The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-02-05

from his irresistible liking for vaga-
bondage, and TO the extent to which
he gratified it, was followed by the
somewhat better known Marchebrus.
This Ccrcamons is pictured in old
manuscripts in the habit Of atraveler
that is-ou foot, with his tunic
tucked up to his belt, and over the
shoulder staff, to the end of which
bundle is hung. The scholar of this
worthy was, in bis way representa-
tive man. He was foundling, whom
Aldric de Villars, a Gascon baron,
picked up in one of bis fields, and edu-
Gated with view to the church. The
iprotege, however, frustrated the views
of the patron, by falling in love with
the life of troubadour, and abscond-
| ing with Cercamons in his fifteenth
year While playing the part Of fag.
he bore the name of Pan Perdit, pro-
baby in allusion to the comfortable
f. livelihood which be had sacrificed.
Eventually his name was altered to
Marchebrus, or March the severe, be-
cause his strength lay in satire. Not
less o wanderer than his master, he
traversed many lands, extending his
rambles as far as Portugal. Every
where he sang against current vices,
to which, unfortunately, his censure
was not confined. He dealt just as
harshly with individuals, and thus
made many enemies Finally, sever
al barons of Guienne, whom he had
exasperated by bis servants (satires),
waylaid and put him to death. Nor
was Marchebrus, who must not be
confounded with another of the name
who fourished two hundred years la
ter-the only troubadour who suffer-
ed thus and for the like cause.
Another method of acquiring the
trouver's skill was in attending those
baronial and princely courts which
the fraternity we're accustomed to
haunt. In this way, men of noble
birth became adopts in the gay sci
enee. At later day, professors of
poetry located themselves in the chief
Provencal cities, where they seem to
have found abundant occupation. A
celebrated trouyer, Pete Cardinale,
settled thus at Taracon toward the
close of the thirteenth century He
gave such general satisfaction that
the commune took him into its service
and assigned him large stipend out
of the public revenues. Robert,
Duke of Calibria, visiting the place
shortly afterwards. was so much
pleased with the conduct of the men
of Taracon and their professor, that
in the name of his father, who was
Count of Provence, as well as King
of Naples, he confirmed all the privi-
leges of the city, and exempted it, be-
sides, from imposts of every kind for
ten years. on the sole condition that
the professorsbip should be maintain
ed. Another of these professors was
Bertrand of Pezers, who, as Nostrad-
anus writes, s"For long time kept
public school Of Provencal poetry"
Among his pupils was young lady
of rank, who was surprisingly beau
tifnl, and who sang gmaryelously. Ber-
trand taught her to make verses. Nor
Was this the limit of his instructions.
The professor, as well as the pupil,
was young and handsome, and there
soon occurred precisely such an event
as is commemorated in the old Scotch
ballad of the "Gaberlunzie Man.
Theneeforward the professors oc-
cupation was at an end. Partly to
avoid fhe indignatiod of the lady's
relative, and partly to procure sub
sistence, the pair became wandering
trouvers, career in which more than
average success attended them. Their
story was soon widely known, excit-
ing much sympathy, and more curios-
itv Thus, wherever they went, they
were secure of favorable reception,
an advantage of which they took
care to make the most, Hevious to
entering a chateau, they were accus-
toned to make minute inquiries re-
specting the inhabitants. Then"
writes our authority, 'and with won-
derful quickness, they would compose
song ornamented with the memora-
ble deeds-in love, and the chase
of the chartelan and his progenitors
1t need hardly be added that they
were always richly rewarded. On
one occasion, however, they were
guilty of a small error of judgment
1t happened when Gioyanna /, of Ma
Piles, and her newly welded second
spouse, Louis of Taranto, were COM
PEELED to take refuge at Avignon, from
the wrath of the Hungarian monarch.
Being the late representative of their
ancient counts, Giovanna was exceed
ingly dear to the Provencals, and her
court was speedily thronged with all
that was noble among them. Nor
with such only. The brilliant scene
was the resort of all who lived by
their wits, and thither, with the rest
of their tribe, hied Bertrand and his
wife The latter soon secured a roy
al hearing, but to the astonishment of
queen, consort and eourtiers, the en-
tertainment opened with an elogy, in
which Andrea of Hungary, the mur-
dered FIRST husband of Giovanna, was
credited with every possible virtue.
A curious jumble of Christian saints
and heather deities was employed to
tear him from the arms of the fond
Giovanna-just to prove her patience
And then the same choice band was
made to present her with better hus-
band, in the person of Louis of Tar
anto, as the meet reward Of her an
gelic resignation. The piece closed
with Joyous epithalamium- on the
recent wedding. Then came the re-
ward of the singers Among other
rich gifts, the poetess received "a
gown OF velvet cramosie- from the
queen, and the poet silken mantle
from the king. This was for the epi-
thalamium. The singers were then
led to the kitchen, where they were
heartily fustigated by the master cook,
as small return for their elegy.
1t is not unusual for pairs resemb-
ling Bertrand Of Peers and his wife
in all respects-except occasionally
the trifie, marriage-to wander as