by Charles, Duc d'Orléans (1394 - 1465)

Language: English 
My gostly fader, I me confesse,
First to God and then to you,
That at a window -- wot ye how? --
I stale a cosse of grete sweteness,
Which don was out avisèness;
But hit is doon, not undoon now.
My gostly fader, I me confesse
First to God and then to you.

But I restore it shall doutless 
Agein, if so be that I mow;
And that to God I make a vow
And elles I axè foryefness.
My gostly fader, I me confesse
First to God and then to you.

Note: in Selections from the English Poets. Dunbar Anthology, 1401-1508, ed. by Professor Edward Arber, London: Henry Frowde, 1901, page 122, there is a version of the poem with more modern spelling, as follows: 

My ghostly father! I me confess,
  First to GOD and then to you,
  That at a window, wot ye how! 
I stole a kiss of great sweetness! 
Which done was out avisiness. 
But it is done; not undone now! 
  My ghostly... 
  First to... 
But I restore it shall doubtless 
Again, if so be that I mow! 
And that GOD I make a vow, 
And else I ask forgiveness. 
  My ghostly... 
  First to...

Composition:

    Set to music by Peter Warlock (1894 - 1930), "My gostly fader", 1918, published 1919 [ voice and piano and optional string quartet ]

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.


Researcher for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2003-10-19
Line count: 14
Word count: 91