|
O noble Ovyde, ful sooth seystou, God woot, |
| What sleighte is it, thogh it be long and hoot, |
| 915 | That Love nyl fynde it out in som manere? |
| By Piramus and Tesbee may men leere; |
| Thogh they were kept ful longe streite overal, |
| They been accorded, rownynge thurgh a wal, |
| Ther no wight koude han founde out swich a sleighte. |
| 920 | But now to purpos: er that dayes eighte |
| Were passed, er the month of Juyn, bifil |
| That Januarie hath caught so greet a wil, |
| Thurgh eggyng of his wyf, hym for to pleye |
| In his gardyn, and no wight but they tweye, |
| 925 | That in a morwe unto his May seith he: |
| "Rys up, my wyf, my love, my lady free! |
| The turtles voys is herd, my dowve sweete; |
| The wynter is goon with alle his reynes weete. |
| Com forth now, with thyne eyen columbyn! |
| 930 | How fairer been thy brestes than is wyn! |
| The gardyn is enclosed al aboute; |
| Com forth, my white spouse! Out of doute |
| Thou hast me wounded in myn herte, o wyf! |
| No spot of thee ne knew I al my lyf. |
| 935 | Com forth, and lat us taken oure disport; |
| I chees thee for my wyf and my confort." |
|
| O noble Ovid, truth you say, God wot! |
| What art is there, though it be long and hot, |
| 915 | But Love will find it somehow suits his turn? |
| By Pyramus and Thisbe may men learn; |
| Though they were strictly kept apart in all, |
| They soon accorded, whispering through a wall, |
| Where none could have suspected any gate. |
| 920 | But now to purpose: before had passed days eight, |
| And before the first day of July, befell |
| That January was under such a spell, |
| Through egging of his wife, to go and play |
| Within his garden, and no one but they, |
| 925 | That on a morning to this May said he: |
| "Rise up, my wife, my love, my lady free; |
| The turtle's voice is heard, my dove so sweet; |
| The winter's past, the rain's gone, and the sleet; |
| Come forth now with your two eyes columbine! |
| 930 | How sweeter are your breasts than is sweet wine! |
| The garden is enclosed and walled about; |
| Come forth, my white spouse, for beyond all doubt |
| You have me ravished in my heart, O wife! |
| No fault have I found in you in my life. |
| 935 | Come forth, come forth, and let us take our sport; |
| I chose you for my wife and my comfort." |
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