Inspiration Friday – Kissing Friday

Seeing as it is Kissing Friday today (the Friday following Shrove Tuesday), I figured it as good a time as any to quote a proper wooing song for Inspiration Friday. (No, this does not include repeating the word “baby” half a thousand times.) This one is titled “Quant Theseus – Ne quier veoir” or “When Theseus – I have no wish to see” and was written by Guillaume de Machaut  and Thomas Paien, dated 3 November 1363.

I’ll give the English translation first, followed by the original French text. This song is included on David Munrow’s CD The Art of Courtly Love rereleased byVirgin Classics Ltd. The songs on the CD are beautifully performed by the Early Music Consort of London.

When Theseus – I have no wish to see

Voice I

When Theseus, Hercules and Jason

roamed over lands and deep sea

to enhance their reputations

and to see the wonders of the world,

they proved worthy of our respect.

But I am well satisfied just to see

beauty’s humble flower;

the sight of my lady is all I desire.

Voice II

I have no wish to see Absalom’s beauty,

nor the wise and eloquent Ulysses,

nor to learn of Samson’s strength,

nor to watch Delilah shear his locks,

nor do I care one whit about

Argus’s eyes or any greater joy,

 for my pleasure is a simple one;

the sight of my lady is all I desire.

And the original text :

Quant Theseus – Ne quier veoir

Voice I

Quant Theseus, Herculés et Jason

cercherent tout, et terre et mer parfonde,

pour accroistre leur pris et leur renon

et pour veoir bien tout l’estat dou monde,

moult furent dignes d’onnour.

mais quant je voy de biauté l’umble flour,

assevis sui de tout, si que, par m’ame,

je voy assés, puis que je voy ma dame.

Voice II

Ne quier veoir la biauté d’Absalon

ne de Ulixés le sens et la faconde,

ne esprouver la force de Sanson,

ne regarder gue Dalila le tonde,

ne cure n’ay par nul tour

des yeux Argus ne de joie gringnour,

car pour plaisance et sans aide d’ame,

je voy assés, puis que je voy ma dame.

Loyset Liedet's "Garden of Love"