la légende des siecles

L. 455. A peacock roasted whole and served up ornamented with its feathers was a
favourite dish at the banquets of the fifteenth century.
hypocras, an infusion of cinnamon, sweet almonds, amber, and musk in sweetened
wine.
Le roi d'Arle. See note to L. 179.
l'araignée. See note under PUISSANCE ÉGALE BONTÉ.
jacque (also written jaque), a short close-fitting coat or tunic.
vair (English vair), the fur of the squirrel, a highly esteemed and costly material for
dress in the later Middle Ages.
chevalier haubert, i. e. a knight who has the right to wear the haubert or cuirass.
Urbain quatre, Pope (1261-. 1264). He is rightly described as the son of a cobbler.
Afranus, introduced as the bishop of Fréjus, and one of Ratbert's evil counsellors, in the
poem of 'Ratbert'. See note on L. 435 supra.
L. 721. For the element of supernatural vengeance on cruelty compare L'Aigle du
casque, published in the 1877 series.
LA ROSE DE L'INFANTE.
A French critic has said happily of this poem: '"La Rose de l'Infante" est un chefd'oeuvre,
digne d'être illustré par Vélasquez.' (Gaston Deschamps in Petit de Julleville's
Histoire de la langue et de la littérature françaises.)
The little princess, of whom such an enchanting picture is given in this poem, is an
imaginary figure. There was no Infanta of five years of age at the epoch of the Armada.
basquine, a rich skirt worn by Spanish women.
point de Gênes, Genoese lace, which at one time rivalled that of Venice.
fil d'or florentin, gold thread of Florence.
Duc de Brabant was one of the many titles of the King of Spain.
L. 69. See note on LA CONFIANCE.
glas (pronounced glâ), 'passing bell.'
vitreux: 'glassy,' 'lack-lustre.' The sunken eyes seemed of an unfathomable depth.