A Farewell to Love

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A Farewell to Love
by Charles, Duke of Orleans , translated by Wikisource
Written in the Fifteenth century, after Charles was captured at the Battle of Agincourt. Sent to his wife from the Tower of London, this is believed to be the earliest surviving "Valentine".


    Original French     English
Je suis desja d'amour tanné,
Ma tres doulce Valentinée,

Car pour moi fustes trop tart née,
Et moy pour vous fus trop tost né.
Dieu lui pardoint qui estrené
M'a de vous, pour toute l'année.

Je suis desja, etc.
Ma tres doulce, etc.


Bien m'estoye suspeconné,
Qu'auroye telle destinée,
Ains que passast ceste journée,
Combien qu'Amours l'eust ordonné.

Je suis desja, etc.
I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine,

Since for me you were born too soon,
And I for you was born too late.
God forgives he who has estranged
Me from you for the whole year.

I am already, etc.
My very gentle, etc.


Well might I have suspected,
That such a destiny,
Thus would have happened this day,
How much that Love would have commanded.

I am already, etc.
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