The Harley 2253 Manuscript is filled with rich literature and poetry in three languages; Middle English, Middle French, and Latin. While reading through the manuscript I have been taking note of certain themes which might give insight into the historical, philosophical, theological, linguistic, or literary context of late-medieval England.
One theme which is prevalent throughout the manuscript is that of the brevity of earthly life and the hope of eternity.
The poem below strongly emphasises this theme, suggesting that all of the pleasures on earth, even that love, are worthless in comparison with the glories of heaven.
Charnel amour est folie! Carnal love is folly!
Qe velt amer sagement He who wishes to love wisely
Eschywe ce quar breve vie avoids it because life’s brevity
Ne lesse durer longement. Doesn’t allow it to endure long.
Ja n’ert la char si florie Never did life exist or flourish
Que a purreture ne descent That didn’t descend to rottenness
Brief delit est lecherie, Lechery is a brief pleasure,
Mes santz fyn dure le torment. But torment lasts without end.
The Complete Harley 2253 Manuscript; Volume 2
The Middle French poem expresses sentiments which frequently recur in the manuscript, and which are not surprising , because the three anonymous scribes of the manuscript were most probably medieval monks, who desired to convince readers of their Christian ideas.
Ideas of rejecting earthly pleasure compliments the themes of blood sacrifice and martyrdom also contained in the manuscript. Heroes such as Simon de Montfort, who according to the scribes, died fighting in the cause of Christianity, are elevated as those who rejected pleasure and endured suffering on earth, so as to obtain eternal life.
A brief couplet, also in volume 2 of the manuscript re-emphasises these ideas:
‘Momentaneum est quod delectat, What allures in momentary,
Set eternum quod cruciat. But what torments is eternal.’