I wrote another roundel recently and this time, I put more emphasis on rich rhymes. The poem is not quite as complicated as the last one and it may very well be subject to editing in future to make it more understandable. Anyhow, enjoy. Interpretations are always welcome.
Roundel II:
Of Wild Wit
Upon a summer’s eve oft I forthink
How Wit ne pricked my mind and wove no wórd.
When that my spelling quill hath sucked forth ink,
Fresh Wit in homage good shall wherefore think
To give me blessèd boons of skill for th’ ink.
Yet Wit is wild and wood and tak’th no lord.
Upon a summer’s eve oft I forthink
How Wit ne pricked my mind and wove no wórd.
-Word Explanations-
forthink = regret
ne = not
pricked = inspired
wórd = pronounce as ‘waurd’ (Middle English), not ‘werd’
“wove no wórd” = word-weaving is a descriptive technique in Anglo-Saxon poetry.
spelling = magical (hence ‘spell’)
shall = today, we say ‘should’; it expresses obligation here, not futurity.
wherefore = in turn
think = decide
boon = favour, but also has the feudal meaning of boon: feudal favours owed by a vassal to his lord several times per year.
skill = reasoning
wood = crazy, savage
tak’th = taketh
This Roundel is Copyright 2003 Sir Percival.
Upon a summer’s eve oft do I see,
How Wit did guide Sir Perc’s hand.
And thusly roundels come to be,
Fantastic verses that none forsee.
But strangely therefor that he ne see,
Within the poem, part and strand,
“Think” and “think” will never be,
Rhyming words in this modern land.
Originally posted by Cless Alvein
But strangely therefor that he ne see,
Within the poem, part and strand,
“Think” and “think” will never be,
Rhyming words in this modern land.
But that is what rich rhyme is, though. Repetition of sounds which come before the rhyming sound. The result often is word repetition.
Ah. Used in Medieval times, I suppose?
Originally posted by Cless Alvein
Ah. Used in Medieval times, I suppose?
Yes. I use the French form, even though I write in English. Repetition of words is not important as different meanings within each repetition.
Looks good. I had to read it two times before I could understand it this time. ^_^;; It seems like the aurthor is relaxing of thoughts or something… maybe, he can’t think of anything…
This one’s even better than your other one, Perc. :victoly:
Man, Percy, warrior, poet, cook, is there anything yuo can’t do?
besides direct, that is.
Well… he probably can’t construct a Russian tank with only soda cans and super glue.
Originally posted by Chris-chris
Looks good. I had to read it two times before I could understand it this time. ^_^;; It seems like the aurthor is relaxing of thoughts or something… maybe, he can’t think of anything…
My idea for the poem was to write about my conception of wit, how it affects me as a poet and what my role as a poet is.
Originally posted by Valkyrie Esker
Man, Percy, warrior, poet, cook, is there anything yuo can’t do?
If of interest, I can also act and I can sing fairly well, too. But other than that, I have little other ability of which I might boast.
Originally posted by Cless Alvein
Well… he probably can’t construct a Russian tank with only soda cans and super glue.
Darn! My secret project is out!
Well Done Perc, I really enjoyed this one.
Keep up the great work!
Originally posted by Sir Percival
My idea for the poem was to write about my conception of wit, how it affects me as a poet and what my role as a poet is.
OOhhh… I see now. My bad!:enguard: Still, it looks great!
Originally posted by Chris-chris
OOhhh… I see now. My bad!:enguard: Still, it looks great!
No, no. Feel free to keep whatever original interpretation you had. Diversity is good.
Your poem was really great. Even thought I understood most of it without it, thanks for including the word meanings. I would’ve been confused at some points with out it. The poem gives me a feeling that’s hard to describe. Maybe I’ll write a poem about it? Anyway, keep up the good work. Anyway, here’s two of mine. You kinda make me feel inferior.
I walk through a damp forest laiden with mist and lichen
And above in the air across the sky lightning is striken
However I do not fear this natural happening
Which can be related to this society I am fighting
I weave through the many people of society
Trying my best to avoid the conformity
And the many rain drops falling upon their heads are thinkings
Infesting each other and constantly brainwashing
These masses are all mindless automatons
But sometimes I must simply let life run
And avoid this similarity and stick to my own dawns
And sunrises as they are like other none
It is I the Sojourner
I am a simple vagrant
I am no zeal nor a pauper
I am just one of those who nowhere are sent
I move to where I go and stay only briefly
And sometimes I stray
I cannot be lost for I have nowhere to go
And I am a stray arrow launched silently from a bow
Sometimes I kill
But other times I just drill
And upon the ground I lay
Or in some innocent animal I may
It is not easy for me to judge my direction
Even when I look upon it with very close inspection
At many times I am too critical
But this is one of my many faults and others it mars
But because I am so blinded by my fall
My eyes miss all those fanciful stars
I am the Sojourner…
The Vagrant…
Interesting poems, Lasandir. I used to write free verse like you (and many others today) do, but since then, thanks to my studies in university in Old and Middle English as well as in mediaeval history and literature, I have moved into traditional, fixed, metrical verse forms and have limited my vocabulary to mostly words which have their origins in Old English, and not in French, Latin, Greek or another language from which English has borrowed words.
In case anyone should wish about the mediaeval French roundel form (which I use), a description can be found here, along with my first roundel. Knowing about the verse form can prove a large help in understanding the poem.
http://agora.rpgclassics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8720
The main aspect of this poem, thus, is the rich rhyme:
forthink
forth ink
(where)fore think
for th’ ink
