Roger Bontemps is semi-mythical French figure who personifies a state of leisure and freedom from care. According to Pierre-Jean de Béranger, Roger Bontemps is the epitome of "Never say die".

Literary origins

The figure first appears as a literary character in Le Livre du Cuers d'Amours Espris (The Book of the Love-Smitten Heart) attributed to René of Anjou (1409–1480), also known as "Good King René". In this allegory of love, written ca. 1457–77, "Rogier Bon Temps" is the only character who refuses to surrender his heart to the God of Love.

Roger de Collery

"Roger Bontemps" is said to have been the nickname of Roger de Collery (c. 1470–1540), who was a priest and secretary of the Bishop of Auxerre. He was famous for his jovial personality, and presided over a convivial society at Auxerre, earning the facetious title the "Mad Abbot". He left some writings in prose and verse, which are known from 1536 and were reprinted in 1856 by Charles Héricault.^[1]

Later literature

Roger Bontemps appears several times in French literature, such as in a play by André Rivoire. The figure also appears in a poem by William Makepeace Thackeray, first published in his 1852 anthology The Paris Sketchbook.

Vous riches, desireux;

Vous, dont le char dévie

Après un cours heureux;

Vous, qui perdrez peut-être

Des titres éclatans,

Eh! gai! prenez pour mâitre

Le gros Roger Bontemps.

Ye poor, with envy goaded;

Ye rich, for more who long;

Ye who by fortune loaded,

Find all things going wrong

Ye who by some disaster

See all your cables break,

From henceforth for your master

Bluff Roger Bontemps take.