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

Sonette XXII

olivier's picture
olivier
Poem (Canso): 

Unto the very hall where sits my foe
Do I come near, and then await the plight
He sends to all who enter his long night,
To enjoy the visage of God no moe.
I hope at least his plan his realm might shoe,
But of new evils I gain no insight:
Loneliness is my one and only fright,
Away from her, from God, and all He doe.
Begin I to despair, but not to yield
,For stronger heart have I since riding forth.
Her love is this long lance, which I still wield,
And even in defeat I prove love’s worth.
I near thee, love, so think well upon me,
For soon I hope to dwell in peace with thee.

Documentation / Explanation (Razo): 

4. moe: more.
5. shoe: show, display.
7. “Loneliness … doe.”: The notion of the absence of God (or separation from Him, or Euredissa – see sonnet XIII) as one’s greatest fear or punishment is described by Mephastophilis in Doctor Faustus:
“Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it.
Think’st though that I, who saw the face of God,
And tasted the eternal joys of heaven,
Am not tormented with ten thousand hells
In being deprived of everlasting bliss?”
8. doe: do, does.