Pierre de Ronsard (1524-1585) is the author of this famous Rose poem. He is hailed as one of the most celebrated poets of the French Renaissance. He was a key figure in the Pléiade, a group of French poets who sought to elevate the French language through classical influences. Ronsard’s writing is musically rich and examines love and nature in depth.
Ronsard Rose Poem: Sweetheart, come let us see if the rose
Ronsard was also a courtier to King Charles IX of France. The politics and culture of his time greatly influenced his poetry. Ronsard’s famous collection “Les Odes” reveals his innovative use of forms and themes. Besides, his sonnets remain a testament to his mastery of the lyrical genre. Despite his initial struggles for recognition, he ultimately became the poet laureate of King Charles IX, earning a significant place in French literature. Ronsard’s line “Mignonne, allons voir si la rose” beautifully encapsulates his style and themes of transient beauty and the fleeting nature of life.
Ronsard, as a courtier during the reign of Charles IX, maintained a nuanced position regarding the religious wars between Protestants and Catholics. He sought to navigate the volatile political landscape by aligning himself with the royal court while also championing the ideals of humanism and poetic expression. His poetry often reflected the themes of love and beauty, which transcended the religious divides, but he remained cautious in his public statements to avoid alienating either faction.
William Hawley has this translation:
Mignonne, come let us see if the rose
Which this morning opened
Her robe of crimson to the sun,
Has not already lost, at evening,
The folds of her crimson robe,
And her complexion, so like your own.
Harper’s rimes are quite nifty. Yet, I’m not sure I like it best.
See, Mignonne, hath not the Rose,
That this morning did unclose
Her purple mantle to the light,
Lost, before the day be dead,
The glory of her raiment red,
Her colour, bright as yours is bright?
All roses shot on location yesterday in the beautiful Rose Garden of L’Haÿ les Roses, South of Paris. A must-see.
The Scottish version is my favourite, by Jim Munro
Lassie, come an’ see if yon rose
That opened at day-brek an’ chose
Its best goon to show to the sun,
Still wears, noo in the gloamin’ grey
The saft faulds o’ her finery
An’ fresh complexion like yer ain.
And the original version
Mignonne, allons voir si la rose
Qui ce matin avoit desclose
Sa robe de pourpre au Soleil,
A point perdu ceste vesprée
Les plis de sa robe pourprée,
Et son teint au vostre pareil.
The French is quite challenging even for native speakers.
Sources
- For Ronsard’s innovative use of forms and themes: Poetry Foundation – Pierre de Ronsard.
- About his life and influence: Encyclopedia Britannica – Pierre de Ronsard.
- Insights into Ronsard’s literary contributions are available at The Literature Network – Pierre de Ronsard.
- For an academic perspective on his role in the French Renaissance, see Academia.edu – Ronsard’s Place in the French Renaissance.
- All rose photos taken by Yann Gourvennec in May 2019 at L’Haÿ les Roses.
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Je suis photographe et aquarelliste. Je pratique la photographie depuis l'enfance et la photographie numérique depuis 1995. J'en ai fait mon activité principale en 2021. Je possède un studio photo dans le 15e arrondissement de Paris
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