Marie de France
Marie de France
Marie de Francewas a medieval poet who was probably born in France and lived in England during the late 12th century. She lived and wrote at an unknown court, but she and her work was almost certainly known about at the royal court of King Henry II of England. Virtually nothing is known of her life; both her given name and its geographical specification come from her manuscripts. However, one written description of her work and popularity from her own...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionPoet
CountryFrance
cry great mourning
Great were the lamentation and the cry when the news of this mischance was noised about the city. Such a tumult of mourning was never before heard, for the whole city was moved.
lays
Whosoever counts these Lays as fable, may be assured that I am not of his mind.
ancient art best rehearse tale
Now will I rehearse before you a very ancient Breton Lay. As the tale was told to me, so, in turn, will I tell it over again, to the best of my art and knowledge. Hearken now to my story, its why and its reason.
believe men foolish
Whoever believes in a man is very foolish.
loyalty mean matter
For above all things Love means sweetness, and truth, and measure; yea, loyalty to the loved one and to your word. And because of this I dare not meddle with so high a matter.
fashion past stories
The dead and past stories that I have told again in divers fashions, are not set down without authority.
anger wrath wish
Fairest and dearest, your wrath and anger are more heavy than I can bear; but learn that I cannot tell what you wish me to say without sinning against my honour too grievously.
heart heart-to-heart persons
But sweetly and discreetly love passes from person to person, from heart to heart, or it is nothing worth.
wheels never-forget fortune
But Fortune, who never forgets her duty, turns her wheel suddenly.
lips speak
Be sure that you speak with unfeigned lips.
men speech doe
Whoever has received knowledge and eloquence in speech from God should not be silent or secretive but demonstrate it willingly. When a great good is widely heard of, then, and only then, does it bloom, and when that good is praised by man, it has spread its blossoms.
love-is lovers beloved
For what the lover would, that would the beloved; what she would ask of him that should he go before to grant. Without accord such as this, love is but a bond and a constraint.
tunes tales know-how
He who would tell divers tales must know how to vary the tune.
names letters firsts
Out of five hundred who speak glibly of love, not one can spell the first letter of his name.