The Countess Angelique

The Countess Angelique by Sergeanne Golon,

Once again Anne Golon and Serge Golon have written a wonderful story of adventure and

turmoil amidst the hardships of the early pioneering days of the New World set in the seventeenth century. I loved this story for the sense of romance, an authentic setting in a time -frame of early America and the descriptive quality of the writing.

A wonderful book to be recommended and I now look forward to reading the next Angelique book

in the on going saga of Angelique. A magical story in many ways, full of wonder, hope and

inspiration.

The Angelique books always

seem to add a new dimension to each and every book inspiring imagination and admiration for

Angelique and her husband, Joffrey de Peyrac, who against the odds, seemed to have an

uncanny ability to overcome the hurdles placed in their pathway of life, whether these be from the elements,

nature or people. The wonderful descriptions of the forests of the New World are also

quite magical. There is the beauty and also by contrast the harsh realities of the early existence

and battle for survival in these early pioneering days with so many variances of plot and characters

which are quite unexpected. There always seems to be something new and surprising to read as the story continues in each and every one of these books of Angelique.

I also enjoyed the book of “Angelique in Barbary” or the other title may be “Angelique and the Sultan” for the wisdom and

philosophies found in the pages when Angelique was in the east, in a desert and for a time at a harem.

This also brings to mind another wonderful book set in Old Constantinople, which today is Istanbul,

where the heroine of the novel was captured and taken to a harem. This was “The Aviary Gate” by Katie Hickman, set during the time of Elizabeth I, which I enjoyed reading last year. The beautiful love story always remained with me. This may also be the secret of the Angelique books, a unique and beautiful love story of the two main

characters, Angelique and her husband, Joffrey de Peyrac.

There is actually a loose thread in the story and I was slightly disappointed to read towards the end of the story that Joffrey

de Peyrac told Angelique that he could not risk a war with New France for the sake of a few

farmers' labourers, which did surprise me, as I remember from the book “Angelique in Revolt”

that Angelique took on the might of the French king, Louis XIV, to assist and give shelter to

persecuted Huguenots, and help them to escape from France. I hope to read more about

this incident in the next book, as from my reading, I cannot imagine that Joffrey de Peyrac would suffer

injustice and it would seem to be against his better judgement as he would wish to assist unfortunate captives. Angelique and her husband, with the assistance of another person did however, manage to prise away

one child who was relinquished to them, before the captors and their captives continued on their long walk through the forest, making their way to Montreal.

I will need to start reading the next book in the series to follow this quite compelling story,

which gives a wonderful insight into the lives and times of people from an earlier era.

My best wishes,

Sandra

p.s. the cover of the hard cover edition which I read was of a quite glamorous Angelique,

wearing brightly coloured beads and a colourful gown, with distant characters, one in long white

evening cloak, as though a bishop or priest,  and which evoked a 

different time and place.  Even the cover of this particular edition which I read was quite

spell binding, with a picture of a cavalry and horses included on the back cover.

Madame de Montespan (Part One) Magical Enchantments

Lisa Hilton has written a book "Athenais, The Real Queen of France"

which I found helpful and full of information regarding Athenais de

Montespan.  For many years Madame de Montespan  was the delight of the court.  This was

also a sad situation for Queen Marie Therese, who was ever a virtuous

queen.  In an earlier post I described the early years of the court of France,

which may perhaps help a little in understanding the king. 

picture of a rose from wikipedia

Madame de Montespan in the Light,

Courtiers were entranced by your sight;

Mistress-a-Plenty of the Land

Pixies danced at your command

Little elfin shadows in a fairy band;

The king did raise a pavilion for you,

And a castle too:

Trianon de Porcelaine,

Tiled in white and blue

reflecting colours in all the hues

apricot, rose, white, gold and blue

of tulips, lilies and feverfew;

A “Chambre of des Amours”

Imagined as a flower arbour

Thoughts of love forever more;

Traced in silver, white and blue;

Louis's love seemed ever true:

Love domain

named

“Abode of Spring”

Enchanting,

with the flowers of spring;

Entrancing,

with the colours to bring;

Resembling a palace of Nanking

Scent strewn gardens of the King:

Madame de Montespan and the King

At the palace of “Abode of Spring”

in Season's Splendour of the Fall,

Enchanting wonder to enthrall;

Oh, how fancy you would be,

Sparkling in your finery;

Madame de Montespan in the Sun

Shone her light on everyone;

Dancing lady of the Night,

You who were ever so bright;

Beautiful enchantress of the Night

Who could hold a candle light

to your charms and beauty alike?

You who were the King's delight:

The king not knowing of his plight

In the Evening or Morning's Light

Of Love potions in all their might;

Mystical potions his health must fight,

whimsical notions, your fancy's flight;

You need only wave your wand

Cast your spell and raise a hand

Administer a contraband

from a nefarious Paris band

casting shadows over the Land

of a suspected neighbourhood witch;

Soon the King would make a switch

Unknown he had been bewitched:

But for the king was a terrible fright!

Madame La Voisin of the Night-

endured the rigours of her plight;

with great dignity and affright;

You who stood so proud and tall

would sparkle at a glittering ball

reflected in a mirrored Hall

hold the courtiers all in thrall;

gave La Maintenon a worthy call

and with the children did install;

You who were so bountiful

airs and graces wonderful;

Charmed the king in everything;

And as the Clouds do form in Spring

A Queen Bee also with a Sting;

led the king a merry dance

amidst the traditions of Old France;

Fairy-tale carriage and horses pranced

and you did maintain your stance

queen of the court you did enhance;

Midas gave you a golden touch,

Your name was “quanto,” as how much;

the king and his pawn

on a chess piece lawn,

Madame de Montespan was forewarned;

Chateau of Clagny,

ever so fancy,

A Magical enchantment

throughout the years-

Entrancing enhancement,

of blossom and pears,

Symmetries and geometries

Delightful with the orange trees

Swaying gently in a breeze

of allees, parterres in a frieze;

Inspired by poetry of the scene,

jonquil, rose, tulip, and jasmine,

“It is the palace of Armide...

a most enchanting novelty”

wrote Madame de Sevigny,

who amidst the scents of lavender

would in the woods meander;

“Singing in palaces I ought to be

Ringing in years that I'd like to see

Thinking in terms of my Destiny”

Fairest lady of the Land;-

Madame de Montespan!

And the clerics would reprimand:

“The king, his duty and the Land!”

Fancy free,

Within the Realms

of Fantasy be;

Madame de Montespan

dressed decorously

in her Splendour and Majesty

at the Court and at Clagny,

amidst the roses and topiary;

Fans and scarves

and paper parasol,

Colours to match your vibrant soul

Seemly in your queenly role;

In the grounds you would take a stroll,

Fashions which the king would extol;

beauty in the ever leaves

and remarked upon your sleeves

as amongst the foliage you would weave;

Fashions of the every day

Seen now in an ever play;

Beautiful greens and velvets too,

In all their matching splendour new;

Madame de Montespan

and the King,

visited meadows in the spring

and the king along,

would bring

his favourite dogs

Nonne, Pomme and Bonne,

adorned in a Marly hallway wing

gilded in a picture portrait frame

fashioned in everlasting fame

and in style they all came

In a Show which they all became;

Not to confuse the names the same,

Diane, Blonde,

Rougeade and Tane,

Pictured in their window frame

Picturesque enchantments in a pane;

Whistled and echoed the dogs by name,

Would enjoy their hunting game;

All the Court would come to see

Madame de Montespan in her Majesty;

Queen of the Night and Revelry;

A wonder for ballet and décor,

Enchantments from the wall to floor;

had a gift of coquetry;

gracious in vivacity;

dabbled in arts and chicanerie,

Amused with wit and frivolity;

Splendour and Water

La Salle de Bain,

Games and Laughter

at a fountain charm,

frolicking adventures,

a spirit of fun
daily in the ever sun;

picture of roses from wikipedia

Splendours of Russia



flower gardens at St Sergiyev Monastery

 Splendours of Russia

I once visited Russia and Eastern Europe

many years ago. I was excited to visit these

places behind the communist curtain. I was also attracted

to the folk lore and traditions of these Eastern European

countries.

Checkpoint Charlie at the time was quite spooky,

like a no-man's land and also so poignant, I remember,

with memorials for young people who had been shot

attempting to cross the border. I remember also hearing

the dogs barking in the distance as I walked on this no

man's land between the east and the west in Berlin.

I was also impressed by the beauty of cities with their

medieval charm as for example the Old Town of Prague

and also Buda and Pest divided by a silver looking river

which disappeared into the distance.

Wasrsaw was also beautiful and the historic centre of

the town was rebuilt to the same plans and original architecture

of the old Warsaw, which had been completely destroyed in

the second world war. The city seemed vibrant with the

colourful buildings. The rolling countryside of Poland

was beautiful and also very green.

Romania was also fascinating and there I visited a little folk village.

At the time coffee and items which were taken for granted in the west

were very expensive to purchase for the Romanian people.

I also loved the decorative arts and gypsy Hungarian blouses with

their intricate embroidery which

were often on display in Budapest, Hungary.

On a recent visit of Russia I saw

some beautiful and exquisite decorative

renovations which had been completed

in Peterhof Palace. This is a magnificent

palace to visit in St Petersburg. It was

late in the autumn and fortunately there were

not long queues to visit the palace as apparently

there are during the summer months as many of the cruise ships

arrive at St Petersburg and there can be long queues to visit

this spectacular palace.

The palace is quite majestical and very beautiful.

To me, it also seems quite magical, with the wonderful

fountain displays in front of the palace. There was

a chequered black and white design on the paving by

the balustrade outside the palace which was interesting.

The weather was cold but this did not take away

from the magnificence of the palace and fountains.

Peter the Great travelled to western Europe and

St Petersburg is designed along European concepts.

The palace at Peterhof is magnificent, with a walkway

of trees and beautiful fountains with statues. This

is a beautiful setting. The interior décor

of the palace is magnificent, decorated in gold and white.

I loved this palace.

I do have a few pictures taken from my trip to

Russia last year. I was constantly held in awe

by the beauty and majesty of the wonderful gold

domes and spires of churches. These wonders add

enchantment to the splendours of Russia.

I noticed the change and relative freedoms from

my previous visit to Russia.

There are young people in Russia today who would

not have lived during the repressive earlier times.

The Spirit Wrestlers by Philip Marsden was a wonderful

book to read regarding these earlier times. It is actually

a travel book interspersed with stories of people the writer

interviewed and met. It was a different book as he travelled

to distant places and mountain villages, attended a prayer meeting,

met a priest who was building a church, a painter who explained

that the images and beautiful paintings of religious icons, etc

for some people would be the closest they

would have been able to come in understanding God for some of the

people. (I expect in times when people may have been illiterate.)

There were images described of Cossack horsemen riding across the

plains which seemed to be so evocative and real.

The Kremlin in Moscow is also magnificent to visit.

There was a church with medieval paintings and art works, which was

magnificent to view.

Beautiful trees softened the scene and I noticed the wind whistling

through the leaves, shimmering, as a guide was showing the group around.

They may have been maple leaves. It was quite beautiful and I also had a picture

taken beside a cannon at the Kremlin. This cannon is a decorative cannon and was

not ever fired.

Red Square is another magical place with St Basil's Cathedral. A gothic looking and brightly

coloured cathedral. On the day I visited

the many brides dressed in white were quite noticeable as this is a place which is popular for

weddings and brides. This was on a Saturday. There was also a horse parade in the square,

with many tourists and people watching the display.

The cathedral may have been inspired by an earlier church of Kolmenskoye as it has been described

as being a mixture of northern Russian architecture or of a mosque which was destroyed and also

of Byzantine influence. It is also fascinating to contemplate that the colours are taken from the Book

of Revelations with the twenty-five gold domes and the rainbow described for the blue and green

tones.

I was

constantly amazed by the wonderful treasures in Russia. The

underground also has splendid art works and decorations. Also

magnificent chandeliers. People from the villages who came to the city would have admired

the artistic creations, realising that it was not only the Tsars who could

create beauty and splendour.

I loved the visit to St Sergiyev's monastery and the marvellous

architectural splendours

there. The churches are magnificent in a wonderful setting of trees

and a courtyard, flowers and also a few cats. It is a very beautiful

peaceful place. This was built to honour St Sergiyev, who became

a hermit.

The white, blue and gold domes and spires which

soar into the sky and can be seen from a distance give a sense

of wonder and beauty to the scenery. The bell towers also add

a magical touch and give another dimension of the beauty at St

Sergiyev Monastery as also the beauty of the frescoes and paint

works. It is quite magnificent.

On an earlier visit to Russia I had visited a little village of Kishinev,

which I had thought at the time looked very pretty. It did seem

to be different from many of the towns, perhaps because of the little cottages

instead of the high rises. It is now a part of Moldava.

I also once remember visiting a little pavilion or monument to a famous poet

and the guide mentioning the numbers of people who were lost during the second

world war.

In St Petersburg we were also informed of the Siege of Leningrad in 1942,

when the city was cut off from supplies of food. This would have been severe

during the winter months. The railway could not reach St Petersburg with

essential food supplies.

The film “Dr Zhivago” depicted the Russian winters

quite vividly in some of the rural settings.

The guide on the tour often mentioned the famous poets, Russian literature

and the history of the Tsars.

St Michaels Castle in St Petersburg is itself an architectural

splendour. Apparently, as this castle was being built there was a warning or premonition

from a gypsy woman that for as many windows and balconies that the castle would have,

would be the number of days that Tsar Paul would live there. This prophecy was

proved correct. He was a son of Katherine II, Empress of Russia. His castle was built as

a means of protective security with a drawbridge and an older style fortress design.

There is a boat at the docks at St Petersburg, which is also fascinating to look around

and go on board. It was from here that the distant alarm was sounded which started

the revolution and the ministers were arrested and held captive at the palace.

The Winter Palace in St Petersburg is also magnificent. I can well imagine the fairy-tale balls
which would have been held here, with the dresses, costumes and settings, these magical balls would
seem from another world today.

The Winter Palace has a wonderful display of magnificent art works and is set in a majestic courtyard.

I was also fascinated by the magnificence of a square in St Petersburg which was

illuminated by wonderful lanterns in the early hours of the mornning. This looked

very majestic and beautiful. A story book setting. Beautiful! This square

was not far from the train station at St Petersburg. I had arrived in the early hours after

travelling from Moscow. The carriages of the trains were painted brightly. St Petersburg

is a very picturesque city, with fascinating sights and colourful buildings on the banks

of the river.

I also enjoyed

looking out over the Baltic Sea and towards Finland from the hallway windows of the

hotel in St Petersburg. The scenery looked wild and windswept, the coastline looked rugged

and it was cold, but also beautiful. This was in autumn.

Best wishes,

beautiful gold domes of Russia

more beautiful gold domes

St Basil's Cathedral

a picture of St Basil's Cathedral from wikipedia

St Basil's Cathedral

Peterhof Palace and fountains from wikipedia

black and white tiles by Peterhof Palace from wikipedia

fountains of Peterhof Palace from wikipedia

horse parade in Red Square, Moscow

parade in Red Square, Moscow

Throne Room at Peterhof Palace from wikipedia

bridge in St Petersburg

flower garden by monastery of St Sergiyev

Magical Splendours of Paris and France

Magical Splendours of Paris and France

 Pictures of Chateau of Chantilly
from wikipedia:

I often wonder what it is which draws me back

to France, as a beautiful drawing on the other side

of the world.

One time in Paris I remember thinking I had forgotten

how beautiful France really is, as it had been seven years since

I had last been in Paris. This was as the sun was setting over the banks

of the River Seine. It was a beautiful scene. A golden delight with the reflecting

light glimmering in the distance over the architectural landscape of Paris;

I remember often watching the pigeons by Notre Dame, watching by the river bank,

wandering around the narrow streets, noticing cobbles and unusual signs, lamposts

enhancing the scenery. I loved the little book stalls selling water colour prints of images

of Paris, the River Seine and Notre Dame. I have seen the artists drawings at Montparnasse and the colourful scenes of Montmartre, the windmill a land mark picture post card scene. Little restaurants and tables and chairs,

it is all a flowery theme. Very beautiful in many ways. There are also sellers of flowers

on the streets, also selling orchids.

There were also colourful scarves being sold on a street corner for only one euro. This stall seemed to attract many customers.

Charming, exotic, different. I loved the waffles in the park of

the Luxembourg Palace and gardens, the way the leaves would fall to the ground,

loved the colour of the trees in autumn, golden and scarlet, painting colours on the scene.

The autumn colours of the leaves of the trees and the fresh breezes by the banks of the River Seine are quite beautiful. This setting is quite magical, beautiful to look at from the windows of a bus,

driving along the banks of the river Seine.

Louis XVI mentioned the leaves when the royal family was held in captivity,

and they were walking amongst the colourful leaves in a park one day.

The Palace of Luxembourg gardens was a favourite place, families and people

would enjoy the day. Would go in grace and sail their boats upon the

little pond. A Sunday afternoon was a busy time.

On a recent visit to Paris last year I remember so clearly the moon shining over the hotel and

buildings at night in a narrow street. I could see this from my window and it looked

so magical shining its luminous orb, looking down on Paris from the night sky.

The left Bank of Saint-Germain

des Pres is also interesting to wander around. It was at a palace of St Germaine-en-Laye

that Louis XIV was born, and apparently now is a restaurant, as I was once informed on Louis XIV

group.

The Metro helps in getting from place to place and often is not too far away, distinctive

with a colourful Metro sign.

The shops of delicacies of fruit sweets and also mystical themes, as with crystals

and playing cards appealed also.

Paris, a city of light, a city of splendour. There is a saying that if one becomes bored with London,

they are tired of life. Paris is just as exciting. Many places of interest to visit.

The Louvre, which was once a palace, now a marvellous museum,

holds people in thrall with the famous painting of “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci.

It is here also that there is a portrait of the three dogs, Nonne, Pomme and Bonne, in a gilded frame. The artist, Desportes, was commissioned by the king, Louis XIV, to paint the portraits of the dogs,

often with a rustic beautiful background showing the beauties of nature.

It is nice to wander around the streets and along the banks of the River Seine. These are pleasures

not forgot. Timeless wonder with stories of the past, I recall The Thirty Nine Steps, which was

filmed in Paris.

The colours of the leaves, so sweet and fine, splendour of a marvellous time.

Autumn in Paris a thrilling time, the beauty and magic all around!

As I recall more thoughts and memories of Paris, I will write them down.

I once caught a train to Fontainebleau, a magical place with a garden view;

Trees shimmering in the distance, all clipped to a triangular shape, the tops of the trees a differing colour, of rusts and greens, from memory they seemed;

Fontainebleau is beautiful to see and I must return to this place again,

as on the day which I visited, the palace was not open. A palace which was given its name from a hunting dog named Bleu where he was found at a stream and also was seen the Nymph of Fontainebleau; This is the place where

Napoleon said farewell, the royal party, Queen Anne of Austria, Louis XIV, Princess Henriette, (Madame and

the king's brother, Monsieur) and the court set

out to visit Vaux-le-Vicomte; Nicholas Fouquet hosting his fantasy show

of magical enchantments at his new chateau; Creating amusements and setting the

scenes for an ultimate downfall; visions of wonder, but not a king,

he lived for beauty and a dream; A Minister of Finance, came to see the very best;

Did he also like La Valliere? This a question not really determined, but the king

may have seen him as competition. (Nicholas Fouquet's emblem was a squirrel and his motto was to what heights could he not ascend? His wife also had mirrors in her room, which would have been unusual for the time. )

In Margaret Irwin's book of “Royal Flush” Monsieur, the king's brother in the carriage

with the royal party returning to Fontainebleau taunted the king that Louise de la Vallierre's face appeared in

the decorations of the murals at the chateau!

The Prince de Conde also had a wonderful Chateau of Chantilly,

where the king visited and marvelled at the fountain displays, which he would imitate, though

Chantilly was different with the ability to acquire water more easily; Vatel, a famous chef,

was also resident at this chateau and there was a film made “Vatel.” This film was a splendour

for the magnificent decorative visual effects.

The seventeenth century, a Splendid century, full of hope and promise with

a new and vibrant king; the magnificence and splendour of the gardens

seemed to match the spirit of the times.

With plays and entertainments,

literature, the arts and tapestries , perhaps these were the best years of the king's

reign. The vibrant flowers of yesterday, today and tomorrow blossom still,

giving forth a radiant glow of what was past and is still hope for the future.

The world has moved on from the time of Louis XIV, but still the beauty of the time

lingers still, the Hallway of Mirrors, a showpiece resplendent with candlelabra,

glittering candle light overlooking a magnificent garden setting would have been quite magical,

a palace of dreams, a beautiful landscape of gardens

designed by Le Notre and decorative art works of the times.

Goodness about the king in all of his ways,

was beauty seen. He admired Nature and fell under its timely spell.

After the king's visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte, it did not take long for the king to start work on his own marvellous

vision of Versailles.

I will return to Versailles, in another post

and also Carcassonne, Lourdes and Nice,

and Azay-le-Rideau,

which I have also enjoyed visiting.

Something magical about France in the air.

It seems to me to be a kaleidosope of colours,

especially in the magic season of autumn.

Poetry seems only natural to describe some of the wonderful beauties to be seen

in Paris and France.

I think of the beautiful poetry of the early poets, the times of Eleanor of Aquitaine,

the colours and splendours of her court, the ancient rolls of the kings, the beauty of the arts and Book of Hours of the Duke de Berry,

and all manner of things.

My best wishes,

These pictures are from wikipedia of Notre Dame and of the Luxembourg Palace and

gardens.  Also Notre Dame illuminated by night.

This England

When I visited the library in Auckland I always enjoyed
looking at some of the "This England" magazines. There were articles describing the
beauty of English villages,
often with historical and unknown little snippets of information which were a joy to read, often accompanied by wonderful depictions of historic homesteads
and scenery. While in Australia I have not as yet come across these wonderful
magazines, but will make an endeavour to find out about them.

There was also a poetry page and I remember on one occasion a reader could remember
a few lines of a poem from school but could not remember the rest of the poem or where it came from. The reply was that it was "The Elfin Artist" by Alfred Noyes.

I will include the link for this poem here as I also found it quite exquisite, light and beautiful:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/alfred-noyes/the-elfin-artist/

This England

  I also think of Shakespeare's poem about "This England" and of course Shakespeare was right,
England is a gem, a beautiful country, as was mentioned in Richard II, quoted by John of Gaunt.
I will have to return to this beautiful isle again sometime.

  My best wishes

Magical Enchantments - poem three

Today I have a Magical Enchantments poem about Louise de la Valliere.

Alexandre Dumas has written a book about Louise. Sandra Gulland has written a book
"Mistress of the Sun"
which I enjoyed reading which was a story based on the life of Louise
and gives a wonderful description of her life and also of the times
in which she lived evoking a distant past with descriptions of the countryside
and villages.

Magical Enchantments – Poem Three

Within the shades
and water and glades
The King enjoyed Charades
and Tirades,
also a Masquerade:-
At another time,
An Enchanted Ball
which was to enthrall,
the Princess of the Land.
A Mirrored Hall
of Sparkling Dreams.
The Sunbeams of a Thousand Dreams
glittered upon the Stage.

The game of life
was a springboard of hope
played in games of chance
Seasoned knights got on with
the show;
And in an old fashioned way
As into this Play,
As the Music did ring,
and the bells did chime,
The hopes and dreams of Destiny
were swingng wildly in Time.

The ups and downs of the Merry-go-Round,
La Valliere and La Montespan
seemed to turn around;
Life's treasures,
how are they measured
in a glimpse of time?
In the world of give and take,
and the lives which it does shake
A clearer vision of the world takes shape;
Within the realms of bitter-sweet,
Louise's life was in retreat,
Devoted to solemnity
and religiosity.

Through the days and
through the time,
As the Hour glass
spins in time
And fates and fortunes
turn around
Seeking favours all around
And the round-a-bout
goes round and round,
Where was Love not sound?
In the twists of destiny found
of Louise in her surround,
This was not as she had planned,
occasioned by La Montespan.

The King had been so true and near
The beauty and flowers which were so dear
Were inspired by his love for La Valliere;
The magical settings and plays on the stage
Pastel and pastoral of the age,
Lost allure with love upstaged;

As a Swan glides on in gilded time
Flaps its wings over a bell clock chime
In the pearls and twirls of time
As the Seasons do entwine
And for ourselves, do see a sign,
seeking a love which was divine:

For once in a lifetime beauty doth shine
As autmn leaves upon a vine
dappled leaves of grape and lime
reflecting sun glints of the time
sprinkled with a scent of thyme;
peach and apricot, plum and pine
fir, willow, yew and elm combine
with orange trees in straight line;
As sunlight glimmers on the wine
And of love which would be thine
Pure and simple, beautiful, kind;
Starlight lovers matched in time
Pictured within a flower clock frame
a rose flower bower and leaves of plane;
Shimmering leaves,
golden colours interweaved;
In a green, in a dell
where the apple blossom dwells;

A mirrored image, reflections grew
Life patterns were found a-new,
Glimpsed within a Looking Glass Through:

Two butterflies swirl about
Darting in and out
As it was from the start
With Hope's Promise not to part;
Heaven's Raindrops glistening
From a shower of early spring
Fluttering daily on the wing
And, oh, how they could sing!

The Song of the Universe
echoes still;
Throughout the Day,
Throughout the Night
In the Starlight Dew and Light;

Do we see ourselves
In the Playing Cards
Fashioned by the Day
All in glittering array
Or in the leaves of an old tea cup
And from the seeds when earth began
Sprinkled in a Starlight Land
Within a band of Hope – a ray
Reflections in the Sand?

La Valliere,
So Sincere,
A Maid of Honour to
Princess Henriette of Angleterre
Came from the Valley of the Loire
Met the King
At a town called Blois,
Again at the Court in a game of bluff;
The Court Jester,
Frolicking and rousing about,
Made the Court all laugh-
Wild antics and affront,
and he seemed to be so blunt;
And noted of a Love held fast,
Love before it was all cast;
Danced in a ballet at the Court,
Appeared as “Diana” of the Hunt;
and rode with
the hounds at the front;

Dreaming, believing
of a Love Paramount;

Was it really Cupid's Arrow she had seen,
or was it only in her Dream?
Was this how her love had been,
As a dart to her heart
Echoing softly from the start?

A beam in floating Leaves of Time
Swirling in a Universe Rhyme
Magically falling to the ground
In a love which she had found;

Fancies' whims and fancies' loves
Fairies and goblins come out to play
Were they dancing for their Pay?
Was this the theme of yesterday?
Where was love from above
In the chivalry of the day?
Caught in the intrigue of the play
Lost on the swings
in a round-about way;
Found peace in Scriptures
and a ring,
Surely, this was a glorious thing;-

A Shower of Starlight over earth
A cloud burst rain drop gives new birth
Matched a tear drop of her heart,
Raining forever in her heart;

What of her life worth now
reflecting upon life's golden hour
Entertainments and courtly games,
Life would never be the same;

“Into a dance, a ballet true,
All I give it was to you.”

A new life for Louise would start;
A pearl, not many, and numbered few
Now was time for her cue
took to praying at her pew;

Fairy dust sparkled a magical glint
Horse's shoes sparked a fiery flint
Throughout a most enchanting night;
As moonlight shone its misty light
Night creatures in their mystery
seemed to be in sympathy
with Louise and her despondency;
But now, as Louise rode spritely on
Upon the dew drops of the grass
In a brand new day
She halted her dray,
Upon her way;
A Song of a bird
could be heard
echoing in a
musical
roundelay;

Trilling clearly as a crystal glass
In the morning mists which passed;
And in the light of the early morn
Saw Heaven's Splendour in the Dawn
Of all the Colours of a Spectrum Drawn;
New beginnings would take form.
Travelled on horseback throughout the night-
Searching for her guiding Light.

The landscape turned a vibrant green
Newly polished from a shower of rain
The Sun did glisten its brilliant rays
filtering its light across the plain;

Glittering Versailles called no more
Touched by a Light
of the Ever-More
Louise entered Sanctuary
Sister Louise of Mercy be;

Another time,
another place,
In the Story of the Play
In the Land of Not-Forgot
Love may have been divine
The King and Louise
could be free,
Celebrate their love in ecstasy;
but at this moment of her timidity
A dancing nymph was set free;
A solitary star
glistening in a milky sea
awash in Versailles complexity;

Her love for the King,
was her light and joy,
A flower strewn in the wind,
Became to see her life as sin,
In all of life's perplexity;

Fortune's losses, Fortune's gained
The court of Versailles was no longer claimed,
The King once wished Louise to stay,
But this was not her way;
Three queens in a coach
was her reproach:
And from all the despair and the tears,
now would come the Montespan years;
The dancing years, the sparkling years,
they were all a wonder and joy.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Plataan_bladeren.jpg

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