Centre for Romanian Studies

Poetry in Translation (CCCLXVI), Chidiock TICHBORNE
(b. ca, 1562 ENGLAND- d. 1586 London), “ELEGY“, “ELEGIE”

Tichborn’s elegy (fragment)
Chidiock Tichborne
(b. aft. 1562 – executed 1586)

I sought my death and found it in my womb,
I looked for life and saw it was a shade,
I trod the earth and knew it was my tomb,
And now I die, and now I was but made;
My glass is full, and now my glass is run,
And now I live, and now my life is done.

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Elegie (fragment)
Chidiock Tichborne
(n. ca. 1562 – executat 1586)

Moartea ce am visat o strang la piept ca pruncul,
Viata ce-am cautat n-a fost decat un mit,
Pe cai ce am umblat mi-am regasit mormantul,
Acuma mor in fine dar sunt neimplinit.
Pocalul ce-a fost plin acuma e golit,
Candva am mai sperat, dar sunt un om sfarsit.

Rendered in Romanian by Constantin ROMAN, London,
© 2015 Copyright Constantin ROMAN

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BIO NOTE: Chidiock Tichborne was born in Southampton sometime after 24 August 1562 to Roman Catholic parents. In 1583, Tichborne and his father, Peter, were arrested and questioned concerning the use of “popish relics”, religious objects Tichborne had brought back from a visit he had made abroad without informing the authorities of an intention to travel. Though released without charge, records suggest that this was not the last time they were to be questioned by the authorities over their religion. In June 1586 accusations of “popish practices” were laid against his family.
In June 1586, Tichborne agreed to take part in the Babington Plot to murder Queen Elizabeth and replace her with the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, who was next in line to the throne. The plot was foiled by Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster, using double agents, most notably Robert Poley who was later witness to the murder of Christopher Marlowe,Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s spymaster, using double agents, most notably Robert Poley who was later witness to the murder of Christopher Marlowe, and though most of the conspirators fled, Tichborne had an injured leg and was forced to remain in London. On 14 August he was arrested and he was later tried and sentenced to death in Westminster Hall.
On 20 September 1586, Tichborne was executed with Anthony Babington, John Ballard, and four other conspirators. They were eviscerated, hanged, drawn and quartered, the mandatory punishment for treason, in St Giles Field.

Tichborne mentions that his search for the cause of death lead him to birth. The number one cause of death is being born in the first place. He claims that life is just the beginning of something else; that it is a small piece of something much larger.