CHAPTER VII.

THE 'FOX,' THE 'ROSE,' AND THE MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS OF FRANCE.

The predominance of France. The rise of Allegory. Lyric. The _Romance_ and the _Pastourelle_. The _Fabliaux_. Their origin. Their licence. Their wit. Definition and subjects. Effect of the _fabliaux_ on language. And on narrative. Conditions of _fabliau_-writing. The appearance of irony. Fables proper. _Reynard the Fox._ Order of texts. Place of origin. The French form. Its complications. Unity of spirit. The Rise of Allegory. The satire of _Renart_. The Fox himself. His circle. The burial of Renart. The _Romance of the Rose_. William of Lorris and Jean de Meung. The first part. Its capital value. The rose-garden. "Danger." "Reason." "Shame" and "Scandal." The later poem. "False-Seeming." Contrast of the parts. Value of both, and charm of the first. Marie de France and Ruteboeuf. Drama. Adam de la Halle. _Robin et Marion._ The _Jeu de la Feuillie_. Comparison of them. Early French prose. Laws and sermons. Villehardouin. William of Tyre. Joinville. Fiction. _Aucassin et Nicolette_ 265