Alfonso X, El Sabio. Cantigas de Santa Maria: Nœm. 10, ÇRosa de beldad'e de parecerÈ.
(From Lyrics of the Middle Ages, ed. James J. Wilhelm. NY: Garland Publ., 1990, 244.)
 
"Alfonso wrote or organized the Cantigas de Santa Mar’a, a collection of [427] poems in honor of the Virgin, often longish narratives relating her miracles. One of the most important music collections in the Middle Ages, the songs were often sung on pilgrimages. The text for this poem in Alvar-Beltrýn, pp. 423-424; music, 441. For a tape of the Cantigas, Astr*e E7707.
 

" Rose of roses and flower of flowers, Rosa das rosas e Fror das frores, Lady of ladies, Lord of lords. Dona das donas, Sennor das 1. sennores. Rose of beauty and fine appearance 1. And flower of happiness and pleasure, Rosa de beldad' e de parecer e Fror d'alegria e de prazer, lady of most merciful bearing, Dona en mui piadosa ser And Lord for relieving all woes and Sennor en toller coitas e doores. cares; Rosa das rosas e Fror das frores, Rose of roses and flower of Dona das donas, Sennor das flowers, sennores. Lady of ladies, Lord of lords. 2. Such a Mistress everybody should 2. love, Atal Sennor dev' ome muit' amar, For she can ward away any evil que de todo mal o pode guardar; And she can pardon any sinner e pode-ll' os peccados perdðar, To create a better savor in this que faz no mundo per maos sabores. world. Rose of roses and flower of Rosa das rosas e Fror das frores, flowers, Dona das donas, Sennor das Lady of ladies, Lord of lords. sennores. 3. 3. We should love and serve her loyally, Devemo-la muit' amar e servir, For she can guard us from falling; ca punna de nos guardar de falir; She makes us repent the errors des i dos erros nos faz repentir, That we have committed as sinners: que nos fazemos come pecadores. Rose of roses and flower of Rosa das rosas e Fror das frores, flowers Dona das donas, Sennor das Lady of ladies, Lord of lords. sennores. 4. This lady whom I acknowledge as my 4. Master Esta dona que tenno por Sennore de And whose troubadour I'd gladly be, que quero seer trobador, If I could in any way possess her se eu per ren poss' aver seu amor, love, dou ao demo os outros amores. I'd give up all my other lovers. Rosa das rosas e Fror das frores, Rose of roses and flower of Dona das donas, Sennor das flowers, sennores. Lady of ladies, Lord of lords.

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