Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-10-15
AN OLD FRENCH LEGEND.

P0nt de Arcne ID mOsJ plcIufeSqueiy
placed, and is full of interesting remains
Beyond it we come in sight of lofty
green hill, known as LCote des Deux
Amants. The mournful story of this
hill has come down to US in the lays Of
Marie deFrance." She is the frstFrench
female poet on record. She lived in the
thirteenth century, and wrote about 200
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.
Probablyshe first told this story, which has
been sung in so many ways since. Her
laws are very elegant and simple, and
were once highly esteemed; but as they
are written in the Breton dialect, e rough
translation is made here Of the Lai de
la Cote des DeuxA mants.
"Once in Normandy there came to
pass an adventure well known to those
who love. OF this the Bretons have
made lay, called the Lay of the Two
Lovers In NeustriR, which we now
call Normandy, is large and lofty
mountain where lie the two children.
Near this mountain was 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 beautiful daughter, a most cour-
teous damsel; she was much comfort to
1 l. ta
people murmured against him, even
blasphemed, because he did not give bis
daughter in marriage. When the king
heard how they spoke Of him, he was
sorrowful and heavy, and he began to
think how be could free himself so that
no one should rob him of his child. He
proclaimed thae ewhoever would wed his
daughter must bear her up the face of
the mountain in his arms without stop.
ming 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
reached the top; and for some time the
princess was not sought in marriage.
"There was in the country an amia-
bic 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 begged her to love
him in return. His valor, his courtesy,
and the friendship shown him by the
king won the princess. They spoke
often together, and they grew more and
more fond, bnt they concealed their love
from all. Their passion increased daily.
Then the youth reflected that it was bet
ter to suffer some evil than to lose AL By
rashness. This youth, SO wise, valiant
and handsome, came to bis beloved, and
asked her to go away with hiiA, TOR he
could no longer bear the torment OF has
love. He knew that, if be asked her OF
her father, the king loved her too much
to consent, and would bid him win her
by carrying her to the top Of the noun
tain.
"The damsel replied: Friend. l
know well that yOn cannot marry mei
but, if 90 away with you, my father
will be filled with grief and anger. 1t
ia martyrdon to him to live without me,
and | love him so much that | do not
wish to anger him. Let us seek some
other way, for | cannot listen to that
one. In Salerno have rich relative,
who for more than thirty years has
studied the art of medicine; she knows
tho virtue of every leaf and root, and is
full Of health-giving recipes. II 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 you
will ask me Of my father. He will treat
you as a child, aud will tell you that he
gives me to no man who cannot carry
me to the top Of the mountain without
stopping.
" The youth thanks the maiden, asks
her leave to depart, returns to his own
country, aud makes great preparations
for his Journey. BE arrives at Salerno,
and presents his letter 10 the aunt
(spelt Aunte in the original J "She gives
] him tonics and strengthening cordials,
and when be leaves Sslerno, presents
him With liquor which has the power Of
at once removing fatigue aud refreshing
the body, the muscles, and bones. The
vouth. on his return, asks the king for
his daughter, offering TO carry her up the
hin. The king Is friendly, but he thinks
the youth foolish; The count is much too
Young. he says, and must fail where so
many strong and valiant men have not
succeeded.
The day arrives; each Of the lovers
has invited friends; the placeis thronged
with spectators. The damsel has tasted
severely, 50 as not to tax the streaSth o.
her lover by her weight. The yoash ar
rives FIRST, not forgetting his philter
When all the great company are Assem-
bled in the meadow, the king brings hi
daughter, clad only in her chemise.
THE youth took her in his arms, an
/. cave her The nhial 70 carry. thinking b