Discover the timeless wisdom of Eustache Deschamps' Ballade MCCCXCIII, a 14th-century poem translated from Old French. This medieval masterpiece offers insightful advice on coping with illness and suffering. Deschamps urges readers to endure their afflictions patiently, without resorting to medicine, and instead, let nature take its course. He shares his personal experience of bearing the burden of disease, warning against the use of potions and medications that can cause more harm than good. With its thought-provoking themes and historical significance, this translation provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, making it a compelling read for those interested in literature, history, and the human experience.
Extract
[...] He who is in pain joyfully endures And neglect his worries, Bear his illness patiently, Faces his duty towards God : Nature will help him to see. Never take such potions, I have been near death because of them : Doctors avoid them, that's a sign. Let man bear his disease, Chaude or cold, But never take any medicine. The sending I have borne the burden of the disease, Who gave me gave a poor urine, Weakened the heart, bones and joints : Support the illness as much as you can, But never take any medicine. [...]
[...] Complete Works of Eustache Deschamps, Ballade MCCCXCIII - Translation from Old French Subject: Translation of text from Old French to Modern French. Complete Works of Eustache Deschamps, ed. Gaston Raynaud, Society of Old French Texts, vol. VII, Paris, Firmin Didot, 1891. Ballade MCCCXCIII To all those who can understand, Eustache Deschamps wants to make known Let them behave wisely, Without too much heat or cold, And that, to fulfill their duty, By work or by other excesses, They do not suffer from the onset of the disease. [...]
