Thomas Wyatt
“Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind…”. 1526 (?)
Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
But as for me, alas, I may no more;
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore,
I am of them that furthest come behind.
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind
Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore
Fainting I follow; I leave off therefore,
Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt,
As well as I, may spend his time in vain.
And graven with diamonds in letters plain,
There is written her fair neck round about,
“Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am,
And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.”
…………………………………………………………………………….
vertimas į modernią anglų kalbą
Whoever Longs to Hunt
by Sir Thomas Wyatt
modernized by Michael R. Burch
Whoever longs to hunt, I know the deer;
but as for me, alas!, I may no more.
Pursuit of her has left me so bone-sore
I’m one of those who falters, far to the rear.
Yet friend, how can I draw my anguished mind
away from the doe? Thus, as she flees before
me, fainting I follow. I must leave off, therefore,
since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Whoever seeks her out, I can relieve of any doubt,
that he, like me, must spend his time in vain.
For graven with diamonds, set in letters plain,
these words appear, her fair neck ringed about:
Touch me not, for Caesar’s I am,
And wild to hold, though I seem tame.
