Moonlight over Versailles

Moonlight over Versailles

The moon, the light, the beauty.

Imagine a beautiful moon over Versailles: the light glinting off the spray of the fountains,

the magical moonbeams playing over the gardens, the flowers and tree-lined avenues.

I have not attended any of the night shows at the Chateau of Versailles but I can imagine

how wonderful they must be.

 

I have attended an afternoon baroque music show where all of the fountains were playing

and it was beautiful. 

Even at closing time on an overcast day the flower gardens are enhanced and look beautiful.

 

 

Versailles (a beauty)

Oh Versailles,

my memory stirs

The leaves flutter

and it all comes back to me:-

A summer breeze or a nightly feast,

the sound of distant music on the night breezes,

the wonder of the night.

The beauty gliding along your beautiful canal

on a windswept night;

these memories can never be erased:

Looking from a distance and seeing

your beautiful chateau lit up by night;

The beauty of the ponds and the lights

illuminated in the water;

The echo of laughter,

the lovely dresses and costumes

the masques, balls and delightful nights;

you who were never vain

but only always created beauty

in all of your imaginings;

the king,

of course;

the orange trees, fruit and flowers,

tulips of every day

breath-taking chestnuts

and hornbeam;

Oh, it was all exquisite

as in a dream;

now your days resound

to a different beat;

your history is never forgotten

your pleasures and beauty

give way to a new retreat;

the tourists delight

in every new treat:

music, a flower display

as people go on their way,

beautiful baroque

echoed all along in the day

as in a pantomime play;

the world created gave of its best

never for a day at rest;

there was always work to do

even though the people were few

and on and on this beautiful place was created

fountains and gardens were generated

As Angelique believed in Road to Versailles

she was close to Heaven on earth;

this from ever the day of her birth;

So beautiful, so wonderful,

a land of human endeavour

creating beauty

which lasts forever.

You, a prince of the line bourbon

shared a vision which goes on and on;

Did it come from Old Babylon?

The stories, the magic,

the gift goes on:

Louis, the king!

you created a stir,

Invited the nobles

and lives to bestir;

as beauty abounds

in all its surrounds;

hedges, greenery

enchanting scenery

and trees of fir;

the king was checked

the costs of the day

the amounts to pay

the king held sway

Colbert gave way:

Le Notre, Le Vau

who came from Vaux

with much to bestow

gave of themselves

a fine tableau;

with much to do

perspective and view

statues and yew,

menagerie, orangerie

and stable;

Versailles is your magic

with flowers bedecked

an enchanting effect

of rose, bay leaf

and maple;

As a Tower of Babel

on terrain sable

embellished by

a Fontaine fable;

and

topiary relief,

to enhance

by chance

as writ on a script

in ancient Sanskrit

or from Old Egypt:

a verdant

flowering

sand table;

glanced off the stage

peppered by age

did you not know?

This was the show:

Curtain came down

At the sun-down

and turn of a page;

come to this place

and never forget

the wonder and pageant

which the place would beget;

Now it is the end of the story,

don't forget the beauty-

chapel created in glory

songs of wonder

never cease;

beautiful Marly, the Tuileries

Louvre,

all of these places in the heart

ever from,

it was from the start;

Louis never took from the story,

he only added his theme.

And now with a different generation of folk

living their lives under a different yoke

who seek out the renewing green oak

travel a long and endurance path

this we know

as we go along

the time has come to sing a new song

the times of beauty and wonder

we admire from the past

as our spirits tread in a spirit of lightness

and now hope for a brightness

not ever dimm'd

but to last over yonder

and forever held fast

seeking beauty

wherever it may be

this we hope to always see.

Places of enduring beauty

Places of enduring beauty

Venice, St Mark's Square and the little canals, bridges, gondolas and ambience

of a beautiful city. The shining water and reflections, the magnificence of the

art and architecture and beautiful old churches and Doges Palace. A place I wish

to return to for its wonderful atmosphere and beauty. A trip to the colourful villages

of Murano and Burano where the glassblowers do their craft so well would also be nice

to revisit. It is awhile since I visited this beautiful and inspiring city.

St Sergiyev Monastery, Posad, Russia

Wonderful architecture of the trinity cathedral and bell tower.

Splendid! Memorising and so beautiful! Wonderful colours of blue and

white and magnificent domes in a peaceful and rural setting. I loved visiting this

place which is not far distant from Moscow.

River Seine, Paris

So beautiful and enchanting, by daylight and the setting sun.

A wonderful place to stroll along the banks of this mesmerising river

which winds its way through the city of Paris.

The Isle de la Cite is wonderful with the flower markets, the scents and

colours.

Beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral by the river setting is beautiful.

I love Paris.

The beautiful gardens of Versailles:

Not far from the Paris, the magnificence of the baroque era of the seventeenth

century is on show. The chateau of Louis XIV, the Hall of Mirrors, art works

and sculpture and magnificent salons. The views of the gardens are spectacular

in all of their wonder and glory.
 

Beautiful flowers, colours and fountains give a sense of wonder and beauty.

Geometrical patterns of the flower beds, the hornbeam, the hedges and groves

with pretty fountains and rock pools give an air of serenity, peace and tranquillity.

The baroque music of the era complements the fountain displays and gives a sense

of the seventeenth century during the time of Louis XIV in all of its splendour.

Tuileries Gardens, Paris

Beautiful in the spring time and summer with the magnificent varieties of colours

and flowers. The gardens are beautiful and peaceful.

Statues and fountains add charm and beauty.

Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

 

Wonderful in the autumn with the varying colours of the leaves. I often used to enjoy

wandering around the Luxembourg Gardens where I could sometimes purchase a waffle.

Paris is a magnificent place to be in autumn with the many tree lined boulevards

which make the city so attractive and the temperatures begin to cool with lovely

breezes along the banks of the River Seine.

More to follow at a later date.

Splendours of the magical fountains at Versailles

The magical fountains of Versailles are a wonder.

So special, so beautiful. 

I can imagine a time when Louis XIV and his courtiers would spend an
afternoon walking around the gardens of Versailles.  It must have been
a magical experience as it is today when the baroque music plays and
the wonders of the fountains seem to splash in time with the music.

It took some time for me to realise that there were several pathways to follow
and explore to find different fountains and themes at the end of many of the hedgerows
as I was quite entranced
by the beauty of the main displays.
The music was enchanting.  The day was wonderful in early June.

Statues and colourful garden floral displays give a real sense of creativity and beauty.
From the top of the steps looking down over the gardens the view and the perspective of the geometric patterns give a sense of wonderment and beauty.

 

Louis XIV

Gardens at Versailles October 2009

Versailles La Cour from wikipedi:

A picture of Marie Mancini from wikipedia:

An engraving of Vaux-le-Vicomte,

an inspiration for the Chateau of Versailles

Louis XIV holds a special place in history and also for me,

a favourite person to enjoy reading about. His time on the

throne spanned many years and he certainly is remembered

today for the wonderful achievement of the Chateau of Versailles and

the magnificent gardens which hark back to a more structured time in

society. A time of magnificence and grandeur, respect and admiration for

the young king, who became king at such an early age, when his father Louis XIII passed away and

Louis XIV was still at a young and at an impressionable age.

He was brought up by his mother, Anne of Austria, and Cardinal Mazarin,

who in turn brought his three nieces to the court of Versailles, where at

one stage, Louis XIV wished to marry Marie Mancini and Charles II of

England wished to marry her sister, Hortense Manicini. Unfortunately,

at the time, both kings being young, though for very different reasons

these marriages were not approved.

Marie Mancini was considered not a suitable prospect for the king of France.

This situation caused great distress for the young king. There was a musical

play on the stage in Paris “Le Roi Soleil” which was wonderful to watch on

you tube where the king

invites Marie Mancini to dance with him. At the end of the scene Marie

Mancini appears to be seated on a throne.

Had not Louis XIV been a king,

with the prospects of marrying a royal princess not been expected of him,

and perhaps if he had been Louis de Bourbon and not a king, his life would have been

very different. Louis XIV married Infanta Maria Theresa from Spain and

Marie Mancini was sent away from the court.

It was from the time spent with Marie Mancini and the influences of Cardinal

Mazarin that Louis XIV developed a love of Italian culture and art which

later was reflected in the beauty of the artistic designs of the chateau of

Versailles and its surroundings and landscape.

Unfortunately for Charles II of England, although his mother and sister,

Princess Henriette of England, (popularly known as Minette who subsequently

married the king's brother, Monsieur) were welcome at the court, Charles II for

political reasons was expected to move on. Louis XIV was young at this

stage and not in control.

Charles II spent many years in exile in Europe in

poverty, though with many loyal followers, who had also left England during

the Cromwell years. As Charles II was a king without a throne, his prospects

were suitably diminished and Cardinal Mazarin declined the marriage proposal

on behalf of his niece, Hortense Mancini.

Later, in years to come, when Charles II

was restored to the throne of England, Cardinal Mazarin broached the subject of

marriage again with the king regarding Hortense Mancini. By this time,

Charles II would have experienced many adventures during his travels and time

on the Continent and by this stage he did not wish to marry Hortense, probably for

various other reasons as well. Charles II, because of his experiences so different

from those of Louis XIV, may have had a different outlook on life, perhaps

more understanding of poverty and its consequences. Charles II married Katherine

of Braganza.

Charles II had started to build a palace at Winchester of which the plans were drawn by Sir

Christopher Wren, designer and architect of St Paul's Cathedral in London. He viewed the

beginnings of the building works with Nell Gwynn. Unfortunately, even though this palace

was to be built on a similar design of Versailles, surrounded by town houses, this plan did

not come into fruition and the palace was not completed due to the death of Charles II.

Versailles is a magnificent wonder of beauty and is a favourite place to visit. A real showpiece

of seventeenth century endeavour. The Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte may also have been an

inspiration for the young king with its wonderful gardens, fountains and outdoor entertainment

venues. Quite modern in concepts and design for the seventeenth century. Previously, many of the

older chateaux may have been more of a gothic design and built for defense purposes. Louis XIV

and his family lived at the Louvre in Paris and St Germain-en-Laye where he was born. When he first visited Vaux-le-Vicomte for the entertainments provided there,

he travelled with his family by carriage from the renaissance palace of Fontainebleau.

Castle of Fontainebleu from wikipedia:  a beautiful and serene place to visit;

Louis XIV by Le Brun

The Land of Make Believe

The beautiful purple of flowering jacaranda trees from wikipedia:


  It would be nice to imagine purple flowers for her wedding ceremony
in the chapel at Versailles one evening;  Madame de Maintenon wore these colours well:

Madame de Maintenon was believed to be enchanting

and was often called “La Belle Indienne” in her younger

days, acknowledging her beauty.

“The Frog Princess” seems to evoke reminders of

Madame de Maintenon and of her time at the court of

Versailles;   there is  wonderful depiction of a frog princess

taken at the floriade fashion show in Canberra last year,

wearing green and mauve, or purple, colours which I

associate Madame de Maintenon as wearing:

Madame de Maintenon hailed from obscure beginnings and

after her marriage and subsequent widowhood to the poet Scarron,

Madame de Maintenon became a governess

to the children of the king (Louis XIV) and Madame de Montespan,

thereafter rising to became a companion and spouse of the king;

The Land of Make-Believe

Now we come to the Land of Make-Believe,

Always happening at Lightening Speed;

Fancies' whims and fancies' pleasures

Now we see what are the treasures;

Come what may

It is a ray

Of something golden on the way-

Always a promise of something good

As we always knew it would:

Hopes come knocking for those who care

the promise of freedom and hope to care

In our world of everyday

Things like this become common play

Out on the treasures of a new board-walk

now we come to life and talk

Helping each other in our plans

This is where our friendships span

To help each other for the day

For our times when we can play

And Good will come of the day:

Nature's whiles and past away time

There will always be Sun to shine:

the lights and glimmerings of early spring

The raindrops which do bring

Life a-new upon the earth

Showered down in wondrous mirth:

gone are the pictures of yesterday

glittering and pandering in a play,

Rows and rows of potted plants

and with Chestnut Hall enhanced

with the colours of autumn fall,

Even the leaves which come on the wind,

They have come from a distant wind

A different time and different season

yet still we see them in beauty and ever green;

If not green, in sparkling yellow,

all the colours of an autumn fall;

lost leaves in our magical times

they come with splendour and a kiss

this is not a time to miss

the leaves of eternity, leaves of time,

leaves of splendour and leaves of hope,

never forget the leaves of time

they will always be painted and brushed with time;

In our way, through promise and hope

The glory of our leaves, our scope:

Capturing moments at a glance

not ever knowing of the chance

A place to be

A place to be seen

In all of its equivocacy:

The king decided to lift his game

Improve his image and his name

Evening shadows betokened the same;

Spinners weaved their golden thread

The workers tended flower beds...

The king was intrigued by the Ladies' Games

was enamoured by their charms,

Admired by Courtiers

and thrilled to the Chase

and also enjoyed a steeple race

The king decided to quicken his pace;

lingered at a menagerie

also enjoyed his falconry:

And in his Chivalry

a Note of Courtesy-

An invite for Francois d'Aubigne

To view the flowers and scenery

A promenade in his company;

This became the talk of the court

A former governess companion of the king

Whoever heard of such a thing?

But the King at an older age:

This was what he ordained

In all of his Majesty;

Not like at an earlier stage:

likened almost to a chain

of royal protocol

and kingly role

allowing not the king to be-

dictating not to marry free

Marie Mancini:

A search of a hint of a holy grail,

A glimpse beyond a magic veil?

Married at a chapel

in a beat of time

A Match of Matrimony

with Francoise d'Aubigny;

A ceremony of beauty

in the Night

Palace Candle-light

and Pale Moonlight,

Casting Serenity on the sight;

Not a Show of Pageantry

A Ceremony of Simplicity

As the Wedding was in Secrecy

complying with his Ministry;

As, Rainbows dancing in the Sky

Over the Land

There would have been

A modest lady,

A new Queen;

The Strings of a Strain

Of a Lully Refrain

Rang out clearly in the Night;

The Court did notice her new status,

Kind and merciful

Life more wonderful

Always gracious

In her uncrowned hiatus

This was her new basis:

Sombre also, quiet, tenacious

Noble causes, St Cyr and

scholarly traces:

Fans and laces

Etiquette and graces

St Cyr depicted on a fan

Giving a picture of the land

A play of Esther on the stage

Which defined another age

Renaissance,

biblical themes the rage

for the plays on the stage;

and the

choices-

a teacher, spouse or nunnery

for noble girls

poor and scholarly:

Princess Marie-Adelaide of Savoy

did turn around

La Maintenon's ideas for the Crown

and a new life adhered

to the vagaries of fun instead

Balls and magic,

Life fantastic

Beauty, companionship

for the king,

This would mean everything:

La Maintenon seeming not so worldly

A settled life for the king more orderly:

Destiny swinging round and round

Hopes and Dreams swing wildly in Time

Fortune's Favours finally found

A Magical Story of a Merry-Go-Round

On an on in the show;

A Fantasy Story

In a Magical Time,

Singing the theme,

On we go

The fairy-tale of dreams comes true;

The Royal Court had no compare,

There was singing and dancing throughout the years;

And then there was the grandest plan,

The grandest plan of all

A Mirrored Hall of a Dancing Hall

A glittering ball which was

A Showcase for all;

The Moon and the Stars in the Sky

Shining in God's good Grace

Bestowed a Fairy-land Trace

Upon the Land;

And glittering still

As a page from a Dream

The soft light on flowers

Shines on.

Versailles

picture of palace in 1675 before the Hall of Mirrors was constructed from wikipedia:

I quite like this image as with the muted colours it is evocative of an earlier time
of beauty and depicts an image with the fountains playing giving a magical quality
to the setting.

Poetry Page,

Versailles

Silken furbelows of fashion

Designed on gowns of colourful creation;

The flounces, the tresses,

the elegant dresses

And a world

beribboned in lace;

The wonders and splendours of this grace-

The stories of old

These fables of gold

Laced in the frame-work

of a Labyrinthe -

Cupid with a Ball of String

Dare the Nymphs and Angels sing,

The Tales which La Fontaine would bring

into the Splendour of the Day.

And so it was

On the Shifting Sands

That Le Notre with his Geometric Plans

designed a Landscape,

wondrous and new,

parterres and hornbeam

and trees of clipped yew:

of beauteous statues

bosques and elves

the groves, the fountains and elms

Rays of sunlight shimmered through

gleaming green and gold;

I see tranquillity in other places

Between high banks where the carp and bream do flow.

Across time, there are so many spaces and places

Though the wondrous glory of an age not forgotten

lingers still.

Time plays tricks

In old-fashioned garb

and costumes of old

A once forgotten time, enlightened,

And once more,

a Dream foretold.

Destiny unfolds,

We are in the mists of time.

The broderies and grass parterres of Grand Trianon

Memories of La Maintenon

The coloured marble and temples of old.

The theme of Versailles lingers on,

A palace glimmering in the sun,

The fascination, imagination,

For travellers,

so much an inspiration.

Wondrous gardens, terraces and flowers

So bright and bold,

In colours of purple and gold.

As also at Marly, where once

was told

Of the fairies who also spun their gold;

In its frame of magnificence

the rising and setting sun

dim ochered falls over the valley

in patterns of gold and light

and to the people would give delight

at such a wondrous sight;

which gave Apollo brilliance in its beam

As showers of water streamed

Casting rainbows and prisms of colour

In sprays of mist amongst magical fountains-

Versailles, and the king,

with songs, poems and quatrains

which would give a wondrous ring.

As the Seasons do change

A pale light glimmers

And the leaves doth fall from your trees

Dappled in green and gold.

The flickering rays dance in majestic greenery

The flower scented groves

Of statues and perfumed Orangerie.

And once in a dream

with children I've seen

The Lady of Maintenon.

The beauties of Heaven will find their trace

the banquets are over

the leaves do fall

Yet, ever and after,

Your Majesty stands tall.

I think and I dream of this wondrous abode

For here is my nemesis

and the story an ode

To find life's truth

and beauty in ode

Of a labyrinthe and

grottoes of old,

The stories to be told-

Of enchantment and places to behold-

Across a magnificence of splendour

Versailles calls out its name-

The jet streams of yesterday,

given from mists of watery fountains

in gardens of riotous splendour

come calling through-

In woods, the breezes

scented with jasmine and thyme

through rustling and whispering leaves

echoing through centuries of time-

the names are weaved;-

“Marie, Marie” I'm calling to thee-

The lady in a long white gown,

And even today,

remembered still, in

Old Versailles town.

And whispering still,

The loss of Louis's crown.

From far away places

the people of many faces

All come to see the show

A squire and a knight

once came into sight

of Versailles and its splendour and light

Said one t'other (squire to the knight)

Do you not know, did sayeth of the king-

“Versailles for courtiers,

Marly for family,

Trianon was for me!”

Why for? Why for?

Versailles is no more

With a king and glorious court?

No, not at all,

The people rebelled

A king tried too late,

and fell short.

O Versailles, Versailles,

what happened to thee-

Your old world came tumbling down,

The vestiges of a time once past,

cleverly raise from the ground

with sign posts all around

and now we visit you anew.

No more are the courtiers, king and queen,

but now it is as though,

we always have been

entranced by your wondrous dream.

A royal court no more

the glittering triumphs

the spectacles all unfold

The stories, the glories

of wonders to uphold.

And so through the ages

the splendour of sages

and a place in the sun.

Composed by Sandra

Reflections of Versailles - The early years

Reflections of the Court of Versailles

The early years:

It is fascinating to contemplate the early years of the Court
of Versailles, which from looking towards a distant past seem
to hold a magical quality today.


It is wonderful to read of the enchantments of the early years
of the court of Louis XIV which were often held in the gardens as
the palace was being built.

At the divertissements there were plays, poetry
and songs by Lully, who became the court composer to the king. Fireworks displays
were often a theme at the close of the evening at these entertainments.

Louise de la Valliere seems to hold imagination as a love of the
king. The king was inspired by his love for Louise and created beautiful
surroundings.

The king had previously wished to marry Marie Mancini, a niece of Cardinal
Mazarin, but this was not permitted which distressed and upset the young king
greatly. There were three Mancini sisters,
who were nieces of the Cardinal at the Court. A marriage was arranged for the
king to marry Marie Therese, Infanta of Spain.

There was also another cousin, who may at one time have become a prospective bride
for the young king. This was the Grande Mademoiselle, Duchesse de Montpensier,
a daughter of Louis XIII's brother, Gaston d'Orleans,
who was based at the Castle of Blois. The Grande
Mademoiselle may have grown up believing that one day whe was destined
to become a queen. However, during the fronde years, she fired a cannon
at the royal party from the Bastille,
the king being age 11 or 12 at the time. The Grande Mademoiselle was 11 years older
than the king, but she had by this act irrevocably ruined her chances of becoming
a queen of Louis XIV. Charle II at one time wished to marry her. The court composer
Lully, at one time was in her service.

Queen Henrietta Maria, widowed queen of Charles I of England,
in Margaret Irwin's book "Royal Flush" is described
as saying that one ought never to be responsible for one's own misfortune in life.
In time, the Grande Mademoiselle, after many years in exile, at a place Saint Fargeau,
was eventually permitted to return
to the Court. Perhaps by then, many of her chances in life were diminished.

Princess Henriette is also a vibrant character of the early years of the
court. She married the king's brother, Philippe, though unfortunately
died young. In Margaret Irwin's book "Royal Flush" she is described
as being as the Moon, a complement to Louis XIV, who was likened to the Sun,
given a title of the "Sun King" after dancing in the ballet of "Le Roi Soleil"
at age 15. His first ballet was Cassandre. He spent many years dancing, which
gave him grace, poise and a bearing appropriate to his role of the king. Louis XIV
has been described as being good looking. Because of his aura and demeanour, even
without being a king, he would still have been distinguished. People would often take a second
glance at him and I have also read that at times he also had a slightly oriental
appearance. This may be from an individual impression.

Princess Henriette often assisted the king with diplomatic duties and court functions
and also danced in ballets
with the Sun King and Louise de la Valliere.
Princess Henriette had lived at the French court from a young age
as she had fled from England as also had her mother during the years of Oliver Cromwell
in England.

Her brother, Charles II, was not so fortunate to remain at the Court,
as for political reasons, it was difficult to harbour the heir to the throne of England.
Louis XIV was young at the time
and his mother and Cardinal Mazarin would have been making decisions which they
would have believed were in the best interests of the country at the time. Charles II
spent many years in Europe living in poverty. However, he also had many loyal supporters
who had followed him into exile. Many of these people endured poverty during
their years of exile.

Philippe's second wife, Liselotte, a princess of the Palatinate, had a son who eventually became
Regent of France in 1715. Liselotte had quite a forthright personality in the Court, and
would often speak as she thought, calling a spade a spade.

The early years of the court reflect a time of culture,
arts, entertainment and literature. The young king was respected
and admired. The king may have acquired his love of Italian arts from the influences
of Cardinal Mazarin and Marie Mancini. Tapestries and decorative arts were
as a magical showpiece of the Sun King's reign, they seemed to be so much part of his
reign with the Gobelins and Savonnerie, making wonderful tapestries and carpets.

He shared a vision with Le Notre for the beauty of landscaped designs in the
gardens. Over the years, there was a potager, or vegetable garden, with
innovative plans by La Quintinie, who experimented with glass to reflect the sun
and made
pear trees look as though shaped in a candlelabra frame. Many of the innovations
and experiments are detailed in the book of "The Sun King's Garden" by Ian Thompson,
which is a wonderful book, full of coloured illustrations and diagrams describing
the creation of the gardens at Versailles.

There was also the Orangerie where the trees could be kept at a moderate temperature
during the winter months. Louis XIV preferred the scent of the orange trees.
At Trianon once, the king and courtiers had to leave as the scents of the
flowers became quite overbearing.

The fountains also added enchantment to the setting. Chains of buckets and
horses at one time kept the water flowing and they were called "Rosaries of
Return" of "Jacob's Ladders" as the water was being redirected and recycled.
The king's imagination knew no bounds and it would have been a wonder and joy to walk
around the gardens with the king while the fountains were playing.

The early years seemed to be quite a magical time,
with the creation of Versailles and the magnificent gardens.

The Hall of Mirrors was built a little later. Italian craftsmanship of innovations
with glass
would have assisted with the mirrors at the time, which was a new phenomenon.
Glittering candles, a majestic setting and beautiful views looking out on to the
flower gardens and fountains
would
have given an appearance of a magical enchantment with an ephemeral quality
with the statues and bosques and garden parterres and broderies of the time.
The Hall of Mirrors
reflected the splendour of the young king's reign. There was also silver
furniture in the Hall at one time, which was subsequently sold to pay soldiers' wages.
The settings and magnificence created a sense of wonder and foreign ambassadors
would report home of the power and display of the Sun King.


Reflections of Venice, it must have seemed with a grand canal outside the windows of the palace,
which in turn
would reflect the beauty of the surroundings, the trees, statues and flower arrangements.
At one time there was a little
boatyard called "Little Venice" (Petite Venise) and the king was presented with two gondolas
from the Republic of Venice, complete also with gondoliers.

A Menagerie was also later included with exotic animals, which was given to Princess Marie-
Adelaide of Savoy. This princess arrived at the court at a much later time, destined to become
a queen and marry the Sun King's grand-son. A fascinating insight into her life is given
in Charles Elliott's book "Princess de Versailles." In this book the author describes the
love of the king and Louise de la Valliere as being beautiful.

A picture of the scenery at Saint Fargeau where the Grande Mademoiselle was sent into exile:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saint-Fargeau,_par_Constance_de_la_Martel,_1806.jpg

poems

Welcome to my blog of Magical Enchantments.

  I have a couple of poems to post which I hope you
will enjoy.  I also will discuss a few favourite books
which to my way of thinking are quite magical.

  The first poem of Magical Enchantments today is:

MAGICAL ENCHANTMENTS - Poem One




Versailles, versailles

Under the Sky

Now is the Call of the Spring

and the birds do sing

from mountains and valleys

which do bring,

memories of dreams

and stories of a king.



The Sun sets its crimson

and golden rays

across the landscape

of Versailles-



And in yesterday's dreams

So noble they seemed

It was all a fiery display.



In the valley, the lights dipped low

In the glow of a magical show

And Trees, in Silhouette,

in shades of green

In the lights of a fairy beam

Twinkling and glittering star-light

Amongst the glimmer of fire-light

Set in an enchanted scene:

Heavenward and Heavens

forward,

This was a story of long ago-

In a magical realm

where frogs were spell-bound,

Latona and Apollo burnished

under the glittering rays of the Sun

in a brand new day,

and Cupid and Aesop

would lead a way

as in a Pantomime Play

and stories of folk-lore,

with legends found in

the statuary

which was made of bronze and clay,

and came from the days of yore.

The Pantomime Pleasures

of all the years

seemed to swing in time.

The dancing dreams of yesteryear

All shine through-



Neptune and the Tritons

frolicked in play

And the spray swirled about

Twirling in and out,

As the Nymphs danced

in the foam,

of the fountain founts:

The water glistened as a Chandelier

Imagined by a Fountaineer

of goblets and vases,

created from a source

of a mill and a horse:



The Sun's Rays

fashioned in gold

came into the fold

It may have been told

In the Summer of 1668

Glittering upon Thetis' Golden Gate

which was painted in green-

It glinted and gleamed

as from a scene

of a fairy-tale.



Soul Magic within my Dreams

of Myriad Dancing Themes-

Rows and rows of potted plants

which with nature did enhance

views stretching into infinity

Giving a glimpse of Serenity.



At Salle de Bal

An orchestra played

From a Water Cascade

Ringing as from

a "Crystal Arcade."

And music trilled

at a Colonnade

coloured marble

and polished white

Singing as a Serenade,

of Earthly Delights

Heaven Made.

And Allee d'Eau

where the jets were low

was described

as a "Crystal Balustrade."

The reality was

A Parkland in green

A Hallway of Chestnuts

and Willow Trees

with a marigold-tone

flowering scene:-

Which in the morning would

nod their heads,

Showing their faces

in a New Dawn Day,

Glorying in the Sun

Brightly Overhead,

And in the Evening

would shake their heads,

Settling in Dusk's Sunset Spray.

The King took pride

in his flower display

And the people would come

upon their way

To view the glorious show:-



Illustrated in Paintings

by Jean Cotelle

Inspired by the Mages

and Fairy-Tale Pages

of Charles Perrault

And the magical rockwork

of Claude Perrault,

It was a wonderful story to tell.



At an earlier time

In a ballet,

so fine

The King danced

"Le Roi Soleil"

which chartered a course

of dance at the court

and a note for posterity;



And a Display of a Horse,

at Ballet,

At a Carousel Play

of Pageantry:

And so a song was written on

a Horseshoe Page,

glittering and dancing

throughout the age.



Versailles,

The call in the Spring

A Play-troupe of dancers

Upon a stage,

for a King:-

The Pleasures of Isle Enchantee

in the month of May,

With play troupes of Moliere

and a theme for La Valliere

The "Princesse d'Elide" on show.

Candles glittered,

Lights flickered

Night time symmetry cast a glow

of softening shadows

On the evening show.

The twinkling lights

The silvery sights

Sprinkled in Starlight bright.

An equestrian show was a display

And themes enhancing Antiquity

And Servants dancing rhythmically.



With amber sunsets falling

Over your shady glades

The colours and scents

of Apollo's descent

glittered in a golden show.



And two letters

spelled "L" in the Night

Dancing in Moonbeams

and Fire-light

Entwined upon the glittering sight

A show of wonder and joy.

  I will include Magical Enchantments - Poem Two
tomorrow.

  In the meantime I have enjoyed looking at some
of the pictures depicted on the wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardens_of_Versailles

of the gardens of Versailles, where I was fortunate
to visit last October in the autumn.  There is a picture
of Latona with the spell bound frogs and also pictures
of the scenery of the Orangerie and also a depiction
of the gate of Thetis.  Best wishes,