THE LADY AND THE TROUBADOUR.
For the Table Book.
[Emeugarde, daughter of Jacques de Tournay, Lord of Croiton, in Provence, becoming enamoured of a Troubadour, by name Enguilbert de Marnef, who was bound by a vow to repair to the Camp of the Crusaders in Palestine, besought him on the eve of his departure to suffer her to accompany him: de Marnef at first resolutely refused; but at length, overcome by her affectionate solicitations, assented, and was joined by her the same night, after her flight from her father’s chastel, in the garb of a guild brother of the joyeuse science.
Chronique de Poutailler]
Enguilbert! oh Enguilbert, the sword is in thine hand,
Thou hast vowed before our Lady’s shrine to seek the Sainted land:
—Thou goest to fight for glory—but what will glory be,
If thou lov’st me, and return’st to find a tomb and dust for me?
Look on me Enguilbert, for I have lost the shame
That should have stayed these tears and prayers from one of Tournay’s name:
—Look on me, my own bright-eyed Love—oh wilt thou leave me—say
To droop as sunless flowers do, lacking thee—light of my day?
Oh say that I may wend with thee—I’ll doff my woman’s ’tire,
Sling my Father’s sword unto my side, and o’er my back my lyre:
I’ll roam with thee a Troubadour, by day—by night, thy bride—
—Speak Enguilbert—say yes,—or see my heart break if denied.
Oh shouldst thou fall, my Enguilbert, whose lips thy wounds will close?—
Who but thine own fond Emeugarde should watch o’er thy repose?
And pierced, and cold her faithful breast must be e’er spear or sword
Should ought of harm upon thee wreak, my Troubadour—my Lord.
—Nay smile not at my words, sweet-heart—the Goss hath slender beak
But brings its quarry nobly down—I love tho’ I am weak
—My Blood hath coursed thro’ Charlemagne’s veins, and better it should flow
Upon the field with Infidels’, than here congeal with woe.
—Ah Enguilbert—my soul’s adored! the tear is in thine eye;
Thou wilt not—can’st not leave me like the widowed dove to die:
—No—no—thine arm is round me—that kiss on my hot brow
Spoke thy assent, my bridegroom love,—we are ONE for ever now.
J. J. K.