trobaire.org

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

Whilom was Ich cheerful and whoole

olivier's picture
olivier
Poem (Canso): 

Whilom was Ich cheerful and whoole,
And wolde that Ich commaunde thy soole,
My dere, my balme, who comforts me.
The powre of songe had sette me fre
To catch thyne ye, or so I thoghte.
What peyne myn error grim hath wroghte!
I knowe I ner nil be thy loue.
Oonly on lifes travail can proue
A man his ladyes worth and grace
To serue her at his proper place
So that him myghte she graunt fauor.
I hope thou giuest me such honor.

Translation: 

Once I was cheerful and whole,
And wanted to be in control of myself,
My dear, my soothing balm.
The power of song had set me free
To catch your eye, or so I had thought.
What pain my terrible mistake caused!
I know I will never be your love.
Only in the struggle of life can one
Prove his lady's worth and grace
And serve her at his proper position
So that she might grant him her favor.
I hope you will give me such an honor.

Documentation / Explanation (Razo): 

This is a a Middle English translation of my Old French poem Fui un legre e plus san ome. I wrote this ME version for a book I printed and bound for Atlantian Twelfth Night AS XL; while I was more interested in the OF songs, I knew the book's reader base would not be - so I wanted to provide facing translations for those who might otherwise feel lost (or at least more lost than if they just read these ME poems). I did not base this on any particular lyric, but rather wanted to imitate the general style and voice of the broad 13th c. anonymous ME lyric repertoire.