viewed love as a fatality that overwhelmed a man like a
sudden catastrophe, Arnaut and his age regarded it as to
be sure a fatality but a blessed one, a necessity created by
the man himself rather than forced upon him, a necessity
that won his consent through free deliberation quite as
much as by emotion and enthusiasm, a necessity that
might indeed bring with it griefs, yet even in its pangs
was ennobling and sweet. So love justified itself to
Arnaut's reason and sense of "measure," and not only,
like every natural and reasonable action, was a delight in
itself but brought with it other delights to his musing
heart.

As live the fish in waters clear and spacious,
Live I in gladness nothing can destroy;
For Love hath set me on so fair a quest
That my affection fills my life with joy;
Yet when I think how she excels the rest,
I both am proud and fain would hide my face;
Aspiring zeal so shares with love my soul,
That reason guides and measure hath control.

And, lady fair,--glad, excellent, and gracious,
This love, though vain, shall e'er be my employ;
So Love decrees,--can I his will contest?
And since he knows my love hath no alloy,
He shows a way my heart may still be blest:
In thought I kiss, caress you, and embrace,--
Dear wooing, sweet, and potent to console,
And mine in spite of Jealousy's patrol. ²

As the days went by, the love that began with simple
admiration struck its roots more deeply into his life.
When the duties and the pleasures of his vocation took
him now and then from Béziers, absence threw his mind
back upon itself. Long, delightful reveries deepened his
impressions then, and fixed them. His thoughts occupied
themselves constantly with the one most pleasant theme;

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