pfronpre

PREN CESTE ROSE ...	RECEIVE THIS ROSE ...
Pierre de Ronsard	tr. Peter Dean
Pren ceste rose aimable comme toy Qui sers de rose aux roses les plus belles, Qui sers de fleur aux fleurs les plus nouvelles, Dont la senteur me ravist tout de moy. Pren ceste rose, et ensemble recoy Dedans ton sein mon coeur qui n’a point d’ailes; Il est constant, et cent playes cruelles N’ont empesché qu’il ne gardast sa foy. La rose et moi différons d’une chose: Un Soleil voit naistre et mourir la rose, Mille Soleils ont veu naistre m’amour, Dont l’action jamais ne se repose. Que pleust a Dieu que telle amour enclose Comme une fleur, ne m’eust duré qu’un jour.	Receive this rose, lovely as you, Which serves as model for all roses, As model for all flowers this world discloses, Whose scent transports me as you do. Receive this rose and with it take Within your breast my heart, which cannot fly: Steadfast it is - a hundred cruel tricks try To test it, but it won’t forsake. Differ in but one thing we may - The rose and I: it lasts a day; A thousand suns have risen on my love Whose efforts neither halt nor stay. Let such love, perfect as a flower, I pray Be spared more than one day by God above.