And so, in this confused struggling fashion, during the course of centuries, the langue d'oc came to be the language of chivalry and romantic love: the language in which are written the laws of courtesy and of honour that we reverence to this day. The transition from the rudeness which was fitted to express the few ideas of early mediæval life to the fineness and polished charm of the troubadour poetry remains always more or less of a mystery; but however it came about, it is certain that when the troubadours and the chivalrous knights were born into the world by the "grace of God," the beautiful characteristic tongue which had been forged for their use by the beating of the ages of events was waiting and worthy to carry the thought and the emotion of an awakening people.
CHAPTER XXV
THE SONG OF THE RHONE
"Salut, empèri dóu soulèu, que bordo
Coume un orle d'argènt lou Rose bléuge!
Empèri dóu soulas, de l'alegrìo!
Empèri fantasti de la Prouvènço
Qu'emé toun noum soulet fas gau au mounde!"
("Hail, Empire of the sun, which the dazzling Rhone borders like a silver hem! Empire of happiness and gaiety, fantastic Empire of Provence, thou who with thy name alone charmest the world!")
Mistral, The Poem of the Rhone (Canto Second—xviii.).