VILLANELLE

by: Philippe Desportes (1546-1606)

OSETTE, because I stayed away

A little while, you wanton grew,

And I who knew how you did sway,

Thereon was faine no more of you.

No more such fickle loveliness

Shall hold me captive in its net:

We soon shall see, light shepherdess,

Which shall be first to know regret.

 

While in vain tears my life I lose

And do bemoan my lonely fate,

You who do love by simple use,

Have found arms for another mate;

No weather-vane more swiftly veers

Before the wind than you, Rosette:

We soon shall see whose love outwears--

Which shall be first to know regret.

 

Where are your holy promises,

And where are now your farewell woes?

And could such sorrow-laden cries

Come from a heart that gadding goes?

Pardie! but you're a lying lass,

And curst the man whose trust you get!

We soon shall see, light shepherdess,

Which shall be first to know regret.

 

He who doth take the sweets were mine

Lacks wit to woo as well as I,

And she I love is far more fine

In beauty, love and loyalty.

Hold closely then your new-found swain;

This love of mine is firmly set,

And then we soon shall see, of twain,

Which shall be first to know regret.

 

TRANSLATED BY WILFRID THORLEY

• Purchase books by Philippe Desportes