VIGNY (Alfred de). - Lot 307

VIGNY (Alfred de). Born in Loches. 1797–1863. Romantic poet. Autograph Poem. No place, no date (circa 1820–1825). 1 p. in-8 A very fine working manuscript with a few erasures: this is an (unfinished) ballad composed of three stanzas of eight lines each, which can be dated to around 1820–1825 based on the poet’s handwriting. The subject is taken from the *Romancero del Cid*: …At the banquet of Spain’s brave / Pelaïs enters, his face flushed / For in the bloody campaign / Everyone knows he acted wrongly / The Cid, without disdain, without anger / Takes him aside, leads him a few paces / Near a solitary table / and speaks to him in a low voice: “Let us eat; I will join you, / Neither you nor I have earned / The meal of Spain’s brave / It is their glory that has earned it / Come, let’s take this Escabelle, / This spot is good for us, / Though my fortune may be great, / I am no better than you. But all those with whom Alvor surrounds himself / Are strong and fearless demons, / At this table of valor / No one sits without honor / Deep within enemy territory / That is where one must draw blood…