Poetry

1. His Lordship and her Ladyship were both
Very young when they took a wedding oath.

2. She was twelve and he was only thirteen.
Soon a baby boy appeared on the scene.

3. And he was as fair as the rising sun
His beauty could be compared to none.

4. His Lordship the Count asked on that day
The Countess his wife, when in bed she lay:

5. "O Countess, my wife, tell me what I should
Hunt, what kind of game in the nearby wood?"

6. "I'd prefer, by far, some fowl meat to eat.
Partridge flesh is rare of late, such a treat!"

7. His Lordship the Count, on hearing her speech,
Shouldered his gun which he kept within reach.

8. When he had come to the mid of the grove
Whom should he encounter but a white dove.

9. "Lord, I am so pleased to wish you good day;
Was waiting long for you to come my way.

10. Now the hour has rung, did you hear it ring?,
The hour has rung when you must be dying.

11. Now, do you prefer rapidly to die
Or seven long years sick in bed to lie?"

12. "I'd rather, for sure, decede speedily
Than seven years lie in bed languidly."

13. "Your Lordship the Count, now back home you go
And have them make you the best bed they know,

14. Have them make your bed quickly. You know why:
Or you would risk being sick before you die."

15. "O my mother dear, if you love your son
Please order that my bed quickly be done.

16. Have my bed be made and made rapidly
Before I should die of a malady."

17. "O please tell the Lady Countess, my wife
That her Count has left for an armed strife,

18. That he left to fight out on the frontier
And that he will be back home in a year."

19. "O tell me what happened here overnight
That all in this house with dismay did smite?"

20. "An old beggar man who asked for food
Whom from dying here we could not preclude."

21. "My mother I beg you to keep my keys
Let me have my best bed sheets, if you please.

22. Let me have my best bed sheets. All but one
For my husband, when he comes, it was spun."

23. "My daughter, you should put on your black dress
We are leaving to Mur town to hear Mass."

24. "Mother tell me the truth. No lie or sham!
Why must I be clad in black, as I am?

25. "Did it come in current use to impose
On girls to be sent to church in black clothes?"

26. When they came to Mur where mass would be sung,
The church was all over with black veils hung.

27. "O Mother tell me, no pretence or lie,
The church is hung with black veils, tell me why!"

28. "O Countess, my daughter I do not know.
The bell ringer might have heard of it, though."

29. "O bell ringer tell me the truth,. Don't lie
The church is hung with black veils, tell me why!"

30. "Your ladyship, I do not know, for sure
But the curate could an answer procure."

31. "O Reverend father, tell me no lie,
The church is hung with black veils, tell me why!"

32. "Your Ladyship, for sure , I do not know.
The parson himself could answer it, though."

33. "O Reverend father, tell me no lie,
The church is hung with black veils, tell me why!"

34. "Countess, it's a thing I cannot deny,
The Count, your husband on the trestles lie"

35. "My mother I beg you to keep my keys
You may dispose of my goods as you please.

36. I have brought into the world a fair son
And he is as fair as the rising sun,

37. O he is as the rising sun as fair
And his beauty is, aye, beyond compare.

38. You shall for his education provide.
Let the Christian Faith in life be his guide.

39. If ever his wealth should happen to wane
Let him serve the king and defend his reign.

40. In my husband's grave now I shall be laid
As both of us have slept in the same bed."


Translated from a Breton song