Œuvre

Sous le penible faix de ce poudreux tumbeau
Du mielleux Goudimel la cendre se repose:
Surmonté de la mort qui dompte toute chose.
Mais non, ce qui estoit d’icelui le plus beau.

Car son esprit gentil, qui luit comme un flambeau
Par tout cest univers, pour la douceur enclose
En ses tons musicaux par cil qui tout dispose,
Est ores jouissant d’un repos tout nouveau

Et comme estant ici d’une douce musique
Il louangeoit son Dieu, mariant maint cantique
Du roi prophete Hebrieu à ses plaisants accords.

Ainsi estant aux cieux avec joie et liesse.
Il rend graces à Dieu, pource que de largesse
Il l’a fait jouissant des celestes tresors.

TRADUCTION :
Beneath the sad weight of this dusty tombstone
Honey-toned Goudimel’s ashes lie,
Overcome by death, who vanquishes all things,
But not what was this man’s finest part:

For his gentle spirit - shining like a torch
Throughout this universe, thanks to the sweetness held
In the sound of his music - now, through Him who rules all,
Finds itself enjoying a repose entirely new..

And, just as, when he was here, with sweet Music
He praised his God, wedding with many a psalm
Of the Hebrews’ prophet-king his pleasing harmonies,

So, being in Heaven, with joy and gladness of heart,
He gives thanks to God, who of His goodness
Has made him now to enjoy heavenly treasures.