Gladness of the captive grey?
'Tis how two young lovers met,
Aucassin and Nicolette,
Of the pains the lover bore
And the sorrow he outwore,
For the goodness and the grace,
Of his love, so fair of face.
Sweet the song, the story sweet,
There is no man hearkens it,
No man living 'neath the sun,
So outwearied, so foredone,
Sick and woful, worn and sad,
But is healèd, but is glad.
'Tis so sweet.
So say they, speak they, tell they the tale.[12]
This popular mediaeval ballad1 is in alternate fragments of verse and prose, and relates how the Count of Valence made desperate war against the Count of Biaucaire, a very old and frail2 man, who saw that his castle was in imminent3 danger of being taken and sacked. In his distress4, this old lord besought5 his son Aucassin, who so far had taken no interest in the war, to go forth6 and fight. The youth, however, refused to do so, saying his heart was wrapped up in love for Nicolette, a fair slave belonging to a captain in town. This man, seeing the delicacy7 of his slave and realizing she must belong to some good family, had her baptized and treated her as if she were an adopted daughter.
On account of Nicolette's lowly condition, Aucassin's father refuses to listen when the young man proposes to marry her, and sternly bids him think of a wife better suited, to his rank. The young lover, however, vehemently8 insists that Nicolette is fit to be an empress, and vows9 he will not fight until he has won her for his own. On seeing how intractable this youth is, the father beseeches10 the owner of the slave to clap her in prison, so that Aucassin will not be able to get at her in any way.
Heart-broken to think that his lady-love is undergoing captivity11 in his behalf, Aucassin spends his time moping. To induce him to fight, his father finally promises that if he will go forth and drive away the foe12 he will be allowed to see Nicolette and kiss her. The prospect13 of such a reward so fires the young hero, that he sallies forth, routs14 the besiegers, and, seizing the Count of Valence, brings him back a prisoner. On entering the castle, he immediately begins to clamor for Nicolette, but his father now declares he would rather see the maiden16 burned as a witch than to let his son have anything more to do with her. Hearing this, Aucassin indignantly declares such being the case he will free his prisoner, an act of generosity17 which infuriates his father, who hopes to be enriched by the count's ransom18. To punish Aucassin, the Count of Biaucaire now thrusts him into prison, but, although the lovers are sharing the same fate, they languish19 apart, and, therefore, spend all their time lamenting20.
One night, when the moon is shining bright, Nicolette, who has heard she is likely to be brought to trial and burned, decides to effect her escape. As the old woman who mounts guard over her is fast asleep, she softly ties together her sheets and towels, and, fastening them to a pillar, lets herself down by the window into the garden, from whence she timidly steals out into the night.
The poem now artlessly describes Nicolette's beauty as she trips over the dewy grass, her tremors21 as she slips through the postern gate, and her lingering at the foot of the tower where her lover is imprisoned22. While pausing there, Nicolette overhears his voice lamenting, and, thrusting her head into an aperture23 in the wall, tells him that she is about to escape and that as soon as she is gone they will set him free. To convince her lover that it is she who is talking, Nicolette cuts off a golden curl, which she drops down into his dungeon24, repeating that she must flee. But Aucassin beseeches her not to go, knowing a young maid is exposed to countless25 dangers out in the world, and vehemently declares he would die were any one to lay a finger upon her. He adds that she alone shall be his wife, and that the mere26 thought of her belonging to any one else is unendurable. This declaration of love cheers poor Nicolette, who is so entranced by her lover's words that she fails to notice the approach of a patrol. A young sentinel, however, peering down from the walls, touched by Nicolette's beauty and by the plight27 of these young lovers, warns them of their danger. But not daring to speak openly to Nicolette, he chants a musical warning, which comes just in time to enable her to hide behind a pillar. There she cowers28 until the guards pass by, then, slipping down into dry moat,—although it is a perilous29 undertaking,—she painfully climbs up its other side and seeks refuge in a neighboring forest, where, although the poem informs us there are "beasts serpentine," she feels safer than in town.
It is while wandering in this wilderness30 that Nicolette runs across some shepherds, whom she bribes31 to go and tell Aucassin a wild beast is ranging through the forest, and that he should come and slay32 it as soon as possible. Having thus devised means to entice33 her lover out of Biaucaire, Nicolette wanders on until she reaches a lovely spot, where she erects34 a rustic35 lodge36, decking it with the brightest flowers she can find, in hopes that her lover, when weary of hunting, will rest beneath its flowery roof, and guess that it was erected37 by her fair hands.
Meantime the Count of Biaucaire, hearing Nicolette has vanished, sets his son free, and, seeing him sunk in melancholy38, urges him to go out and hunt, thinking the exercise may make him forget the loss of his beloved. Still, it is only when shepherds come and report that a wild beast is ranging through the forest, that the youth mounts his steed and sallies forth, his father little suspecting that instead of tracking game, he is bent39 on seeking traces of his beloved.
Ere long Aucassin encounters an old charcoal-burner, to whom he confides40 his loss, and who assures him such a sorrow is nothing compared to his own. On discovering that the poor man's tears can be stayed with money, Aucassin bestows41 upon him the small sum he needs, receiving in return the information that a lovely maiden has been seen in the forest. Continuing his quest, Aucassin comes in due time to the flowery bower42, and, finding it empty, sings his love and sorrow in tones that reach Nicolette's ear. Then, dismounting from his horse to rest here for the night, Aucassin manages to sprain43 his shoulder. Thereupon Nicolette steals into the bower and takes immediate15 measures to mitigate44 the pain.
The mere fact that Nicolette is beside him helps Aucassin to forget everything else, and it is only after the first raptures45 are over, that they decide not to linger in the forest, where the Count of Biaucaire will soon find and separate them. To prevent such a calamity46, they decide to depart together, and, as there is no extra steed for Nicolette to ride, her lover lifts her up on his horse before him, clasping her tight and kissing her repeatedly as they gallop47 along.
Aucassin the Franc, the fair,
Aucassin of yellow hair,
Gentle knight48, and true lover,
From the forest doth he fare,
Holds his love before him there,
Kissing cheek, and chin, and eyes;
But she spake in sober wise,
"Aucassin, true love and fair,
To what land do we repair?"
"Sweet my love, I take no care,
Thou art with me everywhere!"
So they pass the woods and downs,
Pass the villages and towns,
Hills and dales and open land,
Came at dawn to the sea sand,
Lighted down upon the strand49,
Beside the sea.
Thus the lovers travel all night, reach the sea-shore at dawn, and wander along it, arms twined around each other, while their weary steed follows them with drooped50 head.
At sunrise a vessel51 nears the shore, upon which they embark52 to get out of reach of the wrath53 of the Count of Biaucaire. The vessel, however, is soon overtaken by a terrible tempest, which, after tossing it about for seven days, drives it into the harbor of Torelore. This is the mediaeval "topsy-turvy land," for on entering the castle Aucassin learns that the king is lying abed, because a son has been born to him, while the queen is at the head of the army fighting! This state of affairs so incenses54 Aucassin, that armed with a big stick he enters the king's room, gives him a good beating, and wrings55 from him a promise that no man in his country will ever lie abed again when a child is born, or send his wife out to do hard work. Having effected this reform in the land of Torelore, Aucassin and Nicolette dwell there peacefully, for three years, at the end of which time the castle is taken by some Saracens. They immediately proceed to sack it, carrying off its inmates56 to sell them as slaves. Bound fast, Aucassin and Nicolette are thrust into separate ships, but, although these are going to the same port, a sudden tempest drives the vessel in which Aucassin lies to the shore of Biaucaire. There the people capture it, and finding their young master, set him free, and invite him to take possession of his castle, for, his father having died during his absence, he is now master of all he surveys.
Meantime Nicolette, landing at Carthage, discovers that this is her native town, and recognizes in her captors—her father and brothers. They are so overjoyed at recovering this long-lost sister that they propose to keep her with them, but Nicolette assures them she will never be happy until she rejoins Aucassin. Meantime she learns to play on the viol, and, when she has attained57 proficiency58 on this instrument, sets out in the guise59 of a wandering minstrel to seek her beloved. Conveyed by her brothers to the land of Biaucaire, Nicolette, soon after landing, hears that Aucassin, who has recently returned, is sorely bewailing the loss of his beloved. Presenting herself before Aucassin,—who does not recognize her owing to the disguise,—Nicolette plays so charmingly that she draws tears from his eyes. Then she begs to know his sorrows, and, on hearing he has lost his lady-love, suggests he woo the king of Carthage's daughter. Loudly averring60 he will never woo any one save Nicolette, Aucassin turns sadly away, whereupon the strolling minstrel assures him he shall see his beloved before long. Although it seems impossible to Aucassin that this prediction should be verified, Nicolette has little difficulty in fulfilling her promise, for, hastening back to her old home, she obtains some of her own clothes, and, thus restored to her wonted appearance, presents herself before the delighted Aucassin, who, overjoyed to see her once more, clasps her rapturously to his heart.
The ballad adds that the two lovers, united for good and all, lived happy ever after, and were an example to all faithful lovers in the beautiful land of Biaucaire.
Many years abode61 they there,
Many years in shade or sun,
In great gladness and delight.
Ne'er had Aucassin regret,
Nor his lady Nicolette.
Now my story all is done—
Said and sung!
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1
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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5
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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6
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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7
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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10
beseeches
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的第三人称单数 ) | |
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11
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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12
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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13
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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14
routs
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| n.打垮，赶跑( rout的名词复数 )；（体育）打败对方v.打垮，赶跑( rout的第三人称单数 )；（体育）打败对方 | |
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15
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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16
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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17
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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18
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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19
languish
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| vi.变得衰弱无力，失去活力，（植物等）凋萎 | |
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20
lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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21
tremors
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| 震颤( tremor的名词复数 )； 战栗； 震颤声； 大地的轻微震动 | |
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22
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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24
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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25
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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26
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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27
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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28
cowers
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的第三人称单数 ) | |
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29
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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30
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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31
bribes
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| n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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32
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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33
entice
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| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
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34
erects
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的第三人称单数 )；建立 | |
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35
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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36
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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38
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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39
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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40
confides
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的第三人称单数 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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41
bestows
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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43
sprain
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| n.扭伤,扭筋 | |
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44
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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45
raptures
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| 极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
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46
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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47
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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48
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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49
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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50
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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52
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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53
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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54
incenses
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| 香( incense的名词复数 ) | |
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55
wrings
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| 绞( wring的第三人称单数 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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56
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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57
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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58
proficiency
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| n.精通，熟练，精练 | |
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59
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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60
averring
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| v.断言( aver的现在分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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61
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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