MATHURIN REGNIER.
1573-1613.
Though bred to the church and early settled in a good living, he led a life that was hardly edifying. He possessed brilliant talents, but failed to make the most of them. He was indolent and fond of good living, and was restive under discipline, as is evident in his work and in his irritation at Malherbe. He had a gift of keen observation, and his satires excelled in interest what he composed in the more lyrical forms of ode and elegy.
Works : Oeuvres, 1608, 1612 ; recent editions are those of Viollet le Duc, 1853 (Bibliothèque elzévirienne), and E. Courbet, 1875.
For reference : J. Vianey, Mathurin Régnier, 1896.
FRANÇOIS DE MALHERBE.
1555-1628.
He marks an epoch in the history of French letters. Boileau's famous phrase, "enfin Malherbe vint," dates from him the beginning of worthy French poetry. What did begin with him was that tradition of refinement, elegance, polish and perfect propriety of phrase that continued to rule French literature for two centuries. He lent the influence of a very positive voice to the growing demand for a standard of authority in grammar and versification and for recognized canons of criticism. The lyrical impulse in him was small, but some of his lines live in virtue of the finished propriety and harmony of expression.
Works: Oeuvres, 1628; the best edition is that of L. Lalanne, 5 vols., 1862-69 {Collection des Grands Écrivains).
For reference: G. Allais, Malherbe, 1891; F. Brunot, la Doctrine de Malherbe, 1891; F. Brunetière, l'Évolution des genres, vol. i, 1890; Études critiques sur l'histoire de la littérature française, vol. v, 1893.