ABSTRACT
9227. Since, according to the lexicographers, oci is conventional onomatopoeia for the nightingale’s cry, I have left it here untranslated. The word, however, could also be interpreted as the 2nd pers. sing. imp. of ocire. Cf. the following passage (directly dependent on Machaut’s poem) from Christine de Pisan’s Le Livre du dit de Poissy: Avoit atant De rossignolz en cellui lieu chantant, Qui ça et la aloient voletant, Qu’oncques je croy ensemble on n’en vid tant Comme il eut cy, Qui disoient: “ocy, ocy, ocy Le faulz jaloux, se il passe par cy Sans le prendre n’a pitié n’a mercy En no pourpris.” (ed. Roy, 176–84)
