Lai de L'Oiselet: an Old French Poem of the Thirteenth Century

Book excerpt: Provides a complete & accurate text of a poem, ¿Lai de l¿Oiselet¿, that has long been available only in outdated or partial editions. Brings up-to-date & gathers in one place as much info. as possible about the origins of the story & its many analogues. Contents: (I) Synopsis of the Story; (II) Manuscripts; (III) Editions of the Story; (IV) Sources & Analogues of the Story: The ¿Barlaam & Josaphat¿; The ¿Disciplina clericalis¿; The ¿Chastoiement,¿Trois Savoirs,¿ & ¿Donnei des Amants¿; Thematic Sources: The ¿locus amoenus¿; Generic & Stylistic Observations; (V) The Present Edition: The Choice of the Base Manuscript; Conclusions: Editorial Principles; Bibliography; Text of the Story; Rejected Readings of Ms ¿B¿; Diplomatic Texts; & Glossary. Illus.