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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

Thank you, Mike, for your modern English translation of William Dunbar's exquisite Scottish masterpiece, 'Sweet Rose of Virtue'. I particularly like love poems, and the bittersweet nature of this song of unrequited really appeals to me. I think the first verse sets the mood and tone for the poem very well:

Sweet rose of virtue and of gentleness,

delightful lily of wanton loveliness,

richest in bounty and in beauty clear

and in every virtue men hold most dear,

except only that you are merciless.

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Michael R. Burch's avatar

I think "Sweet Rose of Virtue" is one of the truly great love poems. And to be honest, I do fancy my translation/interpretation.

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Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

The beauty of a dewy red rose

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Michael R. Burch's avatar

Yes, and a very suggestive beauty!

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Tom Merrill's avatar

Pardon me if I prefer a heart,

Dwell on life's lovely rose--avoid the pricks--

Banish all disillusion from my art,

Consider my sweetest blessing as unmixed.

Here we do not allow the heaven's blue

Has faded, or the stars have ceased to shine,

But rather think of love, whose feelings too

Must figure in this worldview we divine.

So be this in the interest of my dearest

That, should writing it I up and die

Nothing could be found here but the clearest

Indication where my heart must lie.

Nor call it but due courtesy to love,

All lesser truths to be less conscious of.--------TM

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Michael R. Burch's avatar

A good approach, I think. In L10, I hear a pause after "it" so perhaps consider a comma there.

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Tom Merrill's avatar

very old one.

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Michael R. Burch's avatar

I like it. Please feel free to email it to me, if you'd like me to publish it.

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Tom Merrill's avatar

Was just now rereading it, to see how it struck me. Hadn't looked at it in a very long time. But I remembered the 1st line, and that enabled me to find it. Shall now read it again.

Just did. I now remember Sue Wallace wanted it. But I didn't oblige her-- not because of the poem, but because of my feeling about her at the time.

It's a curiosity. If you like it, sure, why not.

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