Golden Dolphin Scroll Text
Golden Dolphin Scroll Text
Embedded Files
based on "La Fresne" by Marie de France, as translated by Judith P. Shoaf
based on "La Fresne" by Marie de France, as translated by Judith P. Shoaf
Overview
This was an interesting piece to work on because I wanted to include French portions as well, as a nod to Ysabeau's Breton persona and the language of the original piece, which was Old French. I searched for a piece from roughly the same time period as the illumination exemplar (the Heidelberg Song Manuscript, Codex Manesse), and found Marie de France's lais, which are a little earlier but also suitable for Ysabeau's persona. Then, I searched through the translation for a portion that I could adapt to the thematic content of the Golden Dolphin. In the original poetry, our main character Fresne's noble character is revealed ultimately through her exceptional acts of selflessness and charity towards the man she loves, and that charitable behavior is the section I determined would be best for this kind of award. Below, find the original text from the Shoaf translation, followed by my poetry. I maintained the feast setting, but in order to better suit the illumination I changed the setting that our protagonist escaped to from a bedroom to a copse where she kept her loom. The communal benefit of service was a major point I wanted to make in the poem, which was enhanced by the spectators in the original illumination.
The wedding feast was richly laid;
Music, games of all sorts were played.
The damsel had gone to the bedroom.
For all she'd seen, no sign of gloom
Hinted feelings deeply troubled,
Or, by a little anger, ruffled.
In the bride's entourage, sweetly,
She'd served everyone politely.
They marveled at her lack of venom,
All who saw her, men and women.
Her mother too had looked her over;
Her heart began to prize and love her.
She thought, and said, if she had known
What she was like, this other one,
She'd never have lost out to her daughter--
She'd not have taken her lord and master.
So, that night, to help prepare
The wedding bed for the bridal pair,
The damsel went to the bridal chamber;
She doffed her cloak (to disencumber
Herself for work), called servants there,
Showed them exactly how and where
Her lord liked things done and set;
For she had often noticed it.
When they'd prepared the wedding bed
On top they tossed an old bedspread.
The cloth was just some thin, worn stuff;
The girl saw it--she'd seen enough
To know it's no good, not suitable;
It weighed down her heart with trouble.
She opened her coffer, took her brocade,
On her lord's bed this silk she laid.
She did this to honor the pair,
Since the archbishop would be there
To sign them with the cross and bless
Them--it's his job, he can't do less.
MY TEXT
MY TEXT
Je dirai le lai d’Ysabeau, (I will say the lay of Ysabeau)
L’hermine précieuse: l'histoire, mon cadeau
(Precious ermine: the story, my gift)
When stunning feast she richly laid;
Music, games of all sorts were played,
And Ysabeau did make a place
For all in need, and on her face
No hint of feelings deeply troubled,
Or, by a little anger, ruffled,
Though she had much work yet to do.
As the warm festivities grew
They marveled at her, time again,
All who saw her, men and women.
Her hospitality drew cheers
One count for each the many years
Fine Ysabeau had spun fine cloth,
Always clothing someone else, by troth.
Speaking of, had she on the loom
Yet one more brocade yet to bloom.
So, that night, continued harps and song
Were distant as she left the throng,
La baronne went to quiet wood;
For there her loom had often stood.
She doffed her cloak (the better then
Prepared for work) to weave again.
Soon enough, she heard the crowd,
Of beloved neighbors, not loud,
Come gather round with drinks, and sit
For they had quickly noticed it:
Her disappearance, not to bed,
But to work for their good instead.
So Ysabeau worked her brocade,
While friends and neighbors nearby laid
On the green in sweet company:
Jovial friends, students ‘neath the trees.
To love them through her works, and bless
Them--it's who she is, and no less.
In glad support, and good service,
Of Ysabeau, I do know this:
La Dauphine Dorée certaine, (The Golden Dolphin for certain)
béni par nous, le roi et la reine. (Blessed by us, the King and Queen)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse