Friday, May 12, 2006

The Dangers of May: or, Sir Thomas Malory is very strange

This except is taken from the Morte D'Arthur, book 18, chapter 25. Yipes.

For it giveth unto all lovers courage, that lusty month of May, in something to constrain him to some manner of thing more in that month than in any other month, for divers causes.

...Therefore, like as May month flowereth and flourisheth in many gardens, so in like wise let every man of worship flourish his heart in this world, first unto God, and next unto the joy of them that he promised his faith unto; for there was never worshipful man or worshipful woman, but they loved one better than another; and worship in arms may never be foiled, but first reserve the honour to God, and secondly the quarrel must come of thy lady: and such love I call virtuous love.

...therefore all ye that be lovers call unto your remembrance the month of May, like as did Queen Guenever, for whom I make here a little mention, that while she loved she was a true lover, and therefore she had a good end.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I love the month of May...