Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-10-07
An Old French Legend.

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mains. Beyond it we come in sight of
q lofty green hill, known as La Cote
DIES Deux Amants The mournful story
of this hill has come down to us in the
lays of "Marie de France" She is the
| first French female poet on record. She
lived In the thirteenth century, and
wrote two hundred fables, which she
said she translated from the English,
but which are supposed to be founded
on the fables of Phadrus some of them
are very original. Though she was
born in France, she passed the greater
part of her life in England Probably
she first told this story, which has been
sung in SO many ways since. Her lays
are very elegant and simple, and were
once highly esteemed; but, as they are
written in the Breton dialect, a rough
| translation is made here of tie "Lai de
la Cote des Deux Amants :"
Once in Normandy there came to
pass an adventure well known to those
who love. Of this the Bretons made q
lay, called the Lay of the Two Low
ers.' In Neustria, which is now called
Normandy, is a large and lofty noun
tain, where lie the two children. Near
this mountain was q city, built by the
King of Pistreia; he named it from the
Pistreians, and so called it Pistre. The
town still stands there, and so do the
houses; we all know that the country is
called the Vale of Pistre. The king had
a beautiful daughter, most courteous
damsel; she was much comfort to him,
for he had lost his queen. His people
murmured against him, even bias
phemed, because he did not give his
daughter in marriage. When the king
heard how they spoke of him, he was
sorrowful and heavy, and he began to
think how he could free himself, so that
no one could rob him of his child. He
proclaimed that whoever would we'd his
daughter must bear her up the face of
the mountain in his arms without stop
ping to rest. When this news was spread
through the country, many came to try
the exploit. Some of them got half
way up the mountain, but no one reach
ed the top; and for some time the
princess was not sought in marriage.
There was in the country an anna
BILE and handsome youth, the son of a
count he resolved to surpass all the
others. He lived near the kings
court; and often sojourned there. He
loved the kings daughter, and beg
ged her to love him in return. His val
or, his courtesy, and the friend hip
shown him by the king, won the prin-
cess. They spoke often together, and
they grew more and more fond; but
they concealed their love from all.
Their passion increased daily. Then
the youth reflected that it was better to
suffer some evil than to lose all by rash
ness. This youth 50 wise, valiant, and
handsome, came to his beloved, and
asked her to go away with him, for
he could no longer bear the torment of
his love. He knew that, if he asked
her of her father, the king loved her too
much to consent, and would bid him win
her by carrying her up to the top of the
mountain.
The. damsel replied: "Friend,
know well that you cannot carry
me but, if [ go away with you, my
father will be filed with grief and an
ger. It is martyrdom to him to live
without me, and I love him so much
that do not wish to anger him. Let
| us seek some other way, for I cannot
listen to that one. In Salerno [ have
rich relative, who for more than thirty
years has studied the art of medicine :;
she knows the virtue of every leaf and
root, and is full of health giving recipes.
If you will take letter from me, and
explain to her our adventure, she will
provide the remedy. She will give you
fresh strength and when you return to
this country ask me of my father. He
will treat you as child land will tell you
that he gives me to no man who can
not carry me in his arms to the top Of
the mountain without stopping"
The youth thanks the maiden, asks
her leave to depart, returns to his own
country, and makes great preparations
for his journey. He arrives at Salerno,
and presents his letter to the aunt (spelt
Au'ate in the originaD. She gives him
tonics and strengthening cordials, and,
when he leaves Salerno, presents him
with a liquor which has the power of
at once removing fatigue and refreshing
the body, the muscles, and bones. The
youth, on his return, asks the king for
his daughter, Offering to carry her up
the hill. The king is friendly, but he
y
too young, he says, and must fail where
so many strong and valiant men have
not succeeded.
The day arrives eacl of the lovers
has invited friends; the place is throng-
ed with spectators. The damsel has
tasted severely, so as not to tax the
strength of her lover by her weight.
The youth arrives first, not forgetting
his philter. When all the great COM
pany are assembled in the meadow, the
king brings his daughter, clad only in
her chemise
The youth took her in his arms, and
gave her the phial to carry, thinking he
no longer needed it. His JOY gave him
strength, and he mounted half way rap
idly. She felt his pace slacken.
Friend" she said, drink. I feel
that you tire; this will bring back
strength. The youth answered, "No,
dear one, I feel strong yet, and do not
wish to stop; if I drink I must pause
ever SO little, and the crowd below will
cry out and stun me with their Kisses,
II r WI