You're So Medieval

 

"When overdone, true virtue wanes.
Indulgence, surplus & excess
do not equate to more, but less,
& what goes on relentlessly
infuriates eventually."
The only everlasting good
is found within the realm of God:
its basket constantly provides
yet stays replenished to all sides.
God's wondrous empire knows no end,
forever giving, never spent.

- Lines 350-362

A narrator overhears an owl and a nightingale debating in the trees. They speak as if they are human, which is never explained in the poem, and other than referencing some bird-specific aspects and characteristics, they could be any two humans having a debate at a coffee shop. Within these lines I heard two humans disagreeing and differing in their ideas on morality, personality, habits, and particular ways of living. Two different cultures or personalities.

The dating of this poem is not fully determined. Somewhere between 1189 and 1279 is the range. The author is unknown, though the original poem mentions Master Nicholas of Guildford, who is the person of sound judgement in the poem. This would traditionally be the author (Simon Armitage, the poet laureate and translator of the original in this new version, cleverly inserts himself into this translation as the person of sound judgement). Even the location is unclear (somewhere in southern or southwest England?)

Why do I appreciate the translations that Simon Armitage has done? He makes Middle English Medieval poems approachable and able to be discussed in our modern day. We do not have to be a scholar to discuss the themes and topics being addressed in the poems he has translated (yes, translated from English to English - but can you understand all the nuances and obscure words of Middle English?).

Something else I enjoy is even though it is a translation, and not Simon's original poem, his translation adds his own personality into the verbiage, and I can hear his poetic voice in these lines. I really enjoy these Medieval poems translated so we can explore them today. This is a poem so Medieval and yet now so easy to read and enjoy with modern minds.

But what is the purpose or meaning of the poem? It is unclear, and yet I sense that these two different creatures who cannot seem to understand one another or agree on anything is a pathway for us to see how we should be willing to listen to others who do not share our beliefs and practices, or who have different personalities, to be able to practice good listening and empathy with one another, even amidst debate. Maybe there are things an owl can learn from a nightingale and vice versa? Maybe they will stop arguing one day and see that.