End of Europe's Middle Ages
Although this particular song, written in Latin, is from the twelfth century, it provides a good example of the Goliardic style of verse.
Let's away with study,
Folly's sweet.
Treasure for all pleasure
Of our youth:
Time enough for age
To think on Truth.
So short a day,
And life so quickly hasting
And in study wasting
Youth that would be gay!
'Tis our spring that is slipping,
Winter draweth near,
Life itself we're losing,
And this sorry cheer
Dries the blood and chills the heart
Shrivels all delight.
Age and all its crowd of ills
Terrifies our sight.
So short a day,
And life so quickly hasting
And in study wasting
Youth that would be gay!
Let us as the gods do,
'Tis the wiser part;
Leisure and love's pleasure
Seek the young in heart
Follow the old fashion,
Down into the street!
Down among the maidens,
And the dancing feet!
So short a day,
And life so quickly hasting
And in study wasting
Youth that would be gay!
There for the seeing
Is all loveliness,
White limbs moving
Light in wantonness.
Gay go the dancers,
I stand and see,
Gaze, till their glances
Steal myself from me.
So short a day,
And life so quickly hasting
And in study wasting
Youth that would be gay!
From "The Archpoet", in H. Waddell, trans. Mediaeval Latin Lyrics (1933), in The Middle Ages Volume I, pp.204-205.
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