A rectangular decorative headpiece composed of typographic ornaments, featuring a border of floral flourishes and a central panel filled with repeating patterns of stars, crescents, and fleur-de-lis.

PRELIMINARY

DISCOURSE.

The troubadours Lyrical poets and musicians of the Middle Ages who wrote in the Occitan language. are now hardly known except by name; and most men of letters original: "gens de Lettres"; a term for the educated elite or intellectuals of the period. themselves form only a very imperfect idea of them. One is satisfied with knowing that these ancient Provençal poets While the author uses "Provençal," modern scholars note they came from various regions in what is now Southern France where Occitan was spoken. flourished as early as the twelfth century, when barbarism and ignorance still dominated Europe; that they visited the courts of princes and great lords, the only stages where their talents could shine; that they were favorably received there, especially by the ladies, to whom they dedicated their tributes and their songs original: "chansons"; the primary medium of the troubadours, often focusing on themes of courtly love.; finally,