Text: Mort, tu as navré de ton dart

Johannes Ockeghem (c. 1410–1497)

Original Text

English Translation

Mort, tu as navré de ton dart
le pere de joyeuseté,
en desployant ton estandart
sur Binchois, patron de bonté,
son corps est plaint et lamenté,
qui gist soubz lame.
Helas, plaise vous en pitié
prier pour l'ame.

Retoricque, se Dieu me gard,
son serviteur a regretée,
Musicque, par piteux regard,
fait deul et noir a portée.
Pleurez, hommes de feaulté
[qui gist soubz lame.]
Vueillez vostre université
[prier pour l'ame.]

Cantus Firmus:
Miserere pie [Jesu,
Domine, dona ei requiem.]
Quem in cruce redemisti
preciosa sanguine, pie Jesu,
Domine, dona ei requiem.

Death, you have wounded with your dart
the father of joyousness
in spreading your standard
over Binchois, paragon of goodness,
his corpse mourned and lamented,
he who lies beneath a tombstone.
Alas, if it please you for pity's sake
pray for his soul.

Rhetoric, as God preserves me,
has grieved for her servant;
Music, with piteous gaze,
has mourned and dressed in black.
Weep, O men of fealty,
[for him who lies beneath a tombstone.]
Ask that your community
[pray for his soul.]

Have mercy, gentle [Jesus;
Lord, grant him rest.]
He whom you have redeemed upon the cross
with your precious blood, gentle Jesus,
Lord, grant him rest.