Je ne puis vivre ainsy (Antoine Busnois)

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• (Posted 2009-09-25)  CPDL #20247:        (Finale 2009)

Editor: Paul R. Marchesano (submitted 2009-09-25).   Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 142 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: The root has been numbered for modern performance convenience. The 15th century French text exhibits some variation in form and spelling from modern French.

General Information

Title: Je ne puis vivre ainsy
Composer: Antoine Busnois

Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: SST
Genre: Secular, Chanson

Language: French
Instruments: A cappella

    Manuscript c.1465–1469 in the Dijon Chansonnier, no. 33
    Manuscript c.1475–1476 in the Mellon Chansonnier, no. 12
Description: The musical form of Je ne puis vivre is that of a Bergerette, or Virelai of one stanza. A refrain is followed by two shorter contrasting verses, a verse set to the refrain music, and a final refrain (ABBAA). Je ne puis vivre ainsy manages to implant an unusually high level of emotion in its text, from the erotic plea to spend "one hour, or less, or more" with the woman in question, to the pathetic hope that she, "with eyes streaming with hot tears, will have mercy." Je ne puis vivre ainsy is also one of several of Busnois' chansons which betrays in various verbal and symbolic puzzles the name of a real woman. In this case, the first letters of each line of the poem together form the acrostic "Jaqueline d'Aquevile."

Original text and translations

French text Je ne puis vivre ainsy toujours Au main que j’aye en mes dolours Quelque confort Une seule heure ou mains ou fort Et tou les jours Leaument serviray amours Jusqu’a la mort. Noble femme de nom et d’armes, Escript vous ay ce dittier cy ce dittier cy. Des ieux plourant a chauldes larmes Affin qu’ayes de moy merchy, ce moy merchy. Quant a moi, je me meurs boncours Velant les nuits faisant cent tours En criant fort “Vengence en a Dieu, car a grant tort Je noye en plours” Lors qu’au besoin me fault secours Et Pitie dort.    Je ne puis vivre ainsy toujours…

English translation I cannot live like this forever Unless I have some comfort For my pain Just one hour, or less – or more And every day I’ll serve the god of love faithfully Unto death. Noble woman, in name and arms, Pay close attention to this poem So that, eyes streaming with hot tears, You may have mercy on me. As to me, I am wasting away Awake at night, walking in a hundred circles Crying aloud to God “Vengeance! For most unjustly I’m drowning in tears.” Just when I need it I get no help And pity sleeps.    I cannot live like this forever…