Stanza 1, line 1. _Duperrier._ A critic of sorts and a gentleman, living in Provence and perhaps of Provencal ancestry. The verses were written while Malherbe"s fame was still local, two years before the king"s visit had lifted him to Paris.
Stanza 2, line 2. _Ta fille._ The child Marguerite. Her name does not appear in the poem nor in any letter; we have it from Racan.
Stanza 10, line 3. _Et la garde, etc._ These two lines are quoted, sometimes, not often, by admirers who would prove that Malherbe was not incapable of colour or of warmth.