Sir Orfeo
Posted: Sat May 22, 2021 7:14 pm
The final poem in the book of Tolkien translations Sir Gawain and the Green Knight/Pearl/Sir Orfeo tells a more basic story of loss and recovery than the other two poems, and has a more basic rhyming scheme.
I found it easier to read than the other two poems, but also easier to forget the details after I'd read it.
I found it easier to read than the other two poems, but also easier to forget the details after I'd read it.
I think Tolkien must have liked the rhythm of a poem such as this, because it's echoed in some of his own poems like "Gil-galad was an Elven-king/ of him the harpers sadly sing".In his translation of the old poem [i]Sir Orfeo[/i], J.R.R. Tolkien wrote:Sir Orfeo was a king of old,
in England lordship high did hold;
valour he had and hardihood,
a courteous king whose gifts were good.
His father from King Pluto came,
his mother from Juno, king of flame,
who once of old as gods were named
for mighty deeds they did and claimed.
Sir Orfeo, too, all things beyond
of harping's sweet delight was fond,
and sure were all good harpers there
of him to earn them honour fair;
himself he loved to touch the harp
and pluck the strings with fingers sharp.
He played so well, beneath the sun
a better harper was there none;
no man hath in this world been born
who would not, hearing him, have sworn
that as before him Orfeo played
to joy of Paradise he had strayed
and sound of harpers heavenly,
such joy was there and melody.