Rondel II
French source:
Charles d'Orléans
Ce may, suis vestu de noir;
C’est grand pitié de véoir
Mon cœur qui s’en desconforte.
Je m’abille de la sorte
Que doy, pour faire devoir;
Pour ce que Plaisance est morte,
Ce may, suis vestu de noir.
Le temps ces nouvelles porte
Qui ne veut déduit avoir;
Mais par force du plouvoir
Fait des champs clore la porte,
Pour ce que Plaisance est morte.
Rondel II
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
This May, I am attired in black;
It is so pitiful to see
My heart distressed.
I dress in the manner
That is becoming;
Because Plaisance is dead
This May, I am attired in black.
The elements proclaim the news
And will brook no diversion;
Instead, by means of rain,
They make the meadows close their door,
Because Plaisance is dead.
Translation © Richard Stokes, author of A French Song Companion (Oxford, 2000)
Rondel II
French source:
Charles d'Orléans
Rondel II
English source:
Richard Stokes
Pour ce que Plaisance est morte
Because Plaisance is dead
Ce may, suis vestu de noir;
This May, I am attired in black;
C’est grand pitié de véoir
It is so pitiful to see
Mon cœur qui s’en desconforte.
My heart distressed.
Je m’abille de la sorte
I dress in the manner
Que doy, pour faire devoir;
That is becoming;
Pour ce que Plaisance est morte,
Because Plaisance is dead
Ce may, suis vestu de noir.
This May, I am attired in black.
Le temps ces nouvelles porte
The elements proclaim the news
Qui ne veut déduit avoir;
And will brook no diversion;
Mais par force du plouvoir
Instead, by means of rain,
Fait des champs clore la porte,
They make the meadows close their door,
Pour ce que Plaisance est morte.
Because Plaisance is dead.
Composer
Claude Debussy
(Achille) Claude Debussy was a French composer. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. He was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Please click…
Poet
Charles d'Orléans
Charles of Orléans was Duke of Orléans from 1407 and prominent medieval poet.