' Rome ! thy crimes arife from thy 
 cardinals : — their only aim is to fell God 
 and his friends. — Thy pallors are falfe, 
 
 D d 3 and
 
 4o6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 and their followers are mad with zeal ! — 
 Thy anathemas are of as little value as 
 thy pardons ; — they are equally Ihameful 
 and vain 1 
 
 " Rome! your head and your whole 
 body is arraigned, for having committed 
 that horrible murder at Beziers * ! — Un- 
 der the covering of a lamb, with an air 
 of modefly and fimplicity, you are in- 
 wardly a deluding ferpent, and a ravenous 
 wolf J 
 
 *' Thy clergy pafs the night with aban- 
 doned vsTomen, and the next day in con- 
 fecrating the body of our Lord ! — And it 
 is a mortal herefy to aflert, that a prieft 
 ought not to defile himfelf with his con- 
 cubine, v^hen he is about to prepare the 
 body of his God ! 
 
 " If you cry out againft thefe diforders, 
 you are excommunicated, and can only 
 
 * See L f e of Ogier, p. 153, &c, 
 
 fave
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 407 
 
 fave yourfclf by a bribe. — Holy Virgin ! 
 may 1 live to behold the day, when thci'e 
 wretches (liall no longer fiourifli !" 
 
 Among the champions of Rome, who 
 were endlefs, there was a female Trouba- 
 dour, called Germonda. Nothing more 
 of her is known, but that fhe was of 
 Montpcllier, and wrote the following re- 
 crimination on this catholic facirift. 
 
 *' I CANNOT endure to hear fuch cuttijig 
 falfehoods ! — they wound my heart, and 
 I fliall vent the chagrin with which I am 
 penetrated ! — And let none be afloniHied 
 at the war I declare againft this prefump- 
 tuous impoftor, who calumniates and per- 
 verts all worthy adlions. — May God liflen 
 to my prayer, and may all thole who op- 
 pofe tlie laws of Rome be confounded and 
 deftroyed ! 
 
 *' Rome ! 'I am grieved to fee you thus 
 €xpofed to the arrows of the wicked I — 
 
 Dd 4 It
 
 4o8 THE HISTOPvY OF 
 
 It is to the folly of fools thou oweft thy 
 Icfs of Damletta. — I doubt not but thou 
 wilt reclaim all France to the way of fal- 
 vation ! — They are viler than Saracens, 
 thofe miferable heretics, who wifh that 
 the Avignons, inftead of going to para- 
 dife, (liould be doomed to the flames of 
 hell ; and Rome has overthrown their 
 wicked hope ! 
 
 ^' Rome ! your laws ought to be flridly 
 adhered to for ever ! 
 
 *' Rome ! this impoftor fhews by his 
 mad and injurious difcourfe, that his faith 
 is fufpicious, and that he is on the fide of 
 the Touloufians. — But if the brave Court 
 Raimond abandons this herefy, every ill 
 will be repaired ! 
 
 *' Rome ! may the Great King, the 
 Lord of Juftice, give a fatal blow to the 
 falfehoods of the Touloufians ; for they 
 tranfgrefs ail his commands. If Count 
 
 Raimond
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 409 
 
 Raimond fides with them, I have no more 
 to fay in his behalf. 
 
 *' Rome ! I trufl that your power, and 
 that of France, the enemy of all evil, will 
 bring to an end pride and herefy. Curfed 
 be thofe heretics who dread no vice, and 
 believe no myftery. 
 
 " Rome! you know that thofe efcape 
 with difficulty who liften to them ; they 
 are ambitious to be hung up, or burnt, 
 for their bad lives ; and they fpread their 
 nets {o dexteroufly, that all are intrappcd 
 by them. There is among them neither 
 faith nor virtue. — Whoever would be 
 faved, ought to take the crofs inftantly to 
 deflroy them. 
 
 *' The God of heaven is going againft 
 thefe rebels, and they muft be indeed loft 
 to fear, who would venture to plead their 
 caufe ! 
 
 " Rome !
 
 410 THE HISTOxRY OF 
 
 <t T? 
 
 Rome ! thofe employ themfelves In 
 vain, who difpute againft you ; and, was 
 the Emperor to do it, he would difhonour 
 his crown. But indulgence is eafily ob- 
 tained for thofe who confefs and repent. 
 
 *' Rome ! may the King of Glory, 
 who, by the pardon he granted to Mag- 
 dalen, fills us \-'ith hope, may he bring 
 to that torture ordained for heretics, the 
 prefumptuous fool, who has uttered fuch 
 vile falfehoods, and fuch horrid blafphe- 
 
 mies." 
 
 It is fingular that the poet, againft 
 w^hom this invective is directed, was a 
 zealous advocate for the crufaders, which, 
 as well as his addrefs to the Virgin, proves 
 he was a Catholic. 
 
 Germonda breathes the fame fpirit 
 with the Inquilltor Jzarn, in the life be- 
 fore given of this Catholic Priefl: f. 
 
 t S.-e Life of Izarn, p. i55, &c. 
 
 The 

 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 411 
 
 The following pafloral of FIguelras 
 will be a more intereding conclufion of 
 his life, than fuch bitter anathemas, which 
 are only given to prove the bigotted fpi- 
 rit of thefc times. 
 
 Pastoral of Figueira. 
 
 ** The other day, as I was riding on 
 my palfrey, the weather being bright and 
 ferene, I law before me a young and beau- 
 tiful (hepherdefs, who fung thefe words 
 to a plaintive and tender air. 
 
 ** A LAS I fhe who has loft her joy, muft 
 lead a life of woe !" — I turned my horfe 
 immediately to the bank whereon fhe fat ; 
 fhe rofe ; — and, blefhngs be for ever on 
 her, fweet and amiable as fhe is ! fhe came 
 toward me ; 1 inllantly dlfmounted to fa- 
 lute her for fuch unmerited bounty. 
 
 " Pretty fhepherdefs," faid I, " will 
 you pleafe to tell me truly the fubjedt of 
 
 your
 
 412 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 your fong ; for I fwear to you I never 
 heard any fhepherdefs fing (o well." 
 
 *' My Lord, it is not long ago fince I 
 had at my devotion that young fhepherd 
 who now afflids me : but now he has 
 forfaken me, and is become paffionately 
 fond of another ! Tt is for this I lament, 
 and I fing to calm the grief which will 
 foon deftroy me." 
 
 *' Shepherdess, I will tell you frank- 
 ly, that the fame treafon has been done 
 me by a deceiver, whom I much loved. 
 She alfo has the injuftice to leave me for 
 another, whom 1 v/ould willingly have 
 killed for his robbery." 
 
 " It depends on yourfelf, my Lord, 
 to revenge the villainy of that falfe Lady ; 
 and here am I ready to afTift you. If 
 you agree to it, I will love you all my 
 life ; and we will change into joy and 
 
 pleafure
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 413 
 
 pleafure the mutual wrongs wc have fuf- 
 tained.'* 
 
 ** Frank and amiable fliephcrdefs, if 
 you confent to this, I have all that I wifli 
 and defire. You (hall fave me from fhip- 
 wreck, and conduct me to the port of 
 felicity. 
 
 " My Lord, your love has fo wrought 
 on my heart, that I no longer remem- 
 ber the v»'oes I have fuffered. Your 
 fweetnefs has diflipated every former cha~ 
 grm. 
 
 GUI
 
 414 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 y^y!0^::^:^>^:^M:^m:^y^^:f^^^ xx 
 
 GUI D » U I S E L. 
 
 GU I was the Lord of Uifel, a good 
 caflle in Limofin, which he pof- 
 fefled conjointly with his two brothers, 
 Ebles and Peter ; and they had, befides 
 this caftle, feveral others. A coufin of 
 theirs, named Elias, who was very poor, 
 fought to make his fortune by becoming 
 a jongleur ; and thefe brothers, from 
 views of glory, affociated themfelves with 
 him. It was agreed that Peter, who was 
 an able mufician, ihould fing the compo- 
 fitions of Gui and Ebles ; that they 
 fhould never feparate ; and that Gui 
 ihould receive the money that fhould be 
 gained, and diftribute it in equal propor- 
 tions, 
 
 Gui had been bred an Ecclefiaftic, and 
 and was at this time Canon of Brioude 
 
 and
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, ^i s 
 
 and Montferrand : but fuch was the irre- 
 gularity of ccclefiaflical manners, that he 
 confidered himfelf at liberty to follow his 
 inclinations. He therefore went into 
 Provence with his aflbciates ; and there 
 he fell in love with a Lady called Nugidas 
 of Mondus, niece of William Count of 
 Montpelller, and coufin-german to the 
 Queen of Arragon. 
 
 Our Troubadour compofed fonnets in 
 her praife, which gained him much ho- 
 nour. He was at firit rejeLl:ed, but he 
 received at length fome encouragement. — 
 One day, when he was ardently foliciting 
 his miftrefs to receive the homage of his 
 heart : " You are a man of honour,'* 
 replied Madam Mondus. '* Though you 
 are a clerk *, you are loved and efleemcd ; 
 and I feel fo much good will toward you, 
 that I cannot defend myfelf from your 
 folicitations. Tell me, would you wifh 
 
 * Which figniFiCd a fcholar. 
 
 to
 
 4i6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 to have me for your miPtrefs, or your 
 wife ? Confider to which of thefe you 
 give the preference." 
 
 She fought, in this, to prove the cha- 
 racter of her lover, who doubtlefs did not 
 acquaint her with his being in orders, 
 Ecclefiaftics being not permitted to marry. 
 Tranfported with joy at this offer, Gui 
 confulted his coufin Elias ; and the fol- 
 lowing dialogue paiTed between them on 
 this fubjed:. 
 
 Gui. 
 
 *« Tell me, Elias, a fmcere lover, 
 who attaches himfelf in good faith to his 
 miflrefs, ought he to wifh according to 
 the juft laws of love ; and, fuppofing it 
 is left to his choice, to become the lover 
 rather than the hufband of his miflrefs ? 
 
 Elias. 
 
 " I HAVE the heart of a loyal lover, 
 and not that of a deceiver : therefore I 
 
 hold
 
 THE TPvOUBADOURS. 417 
 
 hold it to be a much greater honour to 
 poflefs a beautiful and amiable woman for 
 hfe, than to enjoy her for a year, or a 
 fliort time only ; for the intrigues of love 
 are fubjedt to ceafe, and are broken off 
 on the flighteif pretences. 
 
 G u I. 
 
 ** I ESTEEM that above all things, 
 which increafes regard ; and I defplfe no- 
 thing fo much as that which contributes 
 to weaken it. A miflrefs endeavours to 
 be every day more pleafmg ; a wife, to 
 be every day lefs fo. A lover is honoured 
 for his love j a hufband ridiculed for his 
 affection. 
 
 E L I A s. 
 '' If you are the lead capable of feel- 
 ing what true love is, you mull: perceive 
 the abfurdity you have juft advanced. — 
 A lover of your fort feeks only his own 
 gratification, and has no care for the ob- 
 jecl of his pafhon. For my part, in pre- 
 ferring the charms which bind me for ever 
 
 Ee to
 
 4i8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 to my mldrefs, I prove that fhe is dearer 
 to me than all others ; and that I would 
 not poffefs the liberty of forfaking her 
 who has devoted herfelf to me. 
 
 G u I. 
 
 «« I AM guilty of no Injury in avoid- 
 ing this union ; on the contrary, it is 
 from the excefs of my love, and refpedt 
 for my miftrefs. The faith of a lover is 
 more honourable than that of a hufband : 
 for the fhame of inconilancy is his bond ; 
 and, if he fms againft love, he offends 
 all the lav/s of gallantry, and is for ever 
 difhonoured. 
 
 E L I A s. 
 
 *' I SHOULD look upon myfelf to be a 
 deceiver, on your principles, if I could 
 poffefs for ever, without a rival, and with- 
 out a mafter, the obje'ifl of my love, and 
 yet defire her to prefer me to her own 
 difgrace. The hufband enjoys his affec- 
 tion v^'ith fafety and honour ; the lover 
 
 pays
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 419 
 
 pays dearly for his fclfifli pafTion ; and 
 the former may fay to him with truth, 
 I prefer my happy Oavcry to your unjufl: 
 and difhonourable liberty." 
 
 Gur, fatally for himfclf, purfucd the 
 libertine fentiments he had maintained in 
 his convcrfation with Elias, and proffered 
 them to Madam Mundus : but as tiiis 
 Lady was not difpofed to adopt fuch weal; 
 and viGonary reafoning, or to accept fuch 
 fufpicious love, fhe was extremely of- 
 fended ; confidered Gui as an inconftant 
 libertine; difmiiTed him immediately from 
 her prefence, and foon after married a 
 Knight of Catalonia. 
 
 Gui was exceedingly mortlned. He 
 Wrote a fevere fonnet on the cruelty of 
 his miftrefs, and on love itlclf. The fol- 
 lowins: lines of which are alone worthy 
 notice. 
 
 ** From the Inconftancy of my miflrefs 
 advantage ; for flie has 
 E e 2 taught 
 
 I reap a great advantage ; for flie has
 
 420 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 taught me how to change. Her folly has 
 altered my ideas, as fwiftly as time will 
 efface her attra^lions- 
 
 '* Love Is the reverfe of all other paf- 
 fjons : the more it is known, the lefs doth 
 it profit. Alas, love is a great folly ! I 
 have experienced its rniferies, and yet I 
 cannot live a day without it. — Love is fa 
 degenerated in wotnen, that they engage 
 in it without any thought : they love by 
 chance ; take a friend from humour, and, 
 as to their lovers, they change them as- 
 often as their cloaths : and what is worfe 
 flill, they take a hufband on no better 
 foundation than pique and revenge. — I 
 will add no more concerning them j he 
 who reprehends with moderation, will 
 fucceed the bed in corredioa. 
 
 " Ah ! if love was nov\r as in former 
 times, no joy w^ould be comparable ! It 
 would banifh every care, every agitatioii- 
 of which it Vv^as not the fource ; and its^ 
 
 OVv'Il
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, .pr' 
 
 own anxieties would be relieved and re- 
 warded by a thoufand foft and tender de- 
 lights. Love breathes nothing but ge- 
 nerofity, courtefy, and tendernefs All 
 that tends to fallehood, referve, and cold- 
 nefs he rejeds with contempt." 
 
 » 
 
 A PPOFOUND melancholy, cither the 
 effedt of an unfortunate pafhon, or of 
 mortified pride, filenced the talents of 
 Gui; he renounced love and poetry. The 
 Knights, and the Ladies were grieved at 
 his fituation ; above all. Madam Mary of 
 Ventadour : and, that iLe might draw 
 him out of his languid llate, fhe propofcd 
 to him the following quellion, which is 
 related as follov^'s, in the manner of a 
 dialogue. 
 
 Mary of Ventadour. 
 
 ** Gui d*Uisel, lam concerned at 
 your ftate ; I grieve that you no longer 
 {ing. ior my fake refume your lays, and 
 anlwer me the following quei^Lion j it is 
 
 E e 3 well
 
 422 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 weir fulted to your ability. Ought a 
 Lady, according to the laws of love, to 
 fliew as much attention to her lover, as 
 her lover to her ? 
 
 G u I. 
 
 '' Madam Mary, I had determined 
 never more to write, or fing; but I cannot 
 refift your amiable invitation. I anfwer, 
 therefore, that a Lady ought to fhow as 
 much attention to her lover, as her lover 
 to her. Between friends, all things fhould 
 be equal. 
 
 M A R r. 
 
 *' Yet it is the duty of a lover to allc 
 humbly what he wifhes j and the right of 
 his miflrefs to command what (he defires. 
 The lover, accordin;: to the laws of ral- 
 lantry, ought to execute her orders as 
 thofe of a fovereign ; but fhe is only ob- 
 liged to treat him with regard, not with 
 the refpect and fubmiiSon due to a Lord 
 and a Mafler. 
 
 Gui.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 423 
 
 G u I. 
 
 ** If a Lady refufes to confider her 
 lover as her equal, fhe is guilty cf wrong ; 
 for in fuch an union two hearts become 
 one. Either you mufl: agree with me, 
 that it would be a difhonour to a Ladv, 
 for her lover to be more tender and faith- 
 ful than herfelf, or that they are equal ; 
 and that if the lover yields the luperiority 
 to his miftrefs, it is from mere polite- 
 nefs." 
 
 Though thefe were the fentiments of 
 Gui on this fubjecl, yet he celebrates, 
 with the moft tender and profound ho- 
 mage, the Countefs of Montferrand, and 
 the Vifcountefs of i\ubufbn ; and was 
 ardently attached to them both. Of one 
 of thefe Ladies he thus fpeaks, which 
 well expreffes the anxiety of his love : 
 ** The more obliging her expreffions, the 
 more intimidated are my feelings. I feign 
 a thoufand pretexts to beheld her ; but 
 love alone is the caufe. Jf I bved lefs, I 
 
 E e 4. (hiouli
 
 424 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fliould not fear fo much ; but where love 
 is ftrong, expreflion is weak. It is my 
 glory to fpeak of my flame to others ; 
 but my love overwheLxs me when 1 am 
 before lier, aacl I cannot fpeak in her 
 prefence." 
 
 There are no other particulars of the 
 life of Gui, but that a Legate of the 
 Pope, who came into that country, ob- 
 liged Gui to make a vow, that he would 
 renounce poety. The reafon affigned for 
 this is, that in fome of hh writings which 
 do not appear, he had attacked the ty- 
 ranny of Princes, and the abufe of Pon- " 
 tifical authority. On this the brothers re- 
 turned home, with much wealth, which 
 they had amaifed in the courts they had 
 vifited. — A writer afferts, that notwith- 
 flanding the vow Gui had made, he con- 
 tinued his invedives againf}: tyranny ; 
 and that he died of anxiety and grief in 
 I2;c, to which the account of him here 
 
 given.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 
 
 425 
 
 given, plaln'y fliows he was a prey during 
 his life : but the particular cauie of his 
 death is not incationed. 
 
 ye^y^i^o^im^so^x^y^y^^ 
 
 THE MONK OF MONTAUDON. 
 
 TH E Monk of ivTontaudon was 
 born of a noble family of Au- 
 vergne, in the cafile of V'^ic, and he took 
 on him the profeflion of a Monk, in the 
 abbey of Orlac, which was near this 
 caftle. The Abbe gave him the priory 
 of Montaudon. Thcfe priories were ori- 
 ginally houfes dependent on fome abbey, 
 where a certain number of religious were 
 eftabliflied, to perform the ofHces, and ad- 
 minifter the charity of thefe foundations. 
 In procefs of time they became benefices, 
 much Ibught after, and poflfeflcd temporal 
 advantages, which raifed the jcaloufy of 
 their fupcriors. 
 
 The
 
 426 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 The Monk of Montaudon had the 
 character of doing great good to his houfe, 
 which did not, however, prevent him 
 from compofing couplets and Ibnnets on 
 the events of his province. The Knights 
 and the Barons were much pleafed with 
 them ; they invited him to their caftles, 
 and treated him with great refped: and 
 generofity. He enriched his priory and 
 church with their prefents, and all this 
 without ever quitting his monaflic habit, 
 or fundions. But at laft, weary of the 
 cloifter, he went to the Abbe of Orlac, 
 told him all the fervices he had rendered 
 his priory, and afked his permifllon to 
 repair to the court of the King of Arra- 
 gon, to receive the commands of that 
 Prince. This was, in fad, afking the li- 
 berty to become a Troubadour. By fre- 
 quenting the houfes of the great, and 
 enjoying their benevolence, he had formed 
 a tafle for the freedom and luxury of their 
 fplendid courts. 
 
 Having
 
 THE TROUBADOURS, 427 
 
 Having obtained his rcquefl, he ar- 
 rived at the palace of the King of Arra- 
 gon, who commanded him to cat meat, 
 to compofe, and to fmg gallant poems : 
 he obeyed. His talents rendered him fo 
 agreeable to this Prince, that he beftowed 
 on him the Lordfliip of Pui-Saint- Marie. 
 From hence he travelled into Spain, where 
 he continued many years, and received 
 many honours and rewards. His gallant 
 poems are only repetitions of the fervour 
 and diftindions of love ; but in fome 
 other pieces he paints his own character 
 and feelings, and thofe of others, with 
 ingenuity and freedom. 
 
 " I LOVE," fays he, ^' a court filled with 
 perfons of worth ; a man who is afhamed 
 of, and repents of his fms ; joy, good 
 cheer, and handfonie prefents. 
 
 '* I LOVE fine fat falmons at noon * ; 
 an amiable miftrefs by the fide of a puil- 
 
 ^ The canonical hour of dinner. 
 
 ing
 
 428 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ing" flream j and a dear friend every- 
 where. 
 
 *' I HATE fmall gifts ; a poor and proud 
 Knight ; young people who talk much 
 and loud ; and the fociety of low people ; 
 and of uncourteous Knights. 
 
 *' I HATE a Lord who wears arms to 
 no purpofe ; a Monk and a PrieH: \Yith * 
 great beards ; a hufband who doats on 
 his wife ; and a grocer's fon who fets up 
 for a man of quality. 
 
 ** I HATE too much water, and too 
 little wine ; the Prieil: who perjures and 
 lies ', and the wicked who profper in their 
 wickednefs. 
 
 ** I HATE thofe who fpeak ill of dice, 
 and who will not engage in play, a damfel, 
 who makes a parade of her handfome 
 foot; and a poor and fhabby courtezan. 
 
 '' I H-ATE
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 429 
 
 « 
 
 " I HATE a large table, and a fcanty 
 cloth ; a man who marries his concubine ; 
 and a woman who efpoufes her valet. 
 
 *' But above them all do I hate a Baron 
 who rides his horfcs to death ; and a friend 
 who fails in the time of need." 
 
 Another piece of this poet's is as fin- 
 gular as the former. 
 
 ** The other day I went up to heaven 
 to rpeak to St. Michael, v.-ho had fent for 
 me, and there I heard a complaint which 
 pleafed me much ; attend, and ye (hall 
 hear it. — St. Julien advanced toward God, 
 and faid, O God, I make my lamenta- 
 tion to you, for having been forcibly dif- 
 poiTefTed of my hef : for whoever defired 
 fuccefs in any matter formerly, prayed to 
 me in the morning to be favourable unto 
 him ; but to the v/icked Lords, who 
 Jive on earth at prefent, I know not what 
 counfel to give. They have fo dcfpoiled 
 
 me
 
 430 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 me of my authority, that no prayers are 
 now made to me, either morning or 
 night ; and they even let thofe depart fac- 
 ing, whom they have received into their 
 houfes. This is a fcandal for me.' — I do 
 not complain fo much of the Touloufians, 
 the Carcaffonnes, and the Albigenfes, as 
 of others. I preferve my rights alfo in 
 Catalonia, and am beloved and cherifhed 
 there ; and I am equally regarded in Li- 
 mofm and Perigord,. though they fuffer 
 much from the King and their Count. — In 
 Auvergne you may find hofpitality without 
 the appearance ; and good cheer without 
 invitation ; for they know not how to be 
 obliging, nor poflefs any of thofe grace- 
 ful and touching manners which are the 
 delight of life : yet they are not forry to 
 receive you. I have alfo fome rights in 
 Provence : but the Gafcons and Proven- 
 cals are neither to be praifed nor blamed. 
 
 <( 
 
 Never will I complain of the Vi- 
 varais. If a flranger is prelTed with 
 
 hunger>
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 431 
 
 hunger, or drought, they are out of 
 |;)reath till they have furnifhed him with 
 all he needs." 
 
 It was thus, in the pcrfon of St. Ju- 
 lien, our poet charadlerized the Provinces, 
 and recommended that hofpitality which 
 was the great reiburce of travellers in this 
 age ; and hy the degree of which the 
 difpofitions of the great Lords were 
 judged. — The Monk of Montaudon thus 
 proceeds. 
 
 ** When all thefe complaints were 
 ended, there arofe another procefs which 
 difpleafed and difconcerted many. 
 
 *' The Ladies and the Monks difputcd 
 with violence, and each party pleaded 
 their caufe in form. 
 
 *' The Monks faid, all is loft, Ladies, 
 and we are undone. You wrong us cruel- 
 ly, in thus wrefting our pidures from 
 
 us !
 
 432 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 us ! It is a grievous fin to paint and dif- 
 guife yourfelves in this manner ; for ne- 
 ver was painting invented but for our ufe ; 
 and you lay it on fo thick, that you 
 eclipfe the images fufpended in our 
 chapels. 
 
 *' To this the Ladies replied : Paint- 
 ing was given to us long before the in- 
 vention of the Ex Voto for the fuperior 
 and the inferior Monks. I take nothing 
 from you, faid an old Lady, in painting 
 the wrinkles underneath my eyes, and 
 in concealing them fo well, that I can ftill 
 exert my power over thofe who doat on 
 my perfon. 
 
 " God faid to the Monks, If you think 
 it will be of ufe, I will give thofe wo- 
 men, who are under tv\7enty--five, twenty 
 years to paint themfelves ; and I will al- 
 lov/ you to be (1111 more generous, — grant 
 them thirty. 
 
 " The
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 433 
 
 " The Monks replied, \Vc cannot 
 comply with this out of complaifancc to 
 you ; we will give them ten : but be af- 
 fured, after this period, wc will oblige 
 them to let us polTcfs our privileges in 
 peace. 
 
 " Then came St. Peter, and St. La-w- 
 rencc, and made a good and firm peace 
 between the contending parties, on thefe 
 terms, to which each fvvore a faithful ob- 
 fervation, that five years was to be taken 
 from the twenty, and added to the ten. 
 Thus was the procefs ended, and the par- 
 ties reflored to peace. 
 
 ** But 1 perceive the oath is violated, 
 they keep not their promife ; they adt a 
 difhonefl: part. They ftill put on fo much 
 white and red, that never was more daub- 
 ing at thofe fhrines where the greatcft 
 offerings are made. 
 
 " They mix with mercury a quantity 
 of drugs, to make this paint ; and tliey 
 
 F f life
 
 434 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ufe a vvafh compounded of mare's milk, 
 and of ground beans, the food of the an- 
 cients Monks, and the only thing they 
 aik of right, in charity, infomuch, that 
 thefe Monks are hereby deprived of their 
 allowance ; and when they have colleded 
 all their ointments, and wafhes, you may 
 reckon up three hundred boxes ready for 
 ufe. — Never did St. Peter, and St. Law- 
 rence intend, in the treaty they made, to 
 comprehend thofe old women, whofe teeth 
 are larger than the teeth of a boar, 
 
 " But they do worfe than this, they 
 buy up all the fafFron. they can lay their 
 hands on ; and have rendered it fo dear, 
 that, as pilgrims inform us, they are com- 
 plained of in the countries beyond the fea. 
 
 " Better would it be, that they 
 ihould devour it in fauces, and ragous, 
 than wafte it in this fliameful manner ; 
 at leaH: it would become them to take 
 arms, and go beyond fea to obtain this 
 
 htl
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 435 
 
 faffron *, for which they have fo ardent a 
 defire." 
 
 In this extravagant manner the Monk 
 of Montaudon finifhcs St. Julicn's dif- 
 courTe with God. In thefe times it was 
 by many confidcred as a mark of devo- 
 tion, to exprefs their Icntiments with fuch 
 indecent famiharity toward their Maker : 
 but it was probably more frequently done 
 as a covering to ridicule fuperflition. 
 
 There is another piece of this Trou- 
 badour, which is a grofs fatire on all the 
 other Troubadours ; and as it is only an 
 imitation of Peter d'Auvergne, and the 
 fubjed is very indiflerently handled, I 
 here forbore to infert it. 
 
 The Monk of Montaudon having fully 
 Satisfied his curiofity in travelling, and 
 vifited many Princes and great Barons, 
 
 * Saffron \v.n5 in gre.it ufe in cookery, anJ 
 cftcenAcd a grcM delicacy in this age. 
 
 F f 2 retired
 
 43<5 THE HISTORY OF ' 
 
 retired to the priory of Villefranche, in 
 RouffiUon, which was a dependency on 
 the abbey of Orlac. The Abbe of it, 
 his old friend, prefented him to this be- 
 nefice. 
 
 He enriched it greatly j and in this 
 priory he ended his days, at the begin- 
 ning of the thirteenth century. 
 
 RAIMOND GAUGELM DE BESIERS. 
 
 iViMOND Gaucelm Vv^as called the 
 Noble Citizen, and was Lord of a 
 caftle near Befiers. This title was owing 
 to the municipal government, which every 
 day increafed, and became a barrier againil 
 the tyranny of the great Lords : and lO- 
 vereign Princes had often favoured their 
 claims, either to weaken the power of the 
 Barons, or, by procuring them liberty, to 
 
 gaia
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 437 
 
 gain money of the people. With fomc 
 Lords, and on fomc occafions, the citi- 
 zens therefore enjoyed great privileges ; 
 and there was even an atfl pafTcd in the 
 year 1181;, by which Roger II. Vifcount 
 of Beficrs, granted to every citizen, who 
 fliould fettle in liis city, entire freedom 
 and independence. The confequence of 
 this was, that the pride of the citizens 
 equalled, if not exceeded, that of the no- 
 bles ; of which there was a drcadftd proof 
 in the affafTination of Count Trancavel, 
 given in the life of Ogier. Liberty be- 
 coming thus licentious, was foon checked 
 by royal power ; and the Vifcounty of 
 Befiers was re-united to the crown of 
 France, under the reign of Lewis VIH. 
 
 Raimond was much attached to the 
 Kings of France. He wrote an elegy on 
 the death of Saint Lewis, and exhorts the 
 Chriftians to revenge themfelves on the 
 Turks. He reproaches the clergy with 
 
 F f 3 their
 
 43^ THE HISTORY OF 
 
 their fupinenefs, and that they will dif- 
 penfe with the crufade for their own pro- 
 fit. A little piece, on his ov»^n feelings, 
 is natural and interefting. 
 
 *' I CAK fcarcely meet with any one, 
 but I am afked, Rainiond, are you about 
 nothing new ?•— It delights me when I 
 hear them fay, that is he wdio writes fo 
 many fonnets : and this is not becaufe I 
 deln-e gifts or robes, for I have enough, 
 and I know where to get more ; but I am 
 happy to obferve, that my talents draw 
 on me the carefTes and favour of the 
 worthy. Neither caflle nor houfe, nei- 
 ther lands nor money, are objeds with 
 ' ' me J but that my name fhould be had in 
 honour and eflimation. — Flow many are 
 there, however, who invire not the poor 
 to their tables; who iliut themfdves up to 
 cat alone, and hide themfelves v/hen they 
 eat, more carefully than the birds hide 
 their provifion ? And 1 know prelates, 
 
 alfo
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 439 
 
 alfo Lords and rich citizens, ^vho change 
 their habils every month j but the poor 
 are not the warmer." 
 
 ^(m:^Q!:o^yi;(0y^<mjoiy^y:^yxi& 
 
 AMANIEU DES ESCAS. 
 
 TH E life of this Troubadour is not 
 given, only his writings. He ap- 
 pears to have lived at the end of the thir- 
 teenth century, in the reign of James II. 
 King of Arragon j and that he was by 
 birth a Catalonian. 
 
 One of his pieces is an addrefs to a 
 Lady, and is interwoven with proverbs 
 almoll in every line, according to the 
 Spaiiifh tafte of writing. 
 
 «* You cannot know how much I love 
 you, if I do not declare it. '* The kifs 
 cannot be known, which is given to a 
 
 F f 4 perfoa
 
 440 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 perfon %\'ho fleeps.'* — You knov/, it is 
 true, that 1 love you i but you kaow not 
 the excefs of my love.- — " He that would 
 "warm himfelfj fhall burn." 
 
 " At firll, I found infinite joy in be- 
 holding you : now my joy is changed 
 into bitternefs ! — May that day come, 
 when you iliall bear a part of that burthen 
 which overwhelms me !— Love, that is all 
 on one fide, is half loft ; it ought to be 
 equally divided : the lover and the beloved 
 fhould aid one another mutually, accord- 
 ing to that proverb, which always pleafes 
 me much : " One hand, wafhes the other, 
 and both hands the eyes and the face." — 
 I hope, with all your good qualities, you 
 will not always be ruthlefs. *' After the 
 rain comes fair weather." — But I am ter- 
 rified with another proverb, '* The evil 
 of another appears only a dream." — 
 Whatever happens, I will tell you the pro- 
 verb, •' Suffering is worfe than death." 
 
 CC 
 
 You
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 441 
 
 *' You will find many other lovers 
 richer and handfomer than I am. '' All 
 that fhincs is not gold." — Some will fmilc, 
 and addrefs you kindly, who only defire 
 your miiery. *' We often think we luve 
 a real, when wc tind ourfclvcs pofTcfTcd 
 of but half a friend." — Be not difpleafcd 
 if I tell you, that a faithful friend is a 
 treafure above filver and gold ; and that 
 in diftrefs a friend is a fure defence. Such 
 is the friend you will find in me : if you 
 treat me ill, it will be your own punifh- 
 ment. 
 
 '* When they fhall enquire abroad. Is 
 there any news ? Yes, they will reply, 
 Amanieu des Efcas is dying for love. To 
 which they will not fall to anfwer, Curfed 
 be (he, who is thus without n:ercy !— 
 Your rigour reminds me of the proverb, 
 *' Let him who would have friends, keep 
 clear of neceffity.'' — You behold me pe- 
 rifli, without deigning to fave my life ; 
 
 and
 
 442 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 and I verify that faying, '« A bad falary 
 for a good fervice," — When I am dead, 
 you will repent your cruelty; " After 
 death comes repentance ;" but then it will 
 be too late. — Mercy, Madam, mercy ! for 
 the love of heaven, have mercy on me 1" 
 
 The fecond piece of Amanieu's con- 
 tains leflbns to a young Gentlewoman. 
 In thofe days, young women attended no- 
 ble Ladies, without any difgrace ; and it 
 was efteemed the bed: education for thofe 
 vv'ho had not riches equal to their birth. 
 
 *' One morning, in the month of May, 
 1 met, as I was walking, with a young 
 Gentlewoman. I faluted her with civility: 
 Ihe took me by the hand, and conduding 
 me to a feat en a green bank, '♦ My Lord 
 Amanieu des Efcas," faid flie, " I befeech 
 you to tell me fincerely, what a young 
 \voman ought to do to gain eAeem, and 
 avoid the cenfure of the world." 
 
 " My'
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 44; 
 
 " Mv young friend," I replied, " I will 
 do it willingly, though you have ten times 
 the wit that 1 have ; hut the more lolid 
 the underflanding, the more apt we arc to 
 afk advice. 
 
 ** In the firfl: place, I advife you al- 
 ways to rife io early, that when vour 
 Lady calls you, fhe may find you ready 
 drefled, and perfedly adjufted. Before 
 you lace yourfelf, wafli your hands, your 
 arms, and your face : that being done, 
 my dear friend, lace yourfelf very tight. 
 Never let your nails be fo long, that dirt 
 is perceived. Be particularly careful that 
 your head is neat : what is the moft feen, 
 ought to be the moft attended to. Clean 
 your teeth every morning, and obferve 
 tliat every thing about your perfon is 
 agreeable. When you have done this, 
 prepare every thing for your Lady, that 
 ihe may not wait ; but never go into her 
 apartment till her hufband comes out of 
 it, unlefs fhe happens to call you. 
 
 " After
 
 444 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *' After this, yoa may walk in the 
 great hall, and falute with civility thofe 
 who pafs there ; anfwcring them in a 
 courteous manner, hut without exceeding 
 in talk. Be grave in your ftep, and mo- 
 dcd in your look. When you go to hear 
 mafs, never let your eyes wander, but 
 turn them to the altar, v^ithout repeating 
 your prayers too high or too low. When 
 you come out of the church, converfe 
 with thofe who prefent themfelves, hut 
 without noife or difpute 5 for nothing is 
 fo indelicate as a young woman who talks 
 loud, and caufes an uproar. When the 
 hour of dinner arrives, have fome clean 
 water brought you, and mix it with your 
 wine, that the latter may not injure you; 
 for a Lady or Gentlewoman are loll; with- 
 out refource, if they indulge the lead ex- 
 cefs in wine. 
 
 " Never prefs thofe around you to eat; 
 it is the height of ill manners thus to in- 
 treat people in health : they will always 
 
 take
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 44; 
 
 take of what is fet before them. Never - 
 thelefs, if you judge they prefer any dlfli, 
 offer that to them. Carve for the guefts ; 
 they will fail in courtefy and benevolence 
 if they do not aflifl: you herein. 
 
 " After the repaft, when your Lady 
 has w^afhed her hands, wafli yours alfo ; 
 for nothing is fo Vvholefome as to waflr 
 after eating. Take company with you, 
 when you go afide to do this, that you 
 may not be misjudged. Then take your 
 place below your Lady, and always, if 
 poflible, leave two feats between her and 
 yourfelf. — Never ufe yourfelf to give un- 
 civil anfwers to thofe who feek your love. 
 Every one fhould be treated with polite - 
 nefs, and you fliould gain no enemies. 
 There are a hundred methods of getting 
 rid of troublefome peopte, without af- 
 fronting them, or wronging yourfelf. Let 
 neither beauty nor riches regukite your 
 choice in love ; for the more beauty, or 
 the greater wealth, the lefs fafc you arc, 
 
 if
 
 U6 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 if merit does not accompanv them. Choofe 
 an amiable man, and a man of honeft 
 birth. Confent to nothing improper, and 
 retain but one lover. You will be at- 
 tacked with iighs and meffages, but heed 
 them not : the lover who employs a third 
 perfon is utterly unworthy of your regard; 
 and the loyal lover will hide his afFedion 
 from all. Seek a love which is w^holly 
 your's ; difmifs all other lovers; and thus 
 preferve your reputation unblemifhed." 
 
 The poet concludes wnth fome exam- 
 ples of the amiable women of thofe times. 
 
 In another piece, he gives the follow- 
 ing advice to a young page. 
 
 '' At the feafon of Chrlilmas, when 
 the hail, the wind, and the froft covered 
 the earth, and caufed man and beaft to 
 fhelter themfelves from the cold, I was 
 feated in my houfe WMth my pages, dif- 
 courfing of love, of joy, and' of arms, 
 
 round
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 447 
 
 round a bright and warm fire, and in 
 apartments well covered with mats. Af- 
 ter having drank red wines and claret, we 
 rofe from table ; when a young man ap- 
 proaching me, faid, '' My Lord, you arc 
 perfedly verfed in the art of love i in- 
 ftru6t me how I may be well received, and 
 beloved of all the world." 
 
 ** I ANSWERED him, Friend, I wifh I had 
 all the knowlege you attribute to me ; 
 but flattery will not raife my reputation, 
 nor your judgment ; and, however true 
 the praife may be, a man always rifks 
 fomething by obtaining it, with envious 
 and cenforious minds. Let your pidurcs 
 of men be always fo coloured, that their 
 refemblance may be clearly knov/n. I 
 will fay no more to convince you ; you 
 have over-rated my judgment, but, fuch 
 as it is, you are welcome to it ; and 1 
 have had occafion to make much cbferva- 
 
 tion both of men and things. 
 
 *' I EXHOP.T
 
 448 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 *' I EXHORT you, firft of all, to avoid 
 the fociety of fools, and of impertinent, 
 meddling people ; for if you are among 
 them, you will pafs for the fame. — Avoid 
 deceit, buffoonery, cenforioufnefs, and 
 lies. If you would be efteemed in the 
 world, and beloved by the fair fex, be ge- 
 nerous, frank, brave ; and always oblig- 
 ing and kind in converfation. Be neat in 
 your drefs ; and if you cannot afford a 
 habit of the finefl cloth, let the elegance 
 of the make compenfate for the defe(3: in 
 the fluff. Take care your cloaths are ne- 
 ver unfeamed ; a rent is lefs unfightly : 
 the firft anounces a man ill educated, the 
 latter only his poverty. There is no 
 great merit in being well dreffed, if you 
 are rich ; but to be neat and genteel on a 
 little, argues true tafle. When you meet 
 the friend of her you love, try to engage 
 her aife<3:ions, and exalt her merit. No- 
 thing wins more love, than fincerely to 
 praife the friend of your miftrefs, and to 
 be liberal in giving commendation where 
 
 it
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 449 
 
 it is merited. Be true and faithful to the 
 fecrets of your miftrefs, and never make a 
 parade of her indulgence ; if you do, you 
 will certainly lofe her love. 
 
 *' Courts arc the hefl: fchools for man- 
 ners; the wife are perfected there, and 
 the weak become flvilful in converfatlon. 
 Attach yourfelf to a noble and magnifi- 
 cent Lord, and be ever attentive to his 
 minuteft orders : do all ycu can to pleafe 
 him, but without encouraging his foibles. 
 Be never envious or jealous of any who 
 furround, or to v/hom he is attached ; 
 this is a contemptible and dangerous weak- 
 nefs. He has a right to divide his bounty 
 as he judges bed: ; to give to fome, to ca- 
 refs others, and to vary his generofity 
 according to their fituation. There fliould 
 be no emulation near a great Lord, but 
 who (hould fcrve him the beft. — Let your 
 accoutrements and equipage be al;vay3 
 ready for uie. Be up by day-break; be 
 firrt: in the faddle, when called upon by 
 
 G g your
 
 450 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 your Lord ; and exert yourfelf fo v'lgo-* 
 roufly in the tournaments, that none may 
 exceed you in valour. 
 
 '* When you' are fufficiently known, I 
 will give you for your Lord a Count of 
 great merit, mofl: courteous of manners, 
 and one I dearly love. He is the Lord 
 of Aftorat, and has all the qualities of a 
 good Knight. There is not in all Chrif- 
 tendom Count, Duke, nor Marquis, who 
 has twice the power, or equal merit with 
 Kimfelf. It is for this eaufe I fend you to 
 hiin. — Say to him, " Amanieu of EfcaS' 
 ialutes you : he declares by me, that your 
 worth is fo much iacreafed, that he will 
 always be devoted to you. He has fent 
 me to you, as to his mafter, that I may 
 ferve you for love of him j and I am 
 ready to devote myfeif to you all my life, 
 if you pleafe to command m>e." 
 
 " Thus (hall you fpeak to this brave 
 Count. I think, gentle and amiable Page,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 451 
 
 you will gain much honour in Ills fcr- 
 vice ; and that you will merit the love and 
 grace he fhall heftow upon you. Amen." 
 
 Thus ends the didaclic pieces of this 
 Troubadour, 
 
 ){()J(^)^)^^^^^.)^^)^)^{)5(^^)^)J(^^)5()J( 
 
 WILLIAM A D H E M A R. 
 
 WIlliam Adhemar was a Gen- 
 tleman of Marvejols, in Gcvai:- 
 dan. He left his houfe with a view to 
 obtain the honour of Knighthood ; but 
 having no property to maintain himfclf 
 therein, he was obliged to be content with 
 the profeflion of a jongleur, and w^as held 
 in great confideration. 
 
 Two of his pieces are alone wortliy of 
 notice ; the firft of thefe Is in the fatlric 
 ftyle. 
 
 G g 2 *' I HAVE
 
 452 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " I HAVE feen many things 1 have nat 
 appeared to obferve. I have laughed and 
 jefted vvith thofe who were far from giv- 
 ing me pleafure. I have ferved many 
 noblemen, from whom I received no re- 
 compence ; and I have beheld a number 
 of infipid talkers, who fucceeded well in 
 the world, 
 
 " I HAVE feen Ladies forfake amiable 
 hufbands for difagreeable gallants i and 
 fools obtain from them, what they refufed 
 to lovers of merit and underftanding. 
 
 ** I HAVE feen many other women, 
 who have ruined the fortunes of thofe 
 they united with ; and, notwithftanding 
 their liberahty, have hated them moft 
 cordially, while they loved other men, 
 poor both in fortune, in mind, and ia 
 perfon, 
 
 *' I HAVE feen many women, who 
 were won at firfl by good fenfe, cora- 
 
 plaifance^
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 453 
 
 p'lalfance, and fubmlfTion, who, if a fool 
 came in and uttered his miferable iar^'on, 
 would give up the modefly and virtue of 
 the former, for the flupidity and the im- 
 pudence of the latter : whence I have 
 concluded, that in love, folly is of more 
 account than underflanding. 
 
 ** I HAVE fcen Ladies contemn men, 
 whom they were far from deferving ; and 
 overwhelm thofe with their favour, who 
 held them in contempt. — In fine, I have 
 feen many things which have turned my 
 heart from the world: for I am convinced, 
 that in the world noble defires are no re- 
 commendation, and praife-worthy fenti- 
 ments a fatigue and trouble to their pof- 
 feHbrs." 
 
 It is probable our Troubadour had met 
 with Tome fevere difiippointment at the 
 time he wrote this piece, as the following 
 expreffes very different fentlments. 
 
 G g 3 ''I CAN-'
 
 454 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " I CANNOT delay my fong ; the fum- 
 mer returns, the fields are laden with 
 grain, the orchards filled with fruit, and 
 the miftrefs I adore aflfures me of her love I 
 She retains me, from her heart, in my 
 fervice, and has difcovered more of my 
 foul in a few moments, than any other 
 would have done in as many years.—. 
 Truly, fays the proverb, there is a lucky 
 moment, which, when lofl, returns not 
 again. 
 
 ** She, whom I adore, has reflored me 
 to life and joy I and will foon complete 
 her tender friendfliip. Slanderers medi- 
 tated my ruin 5 but they procured my 
 good. I thapk them from my foul for 
 ridding me of an unworthy woman. I 
 fjel myfelf charmed with my liberty, and 
 blefs the efcape I have obtained from her 
 chains ! Never did mortal man experience 
 fuch an adventure. Had my enemies 
 been my friends, 1 fliould have been un- 
 4one.^ — Was ever fuch felicity obtained 
 
 by 
 
 4 
 
 /
 
 THE TROUBADOUPvS. 455 
 
 by tliofe who Implacably hate, who would 
 kill me if they could ; and for whom I 
 feel a mortal hatred, though they have 
 drawn me from the place ia which, had 
 I continued, I mufl have perifhcd. — Now 
 I have brought my veiTcl into port, I 
 have changed ray lead for brafs, and my 
 filver for gold. The mofl: beautiful of 
 women has given me her free and boun- 
 teous love ; and has pledged it with a 
 kifs ! and fo amiable and excellent die is, 
 that a monarch might boaft of her love ! 
 
 " If Aiphonfo, the bePc fupport of 
 ChriQianity, and the terror of the Moors, 
 would raife an army againfl: the Saracens, 
 and would take with him the man who 
 keeps my fair one in confinement, there 
 is no fin for which he would not be ab- 
 folved." 
 
 This was Aiphonfo IX. who died In 
 1230. He diftinguifhed himfelf with 
 great bravery againfl the Moors, and was 
 
 Gg 4 fkilful
 
 45^ THE HISTORY OF 
 
 fkilful in the art of war ; but in other 
 reri)eds he was an abandoned charader ; 
 and it is probable our poet alludes to this 
 in the abfoiution he promifes him, if he 
 procures the releafe of his miflrefs. 
 
 After having long enjoyed fame, and 
 the rewards attending his profeffion of a 
 jongleur, Adhemar ended his days in the 
 nionailery of Grammont. 
 
 '^wM'M^^:m^)^mBiw^Mmm:mM 
 
 AIMERI DE BEAU VOIR. 
 
 IMERI was born in a caftle, called 
 Efparta, in Bordelois. His uncle, 
 Peter Corbiac, bred him up in a cloifter ; 
 but he quitted the clerical fundion for the 
 profeffion of a jongleur. Pie compofed 
 feveral fonnets for Madam Gentille Ruis 
 of Gafcony, and remained a long time 
 in that country for her fake : but their 
 
 tenderncfs
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 457 
 
 tendcrnefs for each other was fo much 
 cenfured, that they were obliged to fepa- 
 rate, and he went from Gafcony to the 
 court of Rannond Bcrenger V. Count of 
 Provence. Aimcri compofcd many pieces 
 in honour of this Prince, and of his wife, 
 Beatrix of Savoy. 
 
 In this court was a Lady called Bar- 
 boiTa, who joined to great beauty un- 
 common learning ; for Ihe had obtained 
 the knowlege of the feven liberal arts. 
 
 One day when our poet was with this 
 Lady, in the apartment of the Princefs 
 Beatrix, the daughter of the Count, 
 Barbofla having dropped one of her gloves, 
 Aimeri ran to pick it up, and, kifhng it, 
 prefented it to her. The Ladies of the 
 Princefs perceiving this, expreffed their 
 aftonifhment afide to Madam Barbolfa, 
 that flie fuffered fuch liberties ; but fhe 
 anfwered, that noble Ladies could not 
 grant too many favours of an honefl kind 
 
 to
 
 458 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 to thofe difting'uidied men, v;ho immor- 
 talized them by their verfes. The Prin^ 
 cefs Beatrix fupported this fentiment. In 
 a fonnet to BarbolTa on this circumftance, 
 Aimeri fays, 
 
 ** That hand I faw, v;hen the glove 
 was taken off, has enilaved my heart ; 
 that glove has broke through the lock 
 with which I had flaut my heart againfl 
 
 Love. 
 
 ** The more I behold her, the more I 
 am penetrated with her beauty ! Thq 
 more I think of her, the more I am 
 charmed with her virtue." 
 
 In another piece he declaims againft 
 Albert Cailla, who had wrote a fatire 
 againft women ; and gives examples of 
 their worth in the Countefs of Provence, 
 Aguefine of Saluces, and her coufm the 
 Gountefs Beatrix, the Lady of Mafia, and 
 the Gountefs of Garret, Italian Ladies, 
 
 who
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 459 
 
 who had followed Beatrix of Savoy Into 
 Provence ; and he exhorts them all to 
 punifh this infolent cenfurer of their fcx. 
 Aimeri, in another of his pieces, thus la- 
 ments the death of Nugno Sanchez, a 
 Catalonian Baron. 
 
 ** Grief ftifles my words ; and if I 
 fing, It will be like the fwaa in her lad 
 moments ; for my Lord Sanchez is dead ! 
 But ceafe, my tears ; ye are unjufl: : for 
 the impious man alone is expofed to death. 
 My Lord has only afcended to God, who 
 called him to falvation." 
 
 The following fonnet to BarbofTa, 
 whofe retreat fome time after into a con- 
 vent he could not furvive, is efteemed his 
 bell piece. 
 
 ** Pure, loyal, and fmcere as thou art, 
 my love has fubjeded me to thy empire, 
 and in filence I have fuffered all its grie- 
 vous pains. Without any return of love, 
 
 or
 
 46o THE HISTORY OF 
 
 or a fingle murmur, have I devoted my 
 heart to thee. Since mercy comes not to 
 my aid, fliall I withdraw my love ? Ah ! 
 it is impoffible ! I can die, but I can 
 never ceafe to love ! — 1 will wait, then, 
 ■with patience and fabmiliion, till I am 
 relieved by your goodnefs ; at lead it is 
 my glory to hope, whatever torments I 
 endure : for a rich and a noble hope, is 
 preferable to a poor and ignoble gift,— • 
 I v«^ill nouriih your friendfhip in filence? 
 till I can gain your free and bounteous 
 love. Yet how great is my folly to con- 
 template fuch virtue, and to dwell on 
 thofe charms, which exalt you above all 
 praife. I ought rather to obliterate you 
 from my foul, than augment my confu- 
 fion, by recalling to my memory the ex- 
 treme diftance there is between your merit 
 and my own ; and yet did I not acknow- 
 lege it, I fliould be guilty of hypocrify. — 
 A thoufand times, in the hours of foli- 
 tary meditation, have I determined to 
 fupplicate your love ; but awe checked 
 
 my
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. ^Gi 
 
 jny rcfulves ; and the fear of offending you 
 effaced my rcfolutlon. As the huntfinan, 
 in the ardour of the chace, flics from the 
 obje(5t of his paffion, fo fwiftly am I borne 
 from you by the ardour of my love. When 
 I return, and behold you, I forget my 
 impatience ; and fo dear is your focicty, 
 that I could not bear to lofe it by my prc- 
 fumption. I Ihould be the moft guilty 
 and miferable of wretches, was you to 
 forbid me your prefence. J am confcious 
 I have feeling enough to dcfcrve yoin: 
 heart ; but my birth is not fufnciently 
 exalted : except this, I am free from all 
 reproach. I challenge Love, and you, 
 to charge me with any other difgrace. 
 With this your liberal mind will never 
 accufe mc ; for you know that the true 
 noblenefs is that of the foul, and that the 
 heart which is loyal, and exempt from 
 deceit, is alone dignilied in love I'* 
 
 Soon after this addrefs to Barboffa, fhe 
 retired to a convent, where none were 
 
 permitted
 
 462 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 permitted to fpeak to any from without ; 
 and Aimeri, hearing fhe had taken the 
 veil> died of grief. 
 
 This Troubadour flourifhed in 1233, 
 when Raimond Berenger founded, in the 
 mountains of Provence, the city of Bar- 
 celone, now called Barcelonette, He died 
 in 1204. 
 
 FREDERICK, KING OF SICILY. 
 
 THIS Prince may be compared to 
 Richard I. King of England, as 
 in both the poetic talent was the organ 
 of politics as well as of gallantry. 
 
 After the bloody tragedy of the Si- 
 cilian Vefpers, the houfe of Aragon 
 maintained its power in Sicily, notwith- 
 ftanding the thunders of the Vatican ; and 
 
 the
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 463 
 
 the Sicilians feared and hated the French 
 too much to return again under tlie do- 
 minion of the houfc of Anjou. Al- 
 phonfo III. endeavoured In vain to pro- 
 cure the reflitution of Sicily. In 12S5, 
 the celebrated Boniface VII f. who fo of- 
 ten commanded as mafler of the world, 
 caufed James, the King of Spain, to 
 whom It belonged, to give his confent for 
 the reftoratlon cf Sicily to France, on 
 condition, that Charles of Valois fliould 
 renounce the rights Martin IV. had given 
 him over Aragon. The treaty was 
 figned, and James appeared infcnriblc to 
 the prayers and remonflrances of the Si- 
 cilians ; on which they took a mofl: cou- 
 rageous refolution, they aflcmblcd the 
 States-General of Palermo, and proclaim- 
 ed Frederick, the younger brother of 
 James, whom he had left in Sicily. 
 
 This Prince was immediately excom- 
 municated by Boniface ; and his brother 
 the King of Arngon, declared againfl 
 
 him,
 
 464 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 him, and recalled from Sicily the Cata- 
 ioniaa and Aragonian foldiers. 
 
 A FEW of them only obeyed his fum- 
 mons. He then went to Rome to con- 
 cert with the Pope the means of dethron- 
 ing Frederick : he even accepted the com- 
 mand of the war ; made great prepara- 
 tions for it himfelf; pafled into Sicily 
 with a great fleet, and overcame the fleet 
 of his brother. After which he returned 
 into Spain, but he was fufpeded, notwith- 
 flanding all this, of defigning to deceive 
 the formidable Pontiff. 
 
 In this critical fituation Frederick com- 
 pofed tlie following piece, and addrefles 
 it to the Count of Empurias, a Catalo- 
 nian Lord, who had accompanied James 
 to Rome, and. to Sicily, but who had en- 
 deavoured to fupport the caufe of Fre- 
 derick. 
 
 ** I OUGHT not to be diflurbed at this 
 war ; and I fliould do wrong to complain 
 
 of
 
 THE TP.OUBADOURS. 4^5 
 
 of my friends. I (cg a multitude of war- 
 riors coming to my fuccour ; each one 
 follicitous I fliould recover my kingdom. 
 If any one appears to abandon me, I 
 condemn him not. My family is over- 
 whelmed with honour and glory, by the 
 great actions done In Its fcrvice. 1 can 
 yet call to arms tlic Caialonians, and the 
 Aragonians, and fuccefsfully end ihc cn- 
 terprize of my father. I believe the 
 crown to be my right ; but if any of my 
 relations, armed with a noble ambition, 
 fhall oppofe, let him flicw himfclf : for 
 I am not the man who will be governed 
 by the fantafies of another. 
 
 '* Ebles, go and tell thofe who have not 
 yet declared themfelves, that I love for my 
 fubjeds men diilinguKlicd by the courags 
 and the conftancy of the ancient Romans ; 
 and that they w^ill find me as faithful to 
 their interefts as they sre to mine. But 
 my relations adl toward me with little 
 fincerity." — The Count of Empurias, who 
 was alfo a Troubadour, thus anfvvered. 
 
 H h " Go,
 
 466 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 ** Go, my long, and fay to King Fre- 
 derick, that it becomes not a noble Lord 
 to give up any of his pofieflions. He 
 will not, perhaps, at prefent receive the 
 fuccours he expedls from Spain, but he 
 may reft affured he will receive them. — 
 His relations defire not his ruin ; nor 
 would have him difpofTefTed of his king- 
 dom, and the French gainers at his 
 expence. IVlay God confound thofe 
 French, and pull down their pride ; and 
 may the King of Sicily he covered with 
 glory, and his valiant deeds prove the de- 
 fence and the fafety of all his kingdoms. 
 I am charmed with the co^lrage of this 
 young King. He will prove himfelf an 
 able Prince, if he retains the territories 
 his father conquered." 
 
 The houfe of France could never re- 
 cover Sicily, and it preferved Naples with 
 great difficulty ; fo great was the hatred 
 the French drew on themfelves by their 
 cruelty and debauchery. 
 
 W 1 L-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 467 
 
 WILLIAM DE MUR. 
 
 IN the life of the nobles of Catalonia, 
 we find the Lords of Mur, they were 
 of the houfc of the Counts of P.illas. 
 William de Mur was a younger brother 
 of this houfe. He wrote a piece in the 
 laft crufade, in which St. Lewis eng:aged, 
 not inferted, and the two fhort dialogues 
 that follow. 
   
 " Which," fays the Troubadour to 
 Giraud, whofe knowlege and learning he 
 had heard extolled, *' which ought to ufe 
 the mofi: ardent endeavours to pleafe, the 
 lover already rewarded, or the lover in 
 the flate of uncertainty and hope ? J 
 
 ** The former, undoubtedly,'* replied 
 Giraud. 
 
 H h 2 " Thi?,"
 
 468 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 " This," replies William, " is con- 
 trary to fad, both in animal and human 
 nature. The nightingale, while he is 
 purfuing his mate, exerts all his (kill, and 
 lings with the mod enchanting melody ; 
 but, when polTefled of his fair one, his 
 notes become carelefs, and his fong rude 
 and unpolilhed : and fo it is with man- 
 kind. When they are fecure of what 
 they v/ifh, they become indifferent and 
 inattentive.** 
 
 GiR'AUD aniwers : " Merit cannot be 
 weakened by poffeffion, nor trjae tender- 
 nefs leffened by reward ; and the exam- 
 ple of the nightingale is of no value, a 
 bird being incapable of knowiege, fenti- 
 ment and reflection. For my part," con- 
 cludes he, '' I am never To follicitous to 
 pleafe, as when I am treated with tender- 
 nefs afld love !'* 
 
 In the fecond dialogue he aflcs of G'l- 
 raud, " Which Is the ir<o{l worthy of two 
 
 Barons,
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 469 
 
 Barons, the one who employs all his 
 wealth in enriching Ills houfehold, cind 
 his companions in war, to the cxcluhon 
 of ftrangers ; or the other, who gives all 
 to flrangers, without conndering or re- 
 warding his own people ?'* 
 
 "*' That Baron," replies Giraud, 
 ** merits no elogy, who enriches flrangers 
 only ; it is, on the contrary, a very praife- 
 worthy and eftimable condu<St to do good 
 to our own." 
 
 *' But by giving to Grangers,'* fays 
 William, *' honour is obtained, an' re- 
 putation is Increafed ; glory is conferred, 
 and this glory ought to be more delight- 
 ful to the fubjeds of a Prince, than the 
 benefits they receive themfelves." 
 
 »* Can there be," replied Giraud, " a 
 greater glory for a Lord, than to acquit 
 hnnfelf of his daty ? — 's there a duty 
 
 H h 3 more
 
 470 
 
 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 more obvious, more effentlal, than the 
 kind treatment of his fubjeds ?'* 
 
 They chofe, for judge of their dif- 
 pute. Henry, Count of Rhodes, who gave 
 this decifion. 
 
 *< William, and Giraud having in- 
 vited me to be the judge of a difpute, 
 in v/hich both the one and the other have 
 maintained their opinion with fpirit— 
 The one, that to do good to ftrangers is 
 to be preferred ; the other, to reward and 
 aggrandize his own fubjeds. — We pro- 
 nounce, with the advice of our council, 
 that there is great honour gained in both ; 
 but that to him who confers happinefs 
 and wealth on his fubjeds, the preference 
 is to be given." 
 
 These moral pieces, though fhort, are 
 valuable, and worth a thoufand frivolous 
 fentiments of gallantry ; the chief im- 
 port
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 471 
 
 port of which is to exprefs the manners 
 of the times, and to diftingui{li the cxa<fl 
 portrait of that age. 
 
 ARNAUD OF MARSAN. 
 
 ARnaud of Marsan was of the 11- 
 hiftrious houie of Marfan, and 
 joined to the nobility of his birth, the me- 
 rit of great talents and the honour of 
 Knighthood. 
 
 There remains only one piece of his, 
 which paints the ancient cuftoms, and the 
 manners of the great Lords, who were 
 efteemed moft honourable ; and it is alfo 
 a foit of inftruction in chivalry. 
 
 ** It was in the month of Odober, I 
 well remember, I ordered two of my 
 pages to take two falcons, and the third 
 
 H h 4 a gofs-
 
 472 
 
 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 a gofs hawk, the befl that ever was 
 with dogs and hares. We were ten 
 Knights, well mounted, and all eager for 
 the chace. At the moment of our depar- 
 ture, behold there came to us a Knight, 
 in the habit of a pilgrim. He was the 
 moR beautiful and elegant figure that was 
 ever ken in the robe of penitence. He 
 advanced with flow ileps, as if over- 
 whelmed with fatigue ; and he hung 
 down his head, as if plunged in for row. 
 When he was come up to me, without 
 any falutation, or fpeaking a fingle word, 
 he took my horfe by the bridle, drew me 
 aiide, and cafdng on me a look of tender 
 forroW; he paufed a moment, from the 
 fulnefs of his grief. At lail he faid,. 
 *' For the lake of God, my Lord, have 
 pity on my ftatc. I come from a diilant 
 country, to aflv your counfel in love ; for 
 yon are Jie only man in the world capa- 
 ble of giving me advice. 1 love a Lady, 
 as excellent for virtue, as renowned for 
 beauty. I have ufcd every effort, and 
 
 cannot 

 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 473 
 
 cannot obMin her love. I know not what 
 to do ; in pity teach me how I ought to 
 act. My pll|^rimage has no other objeO: 
 than to leek inllruQion in love." 
 
 «* Ar thefe words, I faid to my Earons, 
 Permit me to put off our party to another 
 day ; for at prefent I muft converle of 
 joy and pleafure with this young llranger, 
 and our uiicourfe mud be in private. Im- 
 mediately difmounting from my horfe, I 
 took the unknown Knight by the hand, 
 and conducting him in, I begged him to 
 defer our converfation till the morrow, 
 that I might have time to reflect on his 
 fituation, and be able to give him the ad- 
 vice he flood in need of. But I would 
 know, added i, to whom I fpeak, that I 
 may form Tome judgment of the advice I 
 ought to give. His anfwer was as cour- 
 teous as my requeft ; and when I heard 
 his name, 1 held him in great eileem. 
 After he was refreihed, we fat down to 
 play at chefs and at draughts. We fung 
 
 fongs,
 
 474- THE HISTORY OF 
 
 forgs, and told a thoufand tales, till fun- 
 fet ; wiicn they informed us that fupper 
 was ferved in the great hall, where many 
 guefts were affembled. After fupper, as 
 our new gueJt wanted repofe, we all re- 
 tired to reft. After a found fleep, we 
 rofe, the prieft having fummoned us to 
 mafs. After mafs was faid, we went to 
 the dinner, which Pidaus, my conilable, 
 had ferved up : it was good, and we fat 
 long at table. At laft 1 rofe, and taking' 
 the ftranger by the hand, we left the com- 
 pany in the hall, and went down into 
 an orchard, where 1 feated him under a 
 laurel-tree by my fide. Then addreffing 
 myfelf to him, I faid, Friend, what you 
 defire of me, I wifh f may be able to 
 grant. You will find in me neither much 
 knowlege nor fkill, but courtefy, courage, 
 and joy; and it is in thefe the moft ill f- 
 trious lovers of all times have excelled. 
 Remember well what I am going to fay, 
 and you will furpafs all others in love. 
 Se always drefied neatly and" elegantly,. 
 • , "whether
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 475 
 
 whether your cloaths are rich or plain. 
 Let your linen be very fine and white ; 
 let your (hoes, your flockings, and your 
 waiftcoat be fo well adjufted, that all who 
 behold fhall admire you ; let your robe, if 
 you have one, be rather fhort than long ; 
 let it be made wide before, the breafl: can 
 then be left open without any impropriety. 
 Let vour cloak be of the fame ftufF; and 
 let the girdle and the clafp be neatly faf- 
 tened. — Nothing gives a man fo much 
 advantage, as the beauty of his hair : 
 wafh your head often, and wear not your 
 hair too long ; it is more becoming to 
 have it fomewhat fhortened. Your whif- 
 kers and beard ought alfo to be neatly 
 cut; it were better they were too Ihort, 
 than too long, but no excefs of f ?.fhion is 
 ever becoming ; be particularly attentive 
 to that. By the eyes and the hands, a 
 jnan is often judged ; there fhould be a 
 dignity and delicacy in both. Never fix 
 your eyes with a fancy affurance and ef- 
 frontery on any; and let your hands be 
 
 placed
 
 470 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 placed with decency and eafe. Jf you fee 
 any one with fomething in their hands 
 you wifh to look at, and which flrikes 
 you with admiration, never he guilty of 
 fuch unpoUt-enefs as to take it from himy 
 to gratify your own curiofity. — If you 
 would gain the hearts of the Ladies, you 
 muft be magnificent in your houfe ; you 
 muft have 'fquires to attend you : you 
 muft have two, in particular, who are 
 handfome, and who know how to pleafe. 
 The reft need only to be courteous and-. 
 polite ; but thefe mufl: converfe with grace, 
 5ind with difcretion, that if you fend them 
 any where, they may not incur the laugh 
 at your expence, and it be faid of them, 
 *' Like mafter like man." — When you re- 
 ceive company, fhew great kindnefs to 
 all you receive ; invite them to make 
 good cheer, let them be well ferved, and 
 fet them the example of gaiety and free- 
 dom. None will frequent you, if your 
 houfe wears the face of poverty, and they 
 do not meet with plenty and hofpitalityv 
 I r^ When
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 477 
 
 When the day apf ears, do not fet your- 
 felf at the table to eat alone ; nothing is 
 more impolite. Place your guefls near 
 you, in a neat apartment. Do the ho- 
 nours of your table not only yourfelf, 
 but be careful your attenclants arc affidu- 
 ous in their ier . ice ; and let the iire be 
 well replenifiied. Recommend it, in par- 
 ticular, to your iervants, that they never 
 come in and interrupt the rep.ifi:, by whif- 
 pering in your ear : be careful, alfo, never 
 to fpeak to them in a low voice ; this 
 has the air of poverty and ftinginefs. 
 Before you place yourfelf at table, give 
 all your orders for the day, as to wine, 
 lights, and other accommodations. Take 
 care that the horfcs, the attendants, and 
 grooms of your guefls have all that they 
 want ; for if they have not plenty of 
 provifion, you will hear murmurs, Shame- 
 fully reproaching to a gallant Knight. 
 
 ** If you hold a court or aflembly, 
 fpare for nothing. Let there be no gate 
 
 locked
 
 478 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 locked at the entrance of your houfe ', no 
 porters to keep back, with their ftaves, 
 the grooms, pages, hangers-on, and jong- 
 leurs, who would enter. Do not follow 
 the example of thofe rich mifers, who 
 retire fecretly from their feafts. Heaven 
 forbid you fhould be the firft to quit the 
 company, when you ought to be the laft. 
 Your houfe ough? to be open to all the 
 world, and you ready to receive, at all 
 hours, thofe who fhall prefent themfelves. 
 Play high, it will do you honour : con- 
 tinue playing. It is fhameful and bafe 
 to take up the dice, and leave off imme- 
 diately- — If you fhould lofe, exprefs no 
 ill-humour ', change not your place, nor 
 clap your hands together like an enraged 
 man, nor give any fign of difpleafurej 
 for if you do, you will be made a jeft 
 of. — In Ihort, fpend your fortune in a 
 generous and hofpitable reception of all 
 the world. Unlefs you do this, you mufl 
 for ever renounce gallantry. — Be well 
 mounted ; have a horfe light and nimble 
 
 for
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 479 
 
 for the courfe, eafy to manage, and have 
 it continually led in your train. — let 
 your arms be bright and valuable ; and 
 let your lance, your fhield, and yout 
 cuirafs be well proved *, Let your horfe 
 be well equipped in faddle, bridle, and 
 bread leather; let the faddle and crupper 
 be of the fame colour v.'ith your fhield, 
 and the flreamer of your lance. I Jave a 
 war-horfe to carry a change of arms. 
 
 ** The reafon I recommend thefe 
 things is, that if you have not prepared 
 them in readinefs, and fet them in order, 
 on the firft injury done you, on the firil 
 war that happens, you will be obliged to 
 feek them with precipitation ; and Ladies 
 are never fond of thofe Knights, who are 
 not always ready for war and tourna- 
 ments; they will ahvays prefer thofe who 
 feize every occafion of procuring fame 
 and honour, 
 
 * An ar-nour for the back and breaft, wore 
 under the coat of arms. 
 
 «* If
 
 48q the history OF 
 
 *' If my exhortations do not weary 
 you, I would recommend to you the love 
 of chivalry, and to attach yourfelf to the 
 means of pleafing univerfally. Be vigi* 
 lant againfi: all unforefeen attacks ; fear 
 neither cry nor murmur ; be the laft in 
 retreat, and the fir ft in charge : for fuch 
 is the man who is conducted by love. — 
 When you are at the tournament, have 
 a halbert and a helmet in change, your 
 ileel armour, and your fvvord, which you 
 muft brandlfh to animate your horfe. Let 
 his breaft be garnifhed with bells, vv^ell 
 hung ; nothing is more proper to inlpire 
 confidence in a Knight, and terror in an 
 enemy. — Put up with no lofs, nor da- 
 mage ; and return not without fome en- 
 gagement. When once your arm is raifed, 
 if your lance fails, draw your fword di- 
 rectly, and let heaven and hell refound 
 with the clafii. Thus have I levelled my 
 flrokes fince I was a Knight, and thus I 
 have pofleiled the love of many beautiful 
 
 and worthy Ladies." 
 
 Thus
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 481 
 
 Thus Arnaud of Marfan finiiLed his 
 narration, and it is a valuable teftimonial 
 of ancient manners. 
 
 w&j^^j^jso^<^:^y^:<^}&j^<^ 
 
 WILLIMA OF MONTAGNOGOUT. 
 
 WIlliam of Montagncgout was 
 a Knight of Provence; a good 
 poet, and a tender lover. He attached 
 himfelf to Madam Jaflerande, of the 
 caftle of Lunel, and wrote many fonnets 
 for her. He was dilHnguiflied for his 
 amiable and modeft chara^Ster, and was 
 called the Happy, becaufe he joined a 
 great fortune to great virtue. There was 
 fomething fo ftriking in his countenance, 
 that it rendered him more and more in- 
 terefling every time you converfed with 
 him ; and the qualities of his heart were 
 anfwerable to the fweetnefs and dignity 
 of his exprefhon. He was the firft Gen- 
 
 I i tleman
 
 482 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 tleman in the court of Alphonfo, King of 
 Aragon, to whom he addrefled a fonnet 
 on the league of Raimond VII. Count of 
 Touloufe, with a number of Lords, againfl 
 St. Lewis. A poem, on the marriage of 
 the heirefs of Provence, with Charles of 
 Anjou, brother of St. Lewis, whofe efta- 
 blifhment in Provence was a great blow 
 to Raimond. — The following piece, more 
 v^rorthy notice, is a fatire on the decay of 
 virtue, and the vices of the clergy. 
 
 " Whoever is indifferent to glory, 
 has a poor mind. God will be glorified 
 and praifed ; and man, Vv'ho is made in 
 his image, ihould have the fame defire. 
 The clergy become Inquifitors with a bad 
 grace i for it is in order to judge of things 
 accordinc; to their humours. Let them 
 be judges, I confent to it, if they will 
 reftore the wanderer to the truth by kind 
 means, and charitably admit them to pe- 
 nitence. —They fay, that fringes of gold 
 and embroidery are not proper for wo- 
 men.
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 483 
 
 men. Ah ! may they never do a greater 
 evil than put on thefe ornaments : for tlie 
 richnefs of their habits will not deprive 
 them of the grace of God. — It is not by 
 black or v^hite robes this grace is obtained ; 
 but by virtue. 
 
 " Let the Ecclefiaflics renounce the 
 world, and think of nothing but their 
 falvation ; let them put off their vanity, 
 and covetoufnefG ; let them never fcize 
 the property of others, and their precepts 
 will be believed. To hear them declaim, 
 you would fuppofe they required nothing ; 
 but behold them, and you fee they pofiefs 
 what is not their own. 
 
 " The clergy and the laity go about 
 the world, complaining of each other. 
 The people complain of their Lords, and 
 the Lords of their fubjeds ; thus the 
 world is hlled with hatred. But there are 
 people coming from tb.e Ead, who, if 
 God prevent them not, will reduce them 
 
 I i 2 all.
 
 4^4 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 all. This mifer}'' will come to the Chrif- 
 tlans, for the offences of which both 
 c'ergy and iaity are guiltj. They will 
 infallibly conie, if God does not take pity 
 of them, and caufe their quarrels to be 
 made up by the Pope ; for if the Pope 
 reconciles them, they are fafe *. 
 
 *' Why do the Ecclefiailics defire 
 fuch rich habits, and to live in opulence 
 and excefs ? Why will they have fuch 
 fine houfes, when God lived in poverty ? 
 Why wall they invade the property of 
 others, fince they know that all they ex- 
 pend in food and raiment, beyond what 
 is neceflary, is, unlefs Scripture lies, a 
 robbery of the poor and needy ? 
 
 '* Why are not the great Lords atten- 
 tive to do no Vv^rong, nor violence to their 
 fubjeits. To do wrong to our own, is 
 
 * The poet probably means here the quarrels 
 of the Guelphs and the Gibbelines. 
 
 as
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 4^5 
 
 as criminal as to ufurp the riglits of 
 Gthero ; it is even a dou'ole crime to op- 
 prels thofe whom they are bound to love 
 and defend : by fo doing, they lufe all 
 juil authority over iheir fubjecls. They 
 on their part are very culpable, when they 
 fail in duty to their Lords ; for tliey ougiit 
 to love a good Lord with true love, aiul 
 fcrve him loyally. Each are obliged to 
 li-ve fo cordially, that no falfehood can be 
 laid to their charge. 
 
 te 
 
 King of Caftile, the empire awaits 
 you. — When a great King undertakes a 
 great cntcrprize, he niuH: employ all his 
 wifdom in the condudling of it." 
 
 Alphonso X. of whom he fpenks, 
 was ele.'i^ed Lmpcror in 12.^7, by the 
 party which oppofed Prince Richard of 
 EnQ-land. Lie funnorted this elcdion in 
 
 O 1 i. 
 
 a manner little worthy of the glorious 
 fir name of Wife, which had been Liven 
 him. He overwhelmed his iiibjeds with 
 
 1 i 3 ld>.cs,
 
 486 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 taxes, and did not fucceed in his enter- 
 prize. 
 
 Another piece of our poet's is ad- 
 drefled to Madam Jaflerande, and is efti- 
 niable as a picture of the pure love bead- 
 ed of in chivahy. 
 
 " None ought to be efteemed but thofc 
 who ufe every effort to become ar. worthy 
 as pofTible ; for every man fhould be 
 eftimated by the riches of his mind. — - 
 You, therefore, v;ho are ambitious of 
 merit, devote your hearts and your hopes 
 to love. Love infpires the greateft ac- 
 tions ! Love engages to the mod amiable 
 condu6t ! Love diiTipates chagrin ! Love 
 fills with joy !— To ad fraudulently in 
 love, is a proof you have never loved. — 
 You cannot love, nor ever ought to be 
 beloved, if you afk any thing of your 
 miftrefs which virtue condemns. It isde- 
 fire, not love, that feeks the difhonour of 
 virtue.— Love has no will but that of the 
 
 beloved
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 487 
 
 beloved object, nor leeks ought but v?hat 
 will augment her glory. A loyal lover is' 
 never attached from pafiion, but from 
 tendernefs and reafon. — True lovers are 
 known by thcfe rules : he who followa 
 them, God will reward ; but the deceiver 
 fhall come to fhame. — Never did 1 form 
 a wifh, that could wound the heart of 
 my beloved ! No pleafure could be a de- 
 light to me, that refleiSted on her deli- 
 cacy. A fincere and tender lover defires 
 the happinefs of his beloved, a thoufand 
 times beyond his own ! — In ancient times, 
 the glory of lovers was to love thus ten- 
 derly; and their miftreffes difdained every 
 unworthy expreffion of love. . Each were 
 full of merit ; each afpired to honour.— r 
 Now virtue is fallen to decay, becaufe 
 pafnon, and not tendernefs, influences 
 lovers. 
 
 '' This Icfion will draw upon me the 
 reproaches of all fairc lovers, and all un- 
 worthy Ladies ; but to be fdcnt, would 
 
 114 be
 
 4S8 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 be partaking in their guilt. It is the 
 duty of a virtuous man to recover the fin- 
 ner from the error of his ways : if I 
 difpleafe by doing fo, it will rejoice my 
 heart." 
 
 
 The piece nniflies by an elegy on Al- 
 phoiifo, who had jufl mounted the throne 
 of Caflile. — Pons Saurel, an unknown 
 perfon, laments the death of Montagno- 
 gout, which happened in ii8:, and fays 
 he v/as a model of fandity and virtue, 
 the father and chief of all the Trouba- 
 dours. — " I addrefs myfelf,'* concludes 
 he, '•' to the Koly Virgin, and pray for 
 him who has oft devoutly celebrated her 
 praife." 
 
 ^Af Vv' NaT v-^\ft* V>^ V^- V-' Naf V^ *-^ V^* V>.f 
 
 I HAVE now finiflicd the beft feleflion 
 
 of thefe lives I have been able to make. — 
 
 Though this work was recommended by 
 
 a per-
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 489 
 
 a perfon of great judgment, I undertook 
 the tranflation of it with a timid hand, 
 apprehcnfive that fome might eileem thefe 
 memoirs frivolous, and others ccnfure 
 them as dangerous : and juflly doubtful 
 of my ability to collect and weed them 
 properly, and without injuring my own 
 principles, or their originality, to prefent 
 them in any manner w^orthy of attention ; 
 not merely as curious details of ages Ut- 
 ile known, but as ufeful examples to 
 fucceeding times. The candid reader 
 will, therefore, I flatter myfelf, allow 
 me, at the conclufion of this work, to 
 declare the point of view in which I con- 
 fidcred and engaged in it ; and this was 
 to inforce one great principle, which, 
 could it be eftablifhed on the minds of 
 men vvith the energy it deferves, would 
 
 not
 
 490 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 not fall to have the happiefl: influence on ; 
 their condudl, I mean the referable con- 
 fequence of every Jingle a5iio7i, and the 
 chain of effeds to which it leads, in the 
 grand procefs of human life; and above 
 all, the immenfe importance of the firll 
 engagement, made on their firft entrance 
 into the world, either in genius, bufi- 
 nefs, or pleafure, by fanguinc, unfufpi- 
 cious, and inexperienced youth. 
 
 The greatefl: philofophers, divines, and 
 moralifls have fpared no pains to imprefs 
 this truth ; but the former have been 
 confidered as placing virtue in too exalted 
 a light for the reach of humanity ; and 
 the latter, as only exercifing their profef- 
 fion, or exerting their taile. 
 
 ^ The
 
 THE TROUBADOUx^S. 491 
 
 The biographer, on the contrary, 
 who proves this from the lively impreffion 
 of i'aCtSy is acknov/Ieged to deferve the 
 finccreft attention; and it mud be owned, 
 that no period of time can be pointed 
 
 out, in which he has been denied this 
 uft honour. 
 
 In thefe lives, colleded by Mr. de St. 
 
 Palaie, which he thought deferving of fo 
 much labour, and which he fpent fo much 
 time to obtain, there are many flriking 
 proofs of the mifery, as well as the guilt 
 attending an improper indulgence of 
 mind in early life, and the train of mif- 
 chiefs that enfued from every falfe flep 
 adopted in it. 
 
 Nor
 
 492 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 Nor is it to the plillofophlc eye alone, 
 that caufe and efFed; are fo plainly de- 
 monflrated as infeparable. All muH: per- 
 ceive this awful truth, and be well con- 
 vinced, that what was entered upon with 
 avidity, as the means of a prefent feli- 
 city, was not only deftrudlive of the poor 
 and ignoble end it aimed at, but involved 
 in conflant anxiety, and often in irre- 
 coverable diflrefs, the fubfequent periods 
 of life. 
 
 
 If fuch, therefore, and fuch, if I do 
 not entirely miftake, is the lelTon held 
 forth in the chief chara^fcers here given, 
 I hope I rray not only be pardoned, but 
 juflified for attempting to prefent them 
 to the Englifli reader : and that as no able 
 pen thought fit to undertake this work, 
 
 and
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 493 
 
 and the ages it treats of immediately pre- 
 cede the century in which Petrarch llou- 
 ri(]:ie:), allowance will be made for the 
 the defeils with which I am but too con- 
 fcious it is accompanied in my hands ; 
 and the difficulty I had from the fame- 
 nefs of fome characters, and the excefles 
 of others, to join variety and inftrudlon 
 v,?ith the moft ftriking picture of the 
 times. 
 
 I TRUST, however, that under every 
 dlflidvantage, thefe memoirs will at lead 
 produce this eflential convidion, that 
 birth and beauty, learning and wit, are 
 nothing without virtue, to guard and di- 
 rect them ; or rather, that they become a 
 curfe to their pofleflbrs, when they are 
 
 the
 
 494 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 the fources of vanity and pride, and in- 
 flame inftead of regulating the paffions 
 of the heart. 
 
 How happy am T, from a fenfe of 
 juflice I dare not oppofe, and a refped: I 
 cannot relinquidi, to congratulate the pre- 
 fent age, and my own fex, on a charac- 
 ter, which has fliewn the poffibiiitv, and 
 the beauty of genius, learning, exem- 
 plary virtue, and exalted piety, in per- 
 fect union VN^ith each other; who has 
 proved the former in her elaborate tranf- 
 lation of Epidletus, and her excellent 
 poems ; the latter, in the extended fcenes 
 of public, and the domeflic and tender 
 friendfhips of private fociety. May her 
 life, fo dear to her friends, and fo im- 
 portant to the v.'orld, be yet long pre- 
 
 ferved
 
 THE TROUBADOURS. 495 
 
 ferved to adorn It. And, when both an- 
 cient and modern writers, who have per- 
 verted their ablhties, and diflionoured 
 their chara^lers, fliall incur prefent and 
 future ignominy ; then fliall an example, 
 fo noble, be had in delightful remem- 
 brance, and excite the admiration and 
 the virtue of a grateful pollerity ! 
 
 FINIS.
 
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