Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-11
misfelIanf0ns.
An IdyI OF Provence.

1t was a favorite history in the twelfth
century. This romance was turned into
verse in 1l73 BY Barnard de Trivies,
canon Of Maguelonne. and it is said that
it was one OF the first books that Petrarch
read when he came to Avignon. and that
he attempted to perfect it.
The story is. in brief, this: Pierre was
the son of Jean de Provence and his
lovely wife, the daughter of Don Alvares,
Count of Barcelona. He had considera-
bic fortune, and the right to reign sover-
eisn of the COmtal, but he preferred
peace to glory, and did not dispute the
title with bis usurping brother, but lived
with more content at Cavaillon with his
beautiful and virtuous wife. than If he
had possessed the empire Of the world.
Pierre was their onlv child. He was
most carefully educated. trained TO all
exercises in arms as we'll as letters mod
est. virtuous. handsome. None could
excel him in the pastimes Of chivairy; he
could turn heater verse than the pro-
fessionai troubadours, and he immersed
and conquered all the knights that came
from all Europe to his fathers tourna-
ments Before he was of age he had the
renown of an unconquerable knight. At
ger to the passion of love, and loved then,
and all his life, virtue more than gallan-
try.
One dav at his fathers table some gal
liant knights whom he had Overthrown i'll
the fists spoke much Of the court OF
the King Of Naples and of the exquisite
beauty of Maguelonne. the daughter OF
the king. Pierre was suddenly inflamed
with the desire of seeing her and playing
a knights part in the Journeys of such a
court With difficulty he obtained per-
mission Of his parents to 60 in search OF
adventures. When he departed. his in
consolable mother presented him with
three precious rings. With a small fol-
lowing Of servants he reached Naples,
where he took retired lodgings and re-
manned unknown At the first proclama
ton of the tournament he entered the
lists rs nameless Knight. Needless TO
say that he overturned everybody who
opposed him. lie saw la belle Maguel-
onne, and was ravished with her
beauty and her sweetness. She, on
her part. was equally enamored
of him. He was signally honored by the
king and invited to banquet at the palace.
There he exchanged words with the idol
of his eyes. who was most gracious to the
Young knight But he refused all solicit
ations to disclose his name and rank.
Tournament followed tournament. He
was always victorious, and was advanced
more and more in the favor of the king
and queen. But the new-felt passion of
love tormcnted him. Ii tormented also
the fair Maguelonne, who had never felt
it before. And with fresh and sweet
sincerity. which cannot be too much COM
mended. she sent him word by her maid
of her state of mind. The maid arranged
an interview in her apartment in the pal
ace. The two lovers, whose love was as
pure as snow, vowed never to love or to
marry other man or woman. On her en-
treaty he disclosed his name. But there
were political reasons why he could not
ask her hand of her father. 1t is curious
to note. in story of that age, that she did
not care for rank birth, she said, was
only an accident, and she wished she had
been n simple peasant girl, only then she
would have liked him to have lived on
the next farm, so that thew could have
married without leave of anybody.
Obstacles to their union were many
she feared that some day her father would
'biupti llti W d'ttHt ioi HuSpttii'i u us
agreeable knight whom she hated. The
lovers took the bold resolve of escaping
together. Taking her personal Jewels.
they sailed forth at night on horseback,
with few faithful attendants. At dawn
they stopped in lonely wood by the sea-
shore to repose. The tired girl. trusting
always the honor of her pure lover. slept
reclining in his arms As she slept. lit
Al 4 4 Al.
rings of his mother that Pierre had given
her. slipped from her pocket. A sea-bird,
seeing it. swooped down and carried it off.
Pierre. folding his cloak for Maguelenne
to rest her head upon. gently laid her
down and went in pursuit of the bird. who
dropped the box into the sea. Pierre
jumped into leaky fishing boat which
had no oars. and pushed out to recover it.
A wind blew the boat from the shore fur
Their and further. Pierre WAS in dispar
The one accomplishment he lacked was
swimming.
Result. The boat was blown out to sea
Pierre was picked mp by some Moorish
pirates. sold rs slave To the Sultan of
Alexandria. became a great favorltc with
the Sultan. assisted him IN council and in
war. The Sultan would make him his
son. and give him his daughter Pierre
said it was not the manner of his religion
to have more than one wife. and that he
was betrothed already The Sultan
thought the more wives the better He
attempted to convert his slave. but Pierre
resisted all the arguments of the dervishes
and all the Establishments of the seducing
Odali>ques. At last, after eight years OF
captivity, the Sultan gave Pierre his
liberty. embarked him on vessel bound
to Provence. and enriched him with loads
of Jewels and fine >tuffs. which for security
were placed in fourteen barrels Gov
cred with salt at each end.
The vessel stopped for water at little
island. Pierre wandered ashore and was
left. while the vessel sailed on and by
chance came to Argues Mortes, and lefl
the barrels OF salt at hospital on little
island near by. in charge OF the Superior
who stored them away. having learned
that they were the property of passenger
left behind. And in this passenger. fol
some reason, she took an uncommon in
terest. Pierre. after AS many adventure,
as Ulysses. came at last himselfto Argues
Mortes. sick and forlorn. and sought the
shelter of the hospital. over which pre-
sided a charming young Superior. who
always wore her veil, whose name wa.
concealed, aud who was only known by