The writer quotes from the transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan to the same effect: "that a very large proportion of the best writings of the best age of Japanese literature was the work of women."
This golden age in Japan was from the eighth to the eleventh century. During that time the men were chiefly engaged in pedantic studies in Chinese, while the women were developing a native and living literature. And during that time and for centuries before, the women of the West had not so much as arrived at the possession of human rights worthy the name!
[8] See "History of Provençal Poetry," Fauriel, Rowbotham, Hueffer, etc.
[9] "When Aurora enshrined in her robe of satin, unbars without noise, the doors of the morning."--JASMIN.
[11] Gallienus made this edict of withdrawal A.D. 260.
[12] Mentioned by M. Fauriel in his work on Provençal Poetry.
[13] The story is given very fully by Duncan Craig in his book _Miejour_ from which these verses and details are taken.
[14] This translation is taken from a small volume, entitled "Some Poets of the People in Foreign Lands," by J. W. Crombie (Elliot Stock).
[15] The translation of this and the following songs is given by Hueffer in his book on the troubadours.
[16] "It rains my father." "Ah! well, if it rains, it is good weather for the sowing."
[17] Mistral's poetical version of the story occurs in his "Nerto" as follows:--
"Quand bastiguè lou Pont dóu Gard, Lou prefachié dóu mau regard S'èro reserva pèr soun comte La proumiero amo, dis lou conte, Que passarié sus lis arcas. Pèr se tira dóu marrit cas, Lou tour es devengu célèbre, Jé bandiguèron uno lèbre. Lou Diable, que tenié d'à ment, Mando lis arpo vitamen; Mai pensas-vous un pau sa tufo, Entre counèisse qu'es la trufo! De la maliço que n'aguè, Sus la muraio l'empeguè. Contro lou pont se vèi encaro.
Lorsqu'il bâtit le Pont du Gard, L'entrepreneur au mauvais oeil S'était réservé pour salaire La première âme, dit le conte, Qui passerait sur les grands arcs. Pour se tirer du vilain cas, Le tour est devenu célèbre, On lâcha devers lui un lièvre. Le Diable, qui était aux aguets, Lance les griffes aussitôt; Mais figurez-vous sa grimace, Dès qu'il se reconnaît la dupe! De la colère qu'il en eut, Il le plaqua sur la muraille. Contre le pont on peut le voir encore."