helk, is a name given to a musical instrument very
similar to a trombone.

_brassiere_, a little jacket or vest worn close round the body. The word
is usually used in the plural. Likely enough Hugo intends simply the
corset.

_au penchant des mers_, i. e. where the land slopes to the sea. A
peculiar expression; _au penchant de la terre_ would be more usual.

_les chouettes felines_. The epithet refers to their nocturnal habits.

L. 353. The antecedent of _que_ is _vautours_. The reference is to
gladiatorial combats in the Roman Circus, and the _louve d'airain_ is
the famous bronze wolf of the Capitol, a statue representing a wolf
suckling two children.

_fauve_, here `savage'. See note on EVIRADNUS.

_cru_, i. e. unashamed.

_faite vermeil_. See note on AYMERILLOT, where the same phrase
occurs.

L. 391. figurant, 'suggesting the form of'. A highly characteritic
touch. Hugo possessed a faculty of poetic vision which changed the
shapes of things so as to bring them into harmony with the dominant
ideas of the moment. Cf. LA ROSE DE L'INFANTE, and LA CONFIANCE.

_Heliogabales_. Heliogabalus was a Roman Emperor (r. 217-222) noted for
his sensuality and his caprices.

_cistre_, cittern or cithern, a musical instrument resembling the
guitar.

_un Louvre_: the Louvre is the well-known palace in Paris where many
kings of France resided. Note the antithesis in the same line, _antre de
rois, Louvre de voleurs_.

_les ors_, various kinds of gold. _Sixte Malaspina_, introduced as one
of the counsellors of Ratbert in a poem entitled 'Ratbert' not given
here.

_chape_ is the Picard form of 'cape' (see note on LES PAUVRES GENS, l.
97). It is the name for a long cloak, fastened in front, and worn by
clergy and choristers when performing Divine Service. Formerly any long
loose cloak was called a _charpe_. As is still the custom in the Greek
Church, images of the Virgin or saints are largely used, and they are
found as ornaments on pieces of furniture and sacerdotal vestments.

L. 455. A peacock roasted whole and served up ornamented with its
feathers was a favourite dish at the banquets of the fifteenth century.

_hypocras_, an infusion of cinnamon, sweet almonds, amber, and musk in
sweetened wine.

_Le roi d'Arle_. See note to l. 179.

_l'araignee_. See note under PUISSANCE EGALE BONTE.

_jacque_ (also written jaque), a short close-fitting coat or tunic.

_vair_ (English _vair_), the fur of the squirrel, a hig