Ideals and Morals of the French Nobility in the Twelfth CenturyUniversity of Wisconsin--Madison, 1912 - 124 pages |
Common terms and phrases
abbey Abbot altho Amis and Amile anchorite Ash Tree Aucassin and Nicolette beautiful castle Chatelaine of Vergi chivalry confession conventions devil devotion dishonour divine power Dolorous Knight E. P. Dutton Emperor Envious Fair Jehane fairy faith feudal fight friends Friendship of Amis Hell heroine Holy Church honour Hugh of Tabarie husband Ibid ideal Jew Who Took King Constant King Florus Knight who Prayed Lady's Tumbler Lay of Eliduc Lay of Graelent Lay of Gugemar Lay of Milon Lay of Sir Lay of Yonec Little Bird lord lovers loyalty marriage Mass medieval mind Medieval Romances minstrels miracles monastery monk mother oath overlord Palfrey penance pilgrimage Pope Prayed Whilst prayer priest relation religion Sir Hugh Sir Launfal soul spiritual Story of King story-teller superstition surety the image tale thing thru tournament University of Wisconsin vassal Virgin wedded Whilst Our Lady wife woman women
Popular passages
Page 41 - Father, who wouldest not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live...
Page 16 - ... to the mighty God! He had no pleasure therein, and all my toil was thrown away. Ah me, what shall I do? what shall I say? Fair, gentle God, what portion will be mine? Either shall I die in shame, or else shall I be banished from this place, and set up as a mark to the world and all the evil thereof. Sweet Lady, St. Mary, since I am all bewildered, and since there is none to give me counsel, Lady, come thou to my aid. Fair, gentle God, help me in my need. Stay not, neither tarry, but come quickly...
Page 24 - ... wherein may be found much profitable matter, this story is told for a true ensample. I do not say that you may not often have heard a fairer story, but at least this is not to be despised, . and is well worth the telling. Now therefore will I say and narrate what chanced to this minstrel. He erred up and down, to and fro, so often and in so many places, that he took the whole world in despite, and sought rest in a certain Holy Order.
Page 48 - Courage, justice and loyalty. The cross at the hilt of his sword gives courage to the bearer, for when the brave knight girds his sword upon him he neither can, nor should, fear the strong Adversary himself. Again, sire, the two sharp edges of the blade teach loyalty and justice, for the office of chivalry is this, to sustain the weak against the strong, the poor before the rich, uprightly and loyally.
Page 10 - EACH owes it to his fellows to tell as best he may, or, better still, to write with fair enticing words, such deeds and adventures as are good and profitable for us to know. For as men come and go about their business in the world, many things are told them which it is seemly to keep in remembrance. Therefore, it becomes those who say and relate, diligently and with fair intent to keep such matters in thought and study, even as did our fathers before us.
Page 42 - ... sorrow for all he had wrought amiss, and the love which moved him to this deed, would that this toil should be known ; and the Lord willed that the work of His friend should be made plain to men, for the glory of the Mother whom he worshipped, and so that all men should know and hear, and receive that God refuses none who seeks His face in love, however low his degree, save only he love God and strive to do His will. Now think you that the Lord would have accepted...
Page 42 - Toil and labour, keep fast and vigil, sigh and weep, watch and pray, ply the sharp scourge, be diligent at Matins and at Mass, owe no man anything, give alms of all you have — and yet, if you love not God with all your heart, all these good deeds are so much loss — mark well my words — and profit you naught for the saving of your soul. Without charity and love, works avail a man nothing. God asks not gold, neither for silver, but only for love unfeigned in His people's hearts, and since the...
Page 9 - God has given the gift of comely speech, should not hide their light beneath a bushel, 2 but should willingly show it abroad. If a great truth is proclaimed in the ears of men, it brings forth fruit a hundred-fold; but when the sweetness of telling is praised of many, flowers mingle with the fruit upon the branch.
Page 1 - Tis of Aucassin and of Nicolette; The story of King Constant, the emperor; Our Lady's tumbler; The lay of the little bird; The divided horsecloth: Sir Hugh of Tabarie; The story of King...
Page 55 - With them will I go. And there go the fair and courteous ladies, who have friends, two or three, together with their wedded lords. And there pass the gold and the silver, the ermine and all rich furs, harpers and minstrels, and the happy of the world. With these will I go, so only that I have Nicolette, my very sweet friend, by my side.