Le roman de la rose

is found to be so well depicted in the works of our ancestors.

It is claimed that this Author had also composed some other Poems, which are found in the Library of the King, where they are titled: Amours of Guillaume de Machaut, in rhyme; it is No. 1609 of the manuscripts of this incomparable Library.

Various Poems by the same Author were also found in 1724 among the manuscripts of the late Princess at the Castle of Anet; from there they passed into the Cabinet of Mr. Imbert de Cangé, as seen on page 59 of his catalogue, and finally entered His Majesty’s Library.

Guillaume de Lorris was young and in love when he began this Romance. He had studied Law and had taken a mistress, a Lady of great merit, and perhaps of a great name, if we are to believe him. It was therefore for her that he set about writing this Book.

Verses 45, etc. The one for whom I undertook it,
Is a Lady of high price:
And

And so worthy is she of being loved,
That she must be named Rose.

This is what he says himself. He died then in 1260, shortly after having begun this work; but not without having received in advance some gratification from his Lady, as he makes clear enough.

Jean de Meun continues the Romance.

Forty years after the death of the first father of this Romance, Jean de Meun brought it forth at the age of about twenty-three, for I believe him born in the year 1279 or 1280. He brought this Romance to its end, I will even say to its perfection. I doubt that he was much more qualified than his predecessor, since like him he had no surname other than the one he took from the town where he was born, situated on the Loire, four leagues below Orleans. He also nonetheless had the name Clopinel The Limper from a defect he had in one leg; but I do not know which one: that would be a fine discovery for those who often apply themselves to less important things.