[Pg 3]THE LOVE LETTERS OFABELARD AND HELOISE
THE LOVELETTERSOF ABELARDAND HELOISE
Translated from the originallatin and now reprinted fromthe edition of 1722: togetherwith a briefaccount of theirlives andwork
RALPH FLETCHER SEYMOUR·CHICAGO
[Pg 6]Copyright 1903
by
Ralph Fletcher Seymour
[Pg 7]THE STORY OF ABELARD ANDHELOISE.
It sometimes happensthat Love is little esteemedby those who chooserather to think of other affairs,and in requital He stronglymanifests His power in unthoughtways. Need is to think of Abelardand Heloise: how now his treatises andworks are memories only, and how the loveof her (who in lifetime received little comforttherefor) has been crowned with the violetcrown of Grecian Sappho and the homageof all lovers.
The world itself was learning a new lovewhen these two met; was beginning to heedthe quiet call of the spirit of the Renaissance,which, at its consummation, broughtforth the glories of the Quattrocento.
It was among the stone-walled, rose-coveredgardens and clustered homes of ecclesiastics,who served the ancient Romanbuilded pile of Notre Dame, that Abelardfound Heloise.
[Pg 8]From his noble father's home in Brittany,Abelard, gifted and ambitious, cameto study with William of Champeaux inParis. His advancement was rapid, and timebrought him the acknowledged leadershipof the Philosophic School of the city, a prestigewhich received added lustre from hiscontroversies with his later instructor intheology, Anselm of Laon.
His career at this time was brilliant.Adulation and flattery, added to the respectgiven his great and genuine ability, madesweet a life which we can imagine was inmost respects to his liking. Among the studentswho flocked to him came the beautifulmaiden, Heloise, to learn of philosophy. Heruncle Fulbert, living in retired ease nearNotre Dame, offered in exchange for suchinstruction both bed and board; and Abelard,having already seen and resolved towin her, undertook the contract.
Many quiet hours these two spent onthe green, river-watered isle, studying oldphilosophies, and Time, swift and silent asthe Seine, sped on, until when days hadchanged to months they became aware ofthe deeper knowledge of Love. Heloise respondedwholly to this new influence, and[Pg 9]Abelard, forgetting his ambition, desiredtheir marriage. Yet as this would have injuredhis opportunities for advancement inthe Church Heloise steadfastly refused thisformal sanction of her passion. Their lovebecoming known in time to Fulbert, his griefand anger were uncontrollable. In fear thetwo fled to the country and there their childwas born. Abelard still urged marriage, andat last, outwearied with importunities, sheconsented, only insisting that it be kept asecret. Such a course was considered bestto pacify her uncle, who, in fact, promisedreconciliation as a reward. Yet, upon itsaccomplishment he openly declared the marriage.Unwilling that this be known lest theknowledge hurt her lover, Heloise strenuouslydenied the truth. The two had returned,confi