1497-1544.
He abandoned the law to live at court and write verses. After his
first successes, he became page in the household of Marguerite of
Navarre, and continued to enjoy her protection and that of her
brother, Francis I., though this could not save him, when accused
of heresy because of the welcome that he gave to the ideas of the
Reformation, from the necessity of twice fleeing to Italy for safety.
In spite of some deeper notes and in spite of his translation of the
first fifty Psalms, which is used in French Protestant churches, he
was by no means a religious reformer. He was essentially a court poet,
putting into graceful verse, ballades, rondeaux, epistles, epigrams,
etc., the trifles, jests, sallies, and elegant badinage that delighted
courtly society.
Works: _l'Adolescence Clémentine_, 1532; _Oeuvres de Clément Marot_,
Lyon, 1538; _Trente Psaumes de David_, 1541; _Cinquante Psaumes de
David_, 1543 ; _les Oeuvres de Clément Marot_, Lyon, 1544; _Oeuvres
complètes de Clément Marot_, par M. Guiffrey, 1876-81 (only part has
appeared); _Oeuvres complètes_, par P. Jannet, 4 vols., 1868-72;
_Oeuvres choisies_, par E. Voizard, 1890.
For reference: E. Scherer, _Études littéraires sur la littérature
contemporaine_, vol. viii; Emile Faguet, _le Seizième siècle_, 1893;
H. Morley, _C. Marot and other studies_, London, 1871.
RONDEAU. For the form see the remarks on versification.
20. SE DEMENOIT, _expressed itself_. 21. C'ESTOIT DONNÉ TOUTE LA TERRE
RONDE, i.e. it was as if one had given. 23. "They loved each other for
the heart alone."
24. SI A JOUIR ON VENOIT, _if one's love was returned_. 25.
s'entretenoit, _kept faith_.
7 2. FEINCTS, _feints_. OYT, from _ouïr_. 3. Qui = _si quelqu'un_. ME
FONDE, _rely_.