trobaire.org

a collection of literature from poets, bards, songwriters, and skalds in the SCA

Sonette XXXI

olivier's picture
olivier
Poem (Canso): 

My slow ascent is hard and winding long
To gain but a few feet upon this hill.
While worry I not that my steed go ill,
I fear that Hades hath done me great wrong
And keep for himself that lady of song,
Who possess greater beauty ever still
For resting in the place where man’s heart chill.
No soul may have a faith as rock so strong
To deny his true love as cock thrice crows.
Not far beyond, the dawn doth now appear,
While weep I for the lack of her sun shows
Within my fore-kept sight, to combat fear.
Yet faith is not displayed in works alone:
Within the heart hath proof of it e’er shone.

Documentation / Explanation (Razo): 

1. “My slow ascent … long”: This is a reference to a first line of Wyatt’s: “Ever mine hap is slack and slow in coming,” which possesses the same emotional essence.
13. “Yet faith … alone”: This is a Protestant statement, refuting the Catholic notion of salvation through good works (the Protestant doctrine is sola fide, salvation through ‘faith alone’).