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Christine de Pisan
(ca 1364-1430)
BALLAD
In all the world is none so happy here
Nor is there any joy to match with mine,
Since she that hath no rival and no peer
Doth mercifully to my suit incline.
Her slave am I till death, for all my pain
In very truth hath met with guerdon meet:
She was my help on whom I called amain,
For she hath granted me her love so sweet.
Fair queen, in whom all nobleness is clear,
Thou would’st not have me for thy presence pine:
Nay, bid me cry in every lover’s ear,
“Thirsty was I for Love’s immortal wine!”
Not all my weeping might the gift obtain,
Yet she, enthroned on beauty’s mercy-seat,
Hath pardoned all: too soon did I complain
For she hath granted me her love so sweet.
Now to delight returns the torrent drear
That of my mourning was the sorry sign:
Now am I joyous and of merry cheer,
More than aforetime in her grace divine.
Love bade me follow in his chosen train
Where gladness walks beside my lady’s feet,
Nor any loss is mingled with my gain,
For she hath granted me her love so sweet.
Princess of love, my sorrow I disdain
Since out of mourning cometh joy complete
By grace of her who is love’s suzerain,
For she hath granted me her love so sweet.
Christine de Pisan poetry
fleursdumal.nl magazine
More in: Archive O-P, Pisan, Christine de
Christine de Pisan
(ca 1364-1430)
BALLAD
Farewell, my lady dear and dread,
Farewell, of all sovereign and queen,
Farewell, perfect and sacred head,
Farewell, who dost all honour mean,
Farewell, true heart, loyal and clean,
Farewell, best flower the world doth bear,
Farewell, yet not farewell, O white and fair!
Farewell, O wise, that no ill said,
Farewell, river that made life green,
Farewell, in whom fame harboured,
Farewell, voice that all ears could win,
Farewell, solace of all my teen,
Farewell, whose grace is wide as air,
Farewell, yet not farewell, O white and fair!
Farewell, soft look that through me sped,
Farewell, more fair than Helen queen,
Farewell, body and sweet soul wed,
Farewell, thou most gracious demesne,
Farewell, pole-star, joyous and keen,
Farewell, fountain of valour rare,
Farewell, yet not farewell, O white and fair!
Farewell, Princess of noblest mien,
Farewell, thou aweing smile serene,
Farewell, without fault, sin’s despair,
Farewell, yet not farewell, O white and fair!
Christine de Pisan poetry
fleursdumal.nl magazine
More in: Archive O-P, Pisan, Christine de
Christine de Pisan
(ca. 1364-1430)
Helas! le trés mauvais songe
Helas! le trés mauvais songe
Que j’ay ceste nuit songé,
Fait que mon cuer toudis songe.
Oncques ne retint esponge
Mieulx chose, certes, que j’é,
Helas! le trés mauvais songe.
Mais ne me dit chose dont je
Doye esperer que congié;
Dieux doint que ce soit mençonge,
Helas! le trés mauvais songe.
Christine de Pisan poetry
fleursdumal.nl magazine
More in: Archive O-P, Pisan, Christine de
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