| SECTIO I: FORTUNA IMPERATRIX
MUNDI |
FORTUNE EMPRESS OF
THE WORLD |
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| 1.
O Fortuna |
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(Chorus)
O Fortuna,
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem;
Egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus
semper dissolubilis,
obumbrata
et velata
mihi quoque niteris;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis
et virtutis
mihi nunc contraria,
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora
sine mora
corde pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite! |
O Fortune,
like the moon
with its changing phases,
you are ever growing
and waning;
hateful life
first oppresses
and then soothes
as fancy takes it;
Poverty
and power
it melts them like ice.
Fate - monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
you are malevolent,
well-being is vain
and always fades to nothing.
Shadowed
and veiled
you plague me too;
now through the game
I bring my bare back
to your villainy.
When health
and virtue
are against me,
are only pain
and exhaustion,
forever in this vale of tears.
So at this hour
without delay
pluck the vibrating strings;
since Fate
strikes down the string man,
everyone weep with me! |
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| 2.
Fortune plango vulnerat |
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(Chorus)
Fortune plango vulnerat
stillantibus ocellis,
quod sua michi munera
subtrahit rebellis.
Verum est, quod legitur,
ronte capillata,
sed plerumque sequitur
Occasio calvata.
In Fortune solio
sederam elatus,
prosperitatis vario
flore coronatus;
quicquid enim florui
felix et beatus,
nunc a summo corrui
gloria privatus.
Fortune rota volvitur:
descendo minoratus;
alter in altum tollitur;
nimis exaltatus
rex sedet in vertice
caveat ruinam!
nam sub axe legimus
Hecubam reginam. |
I bemoan the wounds of Fortune
with weeping eyes
for the gifts she made me
she perversely takes away.
It is written in truth,
that she has a fine head of hair,
but, when it comes to seizing an opportunity
she is bald.
On Fortune's throne
I used to sit raised up,
crowned with
the many-coloured flowers of prosperity;
though I may have flourished
happy and blessed,
now I fall from the peak
deprived of glory.
The wheel of Fortune turns
I go down, demeaned;
another is raised up;
far too proud
sits the king at the summit -
let him fear ruin!
for under the axis we read
about Queen Hecuba. |
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| SECTIO II: PRIMO VERE |
THE FIRST SPRING |
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| 3.
Veris leta facies |
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Veris leta facies
mundo propinatur,
hiemalis acies
victa iam fugatur,
in vestitu vario
Flora principatur,
nemorum dulcisono
que cantu celebratur.
Flore fusus gremio
Phebus novo more
risum dat, hac vario
iam stipate flore.
Zephyrus nectareo
spirans in odore.
Certatim pro bravio
curramus in amore.
Cytharizat cantico
dulcis Philomena,
flore rident vario
prata iam serena,
salit cetus avium
silve per amena,
chorus promit virgin
iam gaudia millena. |
The merry face of spring
turns to the world,
sharp winter
now flees, vanquished;
bedecked in various colours
Flora reigns,
the harmony of the woods
praises her in song. Ah!
Lying in Flora's lap
Phoebus once more
smiles, now covered
in many-coloured flowers,
Zephyr breathes nectar-
scented breezes.
Let us rush to compete
for love's prize. Ah!
In harp-like tones sings
the sweet Philomena,
with many flowers
the joyous meadows are laughing,
a flock of birds rises up
through the pleasant forests,
the chorus of maidens
already promises a thousand joys. Ah! |
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| 4.
Omnia sol temperat |
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(Baritone)
Omnia sol temperat
purus et subtilis,
novo mundo reserat
faciem Aprilis,
ad amorem properat
animus herilis
et iocundis imperat
deus puerilis.
Rerum tanta novitas
in solemni vere
et veris auctoritas
jubet nos gaudere;
vias prebet solitas,
et in tuo vere
fides est et probitas
tuum retinere.
Ama me fideliter,
fidem meam noto:
de corde totaliter
et ex mente tota
sum presentialiter
absens in remota,
quisquis amat taliter,
volvitur in rota. |
The sun warms everything,
pure and gentle,
once again it reveals to the world
April's face,
the soul of man
is urged towards love
and joys are governed
by the boy-god.
All this rebirth
in spring's festivity
and spring's power
bids us to rejoice;
it shows us paths we know well,
and in your springtime
it is true and right
to keep what is yours.
Love me faithfully!
See my faithfullness:
with all my heart
and with all my soul,
I am with you
even when I am far away.
Whosoever loves this much
turns on the wheel |
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| 5.
Ecce gratum |
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(Chorus)
Ecce gratum
et optatum
Ver reducit gaudia,
purpuratum
floret pratum,
Sol serenat omnia.
Iamiam cedant tristia!
Estas redit,
nunc recedit
Hyemis sevitia.
Iam liquescit
et decrescit
grando, nix et cetera;
bruma fugit,
et iam sugit
Ver Estatis ubera;
illi mens est misera,
qui nec vivit,
nec lascivit
sub Estatis dextera.
Gloriantur
et letantur
in melle dulcedinis,
qui conantur,
ut utantur
premio Cupidinis:
simus jussu Cypridis
gloriantes
et letantes
pares esse Paridis. |
Behold, the pleasant
and longed-for
spring brings back joyfulness,
violet flowers
fill the meadows,
the sun brightens everything,
Sadness is now at an end!
Summer returns,
now withdraw
the rigours of winter. Ah!
Now melts
and disappears
ice, snow and the rest,
winter flees,
and now spring sucks
at summer's breast:
a wretched soul is he
who neither lives
or lusts
under summer's rule. Ah!
They rejoice
and glory
in honeyed sweetness
who strive
to make use of
Cupid's prize;
at Venus' command
let us glory
and rejoice
in being Paris' equals. Ah! |
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| SECTIO III: UF DEM
ANGER |
ON THE MEADOW |
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| 7.
Floret silva |
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(Chorus)
Floret silva nobilis
floribus et foliis.
(Small Chorus)
Ubi est antiquus
meus amicus?
Hinc equitavit,
eia, quis me amabit?
(Chorus)
Floret silva undique,
nah min gesellen ist mir we.
(Small Chorus)
Gruonet der walt allenthalben,
wa ist min geselle alse lange?
Der ist geriten hinnen,
o wi, wer sol mich minnen? |
The noble woods are burgeoning
with flowers and leaves.
Where is the lover
I knew? Ah!
He has ridden off!
Oh! Who will love me? Ah!
The woods are burgeoning all over,
I am pining for my lover.
The woods are turning green all over,
why is my lover away so long? Ah!
He has ridden off,
Oh woe, who will love me? Ah! |
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| 8.
Chramer, gip die varwe mir |
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(Semi-Chorus)
Chramer, gip die varwe mir,
die min wengel roete,
damit ich die jungen man
an ir dank der minnenliebe noete.
Seht mich an,
jungen man!
lat mich iu gevallen!
Minnet, tugentliche man,
minnecliche frouwen!
minne tuot iu hoch gemout
unde lat iuch in hohen eren schouwen
Seht mich an
jungen man!
lat mich iu gevallen!
Wol dir, werit, daz du bist
also freudenriche!
ich will dir sin undertan
durch din liebe immer sicherliche.
Seht mich an,
jungen man!
lat mich iu gevallen |
Shopkeeper, give me colour
to make my cheeks red,
so that I can make the young men
love me, against their will.
Look at me,
young men!
Let me please you!
Good men, love
women worthy of love!
Love ennobles your spirit
and gives you honour.
Look at me,
young men!
Let me please you!
Hail, world,
so rich in joys!
I will be obedient to you
because of the pleasures you afford.
Look at me,
young men!
Let me please you. |
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| 9a.
Reie |
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(Chorus)
Swaz hie gat umbe,
daz sint alles megede,
die wellent an man
allen disen sumer gan! |
Those who go round and round
are all maidens,
they want to do without a man
all summer long. Ah! Sla! |
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| 9b.
Chume, chum, geselle min |
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(Small Chorus)
Chume, chum, geselle min,
ih enbite harte din,
ih enbite harte din,
chume, chum, geselle min.
Suzer rosenvarwer munt,
chum un mache mich gesunt
chum un mache mich gesunt,
suzer rosenvarwer munt, |
Come, come, my love,
I long for you,
I long for you,
come, come, my love.
Sweet rose-red lips,
come and make me better,
come and make me better,
sweet rose-red lips. |
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| 9c.
Swaz hie gat umbe |
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(Chorus)
Swaz hie gat umbe,
daz sint alles megede,
die wellent an man
allen disen sumer gan! |
Those who go round and round
are all maidens,
they want to do without a man
all summer long. Ah! Sla! |
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| 10.
Were diu werlt alle min |
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(Chorus)
Were diu werlt alle min
von deme mere unze an den Rin
des wolt ih mih darben,
daz diu chunegin von Engellant
lege an minen armen. |
Were all the world mine
from the sea to the Rhine,
I would starve myself of it
so that the queen of England
might lie in my arms |
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| SECTIO IV: IN TABERNA |
IN THE TAVERN |
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| 11.
Estuans interius |
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(Baritone)
Estuans interius
ira vehementi
in amaritudine
loquor mee menti:
factus de materia,
cinis elementi
similis sum folio,
de quo ludunt venti.
Cum sit enim proprium
viro sapienti
supra petram ponere
sedem fundamenti,
stultus ego comparor
fluvio labenti,
sub eodem tramite
nunquam permanenti.
Feror ego veluti
sine nauta navis,
ut per vias aeris
vaga fertur avis;
non me tenent vincula,
non me tenet clavis,
quero mihi similes
et adiungor pravis.
Mihi cordis gravitas
res videtur gravis;
iocis est amabilis
dulciorque favis;
quicquid Venus imperat,
labor est suavis,
que nunquam in cordibus
habitat ignavis.
Via lata gradior
more iuventutis
inplicor et vitiis
immemor virtutis,
voluptatis avidus
magis quam salutis,
mortuus in anima
curam gero cutis. |
Burning inside
with violent anger,
bitterly
I speak to my soul:
created from matter,
of the ashes of the elements,
I am like a leaf
played with by the winds.
If it is the way
of the wise man
to build
foundations on stone,
then I, the fool, am like
a flowing stream,
which under the riverbed
never rests.
I am carried along
like a ship without a steersman,
and in the paths of the air
like a light, hovering bird;
chains cannot hold me,
keys cannot imprison me,
I look for people like me
and join the wretches.
The heaviness of my heart
seems like a burden to me;
it is pleasant to joke
and sweeter than honeycomb;
whatever Venus commands
is a sweet duty,
she never dwells
in a lazy heart.
I travel the broad path
as is the way of youth,
I give myself to vice,
unmindful of virtue,
I am eager for the pleasures of the flesh
more than for salvation,
my soul is dead,
so I shall look after the flesh. |
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| 12.
Cignus ustus cantat |
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(Tenor)
Olim lacus colueram,
olim pulcher extiteram,
dum cignus ego fueram.
(Male chorus)
Miser, miser!
modo niger
et ustus fortiter!
(Tenor)
Girat, regirat garcifer;
me rogus urit fortiter;
propinat me nunc dapifer.
(Male Chorus)
Miser, miser!
modo niger
et ustus fortiter!
(Tenor)
Nunc in scutella iaceo,
et volitare nequeo
dentes frendentes video:
(Male Chorus)
Miser, miser!
modo niger
et ustus fortiter! |
Once I lived on lakes,
once I looked beautiful,
when I was a swan.
Misery me!
Now black
and roasting fiercely!
The servant is turning me on the spit;
I am burning fiercely on the pyre:
the steward now serves me up.
Misery me!
Now black
and roasting fiercely!
Now I lie on a plate,
and cannot fly anymore,
I see bared teeth:
Misery me!
Now black
and roasting fiercely! |
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| 13.
Ego sum abbas |
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(Baritone)
Ego sum abbas Cucaniensis
et consilium meum est cum bibulis,
et in secta Decii voluntas mea est,
et qui mane me quesierit in taberna,
post vesperam nudus egredietur,
et sic denudatus veste clamabit:
(Baritone and Male Chorus)
Wafna, wafna!
quid fecisti sors turpassi
Nostre vite gaudia
abstulisti omnia! |
I am the abbot of Cockaigne
and my assembly is one of drinkers,
and I wish to be in the order of Decius,
and whoever searches me out at the tavern
in the morning,
after Vespers he will leave naked,
and thus stripped of his clothes he will call
out:
Woe! Woe!
what have you done, vilest Fate?
the joys of my life
you have taken all away! |
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| 14.
In taberna quando sumus |
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(Chorus)
In taberna quando sumus
non curamus quid sit humus,
sed ad ludum properamus,
cui semper insudamus.
Quid agatur in taberna
ubi nummus est pincerna,
hoc est opus ut queratur,
si quid loquar, audiatur.
Quidam ludunt, quidam bibunt,
quidam indiscrete vivunt.
Sed in ludo qui morantur,
ex his quidam denudantur
quidam ibi vestiuntur,
quidam saccis induuntur.
Ibi nullus timet mortem
sed pro Baccho mittunt sortem:
Primo pro nummata vini,
ex hac bibunt libertini;
post hec bibunt ter pro vivis,
semel bibunt pro captivis,
quater pro Christianis cunctis
quinquies pro fidelibus defunctis,
sexies pro sororibus vanis,
septies pro militibus silvanis.
Octies pro fratribus perversis,
nonies pro monachis dispersis,
decies pro navigantibus
undecies pro discordaniibus,
duodecies pro penitentibus,
tredecies pro iter agentibus.
Tam pro papa quam pro rege
bibunt omnes sine lege.
Bibit hera, bibit herus,
bibit miles, bibit clerus,
bibit ille, bibit illa,
bibit servis cum ancilla,
bibit velox, bibit piger,
bibit albus, bibit niger,
bibit constans, bibit vagus,
bibit rudis, bibit magnus.
Bibit pauper et egrotus,
bibit exul et ignotus,
bibit puer, bibit canus,
bibit presul et decanus,
bibit soror, bibit frater,
bibit anus, bibit mater,
bibit ista, bibit ille,
bibunt centum, bibunt mille.
Parum sexcente nummate
durant, cum immoderate
bibunt omnes sine meta.
Quamvis bibant mente leta,
sic nos rodunt omnes gentes
et sic erimus egentes.
Qui nos rodunt confundantur
et cum iustis non scribantur. |
When we are in the tavern,
we do not think how we will go to dust,
but we hurry to gamble,
which always makes us sweat.
What happens in the tavern,
where money is host,
you may well ask,
and hear what I say.
Some gamble, some drink,
some behave loosely.
But of those who gamble,
some are stripped bare,
some win their clothes here,
some are dressed in sacks.
Here no-one fears death,
but they throw the dice in the name of Bacchus.
First of all it is to the wine-merchant
the the libertines drink,
one for the prisoners,
three for the living,
four for all Christians,
five for the faithful dead,
six for the loose sisters,
seven for the footpads in the wood,
Eight for the errant brethren,
nine for the dispersed monks,
ten for the seamen,
eleven for the squabblers,
twelve for the penitent,
thirteen for the wayfarers.
To the Pope as to the king
they all drink without restraint.
The mistress drinks, the master drinks,
the soldier drinks, the priest drinks,
the man drinks, the woman drinks,
the servant drinks with the maid,
the swift man drinks, the lazy man drinks,
the white man drinks, the black man drinks,
the settled man drinks, the wanderer drinks,
the stupid man drinks, the wise man drinks.
The poor man drinks, the sick man drinks,
the exile drinks, and the stranger,
the boy drinks, the old man drinks,
the bishop drinks, and the deacon,
the sister drinks, the brother drinks,
the old lady drinks, the mother drinks,
this man drinks, that man drinks,
a hundred drink, a thousand drink.
Six hundred pennies would hardly
suffice, if everyone
drinks immoderately and immeasurably.
However much they cheerfully drink
we are the ones whom everyone scolds,
and thus we are destitute.
May those who slander us be cursed
and may their names not be written in the book
of the righteous. |
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| SECTIO V: COUR D'AMOURS |
THE COURT OF LOVE |
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| 15.
Amor volat undique |
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Amor volat undique,
captus est libidine.
Iuvenes, iuvencule
coniunguntur merito.
(Soprano)
Siqua sine socio,
caret omni gaudio;
tenet noctis infima sub intimo
cordis in custodia:
(Boys)
fit res amarissima. |
Cupid flies everywhere
seized by desire.
Young men and women
are rightly coupled.
The girl without a lover
misses out on all pleasures,
she keeps the dark night
hidden in the depth of her heart;
it is a most bitter fate. |
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| 16.
Dies, nox et omnia |
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Dies, nox et omnia
michi sunt contraria;
virginum colloquia
me fay planszer,
oy suvenz suspirer,
plu me fay temer.
O sodales, ludite,
vos qui scitis dicite
michi mesto parcite,
grand ey dolur,
attamen consulite
per voster honur.
Tua pulchra facies
me fay planszer milies,
pectus habet glacies.
A remender
statim vivus fierem
per un baser. |
Day, night and everything
is against me,
the chattering of maidens
makes me weep,
and often sigh,
and, most of all, scares me.
O friends, play,
you who know,
spare me, sorrowful,
great is my grief,
advise me at least,
by your honour.
Your beautiful face,
makes me weep a thousand times,
your heart is of ice.
As a cure,
I would be revived
by a kiss. |
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| 17.
Stetit puella |
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Stetit puella
rufa tunica;
si quis eam tetigit,
tunica crepuit.
Eia.
Stetit puella
tamquam rosula;
facie splenduit,
os eius fioruit.
Eia. |
A girl stood
in a red tunic;
if anyone touched it,
the tunic rustled.
Eia!
A girl stood
like a little rose:
her face was radiant
and her mouth in bloom.
Eia! |
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| 18.
Circa mea pectora |
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(Baritone and Chorus)
(Baritone)
Circa mea pectora
multa sunt suspiria
de tua pulchritudine,
que me ledunt misere.
(Chorus)
Manda liet,
Manda liet
min geselle
chumet niet.
(Baritone)
Tui lucent oculi
sicut solis radii,
sicut splendor fulguris
lucem donat tenebris.
(Chorus)
Manda liet
Manda liet,
min geselle
chumet niet.
(Baritone)
Vellet deus, vallent dii
quod mente proposui:
ut eius virginea
reserassem vincula.
(Chorus)
Manda liet,
Manda liet
min geselle
chumet niet. |
In my heart
there are many sighs
for your beauty,
which wound me sorely. Ah!
Song of joy,
song of joy,
my lover
does not grieve.
Your eyes shine
like the rays of the sun,
like the flashing of lightening
which brightens the darkness. Ah!
Song of joy,
song of joy,
my lover
does not grieve.
May God grant, may the gods grant
what I have in mind:
that I may loose
the chains of her virginity. Ah!
Song of joy,
song of joy,
my lover
does not grieve. |
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| 19.
Si puer cum puellula |
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(Small chorus)
Si puer cum puellula
moraretur in cellula,
felix coniunctio.
Amore suscrescente
pariter e medio
avulso procul tedio,
fit ludus ineffabilis
membris, lacertis, labii. |
If a boy with a girl
tarries in a little room,
happy is their coupling.
Love rises up,
and between them
prudery is driven away,
an ineffable game begins
in their limbs, arms and lips.¨ |
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| 20.
Veni, veni, venias |
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(Chorus)
Veni, veni, venias,
ne me mori facias,
hyrca, hyrce, nazaza,
trillirivos...
Pulchra tibi facies
oculorum acies,
capillorum series,
o quam clara species!
Rosa rubicundior,
lilio candidior
omnibus formosior,
semper in te glorior! |
Come, come, O come,
do not let me die,
hycra, hycre, nazaza,
trillirivos!
Beautiful is your face,
the gleam of your eye,
your braided hair,
what a glorious creature!
redder than the rose,
whiter than the lily,
lovelier than all others,
I shall always glory in you! |
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| 21.
In trutina |
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(Alto/Soprano)
In trutina mentis dubia
fluctuant contraria
lascivus amor et pudicitia.
Sed eligo quod video,
collum iugo prebeo:
ad iugum tamen suave transeo. |
In the wavering balance of my feelings
set against each other
lascivious love and modesty.
But I choose what I see,
and submit my neck to the yoke;
I yield to the sweet yoke. |
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| 22.
Tempus est iocundum |
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(Chorus)
Tempus est iocundum,
o virgines,
modo congaudete
vos iuvenes.
(Baritone)
Oh, oh, oh,
totus floreo,
iam amore virginali
totus ardeo,
novus, novus amor
est, quo pereo.
(Women)
Mea me confortat
promissio,
mea me deportat
negatio.
(Soprano and boys)
Oh, oh, oh
totus floreo
iam amore virginali
totus ardeo,
novus, novus amor
est, quo pereo
(Men)
Tempore brumali
vir patiens,
animo vernali
lasciviens.
(Baritone)
Oh, oh, oh,
totus floreo,
iam amore virginali
totus ardeo,
novus, novus amor
est, quo pereo.
(Women)
Mea mecum ludit
virginitas,
mea me detrudit
simplicitas.
(Soprano and Boys)
Oh, oh, oh,
totus floreo,
iam amore virginali
totus ardeo,
novus, novus amor
est, quo pereo.
(Chorus)
Veni, domicella,
cum gaudio,
veni, veni, pulchra,
iam pereo.
(Baritone, Boys and Chorus)
Oh, oh, oh,
totus floreo,
iam amore virginali
totus ardeo,
novus, novus amor est
quo pereo. |
It is time to rejoice,
O maidens,
rejoice with them,
young men!
Oh! Oh! Oh!
I am bursting out all over!
I am burning all over
with first love!
New, new love is
what I am dying of!
I am heartened
by my promise,
I am downcast
by my refusal
Oh! Oh! Oh!
I am bursting out all over!
I am burning all over
with first love!
New, new love is
what I am dying of!
In the winter
man is patient,
the breath of spring
makes him lust.
Oh! Oh! Oh!
I am bursting out all over!
I am burning all over
with first love!
New, new love is
what I am dying of!
My virginity
makes me frisky,
my simplicity
holds me back.
Oh! Oh! Oh!
I am bursting out all over!
I am burning all over
with first love!
New, new love is
what I am dying of!
Come, my mistress,
with joy,
come, come, my pretty,
I am dying!
Oh! Oh! Oh!
I am bursting out all over!
I am burning all over
with first love!
New, new love is
what I am dying of! |
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| 23.
Dulcissime |
|
| |
|
(Soprano)
Dulcissime,
totam tibi subdo me! |
Sweetest one! Ah!
I give myself to you totally! |
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|
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|
| SECTIO VI: BLANZIFLOR
ET HELENA |
BLANCHEFLEUR AND HELEN |
| |
|
| 24.
Ave formosissima |
|
| |
|
Ave formosissima,
gemma pretiosa,
ave decus virginum,
virgo gloriosa,
ave mundi luminar,
ave mundi rosa,
Blanziflor et Helena,
Venus generosa! |
Hail, most beautiful one,
precious jewel,
Hail, pride among virgins,
glorious virgin,
Hail. light of the world,
Hail, rose of the world,
Blanchefleur and Helen,
noble Venus! |
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