DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3825#0026
20 PROVENCE.
The selections in this volume are generally con-
fined to the love-pieces, as illustrative of the songs of
the Minnesingers. A complete estimate of the varied
character of a Troubadour knight can only be formed
by tracing its bold lineaments in his various works ;
one while breathing the fire of martial glory, animating
his followers on to heroic enterprise; another time
turning his muse into a powerful political engine, that
shook the thrones of kings, or made profligate church-
men tremble in their corrupt hypocrisy, and yet soon
afterwards melting into the soft and luxuriant har-
mony of a chanson.
Such was Bertrand de Born,—restless, ambitious,
and impetuous in his counsels,—a faithless friend and
a rebellious subject. From his castle of Hautefort
he sent forth lyrics which bade defiance to France,
England and Spain, while his biting satires excited
distrust and divisions among his enemies. At another
time he rushed to arms, and carried havoc among the
vassals of Philip Augustus, and of Henry II., in
whose family he was perpetually sowing discords, and
making
. . . il padre e'l figlio in se ribelli:
Achitophel non fe piu d' Assalone,
E di Dauid, co malvaggi punzelh.
Dante, Inf. c. 28.
Among our selections will be found one of the
songs with which this extraordinary being stimulated
the appetite of his followers for blood and war, in
The selections in this volume are generally con-
fined to the love-pieces, as illustrative of the songs of
the Minnesingers. A complete estimate of the varied
character of a Troubadour knight can only be formed
by tracing its bold lineaments in his various works ;
one while breathing the fire of martial glory, animating
his followers on to heroic enterprise; another time
turning his muse into a powerful political engine, that
shook the thrones of kings, or made profligate church-
men tremble in their corrupt hypocrisy, and yet soon
afterwards melting into the soft and luxuriant har-
mony of a chanson.
Such was Bertrand de Born,—restless, ambitious,
and impetuous in his counsels,—a faithless friend and
a rebellious subject. From his castle of Hautefort
he sent forth lyrics which bade defiance to France,
England and Spain, while his biting satires excited
distrust and divisions among his enemies. At another
time he rushed to arms, and carried havoc among the
vassals of Philip Augustus, and of Henry II., in
whose family he was perpetually sowing discords, and
making
. . . il padre e'l figlio in se ribelli:
Achitophel non fe piu d' Assalone,
E di Dauid, co malvaggi punzelh.
Dante, Inf. c. 28.
Among our selections will be found one of the
songs with which this extraordinary being stimulated
the appetite of his followers for blood and war, in