Portrait: Reed Maple Leaf

[libra_traveller]

Title: Reed Maple Leaf
Author: libra_traveller
Summary: Middle English Portrait of David Hewlett
Author’s Note: I wrote this for my class on Chaucer. Contains the English version.



(In Middle English – to the best of my ability)

Ther was a man koude make anyone smyle
Nat laughyng at his comedie is futyle.
Entertanement is his loved profession
Where he is gifted with expression:
From his mauth turned down on one side
To part of his heer trying to hide.

He acts the parts of the *wood,
The straunge, the smart, even good
Eek he been stuck up in a tree
Somtyme he was trapped under the see
Someone changed hym into a beest
He tried to make a relative deceased.

He spekes so fast no one can butt in
His arms movyng inne a tight spin
He will snap his fingers for coffee
And koude teche yow how for free
He wears a reed maple leaf
Goon into everich single debrief.

He had fairnesse, curteisye, and ben funnie
And does nat cure if he makes moneye
The beste part of alle
He loves all the fannes who calle.

*wood = mad (crazy)

(In English, there were some changes made.)

This man could make anyone smile
Not laughing at his comedy is futile.
Entertainment is his loved profession
Where he is gifted with expression:
From his mouth turned down on one side
To part of his hair trying to hide.

He's acted the parts of the crazy,
The strange, the smart, even lazy
He's been stuck up in a tree
Once he was trapped under the sea
Someone changed him into a beast
He tried to make a relative deceased.

He speaks so fast no one can butt in
His arms moving in a tight spin
He'll snap his fingers for coffee
And will teach you how for free
He wears a red maple leaf
Going into every single debrief.

He's kind, generous, and funny
And doesn't care if he makes money
The best part of all
He loves all the fans who call.