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“The Archives” contain TRANSLATIONS (“translatio studii”) by YOUR FUNSTEN

OUR LACK OF WHOLESOMENESS

                                        –adapted from Geoffrey Chaucer’s ballad “Lak of Stedfastnesse” addressed to King Richard, the Lionheart

ONCE UPON A TIME, this land seemed true and able: 

Straight talk–once uttered–formed an obligation. 

But today, with share earnings faked, meals unstable,

Towns black holes, poets may jump to the conclusion

There’s no words fit for this era’s upside-down

Menagerie of graft and greediness. 

There seems no cure for our sick lack of wholesomeness.

Go figure!  Nothing’s made mankind so volatile

As love of fighting?  There’s always some dissension—

Even wars for peace!  Now, we’re held near-disabled

Unless at work through clever management collusion

We’re cheating someone, stamping it as “competition.”

What causes this—but man’s acquisitiveness? 

If there’s a cure, it’s not more lack of wholesomeness. 

Today, dawn’s Love’s put down, Reason’s held as feeble,

And Virtue’s smeared as weak, reconciliation. 

Our Charity’s expatriate, contractual now,

So everyone wants more, depleting all distinction.

Our world’s been twisted to the immaculate permutation

Where strong means “right.”  Was it wealth made this mess? 

Then how can debt be cure while lacking wholesomeness?

Envoy to J. & others

O elected ones? Give native lines their power! 

Love even spirits who can only pay poetically. 

To laws, do nothing more reprovable,

So loosely loved by you already. 

Jail all liens of public castigation. 

Dread history more. Then link property with peacefulness: 

For only then, can we repay your lack of wholesomeness.