Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE, by CHARLES D'ORLEANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Within the forest of sad wearinesse
Last Line: "a man astraye that knowes not where he goes."
Alternate Author Name(s): D'orleans, Duc; Orleans, Charles Of
Variant Title(s): Go, Sad Complaint
Subject(s): Absence; Separation; Isolation


WITHIN the forest of sad wearinesse
One daye uncompanied I chanced to wend,
And therin did encounter love's Goddésse
Who made me question of my journey's end.
To whom I told howe Fortune did me rend
And drive awaye into the woodland close,
That not miscalled a man maye be, soe penned,
A man astraye that knowes not where he goes.

She, smilynge in her soe great kindlinesse,
Made answer to me, "Did I knowe, deare friend,
Wherfor thou farest in soe sore distresse,
Myne aid to thee I willyngly would lend;
Since, long agoe I did thy heart intend
For pleasant wayes, whom malice misbestowes,
And much it grieveth me to see thee wend,
A man astraye that knowes not where he goes."

"Alas!" said I, "O sovereign princesse,
Hear thou my plight and hearken to the end:
'Tis Death hath done me this dire hurtfulnesse,
And taken from me my belovéd friend
In whom my hope was; she who did attend
To guide me, in my farynge ever close;
Whose like nowe is not, wherfor I doe wend
A man astraye that knowes not where he goes.

"Syghtlesse, I goe a journey without end;
And, lest that I should stumble I doe send
My staff before me with unsteady blowes.
And pitiful it is that I must wend,
A man astraye that knowes not where he goes."





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