Herein lies the first Valentine’s poem ever written in history drafted by Charles d’Orleans / Charles of Orleans; the then Duke of Orleans in1407 and the second son of Louis I.
If you’ve been unlucky in love you’ll be glad to know that you aren’t’ the only one; lover boy Charles literally wrote this letter whilst behind bars. As if his luck couldn’t get worse past being born into a turbulent legacy; Charles was married thrice. The first wife died in childbirth, the second Bonne of Armagnac, the inspiration for this poem died before he got out of jail.
The third time was the charm for Charles and probably where that saying came from; 25 years later, a free man; he married Marie of Cleves and had three children.
Talk about a tough break.
Here’s the first Valentine’s poem recorded in history for your sappy, romantic pleasure in both French and English modernly translated by Anglophone-Direct.
Enjoy!
| Original French | English |
| Je suis déjà d’amour tanné,
Ma très douce Valentinée, Car pour moi fûtes trop tard née, Et moi pour vous fus trop tôt né. Dieu lui pardonne qui estrené M’a de vous, pour toute l’année Je suis déjà , etc. Ma très douce, etc. Bien m’étais suspeçonné, Qu’aurais telle destinée, Ainsi que passât ceste journée, Combien qu’Amours l’eût ordonné. Je suis déjà , etc. |
I am already sick of love,
My very gentle Valentine, Since for me you were born too soon, And I for you was born too late. God forgives he who has estranged Me from you for the whole year. I am already, etc. My very gentle, etc. Well might I have suspected, Having such a destiny, cousin Thus would have happened this day, How much that Love would have commanded. I am already, etc. |
