Four fairies had made it with great skill and mastery. One represented there geometry, how it estimates and measures the extent of the heavens and the earth, so that nothing is lacking there; and then the depth and the height, and the width, and the length; then it estimates, besides, how broad and deep the sea is, and thus measures the whole world. Such was the work of the first fairy. And the second devoted her effort to the portrayal of arithmetic, and she strove hard to represent clearly how it wisely enumerates the days and the hours of time, and the water of the sea drop by drop, and then all the sand, and the stars one by one, knowing well how to tell the truth, and how many leaves there are in the woods: such is the skill of arithmetic that numbers have never deceived her, nor will she ever be in error when she wishes to apply her sense to them. The third design was that of music, with which all merriment finds itself in accord, songs and harmonies, and sounds of string: of harp, of Breton violin, and of viol. This piece of work was good and fine; for upon it were portrayed all the instruments and all the pastimes. The fourth, who next performed her task, executed a most excellent work; for the best of the arts she there portrayed. She undertook astronomy, which accomplishes so many marvels and draws inspiration from the stars, the moon, and the sun. Nowhere else does it seek counsel concerning aught which it has to do. They give it good and sure advice. Concerning whatever inquiry it make of them, whether in the past or in the future, they give it information without falsehood and without deception.
Tag: chrétien de troyes
Vv. 6510-6712
“Certainly, I may then well say that fair and comely should be the flower born of so fair a stem, and better the fruit one picks; for sweet is the smell of what springs from good. Fair is Enide and fair she should be in all reason and by right; for her mother is a very handsome lady, and her father is a goodly knight. Nor does she in aught belie them; for she descends and inherits directly from them both in many respects.”
Vv. 5827-6410
For grief on lips is of no account unless it also touch the heart.
∞
“Friend,” he says, “one can speak folly as well as good sense. Threaten as much as you please, and I will keep silence; for in threatening there is no sense. Do you know why? A man sometimes thinks he has won the game who afterward loses it. So he is manifestly a fool who is too presumptuous and who threatens too much.”
∞
“If a better man has defeated me, I shall be glad, I promise you; but if it has so fallen out that a baser man than I has worsted me, then I must feel great grief indeed.”
∞
“It was right that I should remain, for rather than break my word, I should never have pledged it.”
∞
But I pass over it now, because he who tells a story twice makes his tale now tiresome.
Vv. 5493-5668
Thus they proceed toward the castle, passing the list and the drawbridge; and when they passed the listing-place, the people who were gathered in the streets in crowds see Erec in all his beauty, and apparently they think and believe that all the others are in his train. Marvelling much, they stare at him; the whole town was stirred and moved, as they take counsel and discuss about him. Even the maidens at their song leave off their singing and desist, as all together they look at him; and because of his great beauty they cross themselves, and marvellously they pity him.
∞
The mere sight of his countenance, his great beauty and his bearing, has so won to him the hearts of all, that knights, ladies, and maids alike fear his harm.
∞
For he who travels the straight road passes him who turns aside.
∞
For of all dishes the sweetest is a joyful countenance and a happy face.
Vv. 5173-5366
Now that Enide was very happy and had everything she desired, her great beauty returned to her; for her great distress had affected her so much that she was very pale and wan. Now she was embraced and kissed, now she was blessed with all good things, now she had her joy and pleasures; for unadorned they lie in bed and each enfolds and kisses the other; nothing gives them so much joy.
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(Oops. I just realised I have not used this blog for almost a week again.)
Vv. 4939-5058
Meanwhile, the news has travelled fast, and there is nothing else so quick.
∞
“I know not if any harm may come to me, but not from fear shall I fail to sally out against them.”
∞
Whoever tries to run farther than he is able must perforce give up or take a rest.
∞
“For thy reputation would be no better for having killed or captured a knight who has not the strength to rise, as thou canst see.”
∞
“Fear not, lady! I see that loyally you love your lord, and I commend you for it. Have no fear whatsoever of me or of my company. But tell me now without concealment what is the name of your lord; for only advantage will you get from telling me.”
Vv. 4853-4938
At his table the Count was slain; while Erec, who bears his wife away, embraces and kisses and gives her cheer. In his arms he clasps her against his heart, and says: “Sweet sister mine, my proof of you has been complete! Be no more concerned in any wise, for I love you now more than ever I did before; and I am certain and rest assured that you love me with a perfect love. From this time on for evermore, I offer myself to you to do your will just as I used to do before. And if you have spoken ill of me, I pardon you and call you quit of both the offence and the word you spoke.” Then he kisses her again and clasps her tight. Now Enide is not ill at ease when her lord clasps and kisses her and tells her again that he loves her still.
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(Interesting aside, in ancient Japan, husbands used to call their wives “little sisters”. I don’t remember why, though. I think it had something to do with the hierarchical ways of address between family members; Korea still has traces of this system, or at least used to have until recently. Of course, in ancient Japan they did also marry their half-sisters. Allegedly, the Japanese were pretty angry when the Chinese banned this practice.)
Vv. 4580-4778
“Woe is me, wretched Enide; I am the murderer of my lord, in having killed him by my speech. My lord would still be now alive, if I in my mad presumption had not spoken the word which engaged him in this adventure. Silence never harmed any one, but speech often worketh woe. The truth of this I have tried and proved in more ways than one.”
∞
And the Count begins to comfort her: “Lady,” he says, “by the Lord, I pray to you, to take some pity on yourself! It is meet that you should mourn, but it is no use to be disconsolate; for you may yet rise to high estate. Do not sink into apathy, but comfort yourself; that will be wise, and God will give you joy again. Your wondrous beauty holds good fortune in store for you; for I will take you as my wife, and make you a countess and dame of rank: this ought to bring you much consolation. And I shall have the body removed and laid away with great honour. Leave off now this grief of yours which in your frenzy you display.”
∞
“Then I will espouse the lady, whether or not she give consent: for never did I see any one so fair, nor desire any as I do her.”
∞
“My lords,” he says, “upon the spot I wish to espouse this lady here. We can plainly judge by her beauty and prudent mien that she is of very gentle rank. Her beauty and noble bearing show that the honour of a kingdom or empire might well be bestowed upon her. I shall never suffer disgrace through her; rather I think to win more honour.”
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(This is funny because the Count found Enide mourning over the supposedly dead body of Erec. He also marries her without her consent in the same room with said supposedly dead body, and then starts beating her when she doesn’t cease her mourning. If the last Count was a fool, then this one must be a massive moron. Well, Erec did beat his brain out of him.)
Vv. 4381-4579
“Many a man boasts loudly who is of little worth.”
Vv. 3663-3930
Then each kisses and embraces the other. Never was there such an affectionate parting after such a fierce battle; for from very affection and generosity each one cut off long, wide strips from the bottom of his shirt and bound up the other’s wounds. When they had thus bandaged each other, they commended each other to God.
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(Another trope that has apparently existed for centuries. Men become best friends after they’ve beaten each other half dead.)
Vv. 3459-3662
Then they plunge on at topmost speed, filled with hostility toward him who had never laid eyes on them and had never harmed them by deed or word.
∞
“I have done a villainous deed, and I repent me of my foul design. The lady who outwitted me is very honourable, prudent, and courteous. Her beauty fired me with love for her; because I desired her, I wished to kill her lord and keep her back with me by force. I well deserved this woe, and now it has come upon me. How abominably disloyal and treacherous I was in my madness! Never was there a better knight born of mother than he. Never shall he receive harm through me if I can in any way prevent it. I command you all to retrace your steps.”
Vv. 3209-3458
“He is a very courteous knight and the handsomest man I ever saw.”
∞
“Alas,” quoth he, “how grieved I am to see you in such humble state! I am sorry and feel great distress. But if you would believe my word, you could have honour and great advantage, and much wealth would accrue to you. Such beauty as yours is entitled to great honour and distinction. I would make you my mistress, if it should please you and be your will; you would be my mistress dear and lady over all my land. When I deign to woo you thus, you ought not to disdain my suit. I know and perceive that your lord does not love and esteem you. If you will remain with me, you would be mated with a worthy lord.”
“Sire,” says Enide, “your proposal is in vain. It cannot be. Ah! better that I were yet unborn, or burnt upon a fire of thorns and my ashes scattered abroad than that I should ever in any wise be false to my lord, or conceive any felony or treachery toward him. You have made a great mistake in making such a proposal to me. I shall not agree to it in any wise.”
∞
“It is surely true that a woman’s pride mounts the more one prays and flatters her; but whoever insults and dishonours her will often find her more tractable.”
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(I find it funny that that last bit is said by a man who is trying to seduce Enide away from her husband, Erec, and seconds after threatens to murder him when she doesn’t agree. The story does rightfully call this count a fool.)
Vv. 2925-3085
Coveteousness is a bad thing.
Vv. 2765-2924
In those days it was the custom and practice that in an attack two knights should not join against one; thus if they too had assailed him, it would seem that they had acted treacherously.
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(I don’t know if I would call these two knights. They’re more like highwaymen. But it’s interesting to note that this trope already existed in the 12th century.)
Vv. 2293-2764
The King and his son galloped and rode on till they saw and recognised each other. They both jump down from their horses and embrace and greet each other for a long time, without stirring from the place where they first met. Each party wished the other joy; the King makes much of Erec, but all at once breaks off to turn to Enide. On all sides he is in clover: he embraces and kisses them both, and knowns not which of the two pleases him the more.
∞
Yet greater joy they made of Enide than of him, for the great beauty which they saw in her, and still more for her open charm. — Round about her was many a fair lady; yet as the lustrous gem outshines the brown flint, and as the rose excels the poppy, so was Enide fairer than any other lady or damsel to be found in the world, wherever one might search. She was so gentle and honourable, of wise speech and affable, of pleasing character and kindly mien. No one could ever be so watchful as to detect in her any folly, or sign of evil or villainy. She had been so schooled in good manners that she had learned all virtues which any lady can possess, as well as generosity and knowledge. All loved her for her open heart, and whoever could do her any service was glad and esteemed himself the more. No one spoke ill of her, for no one could do so. In the realm or empire there was no lady of such good manners. But Erec loved her with such a tender love that he cared no more for arms, nor did he go to tournaments, nor have any desire to joust; but he spent his time cherishing his wife.
∞
She had now made her bed, and must lie in it.
∞
One does not know what good fortune is until he has made trial of evil.
∞
“Valet, go quickly, run to the chamber beside the tower where my wife is, and tell her that she is keeping me waiting here too long. She has spent too much time on her attire.”
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(I just realised it’s been a month since I last read this story. I’ve already read it a couple of years ago but I was re-reading it. The story is fine, it’s just the book format is a massive pain of my existence. Also, I posted the last one because it amused me.)
Vv. 2069-2134
Whether it be a horse or money, each one got what he deserved according to his skill.
Vv. 2025-2068
When Erec received his wife, he must needs call her by her right name. For a wife is not espoused unless she is called by her proper name.
⋅ Nota Bene ⋅
(Huh. In fairy tales, men need to find out the proper names of the fairy ladies before they can marry them.)
Vv. 863-1080
Her love and beauty inspired him with great boldness.
Vv. 547-690
Fair, indeed, she is; but yet greater far than her beauty, is her intelligence. God never created any one so discreet and of such open heart. When I have my daughter beside me, I don’t care a marble about all the rest of the world. She is my delight and my pastime, she is my joy and comfort, my wealth and my treasure, and I love nothing so much as her own precious self.
Vv. 411-458
The maid was charming, in sooth, for Nature had used all her skill in forming her. Nature herself had marvelled more than five hundred times how upon this one occasion she had succeeded in creating such a perfect thing. Never again could she so strive succesfully to reproduce her pattern. Nature bears witness concerning her that never was so fair a creature seen in all the world. In truth I say that never did Iseut the Fair have such radiant golden tresses that she could be compared with this maiden. The complexion of her forehead and face was clearer and more delicate than lily. But with wondrous art her face with all its delicate pallor was suffused with a fresh crimson which Nature had bestowed upon her. Her eyes were so bright that they seemed like two stars. God never formed better nose, mouth, and eyes. What shall I say of her beauty? In sooth, she was made to be looked at; for in her one could have seen himself as in a mirror.
Hiraeth 