Fleur de quinze ans (Orlando di Lasso)

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(Posted 2020-11-15) CPDL #61439:

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2020-11-15). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 244 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Includes a keyboard reduction of the a cappella choral score. Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. Modern French underlay.

(Posted 2014-08-16) CPDL #32713:

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2014-08-16). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 67 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from Mellange d'Orlande de Lassus, 1570. Original key (chiavi naturali), note-values halved. French spelling modernised.

General Information

Title: Fleur de quinze ans
Composer: Orlando di Lasso
Lyricist: Clément Marot

Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Chanson

Language: French
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1564 in Le premier livre de chansons, auquel sont 27 chansons nouvelles, Antwerp
2nd published: 1565 in Dixsetieme livre de chansons (Le Roy & Ballard), Edition 1, no. 1
3rd published: 1570 in Mellange d'Orlande de Lassus, no. 14
4th published: 1576 in Le thresor de musique (sacred contrafact), Edition 1, no. 2
5th published: 1592 in La fleur des chansons, no. 16
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

French text

Fleur de quinze ans si Dieu vous sauve et gard,
j'ai en amour trouvé cinq points exprès,
premierement il y a le regard,
puis le devis et le baiser après,
l'atouchement suit le baiser de près,
et tous ceux la tendent au dernier point,
qui est: je ne le dirai point,
mais s'il vous plaît en ma chambre vous rendre,
je me mettrai volontiers en pourpoint,
voire tout nu pour le vous faire apprendre.

Sacred contrafact (from Le thresor de musique d'Orlande de Lassus)
Fleur de quinze ans, si Dieu vous sauve et garde,
J'ai quelque points à vous monstrer expres.
C'est que n'ayez impudique regard,
Soiez prudente et modeste en apres
L'honnesteté la Vertu suit de-pres
Qui vous fera fuir le vain plaisir
D'amour, et l'effrené desir
Dont est toujours la jeunesse suivie.
Sur tout de Dieu la crainte faut choisir,
Pour parvenir à l'eternelle vie.

English translation

Flower aged fifteen, may God save and protect you.
In love, I have found five particular stages:
first, there is the look,
next, the offer, and the kiss afterwards;
the touch follows the kiss closely,
and all of those lead to the final stage,
which is: I shall not say it,
but if you will please come into my room,
I shall happily strip to my jacket,
or even completely naked, to make you understand.

Translation by Reinier Post, after David Wyatt

English translation

Sacred contrafactum (from Le thresor de musique d'Orlande de Lassus)
Virginal blossom, if God is to save you,
I’ve sev’ral points for you that must be clear.
For one, all unchaste looks you must eschew,
And to prudence and modesty adhere,
For Virtue follows those who are sincere
And makes you to flee the pleasures rude
Of love, and the desires lewd
Which for foolish youth always hold allure.
Above all with fear of God be imbued
If you hope eternal life to secure.

Translation by Thomas Daughton

English translation

God save and protect you, petal; you're fifteen.
I have identified a five-point love plan.
First, there's a look, a summing-up, a kiss after,
Then post-kiss touching, all of which
Leads to the best bit,
Which I shall gloss over.
But if you care to present yourself
In my bedroom,
I will gladly provide myself in my suit
Or my birthday suit, to help you understand it.

(Trans. Timmi O'Danaos & Donna Ferrentes)