OLD POLISH ON-LINE
MIDDLE AGES
RENAISSANCE
BAROQUE
GUESTBOOK
SPECIAL THANKS
WHAT'S NEW
UNDER
E Y E
T H E
Jan Andrzej Morsztyn
Jan Andrzej Morsztyn - INCONSTANCY
INCONSTANCY
Your eyes are fire, your brow a looking glass,
Hair - gold, teeth - pearls, skin - buttermilk
1
surpass,
Mouth is a coral, cheeks are lavender,
While you, my young lady, with me concur.
But when we quarrel, your cheeks turn leprous,
Mouth - a pit, cheeks - pale white lead
2
in excess,
Teeth - a nag's bone, hair - web of a spider,
Your brow - a mangle, eyes - ashy powder.
Translated by Michael Mikoś
Notes
1
The original phrase 'curdled milk' is not a complimentary description of a lady's skin in English.
2
White lead was used as an ingredient in paint, cosmetics, and medicines, all appropriate in this context.