“Foweles in the frith” by unknown author, late 13th century; p 123

 

These medieval lyrics, though its meaning is broadly applicable and still widely debated today, was one of my favorite pieces to dissect. Written in Middle English and described by the book as being “capable of both secular ad religious readings” (page 121), my personal takeaway was that of a man frustrated with the simplicity of the lives of creatures around him. He is simply struggling with the complexity of his emotional range because ignorance is pure bliss. His frustrations root their envy in the ignorant lives of the birds in the woods and the fish in the river. I think that in addition to nature, we can apply this to our busy lives today: although it’s nice (and socially expected) to be involved and successful, this leads us to envy those around us with flexible schedules:

“Foweles in the frith,

      The fisses in the flod,

      And I mon waxe wod:

      Much sorw I walk with

      For beste of bon and blod.”