Medieval "friendship" poem
This poem was written by the French bishop and writer Baldric of Dol (d. 1130) "To The One Named Walter", whose identity is uncertain but who may have been the man who copied Baldric's poems in manuscript. In this poem, he asks Walter to become a monk so that they can live together.
My translation:
When we are separated, may we be brought together by our letters to each other:
May today's letter from me to you again bring me closer to you;
May my letter tell you and tell you again "be well"
And, to please you even more, may it tell you a third time.
I have recently received the honey of your poem, Walter,
You wrote it yourself, you touched if with your hand.
I welcomed this poem with all the kindness it was owed,
And I soon enrolled it under the banner of my love.
My joyful poem comes to visit you in return,
And implore you on my behalf to shelter me under the wing of your love.
re: Medieval "friendship" poem
And if you decide to come see me for such a purpose,
I have commitioned my people to escort you.
If you've heard that I will come get you in person,
The thing is still in doubt, it could happen, it could not.
Now, act soon: it hurts to wait when one is ready,
And do not wait until tomorrow, to do what we need today.
re: Medieval "friendship" poem
@Manurweibling in case you havent seen this one
all-caps, re: Medieval "friendship" poem
@garfield I'M! EMOTIONAL!!!
re: all-caps, re: Medieval "friendship" poem
@Manurweibling @garfield wow they were really friends
re: all-caps, re: Medieval "friendship" poem
@Manurweibling @garfield who among us hasn't written to a bro, begging them to live with us forever, promising them half of our heart and soul? this is a normal thing to do w the boys
Medieval "friendship" poem
@garfield
Is there a translation for the non-Latin-speaking-unwashed?
re: Medieval "friendship" poem
@mark yes it's in the post that you are replying to
re: Medieval "friendship" poem
@garfield
Ah! Thank you.
re: Medieval "friendship" poem
If you want to keep this continuous watch with me,
I will give you half my heart and half my mind;
I will give you half of anything I can divide;
If you demand it, I will give you half my soul.
You will have your whole home in my heart
And you will prosper there as the main part of my soul.
Meanwhile I will pray and plead for a kind fate,
Until we are granted the relief of our intercourse.
We could have this consummation, in case you don't know, if you changed your dress,
It would be made eternal, if we shared our lives as monks.
To enjoy our love for the longest time,
Change your life so that our meetings may change too,
Wether love of god directs you towards monastic life,
Or the fear of punishment does, or both.