BORN, BERTRAND DE, a French soldier and troubadour, was born at Born, Perigord, France, about 1140; died previous to 1215. He bore an important part in the troubles of his time, and had much to do in inciting John and the other sons of Henry II. of England to quarrel with their father. He supported the pretensions of the youthful Prince Henry to the Duchy of Aquitaine, both by the sword and by his poetry, inciting the Provençal nobles to form a league in defence of the young prince's right. Born waged war against Richard Coeur de Lion, though he wrote in favor of the crusades, but in a satirical vein. He was a powerful man in his day, being possessed of vast estates and numerous followers, which were augmented by the influence of his writings, which were warlike, satirical, or eulogistic, as his caprice dictated. He terminated his stormy career in a monastery, having assumed the habit of the Order of Citeaux. Dante assigns him a place among those who were doomed to eternal suffering in the Inferno, as one who "gave King John the counsel mischievous, which set father and son at mutual war." The poems of Bertrand dwell mainly on love and arms. The following is one of the best of them: THE DELIGHTS OF BATTLE. The beautiful Spring delights me well, And I love to see all scattered around, It pleases me when the lancers bold When the castles strong, besiegèd, shake, On the moated shore all compassed round Lances and swords, and stained helms, And the vassals are there And there fly the steeds of the dying and dead, And where the mingled strife is spread The noblest warrior's care Is to cleave the foeman's limbs and head- I tell you that nothing my soul can cheer- Like the onset-cry of "Charge them!" rung Where the horses neigh, And the call to " Aid!" is echoing loud; And yonder is piled the mangled heap Barons, your castles in safety place, And tell the Lord of Oc and No That peace already too long hath been. |