TO THE VISCOUNT OF HAUTEFORT IN HIS OLD AGE

The famous Provencal troubadour Bertran de Born(c.1140 - after 1202 and before 1215), entered the monastery of Dalon with his then very young son Constantine around 1195-1196 and was recorded as a monk there in 1197.

We should not think, I believe,

that after those years of scheming up 

and singing of petty wars for petty causes,

Cain fighting Abel, Achitophel raising sons against their father,

you would have truly found religion,

or religion would have embraced you

and redeemed you from war and songs

of war and love.

No, I believe we must assume

that it was old age that came riding

on a fast steed, threw you from your

stallion of manhood and took you it's humbled prisoner,

hauling you to the monastery, a feeble old man,

and you dragging your son with you,

afraid of being alone with monks and their faith

in your dusk.

18.03.2020