cru, i. e. unashamed.
faîte vermeil. See note on AYMERILLOT. where the same phrase occurs.
figurant, 'suggesting the form of". A highly characteritic touch. Hugo possessed a faculty of poetic vision which changed the shapes of things so as to bring them into harmony with the dominant ideas of the moment. Cf. LA ROSE DE L'INFANTE, and LA CONFIANCE.
Héliogabales. Heliogabalus was a Roman Emperor (r. 217-222) noted for his sensuality and his caprices.
cistre, cittern or cithern, a musical instrument resembling the guitar.
un Louvre: the Louvre is the well-known palace in Paris where many kings of France resided. Note the antithesis in the same line, antre de rois, Louvre de voleurs.
les ors, various kinds of gold. Sixte Malaspina, introduced as one of the counsellors of Ratbert in a poem entitled 'Ratbert' not given here.
chape is the Picard form of 'cape' (see note on LES PAUVRES GENS). It is the name for a long cloak, fastened in front, and worn by clergy and choristers when performing Divine Service. Formerly any long loose cloak was called a charpe. As is still the custom in the Greek Church, images of the Virgin or saints are largely used, and they are found as ornaments on pieces of furniture and sacerdotal vestments.
L. 455. A peacock roasted whole and served up ornamented with its feathers was a favourite dish at the banquets of the fifteenth century.
hypocras, an infusion of cinnamon, sweet almonds, amber, and musk in sweetened wine.