'How Long the Night' is one of the best rhyming middle English lyrics ever written, and this modern English translation restores the timeless sense of grief and regret it once had. Poems such as this one set the standard for all poetry.
How Long the Night
It is pleasant, indeed, while the summer lasts
with the mild pheasants' song ...
but now I feel the northern wind's blast—
its severe weather strong.
Alas! Alas! This night seems so long!
And I, because of my momentous wrong
now grieve, mourn and fast.
(anonymous Middle English lyric, circa early 13th century AD)
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Martin, I think "How Long the Night" may be the best early rhyming poem in the English language. And it certainly packs a wallop all these centuries later.
Geoffrey Chaucer is a real hoot. I love his work.
Yes, and these are lesser-known poems of his. I didn't discover "Merciless Beauty" until I was in my late forties or fifties.
'How Long the Night' is one of the best rhyming middle English lyrics ever written, and this modern English translation restores the timeless sense of grief and regret it once had. Poems such as this one set the standard for all poetry.
How Long the Night
It is pleasant, indeed, while the summer lasts
with the mild pheasants' song ...
but now I feel the northern wind's blast—
its severe weather strong.
Alas! Alas! This night seems so long!
And I, because of my momentous wrong
now grieve, mourn and fast.
(anonymous Middle English lyric, circa early 13th century AD)
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Martin, I think "How Long the Night" may be the best early rhyming poem in the English language. And it certainly packs a wallop all these centuries later.
Yes, it does pack a wallop, and you made sure it retained that element. Nothing was lost in translation.