Chant royal (fr. pieśń królewska) – odmiana ballady francuskiej^[1] o największym stopniu skomplikowania formalnego. Pieśń taka składa się z pięciu strof, przeważnie jedenastowersowych, rymowanych ababccddede i przesłania (envoi)^[2]. Ballady w formie chant royal pisał u schyłku średniowiecza między innymi Charles d'Orleans. Forma została reaktywowana w wieku dziewiętnastym. James Wilson Bright, Raymond Durbin Miller podają następujący przykład chant royal^[3].

I sit enthroned 'mid icy wastes afar,

Beyond the level land of endless snow;

For months I see the brilliant polar star

Shine on a shore, the lonelier none may know.

Supreme I rule in monarchy of might, —

My realms are boundless as the realms of Night.

Proud court I hold, and tremblingly obey

My many minions from the isles of Day ;

And when my heralds sound aloud, behold

My slaves appear with suppliant heads alway!

I am great Boreas, King of wind and cold.

I am the god of all the winds that are !

I blow where'er I list, — I come, I go.

Athwart the sky upon my cloud-capped car

I rein my steeds, swift-prancing to and fro.

The dreary woodlands shudder in affright

To hear my clarion on the mountain height.

The sobbing sea doth moan in pain, and pray,

Is there no refuge from the storm-king's sway? "

I am as aged as the earth is old,

Yet strong am I, although my locks are grey ;

I am great Boreas, King of wind and cold.

[...]

O Princes, hearken what my trumpets say! —

"Man's life is naught, no mortal lives for aye;

His might hath empire only of the mold,"

Boast not yourselves, ye fragile forms of clay!

I am great Boreas, King of wind and cold.

(Clinton Scollard, King Boreas)

Przypisy