Three Rondels

by Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, Sir (1883 - 1953)

1. Roundel  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: Middle English 
Your yën two wol sle me sodenly,
I may the beaute of hem not sustene,
So woundeth hit through-out my herte kene.

And but your word wol helen hastily
My hertes wounde, whyl that hit is grene,
     Your yën two wol sle me sodenly; 
     may the beaute of hem not sustene.

Upon my trouthe I sey yow feithfully,
That ye ben of my lyf and deth the quene;
For with my deth the trouthe shal be sene.
     Your yën two wol sle me sodenly,
     I may the beaute of hem not sustene,
     So woundeth hit through-out my herte kene.

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Text as set by Vaughan Williams: 

Your eyën two will slay me suddenly:
I may the beauty of them not sustene,
So woundeth it throughout my hertë ken.

And but your word will helen hastily
My hertës woundë, while that it is green,
Your eyën two will slay me suddenly:
I may the beauty of them not sustene,

Upon my troth I say to you faithfully,
That ye be my life and death the queen,
For with my death the truthë shall be seen:
  Your eyën two will slay me suddenly:
  I may the beauty of them not sustene,
  So woundeth it throughout my hertë kene.


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Ted Perry

2. Welcome, somer
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Now welcome, somer with thy sonne softe
  that hast this wintres weders over shake,
And driven away the longe nightes blake!

Saint Valentine, that art full hy in lofte,
Thus singen smalle foules for thy sake;
Now welcome, somer with thy sonne softe
  that hast this wintres weders over shake.

Wel have they cause for to gladden ofte,
Sith ech of hem recovered hath his make;
Ful blissfully they singen when they wake:
Now welcome, somer with thy sonne softe
that hast this wintres weders over shake.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. Of her mercy

Language: English 
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —

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Total word count: 186