Library of the Worlds Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 6 | Page 3

Hague in 1740, and in Paris in
1787. The best editions are by Fourcault (7 vols., Paris, 1822); by
Lacour and Mérimée (3 vols., 1859); and Lalande (10 vols., 1865-'81).
What Brantôme thought of himself may be seen by glancing at that
portion of the "testament mystique" which relates to his writings:--
"I will and expressly charge my heirs that they cause to be printed the
books which I have composed by my talent and invention. These books

will be found covered with velvet, either black, green or blue, and one
larger volume, which is that of the Rodomontades, covered with velvet,
gilt outside and curiously bound. All have been carefully corrected.
There will be found in these books excellent things, such as stories,
histories, discourses, and witty sayings, which I flatter myself the world
will not disdain to read when once it has had a sight of them. I direct
that a sum of money be taken from my estate sufficient to pay for the
printing thereof, which certainly cannot be much; for I have known
many printers who would have given money rather than charged any
for the right of printing them. They print many things without charge
which are not at all equal to mine. I will also that the said impression
shall be in large type, in order to make the better appearance, and that
they should appear with the Royal Privilege, which the King will
readily grant. Also care must be taken that the printers do not put on the
title-page any supposititious name instead of mine. Otherwise, I should
be defrauded of the glory which is my due."
The old man delighted in complimenting himself and talking about his
"grandeur d'âme." This greatness of soul may be measured from the
command he gave his heirs to annoy a man who had refused to swear
homage to him, "it not being reasonable to leave at rest this little wretch,
who descends from a low family, and whose grandfather was nothing
but a notary." He also commands his nieces and nephews to take the
same vengeance upon his enemies "as I should have done in my green
and vigorous youth, during which I may boast, and I thank God for it,
that I never received an injury without being revenged on the author of
it."
Brantôme writes like a "gentleman of the sword," with dash and élan,
and as one, to use his own words, who has been "toujours trottant,
traversant, et vagabondant le monde" (always trotting, traversing, and
tramping the world). Not in the habit of a vagabond, however, for the
balls, banquets, tournaments, masques, ballets, and wedding-feasts
which he describes so vividly were occasions for the display of
sumptuous costumes; and Messire Pierre de Bourdeille doubtless
appeared as elegant as any other gallant in silken hose, jeweled doublet,
flowing cape, and long rapier. What we value most are his paintings of

these festive scenes, and the vivid portraits which he has left of the
Valois women, who were largely responsible for the luxuries and the
crimes of the period: women who could step without a tremor from a
court-masque to a massacre; who could toy with a gallant's ribbons and
direct the blow of an assassin; and who could poison a rival with a
delicately perfumed gift. Such a court Brantôme calls the "true paradise
of the world, school of all honesty and virtue, ornament of France." We
like to hear about Catherine de' Medici riding with her famous
"squadron of Venus": "You should have seen forty or fifty dames and
demoiselles following her, mounted on beautifully accoutred hackneys,
their hats adorned with feathers which increased their charm, so well
did the flying plumes represent the demand for love or war. Virgil, who
undertook to describe the fine apparel of Queen Dido when she went
out hunting, has by no means equaled that of our Queen and her
ladies."
Charming, too, are such descriptions as "the most beautiful ballet that
ever was, composed of sixteen of the fairest and best-trained dames and
demoiselles, who appeared in a silvered rock where they were seated in
niches, shut in on every side. The sixteen ladies represented the sixteen
provinces of France. After having made the round of the hall for parade
as in a camp, they all descended, and ranging themselves in the form of
a little oddly contrived battalion, some thirty violins began a very
pleasant warlike air, to which they danced their ballet." After an hour
the ladies presented the King, the Queen-Mother, and others with
golden plaques, on which were engraved "the fruits and singularities of
each province," the wheat of Champagne, the vines of Burgundy, the
lemons and oranges of Provence, etc. He shows us Catherine de'
Medici, the elegant, cunning Florentine; her beautiful