|
Aurelius ful ofte soore siketh, |
| Wo was Aurelie, whan that he this herde, |
| 300 | And with a sorweful herte he thus answered. |
| "Madame," quod he, "this were an inpossible; |
| Thanne moot I dye of sodeyn deth horrible." |
| And with that word he turned hym anon. |
| Tho coome hir othere freendes many oon, |
| 305 | And in the aleyes romeden up and doun, |
| And nothyng wiste of this conclusioun, |
| But sodeynly bigonne revel newe, |
| Til that the brighte sonne loste his hewe, |
| For th'orisonte hath reft the sonne his lyght - |
| 310 | This is as muche to seye as it was nyght - |
| And hoom they goon in joye and in solas, |
| Save oonly wrecche Aurelius, allas! |
| He to his hous is goon with sorweful herte; |
| He seeth he may nat fro his deeth asterte; |
| 315 | Hym semed that he felte his herte colde; |
| Up to the hevene hise handes he gan holde, |
| And on hise knowes bare he sette hym doun, |
| And in his ravyng seyde his orisoun. |
| For verray wo out of his wit he breyde; |
| 320 | He nyste what he spak, but thus he seyde: |
| With pitous herte his pleynt hath he bigonne |
| Unto the goddes, and first unto the sonne |
|
| Deep sighs Aurelius did then emit; |
| Woe was Aurelius when this he heard, |
| 300 | And with a sorrowful heart he thus answered: |
| "Madam," said he, "this were impossible! |
| Then must I die a sudden death and fell." |
| And with that word he turned away anon. |
| Then came her other friends, and many a one, |
| 305 | And in the alleys wandered up and down, |
| And nothing knew of this decision shown, |
| But suddenly began to dance anew |
| Until the bright sun lost his golden hue; |
| For the horizon had cut off his light; |
| 310 | This is as much as saying, it was night. |
| And home they went in joy and with solace, |
| Except the wretch Aurelius, alas! |
| He to his house went with a woeful heart; |
| He saw he could not from his near death part. |
| 315 | It seemed to him he felt his heart grow cold; |
| Up toward Heaven his two hands did he hold, |
| And on his bare knees did he kneel him down |
| And in his raving said his orison. |
| For very woe out of his wits he fled. |
| 320 | He knew not what he spoke, but thus he said; |
| With mournful heart his plaint had he begun |
| Unto the gods, and first unto the sun. |
|
