The Poetic Journey of the Duke of Orléans: A Captive's Creative Escape

Extract

[...] The Duke of Orléans, an unknown artist. The Duke of Orléans, hardened and prolific during the long months of captivity, In the heart of his tower, he crafts rhymes, and strategic verses, To put on paper and parchment all his poetic gift, A prisoner of the walls, for the spirit is the best key to escape. So he fills pages, risking overexertion, He takes us on a journey through his poems, his stories, and his ballads, To get out for a few moments from his dull servitude, And one day, one morning, one instant to escape the shackles of his cage. [...]

[...] The Birth of Venus, by Botticelli. Venus, appearing naked and light from the depths of the sea, Goddess posted on her shell from Cythera, Divine and virgin creature, born from the foam of the waves, She is revealed to us emerging from the abyssal depths of the sea, Pomone accompanies and makes her drapery float in the wind, The beautiful one with diaphanous skin and long golden hair, Zephyr breathes ardently on the diaphanous curves of her body, While the ocean gradually invades the scenery, wave after wave . [...]