T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
When May Is Come
Anonymous(Twelfth Century French Song. Translated by Claude C. Abbott) |
WHEN May is come and roses open wide, | |
From them I went to pluck in friendly wise. | |
Near to an abbey, by a green wood side, | |
A little space I heard sweet voice confide: | |
“I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run; | 5 |
Cursed of God be they who made me nun! | |
Who made me nun, by Jesu cursed be! | |
Vespers, complines, I speak unwillingly; | |
For better far love I good company | |
Which knows of dalliance and jollity. | 10 |
I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run; | |
Cursed of God be they who made me nun!” | |
She spoke aloud: “my heart is sick with fear; | |
Ah God! who mewed me in this abbey drear? | |
But by our Lady I will out from here, | 15 |
Nor gown nor surplice will I ever wear. | |
I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run. | |
Cursed of God be they who made me nun! | |
I will command my own dear love that he | |
Come seek me in this abbey speedily, | 20 |
We will to Paris, live right merrily, | |
For I am young, a comely man is he. | |
I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run. | |
Cursed of God be they who made me nun!” | |
When her lover had this her speaking heard, | 25 |
He leapt for joy, the heart within him stirred, | |
Towards the abbey gate straightway he spurred, | |
And drew his dear love forth without a word. | |
“I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run. | |
Cursed of God be they who made me nun!” | 30 |