Part 2 — AUTUMN YEARS.
John Addington Symonds translation
No. 57.
While life's April blossom blew, What I willed I then might do, Lust and law seemed comrades true. As I listed, unresisted, Hither, thither, could I play, And my wanton flesh obey. When life's autumn days decline, Thus to live, a libertine, Fancy-free as thoughts incline, Manhood's older age and colder Now forbids; removes, destroys All those ways of wonted joys. Age with admonition wise Thus doth counsel and advise, While her voice within me cries: "For repenting and relenting There is room; forgiveness falls On all contrite prodigals!" I will seek a better mind; Change, correct, and leave behind What I did with purpose blind: From vice sever, with endeavour Yield my soul to serious things, Seek the joy that virtue brings.
The third would find a more appropriate place in a hymn-book than in a collection of Carmina Vagorum. It is, however, written in a lyrical style so closely allied to the secular songs of the Carmina Burana (where it occurs) that I have thought it well to quote its grimly medieval condemnation of human life.