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Louise Labé (c. 1520–1566)
Labé, Louise (lä-bā’). A French poet; true name Charlieu; called “the fair rope maker” from her husband’s business (about 1520–66). She was early noted for beauty, linguistic talent, and intrepidity. At sixteen, disguised as a cavalier, she took part in the siege of Perpignan. After marriage at Lyons, her house became the rendezvous of poets, scholars, artists, and musicians. Her lyrics are singularly graceful and show Petrarch’s influence. She also wrote in prose a charming allegory, ‘Dispute between Folly and Love.’