XXIII - Emperaire, per vostre prez

Summary

2 MSS: D (189^r-v) no heading, but a iiij written in the margin by the incipit indicates this is the fourth pièce in the Marcabru section, z (2 cols C-D) no heading

Analysis of the manuscripts

Common errors in 13, 15 and 31 and the fact that line 21 is presented as the first line of a five-line stanza show that Dz derive from the same faulty exemplar. In addition, z has errors in 4, 18, 21, 25, and 26 (see the note to this line), and parts of stanza V have been lost through damage (presumably).

Versification

Frank, Repértoirey 44.8: a8 a8 a8 b8; eight coblas singulars with a tornada of two lines; the ‘b’ rhyme -ir is constant. In our view, the poem once contained nine stanzas, but only the first line of stanza VI survives. Chambers (Introduction, pp. 40 and 69) suggests that Marcabru may have imitated Guilhem IX, 4Pos de chantar’ (ed. Pasero, XI) and that XXIII may in turn have supplied a model for Uc Catola in VI.

Previous scholarship

Appel, ‘Zu Marcabru’, pp. 413–16, 440, 467; Boissonnade, ‘Personnages’, pp. 236–37, 242; Chambers, Introduction, pp. 40, 69; Errante, Marcabru, p, 145; Gaunt, Troubadours, pp. 48–51; Goddard, ‘Marcabru’, p. 62; Lewent, ‘Beiträge’, p. 428; Menéndez Pidal, Poesía juglaresca, p. 108; Roncaglia, ‘Due sirventesi’, pp. 171–73; Spanke, Marcabrustudien, pp. 16, 75–76.

Previous scholarship has concentrated on the style of this disillusioned pièce: most recently, Gaunt argues that the whole song is ironic.

Dating

The opening address to the ‘Emperor’ (Alfonso VII) whose prez and proeza attracted Marcabru to his court establishes a link between this song and XXII and indicates that XXII was composed first. On the basis of his dating of XXII, Roncaglia tentatively assigns XXIII to the period 1143-45, and ‘anteriore al ritorno di Marcabruno in Francia’ (‘Due sirventesi’, p. 183). For our view of the dating of Marcabru’s songs and his movements, see the Introduction, pp. 2–5. We date this song to after 1137–38 (see XXII ‘Dating’ and Appel, ‘Zu Marcabru, p. 416).

Previous editions

Dejeanne; Roncaglia, ‘Due sirventesi’, pp. 171–73.

Base: D

I

Emperor, I have come to you on account of your reputation and prowess, mark my words, and I should not have to repent of it.