Chaucer’s “Parliament of Fowls,” a delightful allegory of love and courtship, culminates in a charming rondel sung by a chorus of birds to honor Dame Nature. This poem, a celebration of spring and Saint Valentine’s Day, beautifully captures the burgeoning joy of the natural world as winter’s grip loosens. This article explores a modernized version of the rondel by Margaret Coats, comparing it to the Middle English original and analyzing its timeless themes.
Contents
The Modernized Rondel
Margaret Coats’ rendition breathes new life into Chaucer’s 14th-century verses, making them accessible to contemporary readers while preserving the rondel’s intricate structure and lyrical beauty. The modernized version reads:
Now welcome, springtime, with your gentle sun
That wintry weather milder soon will make,
And tiresome nights’ long shroud of blackness shake.Saint Valentine, great triumph you have won,
And little birds are singing for your sake:
Now welcome, springtime, with your gentle sun
That wintry weather milder soon will make.They have good cause to chirp in unison
Since each today his mate again can take,
And both sing blissfully when they awake:
Now welcome, springtime, with your gentle sun
That wintry weather milder soon will make,
And tiresome nights’ long shroud of blackness shake.
Coats’ choice of “springtime” instead of “summer” reflects the modern association of Valentine’s Day with the burgeoning of spring rather than the full bloom of summer. This subtle shift aligns the poem with contemporary sensibilities while remaining true to the spirit of the original.
Comparing the Original and Modernized Versions
The Middle English version, rich with archaic language, offers a glimpse into the poetic landscape of Chaucer’s time:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake
And driven away the longe nights blake.Saynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on lofte,
Thus syngen smale foules for thy sake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake.Wel han they cause for to gladen ofte,
Sith ech of hem recovered hath his make;
Ful blissful mowe they synge when they awake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake
And driven away the longe nights blake.
The modernization clarifies the meaning while retaining the core imagery. Phrases like “sonne softe” become “gentle sun,” and “longe nights blake” transform into “tiresome nights’ long shroud of blackness.” These changes enhance clarity without sacrificing poetic impact.
Themes of Love and Renewal
Both versions celebrate the arrival of warmer weather and the pairing of birds, symbolizing the renewal of life and the power of love. Saint Valentine, the patron saint of love, presides over this natural awakening, highlighting the connection between the sacred and the secular. The repetitive structure of the rondel emphasizes the cyclical nature of seasons and the enduring themes of love and rebirth.
Conclusion
Margaret Coats’ modernization of Chaucer’s rondel provides a valuable bridge between the past and the present. It allows modern readers to appreciate the beauty and artistry of Chaucer’s verse while gaining insight into the cultural context of his time. This poem, with its timeless themes of love, renewal, and the celebration of nature, continues to resonate with readers centuries after its creation. The joyful chirping of the birds in Chaucer’s rondel serves as a timeless reminder of the enduring power of spring and the promise of love.