The second Tale of the second Decade of Honoré de Balzac’s Droll Tales bears the title “King Francis’s Short Commons” in the Folio Society edition
illustrated by Mervyn Peake.
This is a very short story concerning the French King’s spell of captivity in Madrid by the Emperor Charles the Fifth, during which his short commons were relieved by a series of ladies encouraging him to select a preference between those of France and of Spain.
The publishers of both Gustave Doré’s
and Jean de Bosschère’s pictorial interpretations each adopted “The Continence of King Francis the First”.
Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/except that the second Decade is published by New York’s Covici, Friede in 1929. It is America’s first edition thus and is a limited copy. The illustrations are not protected by tissue but the book’s condition is good and it is covered by a cellophane wrapper.
Lovely chapter in the saga.
Thank you very much, Pat
If I translate the Russian translation into English, it would be “The Abstinence of the King.”
Another interesting variation, Dolly. Thanks very much
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The women do not look very eager.
Thanks very much, Merril
Particularly the one getting groped by what looks like a dolt of a king.
Haha. Yes!
😀
More interesting detailed artistic illustrations! I found all of the faces to be fascinating to look at!
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Takes me back to French A Level studies
I got that, too, Sheree. Thanks very much
The illustrations are very well done.
Thank you very much, Lavinia