1

1. Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi 1. Fortune, Empress of the World

1 O Fortuna (Chorus) O Fortune
O Fortuna O Fortune,
velut luna like the moon
statu variabilis, changeable,
semper crescis always waxing
aut decrescis; or waning;
vita detestabilis hateful life
nunc obdurat now is harsh
et tunc curat and then is caring
ludo mentis aciem, on a whim;
egestatem, destitution,
potestatem power
dissolvit ut glaciem. it melts like ice.
Sors immanis Fate, monstrous
et inanis, and empty,
rota tu volubilis, you are a turning wheel,
status malus, an evil condition
vana salus vain for well-being
semper dissolubilis, ever melting away,
obumbrata in shadow
et velata and veiled
michi quoque niteris; you weigh down on me too;
nunc per ludum now through gambling
dorsum nudum I have my back bare
fero tui sceleris. through your evil-doing.
Sors salutis Fate in well-being
et virtutis and in virtue
michi nunc contraria, is now against me;
est affectus broken,
et defectus weakened,
semper in angaria. always in bondage.
Hac in hora In this hour
sine mora without delay
corde pulsum tangite; pluck the strings;
quod per sortem for through Fate
sternit fortem, the strong is laid low,
mecum omnes plangite! all of you weep with me!
2 Fortune plango vulnera (chorus) I lament Fortune’s blows
Fortune plango vulnera I lament Fortune’s blows
stillantibus ocellis with weeping eyes,
quod sua michi munera for her presents to me
subtrahit rebellis. she a turncoat takes away.
Verum est, quod legitur, It is true, as it is written,
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fronte capillata, that she has fine tresses,

sed plerumque sequitur but often there follows
Occasio calvata. bald chance.
In Fortune solio On Fortune’s throne
sederam elatus, I sat, on high
prosperitatis vario with prosperity’s varied
flore coronatus; garland crowned;
quicquid enim florui yet however I flourished
felix et beatus, happy and blessed,
nunc a summo corrui now have I fallen from the height
gloria privatus. deprived of glory.
Fortune rota volvitur: Fortune’s wheel turns:
descendo minoratus; down I go, made less;
alter in altum tollitur; another is raised high;
nimis exaltatus too high up
rex sedet in vertice sits the king at the top,
caveat ruinam! let him beware of a downfall
nam sub axe legimus for under the wheel we see
Hecubam reginam. Queen Hecuba.
I Primo Vere Spring
3 Veris leta facies (semi-chorus) The cheerful face of spring
Veris leta facies The cheerful face of spring
mundo propinatur, is restored to the world,
hiemalis acies winter’s sharp cold
victa iam fugatur, conquered, now is put to flight.
in vestitu vario In varied colours
Flora principatur, Flora rules,
nemorum dulcisono in the sweet-sounding
que cantu celebratur. song of the groves is she praised.
Ah! Ah!
Flore fusus gremio Lying in Flora’s lap
Phebus novo more Phoebus again
risum dat, hac vario smiles, and she with varied
iam stipate flore. flowers now is decked.
Zephyrus nectareo Zephyrus with nectared
spirans in odore, scent breathing,
certatim pro bravio in contest for the prize
curramus in amore. let us run, the prize of love.
Ah! Ah!
Cytharizat cantico With a song to the lute sings
dulcis Philomena, sweet Philomela, the nightingale,
flore rident vario with varied flowers laugh
prata iam serena, the meadows, now serene,
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salit cetus avium a flock of birds rises

silve per amena, through the pleasant woods,
chorus promit virginum a chorus of maidens offers
iam gaudia millena. now a thousand joys.
Ah! Ah!
4 Omnia sol temperat (baritone solo) The sun rules everything
Omnia sol temperat The sun rules everything,
purus et subtilis, pure and fine,
novo mundo reserat it reveals to the new world
faciem Aprilis, the face of April,
ad amorem properat to love hastens
animus herilis man’s soul
et iocundis imperat and over delights has command
deus puerilis. the boyish god.
Rerum tanta novitas Such newness of things
in solemni vere in celebrating spring
et veris auctoritas and spring’s authority
jubet nos gaudere; bids us rejoice;
vias prebet solitas, it shows us our accustomed paths,
et in tuo vere and in your spring
fides est et probitas is faith and honest promise
tuum retinere. to keep your own.
Ama me fideliter, Love me faithfully!
fidem meam nota: Take note of my faithfulness:
de corde totaliter with all my heart
et ex mente tota and all my mind,
sum presentialiter I am with you
absens in remota, though absent and far away.
quisquis amat taliter, Whoever loves so much
volvitur in rota. turns on the wheel.
5 Ecce gratum (Chorus) Behold, the pleasant spring
Ecce gratum Behold, the pleasant
et optatum and longed-for
Ver reducit gaudia, spring brings back joys,
purpuratum decked in purple
floret pratum, the meadow flowers,
Sol serenat omnia. the Sun brings light to everything,
Iam iam cedant tristia! now, now let sadness give place!
Estas redit, Summer returns,
nunc recedit now departs
Hyemis sevitia. the harshness of winter.
Ah! Ah!
Iam liquescit Now there melts
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et decrescit and lessens

grando, nix et cetera; hail, snow and the rest,
bruma fugit, winter flies,
et iam sugit and now sucks
Ver Estatis ubera; Spring at Summer’s breasts;
illi mens est misera, wretched is his mind
qui nec vivit, who neither lives
nec lascivit nor lusts
sub Estatis dextera. under summer’s ruling hand.
Ah! Ah!
Gloriantur They glory
et letantur and rejoice
in melle dulcedinis, in the honey of sweetness
qui conantur, who try
ut utantur to use
premio Cupidinis: Cupid’s prize;
simus jussu Cypridis let us at the bidding of Cyprian Venus
gloriantes glory
et letantes and rejoice
pares esse Paridis. to be the equals of Paris.
Ah! Ah!
Uf dem anger On the Green
6 Tanz (Dance) Dance
7 Floret silva nobilis (chorus) The noble wood is in flower
Floret silva nobilis The noble wood is in flower
floribus et foliis. with flowers and leaves.
(semi-chorus) Where is my old
Ubi est antiquus lover?
meus amicus? Ah!
Ah! He has ridden away
Hinc equitavit, Oh, who will love me?
eia, quis me amabit? Ah!
Ah! The wood is everywhere in flower,
(chorus) My lover has gone.
Floret silva undique, The wood is everywhere green,
nah mime gesellen ist mir wê. why is my lover so long away? Ah!
(semi-chorus)
Gruonet der walt allenthalben,
wâ ist min geselle alse lange? Ah!

Der ist geriten hinnen,
o wî, wer sol mich minnen? Ah!
8 Chramer, gip die varwe mir
(semi-chorus)
Chramer, gip die varwe mir,
die min wengel roete,
da mit ich die jungen man
an ir dank der minnenliebe noete.
Seht mich an,
jungen man!
lat mich iu gevallen!
Minnet, tugentliche man,
minnecliche frouwen!
minne tuot iu hoch gemuot
unde lat iuch in hohen eren schouwen.
Seht mich an
jungen man!
lat mich iu gevallen!
Wol dir, Werlt, daz du bist
also freudenriche!
ich will dir sin undertan
durch din liebe immer sicherliche.
Seht mich an,
jungen man!
lat mich iu gevallen!
9 Reie Swaz hie gat umbe (chorus)
Swaz hie gat umbe,
daz sint alles megede,
die wellent ân man
allen disen sumer gan!
Ah! Sla!
Chume, chum, geselle min
(semi-chorus)
Chume, chum, geselle min,
ih enbite harte din,
ih enbite harte din,
chume, chum, geselle min.
Suzer rosenvarwer munt,
chum un mache mich gesunt
chum un mache mich gesunt,
suzer rosenvarwer munt.
5
He has ridden away,
alas, who will love me? Ah!
Pedlar, give me colour
Pedlar, give me colour
to redden my cheeks,
so that I can make the young men
love me, whether they will or no.
Look at me,
young men!
Let me pleasure you!
Good men, love
women worthy of love!
Love lifts your spirit
and gives you honour.
Look at me,
young men!
Let me pleasure you!
Hail, world,
so rich in joys!
I will always serve you faithfully
for the pleasures you give.
Look at me,
young men!
Let me pleasure you!
Round dance
Those who here go round
Those who here go round
are all maidens,
they want to be without a man
all summer long.
Ah! Sla!
Come, come, my love
Come, come, my love,
I desire you,
I desire you.
come, come, my love.
Sweet rosy mouth,
come and make me better,
come and make me better,
sweet rosy mouth.
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Swaz hie gat umbe Those who here go round

(chorus) Those who here go round
Swaz hie gat umbe, are all maidens,
daz sint alles megede, they want to be without a man
die wellent ân man all summer long.
allen disen sumer gan! Ah! Sla!
Ah! Sla! Were all the world mine
10 Were diu werlt alle min (chorus) Were all the world mine
Were diu werlt alle min from the ocean to the Rhine,
von deme mere unze an den Rin I would give it up
des wolt ih mih darben, to have the Queen of England
daz diu chünegin von Engellant lie in my arms. Hey!
lege an minen armen. Hei! In the Tavern
II In Taberna Burning Inside
11 Estuans interius Burning inside
(baritone solo) with violent anger,
Estuans interius in bitterness
ira vehementi I speak in my mind:
in amaritudine made from matter,
loquor mee menti: of the element of ash,
factus de materia, I am like a leaf
cinis elementi with which the winds sport.
similis sum folio, For since it is proper
de quo ludunt venti. for a wise man
Cum sit enim proprium to build on rock
viro sapienti the foundations,
supra petram ponere foolish, I am like
sedem fundamenti, a flowing stream,
stultus ego comparor which on the same course
fluvio labenti, never stays.
sub eodem tramite I am borne like
nunquam permanenti. a ship without a sailor,
Feror ego veluti as through the paths of the air
sine nauta navis, a wandering bird is borne;
ut per vias aeris chains do not hold me,
vaga fertur avis; keys do not hold me,
non me tenent vincula, I seek out people like me
non me tenet clavis, and consort with the wicked.
quero mihi similes
et adiungor pravis.
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Mihi cordis gravitas Heaviness of heart to me

res videtur gravis; seems a weighty burden;
iocis est amabilis it is pleasant to joke
dulciorque favis; and sweeter than honeycombs;
quicquid Venus imperat, whatever Venus commands
labor est suavis, is pleasant labour,
que nunquam in cordibus she never makes her home
habitat ignavis. in sluggish hearts.
Via lata gradior I travel a broad path
more iuventutis as the young do,
inplicor et vitiis I take part in vices,
immemor virtutis, forgetting virtue,
voluptatis avidus eager for worldly pleasure
magis quam salutis, rather than for salvation,
mortuus in anima dead in my soul
curam gero cutis. I look to the flesh.
12 Cignus ustus cantat (tenor solo) The Roast Swan Sings
Olim lacus colueram, Once I dwelt on lakes,
olim pulcher extiteram, once I was beautiful
dum cignus ego fueram. when I was a swan.
(chorus) Forlorn, forlorn!
Miser, miser! Now black
modo niger and roasting fiercely!
et ustus fortiter! The kitchen-lad turns and turns the spit
(tenor solo) again;
Girat, regirat garcifer; the pyre burns me fiercely;
me rogus urit fortiter; now the steward serves me up.
propinat me nunc dapifer, Forlorn, forlorn!
(chorus) Now black
Miser, miser! and roasting fiercely!
modo niger Now on a dish I lie,
et ustus fortiter! and cannot fly,
(tenor solo) I see gnashing teeth:
Nunc in scutella iaceo,
et volitare nequeo
dentes frendentes video:
(Male Chorus)

Miser, miser!
modo niger
et ustus fortiter!
13 Ego sum abbas
(baritone solo & chorus)
Ego sum abbas Cucaniensis
et consilium meum est cum bibulis,
et in secta Decii voluntas mea est,
et qui mane me quesierit in taberna,
post vesperam nudus egredietur,
et sic denudatus veste clamabit:
Wafna, wafna!
quid fecisti sors turpissima?
Nostre vite gaudia
abstulisti omnia!
14 In taberna quando sumus
(male chorus)
In taberna quando sumus
non curamus quid sit humus,
sed ad ludum properamus,
cui semper insudamus.
Quid agatur in taberna
ubi nummus est pincerna,
hoc est opus ut queratur,
si quid loquar, audiatur.
Quidam ludunt, quidam bibunt,
quidam indiscrete vivunt.
Sed in ludo qui morantur,
ex his quidam denudantur
quidam ibi vestiuntur,
quidam saccis induuntur.
Ibi nullus timet mortem
sed pro Baccho mittunt sortem:
Primo pro nummata vini,
ex hac bibunt libertini;
semel bibunt pro captivis,
post hec bibunt ter pro vivis,
quater pro Christianis cunctis
quinquies pro fidelibus defunctis,
sexies pro sororibus vanis,
septies pro militibus silvanis.
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Forlorn, forlorn!
Now black
and roasting fiercely!
I am the abbot
I am the abbot of Cockaigne
and my council is of drinkers,
and I wish to be in the order of Decius,
and whoever seeks me out early in the
tavern,
after Vespers will leave naked,
and thus stripped of his clothes he will
cry:
Woe! Woe!
what have you done, vilest Fate?
Our life’s joys
you have taken quite away!
When we are in the tavern
When we are in the tavern,
we care not that we are but dust,
but we hurry to gaming,
at which we always sweat.
What happens in the tavern,
where money is host,
you must ask,
and hear whatever I say.
Some gamble, some drink,
some live immorally.
But of those who spend time gambling,
some are stripped bare,
some find their clothes here,
some are dressed in sacks.
Here no-one fears death,
but they throw the dice in the name of
Bacchus.
First to the wine-seller
the libertines drink,
one for the prisoners,
then thrice for the living,
four times for all Christians,
five times for the faithful departed,
six times for the foolish sisters,
seven times for the gentlemen of the

Octies pro fratribus perversis,
nonies pro monachis dispersis,
decies pro navigantibus
undecies pro discordaniibus,
duodecies pro penitentibus,
tredecies pro iter agentibus.
Tam pro papa quam pro rege
bibunt omnes sine lege.
Bibit hera, bibit herus,
bibit miles, bibit clerus,
bibit ille, bibit illa,
bibit servus cum ancilla,
bibit velox, bibit piger,
bibit albus, bibit niger,
bibit constans, bibit vagus,
bibit rudis, bibit magnus.
Bibit pauper et egrotus,
bibit exul et ignotus,
bibit puer, bibit canus,
bibit presul et decanus,
bibit soror, bibit frater,
bibit anus, bibit mater,
bibit ista, bibit ille,
bibunt centum, bibunt mille.
Parum sexcente nummate
durant, cum immoderate
bibunt omnes sine meta.
Quamvis bibant mente leta,
sic nos rodunt omnes gentes
et sic erimus egentes.
Qui nos rodunt confundantur
et cum iustis non scribantur.
Io!
III Cour d’amours
15 Amor volat undique (boys)
Amor volat undique,
captus est libidine.
Iuvenes, iuvencule
coniunguntur merito.
(soprano)
Siqua sine socio,
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woods.
Eight times for the misguided brethren,
nine times for the wandering monks,
ten times for those at sea,
eleven times for the quarrellers,
twelve times for the penitent,
thirteen times for the travellers.
As to the Pope so to the King
they all drink without restraint.
The mistress drinks, the master drinks,
the soldier drinks, the priest drinks,
he drinks, she drinks,
the servant drinks with the maid,
the swift man drinks, the lazy man drinks,
the white man drinks, the black man drinks,
the settled man drinks, the wanderer drinks,
the rough man drinks, the wise man drinks.
The poor man drinks and the sick man,
the exile drinks and the stranger,
the boy drinks, the old man drinks,
the bishop drinks, and the deacon,
the sister drinks, the brother drinks,
the old lady drinks, the mother drinks,
this woman drinks, that man drinks,
a hundred drink, a thousand drink.
Six hundred pence would hardly
be enough, if everyone
drinks immoderately and without measure.
However much they cheerfully drink
everyone speaks ill of us,
and thus we are destitute.
May those who speak ill of us be damned
and may they not be counted with the just.
Io!
The Court of Love
Love flies everywhere
Love flies everywhere
seized by desire.
Young men, young women
are duly brought together.
Any girl without a lover
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caret omni gaudio; lacks all pleasures,

tenet noctis infima she holds the depth of night
sub intimo in her very heart
cordis in custodia: confined.
(boys) it is a most bitter thing.
fit res amarissima. Day, night and everything
16 Dies, nox et omnia (baritone solo) Day, night and everything
Dies, nox et omnia are all against me,
michi sunt contraria; the talk of girls
virginum colloquia makes me weep,
me fay planszer, and often sigh,
oy suvenz suspirer, and, more, frightens me.
plu me fay temer. O friends, make sport,
O sodales, ludite, you who know, speak,
vos qui scitis dicite spare me in my sorrow,
michi mesto parcite, great is my grief,
grand ey dolur, but only advise me,
attamen consulite by your honour.
per voster honur. Your beautiful face,
Tua pulchra facies makes me weep a thousand times,
me fay planszer milies, your bosom is of ice.
pectus habet glacies. As a remedy,
A remender I would live again at once
statim vivus fierem for a kiss.
per un baser. A girl stood
17 Stetit puella (soprano solo) A girl stood
Stetit puella in a red tunic;
rufa tunica; if anyone touched it,
si quis eam tetigit, the tunic rustled.
tunica crepuit. Eia!
Eia. A girl stood
Stetit puella like a little rose:
tamquam rosula; her face was shining
facie splenduit, and her mouth blossomed.
os eius floruit. Eia!
Eia. In my breast
18 Circa mea pectora In my breast
(baritone and chorus)
Circa mea pectora
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multa sunt suspiria there are many sighs

de tua pulchritudine, for your beauty,
que me ledunt misere. which hurt me sorely.
Ah! Ah!
Mandaliet, Mandaliet,
Mandaliet mandaliet,
min geselle my lover
chumet niet. comes not.
Tui lucent oculi Your eyes shine
sicut solis radii, like the rays of the sun,
sicut splendor fulguris like the brightness of lightning
lucem donat tenebris. that gives light to the darkness.
Ah! Ah!
Mandaliet Mandaliet,
Mandaliet, mandaliet,
min geselle my lover
chumet niet. comes not.
Vellet deus, vellent dii May God grant, may the gods grant
quod mente proposui: what I had in mind:
ut eius virginea that I might unbind
reserassem vincula. her virgin chains.
Ah! Ah!
Mandaliet, Mandaliet,
Mandaliet, mandaliet,
min geselle my lover
chumet niet. comes not.
19 Si puer cum puellula (male chorus) If a boy with a girl
Si puer cum puellula If a boy with a girl
moraretur in cellula, were to stay in a little room,
felix coniunctio. happy would be their coupling.
Amore suscrescente As Love rises up,
pariter e medio so from between them
avulso procul tedio, restraint is driven far away,
fit ludus ineffabilis sport beyond word begins
membris, lacertis, labiis in limbs, arms and lips.
20 Veni, veni, venias (double chorus) Come, come, O come
Veni, veni, venias, Come, come, O come,
ne me mori facias, do not let me die,
hyrca, hyrce, nazaza, hyrca, hyrce, nazaza,
trillirivos! trillirivos!
Pulchra tibi facies Fair is your face,
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oculorum acies, the brightness of your eyes,

capillorum series, the braiding of your hair,
o quam clara species! O how lovely a sight!
Rosa rubicundior, Redder than the rose,
lilio candidior whiter than the lily,
omnibus formosior, more beautiful than all,
semper in te glorior! always shall I glory in you!
21 In trutina In the balance
In trutina mentis dubia In the swaying balance of my mind
fluctuant contraria contraries waver
lascivus amor et pudicitia. wanton love and modesty.
Sed eligo quod video, But I choose what I see,
collum iugo prebeo: and offer my neck to the yoke;
ad iugum tamen suave transeo. I yield to a yoke that yet is sweet.
22 Tempus est iocundum Joyful is the time
(solo soprano, baritone, boys & chorus) Joyful is the time,
Tempus est iocundum, O maidens,
o virgines, rejoice together then,
modo congaudete young men!
vos iuvenes. Oh! Oh! Oh!
(baritone) I am all aflower!
Oh, oh, oh, Now with virgin love
totus floreo! I am all aflame,
iam amore virginali new, new love
totus ardeo, it is, with which I die.
novus, novus amor My promise
est, quo pereo. comforts me,
(women) my refusal
Mea me confortat casts me down.
promissio, Oh! Oh! Oh!
mea me deportat I am all aflower!
negatio. Now with virgin love
(soprano and boys) I am all aflame,
Oh, oh, oh, new, new love
totus floreo! it is, with which I die.
iam amore virginali
totus ardeo,
novus, novus amor
est, quo pereo.
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(men) In wintertime
Tempore brumali man is patient,
vir patiens, with the breath of spring
animo vernali he lusts.
lasciviens. Oh! Oh! Oh!
(baritone) I am all aflower!
Oh, oh, oh, Now with virgin love
totus floreo! I am all aflame,
iam amore virginali new, new love
totus ardeo, it is, with which I die.
novus, novus amor My virginity
est, quo pereo. makes sport with me,
(Women) my innocence
Mea mecum ludit holds me back.
virginitas, Oh! Oh! Oh!
mea me detrudit I am all aflower!
simplicitas. Now with virgin love
(Soprano and Boys) I am all aflame,
Oh, oh, oh, new, new love
totus floreo! it is, with which I die.
iam amore virginali Come, damsel,
totus ardeo, with joy,
novus, novus amor come, come, fair one,
est, quo pereo. I am dying!
(Chorus) Oh! Oh! Oh!
Veni, domicella, I am all aflower!
cum gaudio, Now with virgin love
veni, veni, pulchra, I am all aflame,
iam pereo. new, new love
(Baritone, Boys and Chorus) it is, with which I die.
Oh, oh, oh, Sweetest one
totus floreo!
iam amore virginali
totus ardeo,
novus, novus amor
est, quo pereo.
23 Dulcissime
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Dulcissime, Sweetest! Ah!

totam tibi subdo me! I give myself to you totally!
Blanziflor et Helena Blanchefleur and Helena
24 Ave formosissima Hail, most beautiful
Ave formosissima, Hail, most beautiful,
gemma pretiosa, precious jewel,
ave decus virginum, hail, ornament of virgins,
virgo gloriosa, glorious virgin,
ave mundi luminar, hail, light of the world,
ave mundi rosa, hail, rose of the world,
Blanziflor et Helena, Blanchefleur and Helen,
Venus generosa! noble Venus!
Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi Fortune, Empress of the World
25 O Fortuna (chorus) O Fortune
O Fortuna O Fortune,
velut luna like the moon
statu variabilis, changeable,
semper crescis always waxing
aut decrescis; or waning;
vita detestabilis hateful life
nunc obdurat now is harsh
et tunc curat and then is caring
ludo mentis aciem, on a whim;
egestatem, destitution,
potestatem power
dissolvit ut glaciem. it melts like ice.
Sors immanis Fate, monstrous
et inanis, and empty,
rota tu volubilis, you are a turning wheel,
status malus, an evil condition
vana salus vain for well-being
semper dissolubilis, ever melting away,
obumbrata in shadow
et velata and veiled
michi quoque niteris; you weigh down on me too;
nunc per ludum now through gambling
dorsum nudum I have my back bare
fero tui sceleris. through your evil-doing.
Sors salutis Fate in well-being
et virtutis and in virtue
michi nunc contraria, is now against me;
est affectus broken,

et defectus weakened,
semper in angaria. always in bondage.
Hac in hora In this hour
sine mora without delay
 15

corde pulsum tangite; pluck the strings;

quod per sortem for through Fate
sternit fortem, the strong are laid low,
mecum omnes plangite! all of you weep with me!