William Byrd (1543-1623): Upon a Summer's Day

Files coming from the page Upon a Summer's day (William Byrd) at the Choral Public Domain Library

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Upon a Summer's day Love went to swim
Un jour d'été l'Amour alla se baigner

and cast himself into a Sea of tears.
et se jeta dans une mer de larmes

The clouds called in their light and heaven waxed dim
Les nuages firent jaillir leurs éclairs et le ciel s'obsurcit

and sighs did raise a tempest causing fears.
et les soupirs firent naitre une effroyable tempête.

The naked boy could not so wield his arms
Le garçon nu avait beau agiter ses bras

but that the waves were masters of his might
les vagues étaient trop fortes pour sa force

and threatened him to work far greater harms
et menaçaient de lui faire subir de plus grandes souffrances

if he devised not to escape by flight.
s'il n'avait pas eu l'idée de s'échapper en s'envolant


Then for a boat his quiver stood instead.
Il transforma alors son carquois en bateau

His bow unbent did serve him for a mast
Son arc redressé lui servit de mât

whereby to sail his cloth of vail he spread.
tandis que son vêtement étendu lui servit de voile.

His shaft of oars on either board he cast
et ses flèches firent office d'avirons.

For shipwreck safe this wag got thus to shore
Echappant au naufrage il put atteindre le rivage

and sware to bathe in lovers'tears no more.
et jura de ne jamais plus se baigner dans les larmes des amoureux.