September 2011: The Three Musketeers -- Favorite quotes

[GlennJ]

So, I have to say my favorite line so far comes from early on in the book (Chapter 6, I think) and I'm not sure if the double entendre was intentional, and if so if on the part of the translator or author:

[Louis XIII has been speaking to Treville about his falcons] "I know no one but myself who is acquainted with the noble art of venery."

I laughed out loud a bit when I first read it, as I was only aware of one meaning of "venery" - apparently (and primarily according to Mirriam-Webster's) it also means "the art, act, or practice of hunting".

It's interesting to note that later on, when D'Artagnan meets Buckingham in England, he (Buckingham) is also participating in a hunt and using falcons... not only is Louis not the only one acquainted with venery, but we have two "hunters" after the same "game" !

[ABthree]

So, I have to say my favorite line so far comes from early on in the book (Chapter 6, I think) and I'm not sure if the double entendre was intentional, and if so if on the part of the translator or author:

[Louis XIII has been speaking to Treville about his falcons] "I know no one but myself who is acquainted with the noble art of venery."

I laughed out loud a bit when I first read it, as I was only aware of one meaning of "venery" - apparently (and primarily according to Mirriam-Webster's) it also means "the art, act, or practice of hunting".

It's interesting to note that later on, when D'Artagnan meets Buckingham in England, he (Buckingham) is also participating in a hunt and using falcons... not only is Louis not the only one acquainted with venery, but we have two "hunters" after the same "game" !

Yep! When I got to that, my reaction was also, "why is he saying THAT?", for the same reason. Hitting "Look Up" brought the AHA! moment.