Song and Legend from the Middle Ages Part 8

After wandering about the garden hearing the birds and getting acquainted with the inhabitants, he saw

Among a thousand thing(e)s mo[1]

A roser [2] charged full of roses, That with an hedge about enclosed is.

Tho[3] had I such l.u.s.t[4] and envy, That for Paris nor for Pavie, Nolde[5]I have left to go at see There greatest heap of roses be.

When I was with this rage hent[6]

That caught hath many a man and shent[7]

Toward the roser I gan go.

And when I was not far therefro,[8]

The savor of the roses sweet Me smote right to the heart(e) root As I had all embalmed be.

And if I had ne[9] endoubted[10] me To have been hated or a.s.sailed, Me thank(e)s[11] would I not been failed To pull a rose of all that rout,[12]

To bear(en) in my hand about And smell(en) to it where I went; But ever I dreaded me to repent, And lest it grieved or forthought[13]

The lord that thilke[14] garden wrought, Of roses there were great(e) wone,[15]

So fair(e) waxe [16] never in Rone.[17]

Of knop(e)s[18] close,[19] some saw I there And some well better waxen[20] were, And some there be of other moison[21]

That drew(e) nigh to their season, And sped 'em fast(e) for to spread; I love well such roses red; For broad[22] roses, and open also, Be pa.s.sed in a day or two; But knop(e)s[18] will(e) fresh(e) be Two day(e)s at the least, or three, The knop(e)s greatly liked[23]me, For fairer may there no man see Whoso might have one of all It aught him be full lief[24]withall.

Might I one garland of 'em get For no riches I would it let.[25]

Among the knop(e)s I chose one So fair, that of the remnant none Ne prize I half so well as it, When I avise[26] it is my wit.

In it so well was enlumined With color red, as well y-fined[27]

As nature couthe[28]it make fair.

And it had leaves well four pair, That Kynde[29] hath set through his knowing About the red roses springing.

The stalk(e) was as rush(e) right And thereon stood the knop upright, That it ne bowed upon no side, The sweet(e) smell(e) sprang so wide That it did[30] all the place about.

When I had smelled the savor sweet No will had I from thence yet go But somedeal[31] nearer it went I tho[32]

To take it: but mine hand for dread Ne durst I to the rose bede[33]

For thistles sharp of many manners, Nettles, thornes, and hooked briers; For mickle they disturbed me, For sore I dreaded to harmed be.

[1] More. [2] Rose-bush. [3] Then. [4] Desire. [5] Would not. [6]

Seized. [7] Ruined. [8] There from. [9] Not. [10] Feared. [11]

Willingly. [12] Company. [13] Caused to repent. [14] That. [15]

Quant.i.ty. [16] Waxed, grew. [17] Provence. [18] Buds. [19]

Closed. [20] Much better grown. [21] Harvest. [22] Blown. [23]

Pleased. [24] Pleasing. [25] Let go. [26] Consider.[27] Polished.

[28] Knew how. [29] Nature. [30] Filled. [31] Somewhat. [32]

Then. [33] Offer.

CHAPTER II. SPANISH LITERATURE.

The golden age of Spanish literature embraces the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; but the twelfth and thirteenth centuries were, in Spain as in other European countries, a period of special literary activity. The impulses at work were the same as those to be noted in contemporary France, England, and Germany, and the work produced of the same general types. The chief phases of Spanish mediaeval literature are these:

1. Epic and heroic poetry. Here, as elsewhere, heroic ballads grew up about the national heroes. These were gradually fused into long epic poems by the wandering minstrels. The best of these Chansons de Geste are (1) "The Poem of the Cid", (2) "Rhymed Chronicle of the Cid". Both of them belong probably to the twelfth century.

2. Romances. Many romances, or short semi-epic poems, grew up about the Cid. Of others, some were of the Carlovingian cycle, the most famous being that concerning Bernardo del Carpio, the traditional rival and conqueror of Roland. Some were devoted to the Arthurian legend. This latter cycle of stories was immensely popular in Spain, though rather in translation and imitation than in original works. In the fourteenth century these older romances were technically called "books of chivalry" and their popularity and influence was widespread.

3. Lyric poetry. There seems to have been no special development of lyric poetry early in Spain, such as is found in France. The earliest noteworthy lyric poet is Juan Ruiz (1300-1350).

4. Didactic literature. As early as the first half of the thirteenth century, we have in Spain a strong didactic literature. Gonzalo de Berceo (d. 1268) wrote many lives of the saints, miracles, hymns to the Virgin, and other devotional pieces. But the impulse to allegorizing does not seem to come to Spain till much later.

5. Fables and tales. Though a little later in being developed in Spain than in France, the same delight was taken in fables and short tales. About the middle of the fourteenth century, Juan Manul (d. 1349) made, in his "El Conde Lucanor", a large collection of these tales.

6. Chronicles. Spain had early an excellent school of chroniclers. An example of their work is The General Chronicle of Spain, compiled under Alphonso the Wise (d. 1284).

ANCIENT BALLADS.

Romantic ballads grew up in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries in Spain, centering chiefly about the national hero, Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, who was called THE CID, some account of whom is necessary in order to an understanding of the poems.

History--Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, born 1030-40, died 1099, was the foremost warrior of the great struggle between the Christians and the Moors in Spain. The Moors called him the CID (Seid, the Lord), and the Champion (El Campeador). He was a vigorous, unscrupulous fighter, now on one side, now on the other. He was at one time entrusted with high emba.s.sies of state, at others, a rebel. His true place in history seems to be that of a great freebooter and guerrilla. His contemporary fame was really great.

Legend--During the lifetime of the CID many marvels and myths grew up about him, and within the next century they became almost numberless. He became the hero of poet and of romancer to the Spanish people. His story was told everywhere by the wandering minstrels, and his name became the center of all popular romances.

Literature.--At once, then, a large literature sprang up concerning the CID--ballads, romances, and incipient dramas. The chief pieces are (1)"The Ballads of the Cid", composed from the twelfth to the fifteenth century, of which nearly two hundred survive; (2)"The Poem of the Cid", a n.o.ble fragment; (3)"The Chronicle of the Cid".

The early history of Spain's popular hero is traced very accurately in (1)"The General Chronicle of Spain", compiled under Alphonso X. (died 1284); (2)"The Chronicle of the Cid", perhaps extracts from the first, and (3) Various Poems and Romances of the CID from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century.

The following give some of his adventures, and show the spirit of this interesting early literature--the earliest ballad literature in Europe.

From the Cid Ballads.

CUYDANDO DIEGO LAYNEZ. (THE TEST.)

Brooding sat Diego Laynez o'er the insult to his name, n.o.bler and more ancient far than Inigo Abarca's fame; For he felt that strength was wanting to avenge the craven blow, If he himself at such an age to fight should think to go.

Sleepless he pa.s.sed the weary nights, his food untasted lay, Ne'er raised his eyes from off the ground, nor ventured forth to stray, Refused all converse with his friends, impelled by mortal fear, Lest fame of outrage unatoned should aggravate his care.

While pondering thus his honor's claims in search of just redress, He thought of an expedient his failing house to test; So summoning to his side his sons, excused all explanation, Silent began to clutch their hands in proper alternation, (Not by their tender palms to trace the chiromantic linings, For at that day no place was found in Spain for such divinings), But calling on his honor spent for strength and self-denial, He set aside parental love and steeled his nerves to trial, Griping their hands with all his might till each cried: "Hold, Sir, hold!

What meaneth this? pray, let me go; thou'rt killing me, behold!"

Now when he came to Roderick, the youngest of them all, Despair had well-nigh banished hope of cherished fruit withal (Though ofttimes lingering nearest when farthest thought to be); The young man's eyes flashed fury, like tiger fierce stood he And cried: "Hold, father, hold, a curse upon ye, stay!

An ye were not my father, I would not stop to pray, But by this good right arm of mine would straight pluck out your life With a bare digit of my hand, in lieu of vulgar knife!

The old man wept for joy: "Son of my soul," quoth he, "Thy rage my rage disarmeth, thine ire is good to see; Prove now thy mettle, Rod'rick; wipe out my grievous stain, Restore the honor I have lost, unless thou it regain--"

Then quickly told him of the wrong to which he was a prey, Gave him his blessing and a sword and bade him go his way To end the Count's existence and begin a brighter day.

--Tr. by Knapp.

PENSATIVO ESTAVA EL CID. (THE SOLILOQUY.) Pensive stood the young Castilian, musing calmly on his plight; 'Gainst a man like Count Lozano to avenge a father's slight!

Thought of all the trained dependents that his foe could quickly call, A thousand brave Asturians scattered through the highlands all; Thought, too, how at the Cortes of Leon his voice prevailed, And how in border forays the Moor before him quailed; At last reviewed the grievance--No sacrifice too great To vindicate the first affront to Layn Calvo's state; Then calls on Heaven for justice, and on the earth for s.p.a.ce, Craves strength of honor injured, and of his father grace, Nor heeds his youthful bearing, for men of rank like he Are wont from birth to prove their worth by deeds of chivalry.

Next from the wainscot took he down an ancient sword and long: Once it had been Mudarra's, but now had rusty grown, And, holding it sufficient to achieve the end he sought, Before he girt it on him, he addressed the fitting thought: "Consider, valiant claymore, that Mudarrals arm is mine, And the cause wherein ye wrestle is Mudarra's cause and thine; But if, forsooth, thou scornest to be grasped by youthful hand, Think not 'twill lead thee backward e'en a jot from the demand; For as firm as thine own steel thou wilt find me in the fray, And as good as e'er the best man--Thou hast gained a lord to-day; And if perchance they worst thee, enraged at such a stain, I shall plunge thee to the cross in my breast for very shame.

Then on to the field away, for the hour to fight is come, To requite on Count Lozano all the mischief he has done."

So, full of courage and emprise the Cid rode forth to war, And his triumph was accomplished in the s.p.a.ce of one short hour.

--Tr. by KNAPP.

NON ES DE SESSUDOS HOMES. (ON THE FIELD).

"It is not meet for men of brain, nor yet for champion true, To offer insult to a man of better blood than you!

The brawny warrior, howe'er fierce and valiant he may be, Was never wont to test his power on aged infirmity.