Till death us two shall part.”
This very beautiful poem the royal lover entitled “Regnault et Jehanneton,” or “Les Amours du Bergier et de la Bergeronne,”—a play, of course, upon his own name and Queen Jehanne’s. At the end of the manuscript René drew a very pretty design—side by side two shields of arms, his and Jehanne’s, united by a royal crown; his supporter, on the left, une souche,—the stump of a forest tree,—with one flourishing foliaged branch bearing a censer of burning incense; her supporter, on the right, a chestnut-tree in full flower, and on a branch two royal paroquets—lovebirds!
In 1457 the poet-King put forth an allegory of chivalry which he called “La Conqueste de Doulce Mercy par le Cuer d’Amour espris.” The conceit of the story is just a simple knight,—youthful, vigorous, and a true lover of women,—setting forth for the devotion he holds for his mistress to endure perilous adventures. René himself is, of course, the hero of the poem, the intrepid soldier of Naples, the heroic prisoner of Bulgneville.
The opening of the poem reveals “le Bon Roy” one night wakeful, and suffering heartache—“Mortie dormant en resverie.” It appeared to him that his heart left his breast, and that “Vif Désire” whispered gently:
“Si, Doulce Mercy,
Desires de povoir avoir,
Il fault que tu faces devoir
Par la force d’armes l’acquerir.”
“If, True Chivalry,
Thou wouldst have power,