LL-L "Seasons" 2005.10.31 (08) [E]

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02 November 2005 * Volume 08
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From: Paul Finlow-Bates <wolf_thunder51 at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Seasons" 2005.10.31 (05) [E]


These poems bring to mind my favourite Middle English song (a fragment 
generally thought to be 12th or early 13th C.)

Miri it is hwil somer ylast
ond fugeles song
oc nu negeth windes blast
ond weder strong
ey! hwat! this nicht is long
ond ic with wel mycel wrong
sorwe ond mourn ond fast

(Approx mod. E. trans:)
It's wonderful (merry) while the summer lasts
and birds sing
but now the winter's blast nears, and strong (wild) weather
Hey! what! this night is long
and I most unfairly (with great wrong)
sorrow and mourn and fast.

I'll let better poets than me try to put it in modern verse!

Paul

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Seasons

Hwat, Paul!

(_Hwat!_, OE _Hwæt!_, lit. "What!", is a greeting, like "Hi!", probably akin 
to and abbreviated from something like today's young American guy's "What's 
goin' on!" and "What's up, dude!" -- originally questions, but no longer so, 
as also in the case of "Hi!".)

Thanks for that song.  I happens to be one of my favorites also!  How 'bout 
that, dude?  I have a terrific CD recording of it somewhere (not sure if in 
Washington or California ...).

> I'll let better poets than me try to put it in modern verse!

Although I may not qualify, I heed the call anyway.  ;-)

   Miri it is hwil somer ylast
   ond fugeles song
   oc nu negeth windes blast
   ond weder strong
   ey! hwat! this nicht is long
   ond ic with wel mycel wrong
   sorwe ond mourn ond fast

   Cheerful it is while summer lasts
   And birds' sweet song.
   But here again are winds' harsh blasts
   And storm squalls strong.
   Hey there! This night is long,
   And I, tormented by great wrong,
   Bear sorrow, grief and fasts.

Here a more recent traditional Irish one:

   October winds lament around
   The Castle of Dromore,
   Yet peace is in its lofty halls,
   A pháisde bán a stór,
   Though autumn winds may droop and die,
   A bud of spring are you -
   Sing hushaby, lul, lul, lo, lo, lan,
   Sing hushaby, lul, lul, loo.

   Bring no ill wind to hinder us,
   My helpless babe and me -
   Dread spirit of Blackwater banks,
   Clan Eoin's wild banshee,
   And Holy Mary pitying,
   In Heaven for grace doth sue.
   Sing hushaby, lul, lul, lo, lo, lan,
   Sing hushaby, lul, lul, loo.

   Take time to thrive, my Rose of hope,
   In the garden of Dromore;
   Take heed young Eagle - till your wings
   Are weathered fit to soar;
   A little time and then our land
   Is full of things to do.
   Sing hushaby, lul, lul, lo, lo, lan,
   Sing hushaby, lul, lul, loo. 

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