trobaire.org

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

Al matin

olivier's picture
olivier
Poem (Canso): 

Al matin, quant la soleil est levé
Et je voi m’amor et la bele figure,
Je pleur, aveuglé de la douz beauté.
Ele resplendt plus bele que n’est aventure!
Proi que a nos retorne la nuit obscure.
Quant est calme, et ne serai écrasé
Nos adorerons d’amor le bordure.

Translation: 

In the morning, when the sun is risen,
And I see my love and her beautiful face,
I weep, blinded by her sweet beauty.
She shines fairer than is possible!
I pray that the shadowy night will return to us.
When it is quiet, and I am not so overwhelmed,
We will worship the very extremes of love.

Documentation / Explanation (Razo): 

This piece is the third in a series of poems dedicated to my good friend (and patroness) Maitresse Aenor d'Anjou. When I entered into her service (and the service of her lord and husband, Master Efenwealt Wystle), one of our agreements was that I would compose poems in her honor. What is more medieval, I thought (and still think!) then to write love poems to a married noblewoman? As a result, I have been trying to write at least one poem a month for her. I have also attempted to make these poems work as songs by coupling the lyrics with existing tunes (technically called contrafacta). See my list of poems for the other chansons in this series.

The rhyme structure (ABABBAB) and meter (essentially iambic pentameter) of this poem are based on Gace de Brule's “Quant floris.”

To be honest, I'm not sure if music exists for “Quant floris,” but if it does, then you can certainly sing this piece to it. I'm also currently looking for another melody that this piece will work with.