William Dunbar translations
These are my modern English translations of the great Scottish poet William Dunbar.
Sweet Rose of Virtue
by William Dunbar (c. 1460-1530)
loose translation by Michael R. Burch
Sweet rose of virtue and of gentleness,
delightful lily of youthful wantonness,
richest in bounty and in beauty clear
and in every virtue men hold most dear,
except only that you are merciless.
Middle English Translations
These are my modern English translations of some of the very best Middle English poems.
This World's Joy
anonymous Middle English poem, circa 1300
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Winter awakens all my care
as leafless trees grow bare.
For now my sighs are fraught
whenever it enters my thought:
regarding this world's joy,
how everything comes to naught.
[MS. Harl. 2253. f. 49r]
