Talk:Lament of Edward II

A fact from Lament of Edward II appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 3 March 2011 (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:

Did you know... that the Anglo-Norman Lament of Edward II, written c. 1327, is traditionally credited to Edward II of England?

A record of the entry may be seen at Wikipedia:Recent additions/2011/March.

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Text of the poem[edit]

A search on "En tenps de iver me survynt damage" produced only the first few lines of the work. I think it would be very useful to be able to see the whole text or at least more than just a few lines. Perhaps those who have access through libaries, etc., could help out. The work is, after all, out of copyright. - Ipigott (talk) 09:36, 4 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I finally succeeded in finding the text. See the external link in the article. It may be useful to copy excerpts into the article itself to allow readers to have an immediate impression - but I would rather leave the choice of which lines or stanzas to someone else. - Ipigott (talk) 12:19, 4 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The text of the link is a bit of a mess on my computer. I put a tidied version below. It might need further improvement. Xxanthippe (talk) 05:04, 7 January 2023 (UTC).[reply]

OF KING EDWARD, THE SON OF KING EDWARD, THE SONG WHICH HE MADE.

I. 1 In winter woe befell me ; By cruel Fortune thwarted, My life now lies a ruin. Full oft have I experienced,

There's none so fair, so wise, So courteous nor so highly famed, But, if Fortune cease to favour, Will be a fool proclaimed.

II. My clamour rises — yet in vain ; 10 When favour once is lost, Soon does man's love grow cold. Too fondly have I trusted, And honours done to many Who now seek, my destruction ; 15 They love me little, pity me less, In prison they torment me.

III. Torment me, aye ! most cruelly — Ev'n though 'twere well deserved. Their evil faith in Parliament 20 From high has brought me low. Lord of Salvation, I me repent ; For all my sins forgiveness crave : May from the pain the flesh endureth The soul receive both joy and mercy.

IV. 25 Mejcy, I trow, I needs shall reap From precious gifts and kindly deeds Which oft upon my friends and kin, Within my power I did bestow. If I have erred, it grieveth me :

30 But to their counsel was I sworn. What I have sinned against the faith, Alas ! dear Lord, full well Thou knowest.

V. Thou knowest well and openly, For nought is there so well concealed 35 But is to Thee fully revealed, Both good and ill all equally; Thereon will rest Thy judgments dread. Deal with my sins mercifully ! But nonetheless Thy will be done, 40 For body and soul to Thee I yield.

VI. I yield me all to Jesu, Craving His grace and pardon. Once was I feared and dreaded, But now all men despise me, 45 And hail me 'crownless king,3 A laughing stock to all. My dearest friends deceived me : Too late I see it openly.

VII. And openly have they defied me, 50 Those who betrayed me thus ; Methought I had their love, Now have they all forsaken me. For many a jewel and many a gift I have now their reward. 55 The tears are mine, but theirs the laugh ; The game's unfairly dealt.

VIII. They've dealt to me a joyless game. And 'mid such grief my heart complains Of her whom fondly I believed 60 A faithful wife — turned to deceit ! Fair Isabel I dearly loved, But now love's spark is dead ; And with my love my joy is gone, As 'tis from many a heart.

IX. 65 And now 'twere time indeed That I in death should sleep, Mine honours all I've lost Beyond recovery. And yet why be dismayed ? 70 What God hath thus ordained Full meekly will I bear, And serve Him faithfully.

X. His service be my constant thought. Ah ! why was it not ever so ? 75 What marvel then that I am sad, And earthly grandeur faileth me ? O let my contrite heart be near To Him who suffered on the cross, That truly now I may repent 80 Of all the sins that e'er I did. »

XL For ever in captivity Those felons make me languish, Who in their crass insanity Three kings have now elected. 85 Upon the youngest, in stately pomp, . A crown of gold they've placed. Keep him, Jesu, the Son of Mary, From traitors, whom God confound !

XII. May God confound his enemies, 90 And make of him a monarch wise, Endowed both with might and will Fair fame to uphold and chivalry ! And let them all be brought to shame Who seek to harm or injure him ! 95 And then at last shall be fulfilled The inmost wish of all my heart.

XIII. My heart no longer will lament, Arid weep o'er earthly honours ; But let sweet Jesu, Who redeemed us 100 By His most precious blood, Moved by the prayers of all the Saints Who in His glory share, Lead us ere long to that great joy Which shall be without end.

XIV. 105 An end I'll make and say no more. Hie thee, my song, on wings ! Go to the Doe beyond Kenire [ = Kenil worth ?] Aiid tell it her in brief. That when the stag is roused to wrath 110 And turns upon the hounds, She may forgo the leech's care, Bearing herself so wise.

XV. Both wise and fool I would entreat, Make prayers for me, ye all, 115 To Mary, the mother all merciful, Who bore the almighty Lord, That through the joys she had of Him She may her Son beseech, For all my sins and treacherous deeds 120 To grant me mercy yet.