CLIGES_ A ROMANCE(克里杰斯：一个罗曼蒂克的故事)

VIP免费

2024-12-26 0 0 403.85KB 100 页 5.9玖币

侵权投诉

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

by Chretien de Troyes, trans. L. J. Gardiner.

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

INTRODUCTION

IT is six hundred and fifty years since Chretien de Troyes wrote his

Cliges. And yet he is wonderfully near us, whereas he is separated by a

great gulf from the rude trouveres of the Chansons de Gestes and from the

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which was still dragging out its weary length in

his early days. Chretien is as refined, as civilised, as composite as we are

ourselves; his ladies are as full of whims, impulses, sudden reserves, self-

debate as M. Paul Bourget's heroines; while the problems of conscience

and of emotion which confront them are as complex as those presented on

the modern stage. Indeed, there is no break between the Breton romance

and the psychological-analytical novel of our own day.

Whence comes this amazing modernity and complexity? From many

sources:--Provencal love-lore, Oriental subtlety, and Celtic mysticism--all

blended by that marvellous dexterity, style, malice, and measure which are

so utterly French that English has no adequate words for them. We said

"Celtic mysticism," but there is something else about Chretien which is

also Celtic, though very far from being "mystic". We talk a great deal

nowadays about Celtic melancholy, Celtic dreaminess, Celtic "other-

worldliness"; and we forget the qualities that made Caesar's Gauls, St.

Paul's Galatians, so different from the grave and steadfast Romans--that

loud Gaulois that has made the Parisian the typical Frenchman. A different

being, this modern Athenian, from the mystic Irish peasant we see in the

poetic modern Irish drama!--and yet both are Celts.

Not much "other-worldliness" about Chretien. He is as positive as any

man can be. His is not of the world of Saint Louis, of the Crusaders, of the

Cathedral-builders. In Cliges there is no religious atmosphere at all. We

hear scarcely anything of Mass, of bishops, of convents. When he

mentions Tierce or Prime, it is merely to tell us the hour at which

something happened--and this something is never a religious service.

There is nothing behind the glamour of arms and love, except for the cas

de conscience presented by the lovers. Nothing but names and framework

are Celtic; the spirit, with its refinements and its hair-splitting, is

Provencal. But what a brilliant whole! what art! what measure! Our

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

thoughts turn to the gifted women of the age--as subtle, as interesting, and

as unscrupulous as the women of the Renaissance--to Eleanor of Aquitaine,

a reigning princess, a troubadour, a Crusader, the wife of two kings, the

mother of two kings, to the last, intriguing and pulling the strings of

political power--"An Ate, stirring him [King John] to blood and strife."

The twelfth century was an age in which women had full scope--in

which the Empress Maud herself took the field against her foe, in which

Stephen's queen seized a fortress, in which a wife could move her husband

to war or to peace, in which a Marie of Champagne (Eleanor's daughter)

could set the tone of great poets and choose their subjects.

If, then, this woman-worship, this complexity of love, this self-

debating, first comes into literature with Chretien de Troyes, and is still

with us, no more interesting work exists than his earliest masterpiece,

Cliges. The delicate and reticent Soredamors; the courteous and lovable,

Guinevere; the proud and passionate Fenice, who will not sacrifice her fair

fame and chastity; the sorceress Thessala, ancestress of Juliet's nurse--

these form a gallery of portraits unprecedented in literature.

The translator takes this opportunity of thanking Mr. B. J. Hayes, M.A.,

of St. John's College, Cambridge, for occasional help, and also for kindly

reading the proofs.

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

CLIGES

THE clerk who wrote the tale of Erec and Enid, and translated the

Commandments of Ovid and the Art of Love, and composed the Bite of

the Shoulder, and sang of King Mark and of the blonde Iseult, and of the

metamorphosis of the Hoopoe and of the Swallow and of the Nightingale,

is now beginning a new tale of a youth who was in Greece of the lineage

of King Arthur. But before I tell you anything of him, you shall hear his

father's life--whence he was and of what lineage. So valiant was he and of

such proud spirit, that to win worth and praise he went from Greece to

England, which was then called Britain. We find this story that I desire to

tell and to relate to you, recorded in one of the books of the library of my

lord Saint Peter at Beauvais. Thence was taken the tale from which

Chretien framed this romance. The book, which truthfully bears witness to

the story, is very ancient; for this reason it is all the more to be believed.

From the books which we possess, we know the deeds of the ancients and

of the world which aforetime was. This our books have taught us: that

Greece had the first renown in chivalry and in learning. Then came

chivalry to Rome, and the heyday of learning, which now is come into

France. God grant that she be maintained there; and that her home there

please her so much that never may depart from France the honour which

has there taken up its abode. God had lent that glory to others; but no man

talks any longer either more or less about Greeks and Romans; talk of

them has ceased, and the bright glow is extinct.

Chretien begins his tale--as the story relates to us--which tells of an

emperor mighty in wealth and honour, who ruled Greece and

Constantinople. There was a very noble empress by whom the emperor

had two children. But the first was of such an age before the other was

born, that if he had willed he might have become a knight and held all the

empire. The first was named Alexander; the younger was called Alis. The

father too had for name Alexander; and the mother had for name Tantalis.

I will straight-away leave speaking of the empress Tantalis, of the emperor,

and of Alis. I will speak to you of Alexander, who was so great-hearted

and proud that he did not stoop to become a knight in his own realm. He

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

had heard mention made of King Arthur, who was reigning at that time;

and of the barons which he ever maintained in his retinue wherefore his

Court was feared and famed throughout the world. Howe'er the end may

fall out for him , and whate'er may come of it for the lad, there is nought

that will hold him from his yearning to go to Britain; but it is meet that he

take leave of his father before he goes to Britain or to Cornwall. Alexander

the fair, the valiant, goes to speak to the emperor in order to ask

permission and to take his leave. Now will he tell him what is his vow, and

what he would fain do and take in hand. "Fair sire, that I may be schooled

in honour and win worth and renown, a boon," quoth he, "I venture to

crave of you--a boon that I would have you give me; never defer it now

for me if you are destined to grant it." The emperor had no thought of

being vexed for that, either much or little; he is bound to desire and to

covet honour for his son above aught else. He would deem himself to be

acting well--would deem? ay, and he would be so acting--if he increased

his son's honour. "Fair son," quoth he, "I grant you your good pleasure,

and tell me what you would have me give you." Now the lad has done his

work well; and right glad was he of it when is granted him the boon that

he so longed to have. "Sire," quoth he, "would you know what you have

promised me? I wish to have in great store of your gold and of your silver

and comrades from your retinue such as I shall will to choose; for I wish

to go forth from your empire, and I shall go to offer my service to the king

who reigns over Britain, that he may dub me knight. Never, indeed, on any

day as long as I live shall I wear visor on my face or helm on my head, I

warrant you, till King Arthur gird on my sword if he deign to do it; for I

will receive arms of no other." The emperor without more ado replies:

"Fair son, in God's name, say not so. This land and mighty are diverse and

contrary. And that man is a slave. Constantinople is wholly yours. You

must not hold me a niggard when I would fain give you so fair a boon.

Soon will I have you crowned; and a knight shall you be to-morrow. All

Greece shall be in your hand; and you shall receive from your barons--as

indeed you ought to receive--their oaths and homage. He who refuses this

is no wise man."

The lad hears the promise--namely, that his father will dub him knight

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

on the morrow after Mass--but says that he will prove himself coward or

hero in another land than his own. "If you will grant my boon in that

matter in which I have asked you; then give me fur both grey and of divers

colour and good steeds and silken attire; for before I am knight I will fain

serve King Arthur. Not yet have I so great valour that I can bear arms.

None by entreaty or by fair words could persuade me not to go into the

foreign land to see the king and his barons, whose renown for courtesy and

for prowess is so great. Many high men through their idleness lose great

praise that they might have if they wandered o'er the world. Repose and

praise agree all together, as it seems to me; for a man of might who is ever

resting in no wise becomes famous. Prowess is a burden to a cowardly

man; and cowardice is a burden to the brave; thus the twain to his

possessions who is ever heaping them up and increasing them. Fair sire, as

long as I am allowed to win renown, if I can avail so much, I will give my

pains and diligence to it."

At this, without doubt, the emperor feels joy and anxiety--joy has he;

for that he perceives that his son aims at valiant deeds; and anxiety on the

other hand, for that he is leaving him. But because of the promise that he

has made him it behoves him to grant his boon whatever anxiety he feel

about it; for an emperor must not lie. "Fair son," quoth he, "I ought not to

fail to do your pleasure, since I see that you aspire to honour. You may

take from my treasury two barques full of gold and silver; but take care

that you be very generous and courteous and well-bred." Now is the youth

right glad; for his father promises him so much that he puts his treasure at

his free disposal and exhorts and commands him to give and to spend

liberally; and also he tells him the reason wherefore: "Fair son," quoth he,

"believe me in this; that open-handedness is the lady and queen who

illumines all virtues; and it is not a whit difficult to prove this. In what

place could one find a man, however mighty and magnificent he be, that is

not blamed if he be a niggard; or any man, however ill-reputed he be,

whom liberality does not render praised? Liberality of itself makes a man

of honour--which neither high Rank, nor courtesy, nor knowledge, nor

noble birth, nor wealth , nor strength, nor chivalry, nor courage, nor

lordship, nor beauty, nor any other thing, can do. But just as the rose is

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

fairer than any other flower when she buddeth fresh and new; so where

liberality comes she holds herself above all virtues, and she multiplies five

hundredfold the virtues that she finds in an honourable man who proves

his worth. There is so much to say about liberality that I could not tell the

half of it." Well has the lad succeeded in whatsoever he has requested and

asked; for his father has found for him all that his desire conceived.

Exceeding sorrowful was the empress when she heard of the road which

her son must needs follow; but whoever has grief and anxiety thereof, or

whoever deems his conduct but folly, or blames and dissuades him, the

youth as quickly as he could bade his ships be got ready; for he had no

wish to stay longer in his own country. The ships were loaded that night by

his command with wine with meat and with biscuits.

The ships are loaded in the harbour and on the morrow with great

joyance came Alexander to the sandy shore; and with him his comrades

who were fain of the journey. The emperor convoys him and the empress

who was sad at heart. In the harbour they find the mariners in the ships

beside the cliff. The sea was peaceful and smooth the wind gentle and the

air serene. Alexander first of all, when he had parted from his father and

on taking leave of the empress whose heart was sad within her, enters

from the boat into the ship and his comrades with him. Four, three, and

two , they simultaneously strive to enter without delay. Full soon was the

sail spread and the anchor of the barque weighed. Those on land, who

were sore at heart for the lads whom they see departing, follow them with

their eyes' ken as far as they can; and so that they may watch them the

better and the further, they go off and climb together a high peak by the

shore. Thence they watch their sorrow as far as they can see them. They

gaze at their own sorrow in sooth; for great is their sorrow for the lads:

may God lead them to port without disaster and without peril!

They were at sea all April and part of May. Without great peril and

without alarm they made land above Southampton. One day 'twixt Nones

and Vespers they cast anchor and have made the port. The youths, who had

never previously learned to suffer discomfort or pain, had stayed on the

sea which was not wholesome for them so long that all are pale and all the

strongest and most healthy are weakened and nerveless. And, nevertheless,

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

they show great joy; for that they have escaped from the sea and come

hither where they would be. And because they were suffering greatly, they

lie that night above Southampton and show great joy and let ask and

inquire whether the king is in England. They are told that he is at

Winchester; and that they can be there full soon if they will depart with

morning provided that they keep to the right way. This news pleases them

well; and on the morrow, when the day is born, the lads wake up with

morning and equip and prepare themselves. And when they were equipped

they have turned from above Southampton and have kept to the right way

till they have reached Winchester where the king was tarrying. Before

Prime the Greeks had come to Court. They dismount at the foot of the

steps, the squires and the horses stayed in the court below; and the youths

ascend to the presence of the best king that ever was or ever may be in the

world. And when the king sees them come, they please and delight him

much; but ere they had come before him, they throw off the cloaks from

their necks that they might not be taken for clowns. Thus all having

thrown off their cloaks have come before the king. And the barons one and

all keep silence; for the youths please them mightily for that they see them

fair and comely. Never do they dream that they are all sons of counts or of

a king; yet truly so they were, and they were in the flower of their youth,

comely and well set up in body; and the robes that they wore were of one

cloth and one cut, of one appearance and one colour. Twelve were they

without their lord of whom I will tell you this much without more ado; that

none was better than he; but without arrogance and yet unabashed he stood

with his mantle off before the king, and was very fair and well shaped. He

has kneeled down before him, and all the others from courtesy, kneel

beside their lord.

Alexander, whose tongue was sharpened to speak well and wisely,

greets the king. "King," quoth he, "if renown lie not concerning you since

God made the first man, no king with faith in God was born so powerful

as you. King, the report that is in men's mouths has brought me to your

Court to serve and honour you, and if my service is pleasing I will stay till

I be a new-made knight at your hand, not at that of another. For never shall

I be dubbed knight if I be not so by you. If my service so please you that

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

you will to make me a knight, keep me, gracious king, and my comrades

who are here." Straightway the king replies: "Friend," quoth he, "I reject

not a whit either you or your company; but ye are all right welcome; for ye

have the air, I well think it, of being sons of men of high rank. Whence are

ye?" "We are from Greece." "From Greece?" "Truly are we." "Who is thy

father?" "Faith, sire, the emperor." "And what is thy name, fair friend?"

"Alexander was the name given me when I received salt and chrism and

Christianity and baptism." "Alexander, fair dear friend, I keep you right

willingly; and much does it please and joy me, for you have done me

exceeding great honour in that you are come to my Court. It is my good

pleasure that you be honoured here as a noble warrior, wise and gentle.

Too long have you been on your knees: rise, I bid you, and henceforth be

free of my Court and of me; for you have arrived at a good haven."

Forthwith the Greeks rise. Blithe are they for that the king has thus

courteously kept them. Alexander is welcome; for there is no lack of aught

that he wishes nor is there any baron in the Court so high that he does not

speak him fair and welcome him. For he is not foolish nor boastful nor

doth he vaunt his noble birth. He makes himself known to Sir Gawain and

to the others one by one. He makes himself much loved by each; even Sir

Gawain loves him so much that he hails him as friend and comrade. The

Greeks had taken in the town at the house of a citizen the best lodging that

they could find. Alexander had brought great possessions from

Constantinople: he will desire above aught else to follow diligently the

emperor's advice and counsel--namely, that he should have his heart wide-

awake to give and to spend liberally. He gives great diligence and pains

thereto. He lives well at his lodging and gives and spends liberally as it

beseems his wealth, and as his heart counsels him. The whole Court

marvels whence his store is taken; for he gives to all horses of great price

which he had brought from his land. So much trouble has Alexander given

himself, and so much has he prevailed by his fair service, that the king

loves and esteems him dearly as well the barons and the queen.

At that point of time King Arthur desired to pass over into Brittany. He

bids all his barons assemble in order to seek Counsel, and ask them to

whom till he return he can entrust England, who may keep and maintain it

CLIGES: A ROMANCE

in peace. By the Council it was with one consent entrusted, as I think, to

Count Engres of Windsor; for till then they deemed no baron more loyal in

all the king's land. When this man had the land in his power, King Arthur

and the queen and her ladies set out on the morrow. In Brittany folk hear

tell that the king and his barons are coming: the Bretons rejoice greatly

thereat.

Into the ship in which the king crossed entered neither youth nor

maiden save Alexander alone; and the queen of a truth brought thither

Soredamors, a lady who scorned Love. Never had she heard tell of a man

whom she could deign to love however much beauty prowess dominion or

high rank he had. And yet the damsel was so winsome and fair that she

might well have known Love if it had pleased her to turn her mind to it;

but never had she willed to bend her mind thereto. Now will Love make

her sorrowful; and Love thinks to avenge himself right well for the great

pride and resistance which she has always shown to him. Right well has

Love aimed; for he has stricken her in the heart with his arrow. Oft she

grows pale; oft the beads of sweat break out, and in spite of herself she

must love. Scarce can she refrain from looking towards Alexander; but she

must needs guard herself against my Lord Gawain her brother. Dearly

does she buy and pay for her great pride and her disdain. Love has heated

for her a bath which mightily inflames and enkindles her. Now is he kind

to her, now cruel; now she wants him, and now she rejects him. She

accuses her eyes of treachery and says: "Eyes, you have betrayed me.

Through you has my heart which was wont to be faithful conceived hatred

for me. Now does what I see bring grief. Grief? Nay, in truth, but rather

pleasure. And if I see aught that grieves me, still have I not my eyes under

my own sway? My strength must indeed have failed me; and I must

esteem myself but lightly if I cannot control my eyes and make them look

elsewhere. By so doing I shall be able to guard myself right well from

Love, who wishes to be my master. What the eye sees not the heart does

not lament. If I do not see him there will be no pain. He does not entreat or

seek me: if he had loved me he would have sought me. And since he

neither loves nor esteems me, shall I love him if he loves me not? If his

beauty draws my eyes, and my eyes obey the spell, shall I for that say I

文档加载中……请稍候！
如果长时间未打开，您也可以点击刷新试试。

下载文档到电脑，查找使用更方便

5.9 玖币 0人已下载

立即下载 VIP免费下载

摘要：

CLIGES:AROMANCE1CLIGES:AROMANCEbyChretiendeTroyes,trans.L.J.Gardiner.CLIGES:AROMANCE2INTRODUCTIONITissixhundredandfiftyyearssinceChretiendeTroyeswrotehisCliges.Andyetheiswonderfullynearus,whereasheisseparatedbyagreatgulffromtherudetrouveresoftheChansonsdeGestesandfromtheAnglo-SaxonChronicle,whichwas...

展开>> 收起<<

CLIGES_ A ROMANCE(克里杰斯：一个罗曼蒂克的故事).pdf

共100页,预览20页

还剩页未读，继续阅读

声明：本站为文档C2C交易模式，即用户上传的文档直接被用户下载，本站只是中间服务平台，本站所有文档下载所得的收益归上传人(含作者)所有。玖贝云文库仅提供信息存储空间，仅对用户上传内容的表现方式做保护处理，对上载内容本身不做任何修改或编辑。若文档所含内容侵犯了您的版权或隐私，请立即通知玖贝云文库，我们立即给予删除！

CLIGES_ A ROMANCE(克里杰斯：一个罗曼蒂克的故事)

相关推荐

开通VIP享超值会员特权

作者详情

相关内容

热门标签

举报选择: