This poem – written in the 16th century for King Charles IX’s court – is a very well done exercise of style.
Based on a quite common image – a girl and a rose – Ronsard manages to create a graceful and sensual poem that glorifies the game of seduction.
“Ode à Cassandre” by Pierre de Ronsard – written in the 16th century for King Charles IX’s court – is one of the most famous French poems. Since it’s rather short, many French kids learn in at school – to this day, I still know it by heart!
This very famous French poem is read twice (enunciated and natural recordings) + detailed explanation of the vocabulary in easy French + analysis of the poem + author’s life + transcript with the English translation in my audiobook “Easy French Poetry”.
Easy French Poetry
Most famous and classic French poems read and analysed in everyday French.
Mignonne, allons voir si la rose Qui ce matin avoit déclose Sa robe de pourpre au Soleil, A point perdu cette vesprée (old spelling for vêprée) Les plis de sa robe pourprée, Et son teint au vôtre pareil.
Las ! voyez comme en peu d’espace, Mignonne, elle a dessus la place Las ! las ses beautés laissé choir ! Ô vraiment marâtre Nature, Puis qu’une telle fleur ne dure Que du matin jusques au soir ! (old way for jusqu’au)
Donc, si vous me croyez, mignonne, Tandis que votre âge fleuronne En sa plus verte nouveauté, Cueillez, cueillez vôtre jeunesse : Comme à cette fleur la vieillesse Fera ternir votre beauté.
2- “Ode à Cassandre” by Pierre de Ronsard – English Translation
Sweetheart, let’s see if the rose That this morning had open Her crimson dress to the Sun, This evening hasn’t lost The folds of her crimson dress, And her complexion similar to yours.
Ah! See how in such short space My sweetheart, she has on this very spot All her beauties lost! O, so un-motherly Nature, Since such a beautiful flower Only last from dawn to dusk!
So if you believe me, my sweetheart, While time still flowers for you, In its freshest novelty, Do take advantage of your youthful bloom: As it did to this flower, the doom Of age will blight your beauty.
Camille Chevalier-Karfis
Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 23+ years in the US and France. Based on my students' goals and needs, I've created unique downloadable French audiobooks focussing on French like it's spoken today, for all levels. Most of my audiobooks are recorded at several speeds to help you conquer the modern French language.
Good luck with your studies and remember, repetition is the key!
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