Aucassin and Nicolette.

In Francis William Bourdillon's enchanting translation of Aucassin and Nicolette, a timeless medieval romance unfolds with all the passion and peril of star-crossed love. Originally composed in early 13th-century France as a unique "song-story"—a masterful blend of prose and verse—this classic tale follows the devoted knight Aucassin and the resourceful Nicolette, a Saracen slave girl turned Christian, whose love defies the rigid class boundaries of their world. When Aucassin's father forbids their union, the young lovers face relentless trials: imprisonment, desperate flight across foreign lands, and harrowing separation. Yet their unwavering devotion and fierce determination propel them through every obstacle toward an unlikely reunion. Aucassin emerges as the quintessential intrepid knight, while Nicolette displays remarkable courage and ingenuity in the face of impossible odds. This celebrated 1887 translation by Scottish scholar Andrew Lang preserves the lyrical beauty and emotional intensity of the original, capturing the rare literary form that distinguishes this work from all other medieval romances. Perfect for listeners drawn to classic literature, mythology, and tales of enduring love against societal resistance, Aucassin and Nicolette remains a captivating journey through medieval passion and adventure.