Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.

“When I See the Flowers Anew”

Anonymous

(Twelfth Century French Song. Translated by Claude C. Abbott)

“WHEN I see the flowers anew
Peeping where the meadows grew,
And I hear the fountain spring
Murmur on the gravelling,
Then young love holds me in thrall,	5
Which has never healing:
If relief come not at all
I must bide death’s dealing.
“I am dark and fair to see,
Young in my virginity,	10
Rose my colour is and white,
Pretty mouth and green mine eyes;
And my breast it pricks me so
I may not endure it,
For I meddle me to know	15
Love, and naught can cure it.
“Certes, if I met a man
Who stood in the way I ran,
Freely would I love, for none
Should I ever leave that one.	20
Often have I heard relate
And for truth to tell,
No one has a joy parfaite
But comes of loving well.”
Straight toward the wench I went	25
For to be with her acquent;
And I saw her white and fair,
And her look was debonaire,
Nor did she a whit forget
Any word I spake her,	30
Now without delay or let
For her love I prayed her.
Her bare hand I took, the maid
On the thick green grass I laid:
She cried out, to me she swore	35
Of my play she held no store:
“Take away your lechery;
May God truly shame it!
’Tis too rough and harsh for me,
I can never wame it.”	40
“Sweet love, my pretty maid,
Wherefore now are you afraid?
For you do not know a mite
How this is a merry life.
Mother did not for it die,	45
That you know right truly,
Nor will you the daughter, why
Do you fear unduly?”
When I had swived her maidenhood,
And upon her feet she stood,	50
All aloud to me she cried
“Well am I escaped your side:
Thirteen years since, I was born
As I rightly know;
Never had I other morn	55
That I loved so.”