I always want to cry when I get to this part.

[rymenhild]

In May, whan every harte floryshyth and burgenyth (for, as the season ys lusty to beholde and comfortable, so man and woman rejoysyth and gladith of somer commynge with his freyshe floures, for wynter wyth hys rowghe wyndis and blastis causyth lusty men and women to cowre and to syt by fyres), so thys season hit befelle in the moneth of May a grete angur and unhapp that stynted nat tylle the floure of chyvalry of [alle] the worlde was destroyed and slayne.

Sir Thomas Malory, The Most Piteous Tale of the Morte Arthur, ed. by Eugène Vinaver from the Winchester MS

Comments

[newredshoes]

...oh, ow.

I read Malory in high school and loved Le Morte. I should pick it up again sometime.

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

It's worth the reread. I'm teaching it this month (from a modernized edition, not from Vinaver -- I have some mercy for my poor freshman comp students) so I've had to go back and read it over. I love Malory so, and he always makes me so sad.

[tovaks.livejournal.com]

I remember that part. **Sniff**

[flintknappy.livejournal.com]

I get most of it, would you care to provide an exact translation so I can appreciate the full sadness of it?

[rymenhild.livejournal.com]

In May, when every heart flourishes and grows (because, as the season is lusty to behold [i.e. full of life to look upon, I guess] and comfortable, man and woman rejoice and are glad of the coming of summer with its fresh flowers, because winter with his rough winds and blasts causes lusty men and women to cower and sit by fires), in this season it happened in the month of May a great anger and unfortunate event that did not stop until the flower of chivalry of all the world was destroyed and slain.

[flintknappy.livejournal.com]

That is so sad. I would like to think that the flower of chivalry in the world is at least somewhat alive still. And y'know, the rest of it.

[flintknappy.livejournal.com]

Which also makes me think of a bumper sticker or something or other I saw somewhere that said "Chivalry is not dead! It's just on vacation."