"Myrie it is while sumer ylast" (translation from the Middle English)

"Myrie it is while sumer ylast"
How Long the Night

anonymous Middle English poem, circa early 13th century AD

loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

It is pleasant, indeed, while the summer lasts

with the mild pheasants' song ...

but now I feel the northern wind's blast―

its severe weather strong.

Alas! Alas! This night seems so long!

And I, because of my momentous wrong,

now grieve, mourn and fast.

Originally published by Measure

Middle English text:

Myrie it is while sumer

ylast with fugheles song.

Oc nu neheth windes blast

and weder strong. Ei, ei!

what this nicht is long.  And

ich with wel michel wrong

soregh and murne and

fast.

This is an early English rhyming poem, and one of the best in my opinion. Keywords/Tags: Old English, Middle English, Medieval English, translation, interpretation, long night, alas, summer, pleasant, winter, north wind, northern wind, severe weather, storm, bird, birds, birdsong, sin, crime, fast, fasting, repentance, dark night of the soul, sackcloth and ashes, regret, repentance, remonstrance