Marie De France Quotes

Whosoever counts these Lays as fable, may be assured that I am not of his mind.

- Marie de France

For what the lover would, that would the beloved; what she would ask of him that should he go before to grant. Without accord such as this, love is but a bond and a constraint.

- Marie de France

I love no woman, for love is a serious business, not a jest.

- Marie de France

If one of two lovers is loyal, and the other jealous and false, how may their friendship last, for Love is slain!

- Marie de France

But sweetly and discreetly love passes from person to person, from heart to heart, or it is nothing worth.

- Marie de France

For above all things Love means sweetness, and truth, and measure; yea, loyalty to the loved one and to your word. And because of this I dare not meddle with so high a matter.

- Marie de France

Fairest and dearest, your wrath and anger are more heavy than I can bear; but learn that I cannot tell what you wish me to say without sinning against my honour too grievously.

- Marie de France

He who would tell divers tales must know how to vary the tune.

- Marie de France

There are divers men who make a great show of loyalty, and pretend to such discretion in the hidden things they hear, that at the end folk come to put faith in them.

- Marie de France

The fool shouts loudly, thinking to impress the world.

- Marie de France

Out of five hundred who speak glibly of love, not one can spell the first letter of his name.

- Marie de France

Great were the lamentation and the cry when the news of this mischance was noised about the city. Such a tumult of mourning was never before heard, for the whole city was moved.

- Marie de France

Be sure that you speak with unfeigned lips.

- Marie de France

Now will I rehearse before you a very ancient Breton Lay. As the tale was told to me, so, in turn, will I tell it over again, to the best of my art and knowledge. Hearken now to my story, its why and its reason.

- Marie de France

The dead and past stories that I have told again in divers fashions, are not set down without authority.

- Marie de France