8 A Villanelle to Consider
Reflection
I love the story that goes with this poem. Passerat was on holiday in Italy and was inspired by the harvesters who were singing rustic shepherd songs in rounds. He return to his home in France and penned this posey out - developing the standard form of the villanelle that we still use today. For this particular work, even though I am only able to examine the words as they have been translated into English, I am taken by the complexity of the form and the simplicity of the voice. Such simple imagery and syntax - and so many poetic parameters. The two work together beautifully. I also love the idea that this style has its roots in songs sung to make lighter the load. I sing this with Passerat, and I feel sad - I think of the doves cooing - it is a plaintive sound the doves make. I read and am sad— but at the same time, my burden is lightened. I as go through the cycles of thought here, it’s like going through the stages of grieving. Round and round: disbelief, loneliness, anger, bargaining, utter sadness, and finally acceptance.
A Villanelle to Consider:
VILLANELLE by Jean Passerat
J'ay perdu ma Tourterelle:
Est-ce point celle que j'oy?
Je veus aller aprés elle.
Tu regretes ta femelle,
Helas! aussi fai-je moy,
J'ay perdu ma Tourterelle.
Si ton Amour est fidelle,
Aussi est ferme ma foy,
Je veus aller aprés elle.
Ta plainte se renouvelle;
Tousjours plaindre je me doy:
J'ay perdu ma Tourterelle.
En ne voyant plus la belle
Plus rien de beau je ne voy:
Je veus aller aprés elle.
Mort, que tant de fois j'appelle,
Pren ce qui se donne à toy:
J'ay perdu ma Tourterelle,
Je veus aller aprés elle.
Villanelle by Jean Passerat
- translated by Amanda French
I have lost my turtledove:
Isn't that her gentle coo?
I will go and find my love.
Here you mourn your mated love;
Oh, God—I am mourning too:
I have lost my turtledove.
If you trust your faithful dove,
Trust my faith is just as true;
I will go and find my love.
Plaintively you speak your love;
All my speech is turned into
"I have lost my turtledove."
Such a beauty was my dove,
Other beauties will not do;
I will go and find my love.
Death, again entreated of,
Take one who is offered you:
I have lost my turtledove;
I will go and find my love.
Resources
French, Amanda. "The First Villanelle: A New Translation of Jean Passerat's 'J'ay perdu ma Tourterelle' (1574). Meridian 12 (2003): 30-37. <http://amandafrench.net/firstvillanelle.xhtml>
Questions
What type of poem is this?
How many lines are in this poem?
Do you see any repeating words or phrase?
What imagery stands out to you?
Does the writer employ figurative language? If so, explain.
What is your interpretation of this poem?
How do the words make you feel?
Does this work inspire you in any way?