Caroline Bailey - "Adieu, Sweet Sun" (Lady Mary Wroth)

            Lady Mary Wroth (1587-1651) was a poet and writer from England who is recognized as being one of the first English female writers to establish a long-lasting reputation in the literary world. She was a member of a prominent English family, and the niece of Mary Sidney who is also considered to be one of England’s most talented female writers. Her upbringing encouraged literary exploration and nurtured her talent. Lady Mary Wroth was also a friend of Queen Anne, and was a member of her social circle. Lady Mary Wroth is best known for writing The Countesse of Mountfomeries Urania, as well as Pamphilia to Amphilanthus.

            The translation below is a poem from The Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania titled Adieu sweet Sun. The original copy of the text below was very clear to read, but is full of outdated spelling and words that are no longer used. This edited version of the poem acts to update the spelling of words, as well as provide definitions of words that now have different meanings. The u’s have been changed to v’s where needed, and the extra e’s have been eliminated from the original spelling. Mostly this edited version changes the old English spelling to the contemporary spelling in order to make the poem easier to read. By doing this, the edited version becomes accessible to a wider range of readers. Altogether the edited version takes away a bit of the essence that the original version contains, but is easier to read for those who are not as familiar with old English texts. 

The Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania (Adieu sweet Sun)

Lady Mary Wroth

Adieu[i] sweet Sun

Thy[ii] night is near

Which must appear

Like mine, whose light but new begun

Weares[iii] as if spun

By chance not right,

Led by a light

False, and pleasing, ever wun[iv].

Come once in view

Sweet heat, and light

My heavy sp’rit[v]

Dulled in thy setting, made anew[vi]

If you renew,

Daises do grow,

And spring below

Blest with thy warmth, so once I grew.

Wilt thon[vii] return,

Dear bless my eyes

Where loves zeal lies   

Let thy deere[viii] object mildly burn

Nor fly, but turn

‘tis[ix] season now

Each happy bow

Both bud and blooms, why should I mourn?

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[i] Adieu- good-bye in French

[ii] thy- your

[iii] weares- to be covered in, referring to clothing.

[iv] wun- joyful 

[v] spirit

[vi] anew- to renew

[vii] to point out

[viii] strenuous

[ix] To be