Re: Concocted early 16th Century English

Quoting Elliott Lash <erelion12@...>:

> I'm writing a poem...It uses many archaic words and
> some archaic syntax. It's not a conlang, it's supposed
> to represent the English spoken around 1520 or so,
> give or take around 15 years. I suppose any time from
> 1490 to 1590 would be a candidate...but I'm not really
> an expert. I'd like feedback, and if you can figure it
> out, maybe people would like to translate it.
Into a conlang? Well, Tairezazh might be up to the task ... we'll see!

> Thou must needs speak lithely,
> It dows thee more,
> Who hast well been thewed.
> So taught, thou seldom theest
> In wickedness, nor wouldst dare.
> I make thee no recompense
> If loathsome thou wouldst me treat
> And speak in manner most unkind.
> But with smiles thee I would greet,
>    When smiles thou me wouldst turn.
>    Though smiles of guile would I spurn,
>    But, if thine eyes shine true,
>    Then smile I and I'll thee sue.
>
> Beleaguered now, as thou art
> By thoughts lingering far after list,
> Or, though joy plagues thee yet
> Then even twice endoubted,
> I shall not thee forget.
> A heart once touched, a smile shared,
> Is a pittance not swift in want.
> Thy wonder fair guise doth guide
> the near unwavering surety of my fare.
>    Though my surance of a time may ‘bate,
>    In sooth, thy pleasure I will to sate.
>    Thus inward I would come too late,
>    An elder youth to nourish and create.
>
> VOCAB
> needs:  'of necessity'
Does this need being translated for native English speakers? If so, I guess I
should perhaps better stop using it ...

                                                     Andreas

> lithely: 'softly, gently'
> dow:    'it behooves you, befits you'
> thew:   'to instruct in manners and morals'
> thees):  (2nd person singular of verb: thee)
>          'to prosper, grow'
> sue:      'pursue, follow with the intention of
> wooing'
> list:    'desire, pleasure, joy'
> endoubt   'to feel doubt'
> pittance  'a charitable gift (usually of food or
> money, here metaphorical)
> want       'lacking, missing'
> surety    'certainty of obtaining something'
> fare      'proceeding, action, fight'
> surance    'confidence'
> ‘bate       'abate
>
> Elliott Lash
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard
> http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree
>

Replies