Heroines of the French Epic

  Till suddenly she saw a man ahead!

  34. How Blancheflor met the woodsman Varocher

  SHE’D STRUGGLED ON, though every step was bitter,

  And she herself was filled with dreadful pity

  For Aubri’s sake, whose slaughter she had witnessed.

  She didn’t know the woeful fate inflicted

  Upon Macaire, the foul dissembling villain –

  For had she known, it would have raised her spirits.

  She fled so far she reached the woodland’s limit

  1280 And, in a field of lofty grass, distinguished

  A woodsman, who was striding to her briskly.

  Upon his back he bore a stack of timber

  His axe had cut – for thus he earned a living

  To feed himself, his wife and two young children.

  He saw the Queen, and hailed her, striding thither:

  “My Lady fair, it is most injudicious

  To walk alone and keep no escort with you.

  Dear God! Aren’t you the Queen? Highness, forgive me!

  What brings you here? Have you been robbed or injured?

  1290 Your Highness, speak, and I shall seek prescription!”

  “Good friend,” said she, “my pain’s beyond your physic!

  But, if you wish, I’ll tell you my affliction.

  I am the Queen, indeed, of Charles’s kingdom.

  But I have been a cursèd traitor’s victim,

  Accused by him in court of sin so wicked

  It’s riven me from Charles and driven hither!

  I beg of you, good woodsman, brave and willing,

  If you indeed could lend me such assistance

  As would ensure that I could safely visit

  1300 My parents’ home, Constantinople city,

  If you did this, you’d be rewarded richly:

  The load you bear forever would be lifted!”

  Said Varocher, for so was named the villein:

  “For all my life my services I’ll give you!

  Now follow me, fair Queen, and I shall bring you

  Inside my hut, which lies ahead a little,

  And you shall meet my wife and sturdy striplings!

  We’ll go from there when I have told them whither.”

  The Queen replied: “I’ll do as you have bidden.”

  1310 When this was said the pair of them continued

  Until they reached the hut and went within it.

  35. How Varocher took leave of his wife

  SO VAROCHER returned to his own dwelling,

  Laid down his load, and bade the Queen to enter.

  “My love,” he said, “attend! Do not expect me

  Back home again until the month has ended.”

  His wife replied: “My lord, what journey beckons?”

  And he replied: “Wherever God directs me.

  I know no more of my return to tell you.”

  He seized his club, a mighty, spiky weapon –

  1320 For he was strong, his body long and heavy,

  His forehead large, his lengthy hair dishevelled:

  You never saw, I’m sure, so strange a fellow –

  He seized his club, he took his leave, and left there,

  With Blancheflor the Queen in his protection.

  Through all of France she travelled, unmolested,

  Then through Provence, unrecognised by any,

  Then all the way through Lombardy the wealthy

  And on and on, from morning light to vespers,

  Until at last they reached the port of Venice

  1330 And took a ship across the sea together.

  And all who saw big Varocher made merry –

  Behind his back – and mocked the burly peasant.

  They journeyed on, through mountain-pass and headland,

  Through border-posts, through valley-field and meadow,

  Until they came to Hungary and rested

  In lodgings of a well respected tenant,

  Whose wife alike was of the highest merit:

  She loved the poor and always sought to help them.

  Her daughters too were beautiful and gentle.

  1340 The host himself was true of heart and temper:

  Named Primerain, this man was well respected

  By everyone, the greater and the lesser.

  But even he, to see Varocher enter,

  With shaggy hair and features fierce of mettle,

  A club in hand, as rough as it was ready,

  Began to think the man had lost his senses!

  And so he asked good Varocher to tell him

  His land of birth and present earth of dwelling!

  Said Varocher: “My wife and I have ventured

  1350 From far beyond your lofty mountains’ echo!”

  On hearing this, the host was well contented

  And bade his wife to spare herself no efforts

  With Blancheflor in any way whatever.

  His wife obeyed, with every skill and pleasure.

  36. How Blancheflor fared in the hostel

  HOW WELL THEY SERVED fair Blancheflor that day!

  Whatever thing she needed or she craved,

  With willing heart the hostess did or gave,

  And Blancheflor with grateful heart repaid.

  The hostess saw her swollen womb and waist,

  1360 And knew at once the peril of her state.

  She pitied her and asked about the knave

  Who never once set down his wooden mace:

  Was he in health, or were his wits astray?

  The Queen replied: “He’s always been that way.

  Don’t challenge him or goad him into rage,

  For his is not an easy head to tame.

  But he’s my lord, and he has kept me safe.”

  The hostess said: “For that, may God be praised!

  We’ll serve him too, the very best we may.”

  1370 So, more from fear than any friendship’s sake,

  They did their all for fearsome Varocher,

  Although they thought his senses were deranged!

  And then, upon the third night of their stay,

  The Queen gave birth to a most handsome babe.

  The hostess held the child aloft; she bathed

  Its body well and swathed it in a drape.

  Whatever thing the Queen required or bade

  The hostess did or gave to her that day.

  She served her with no less or more a grace

  1380 Than if she’d been her sister born and raised.

  The Queen indeed was grateful for her aid,

  And Varocher’s, as up and down he paced,

  His mighty club clenched in his hand, in case

  Some kidnapper or thief should try to take

  The child away as booty or as bait!

  Its mother stayed in bed a week, as safe

  As other queens behind their city-gates!

  And when the end of her confinement came,

  The host approached as Blancheflor engaged

  1390 His worthy wife in talk that mothers make.

  He said: “My dear, may I congratulate

  You on the birth of such a son and heir!

  When you decide on his baptismal date,

  I’d like to be godfather, if I may.”

  “Much thanks for this,” she answered straightaway:

  “In your good hands I know my son is safe.

  And you may choose, at will, your godson’s name.”

  “I’ve thought of that!” the host replied in haste:

  “When he’s baptised and at the font is laid

  1400 With hol
y oil to foil the Devil’s claim,

  Then let him live and serve the Christian Faith

  With, if you will, my own name – Primerain!”

  37. How Primerain took the baby to church

  FOR SEVEN DAYS the Queen remained confined.

  Then Primerain approached her and inquired

  If she would give the child to him a while

  To take to church so it could be baptised.

  Most graciously and gladly she complied.

  So in his arms he took the little child,

  And, wrapping it inside his coat, he plied

  1410 His way to church, not wasting any time.

  No others went where he was bent, besides

  Good Varocher, who skipped along behind,

  Still brandishing his club at shoulder-height!

  But ere the pair arrived and went inside,

  The country’s king rode up before the shrine

  With many knights whose fealty he prized.

  He recognised old Primerain, and cried:

  “Such haste, my man? What precious bundle lies

  Beneath the cloak you’re clinging to so tight?”

  1420 “A handsome child!” old Primerain replied,

  “New-born to one most lovely and refined

  Who’s lodging here with me and my good wife.

  I’m bound to church to name the child for Christ.

  Its father is that man who’s just arrived.”

  The barons laughed at what came into sight:

  A man who seemed a nothing in their eyes.

  They each agreed: “He looks a vicious type!

  He has to be some criminal in flight!”

  When this was said, the king came closer by

  1430 And raised the baby’s cloak, for he desired

  To see the child and satisfy his mind.

  And when he did, he saw a Cross’s sign

  Upon the baby’ shoulder, marked in white.

  He marvelled much to see the blessed sight

  And knew at once the child was nobly sired.

  “Proceed,” he said, “and have no fear, for I

  Shall go with you to see the child baptised.”

  “God’s will be done!” good Primerain replied:

  “So help me God, this fills me with delight!”

  38. How the Magyar king had the baby baptised

  1440 AT THIS THE KING, with no desire to dawdle,

  Rode on to church as Primerain kept walking.

  The king arrived and called the abbot forward.

  He said: “My man, we bid you and exhort you,

  For love of us, who know that you are loyal,

  To give this child a baptism accorded

  To only those of lineage most royal,

  In whom the blood of mighty kingship courses.

  And when you sing the service due, perform it

  With lusty lungs, in all its pomp and glory!”

  1450 The abbot said: “I will, Sire, I assure you!”

  At this the king dismounted from his warhorse,

  As every knight attending him did also,

  And went inside to swell the happy chorus!

  The abbot’s arms received the child, in order

  To bless its soul with holy oil and water.

  But when it came to naming it, he faltered.

  He asked aloud: “My lord, how shall I call him?”

  “As I am called!” the king responded warmly.

  The abbot said: “I will, Sire, I assure you!”

  1460 Thus LOUIS was the name he was awarded.

  When this was done, the king was loath to loiter,

  And hailed the host beneath the church’s portals:

  “Good man,” he said, “I urge you and exhort you,

  Whatever care the infant’s mother calls for,

  Provide it well, in every part and portion.”

  And then he tossed a pocketful of coinage

  To Varocher, the father, as he thought him,

  So he would have the money to support them.

  No need to ask if Varocher was joyful

  1470 At such a gift, when in his hand he caught it:

  He trotted off, his visage smiling broadly.

  When he returned, old Primerain reported

  To Blancheflor: “My lady, happy fortune

  Has blest your son! At baptism this morning

  Our king was there and his largesse accorded

  Your son the name that he himself was born with:

  The royal name of Louis is his forename,

  A peerless name, the fame of which is lauded!

  And to the man you say that he was born to,

  1480 The monarch gave a purse of money also!”

  The Queen was thrilled and filled with great rejoicing.

  And now the host, his wife and lovely daughters

  Were keener still to help the Queen because of

  The wealth she’d gained and what it could afford her.

  And thus it stayed, for so did they, a fortnight,

  Until the king called Primerain before him,

  Who gladly came as soon as he was sought for.

  The king began: “Address your lovely boarder

  On my behalf! When you return inform her

  1490 That I would like to see her and my godson.”

  The host replied: “I will do, I assure you.”

  He left the king, with no desire to loiter,

  And, coming back to Blancheflor, exhorted

  Her tenderly to dress and welcome shortly

  The king himself, her patron, who was calling

  To speak with her on something of importance!

  The Queen replied: “I would not disappoint him.

  I share his wish to have this meeting also.”

  So while the Queen dressed up in such adornment

  1500 As best she found, bereft of her own wardrobe,

  The host, at once, to Louis’ joy, informed him

  That Blancheflor herself was looking forward

  To meeting him that very day and talking.

  On hearing this, the king was loath to loiter,

  And, by a few in retinue escorted,

  He hastened back with Primerain, on horseback.

  When Blancheflor beheld him on the forecourt

  She rose at once and bowed her head before him:

  “Most welcome here,” she said, “my royal warden!”

  1510 The king replied: “I welcome you, most warmly!”

  Then both retired, most courteously withdrawing

  Inside a room to find a quiet corner

  Upon a seat, where soon they were discoursing.

  “I was amazed by what I saw most surely

  Upon your son whom I baptised this morning.

  His shoulder bore a mark on it no mortal

  Except a prince of highest rank is born with.

  Because of this, fair lady, I implore you,

  As godparent to parent, where accordance

  1520 Should always reign, and there should be no falsehood,

  For the love of God, who dwells above, inform me

  Where you are from, and what it is that’s forced you,

  With such a man, to cross our lofty border?”

  At this, the Queen, with teardrops gently falling,

  Began to tell a little of her story.

  39. How Blancheflor addressed the Magyar king

  THE QUEEN BEGAN to tell her tale a little:

  “My lord,” she said, “the truth should not be hidden

  From such as you, if you’ve an ear to listen.

  I am the wife of
Charlemagne fierce-visaged,

  1530 The best of kings this mortal world has in it.

  But he was tricked and I, a liar’s victim,

  Was meant for death, most wrongfully convicted,

  Then sent instead in exile from the kingdom.

  God knows the truth – that I was never guilty

  In deed or thought of any crime so wicked.

  But as the King had judged me so, they kindled

  A flaming fire to burn me as a sinner.

  An abbot came to hear my sins’ admission,

  And when I owned to those I had committed,

  He sought my lord and wrought my death’s remission.

  1540 Charles took advice, and, heeding what was given,

  He told a knight to guide me to the limits

  Of lovely France, from which I was forbidden.

  But when we’d left the town a little distance,

  The very fiend whose treachery had tricked me

  Rode up again, well-armed but evil-driven!

  He charged the knight assigned to travel with me

  And slew him as he drove his weapon in him.

  I filled with dread to see the evil killer

  1550 And fled away to hide among some thickets.

  This man you see attending me’s a villein

  I chanced to meet emerging from a spinney,

  Who, ever since, has lent me his assistance.

  He’s led me here, to such a noble kingdom

  That I am served respectfully and richly –

  And all of this is due to your good kingship!

  In Jesu’s name, because of this, I bid you

  To let me stay within your jurisdiction

  Until my fate is known in my own kingdom.

  1560 My father thought he’d sent me to distinction:

  He’ll bring me back on learning that he didn’t!

  I’ve told you now the truth of my position.”

  The Magyar king was shocked by her admissions,

  But knew at once the truth had been unhidden:

  She was a Queen! The Empress of the Christians,

  Whose father ruled Constantinople city!

  He bowed to her, in courteous submission,

  And said: “Fair Queen! Your wishes are my bidding.

  You shall reside in chambers more befitting

  1570 The honour you are due, and will be given,

  While messengers of mine convey a missive

  That will inform your father well and swiftly.”

  40. How the Magyar king honoured Blancheflor

  THE MAGYAR KING was very wise and gallant:

  The wife of Charles was honoured there as grandly

  As she could wish and his resource imagined.