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.
Heroines of the French Epic Page 40
