L'Espinette amoureuse

MS A: B.N. fr. 831, folios 104a-137a <target id="page_104" target-type="page">104</target>Chi apries sensieut li plaisans traities del espinette amoureuse. Pluiseur enfant de jone eage 104b Desirent forment le peage Damours paiier mais sil savoient Ou se la congnisance avoient Quel cose leur faut pour paiier 5 Ne si vodroient assaiier Car li paiemens est si fes Que cest uns trop perilleus fes Non pour quant gradeus et gens Samble il a toutes jones gens 10 Je mi acord bien ont raison Mais quii le paient de saison En temps en lieu de point et deure Et se cest desous ne deseure Leage quii leur apertdent 15 Folie plus que sens les tient Mais tant quau fait jescuse mieux Asses les jones que les vieux Car jonece ne voelt quesbas Et amours en tous ses esbas Quiert cheuls trouver et soi embatre 20 Entre euls pour soi et ceuls esbatre. En mon jouvent tous tels estoie Que trop volentiers mesbatoie Et tels que fui encor le sui 25 Mais che qui fu hier riest pas hui Tres que navoie que .xii. ans Estoie forment goulousans De veoir danses et caroles Doir menestrels et paroles Qui sapertiennent a deduit 104c 30 Et se ma nature introduit Que damer par amours tous chiaus Qui aimment et chiens et oisiaus Et quant on me mist a lescole 35 Ou les ignorans on escole Il y avoit des pucelettes Qui de mon temps erent jonetes Et je qui estoie puchiaus Je les servoie despinchiaus Ou dune pomme ou dune poire 40 Ou dun seul anelet de voire Et me sambloit au voir enquerre Grant proece a leur grasce acquerre Et ossi esce vraiement 45 Je ne le di pas aultrement Et lors devisoie aparmi Quant revenra li tamps parmi Que par amours porai amer On ne men doit mies blasmer 50 Sa ce iert ma nature encline <target id="page_105" target-type="page">105</target>Here begins the pleasant treatise of <italic>The Hawthorn Bush of Love.</italic> Many children at a young age Already wish to pay the toll Of love, but if they knew Or if they had full understanding Of what it would cost them, 5 They wouldn't want to try it out, For the payment it requires is so made That it is a very perilous thing. Nonetheless, it seems gracious and genteel To all young men. 10 I agree, they are certainly right, If they ante up in season, At the right time, place, and precise hour. And if it occurs either above or below The age that is appropriate, 15 Madness more than good sense rules them. Be that as it may, I am more inclined To excuse the young than the old, For youth desires nothing but amusements, And Love, wherever it is found, 20 Requires such men to meet and get Together, to amuse others and themselves. In my youth I was just that kind, That I most willingly enjoyed myself, 25 And such as I was, so I remain. 25 But what was yesterday is not today. When I was only twelve years old, I was already avid Ίο see dances and carols, To hear the minstrels and speeches 30 That are a part of pleasurable pastimes, And also Nature introduced me To having a deep affection for all men Who love dogs and birds. And when I was sent to school 35 Where the ignorant are instructed, There were some little maidens Who in my day were pretty little things, And I, who was a little boy, Provided them with pins, 40 Or an apple, or a pear, Or a single glass gem, And it seemed to me, to look at it truthfully, A great achievement to be in their good graces; And so it truly was, 45 I do not say otherwise. And then I thought to myself: "When will the time come for me That I can love amorously?" One must hardly blame me 50 If my nature was thus inclined, 106Car en pluiseurs lieus on decline Que toute joie et toute honnours Viennent et darmes et damours. Ensi passoie mon jouvent 55 Mais je vous ai bien en couvent Que pas ne le passai com nices Mais damer par amours tous rices Car tant fort men plaisoit la vie Quailleurs niert mentente ravie 60 Ne ma plaisance ne mon corps Encor men fait bien li recors Et fera tant com je vivrai 104d Car par ce penser mon vivre ai Garni dune douce peuture 65 Et sest tele ma noureture De grant tamps fuisse ja pouris Sen ce neuisse este nouris Mais li recors et la plaisance Li parlers et la souvenance Que pluiseurs fois y ai eu 70 Mont de trop grant bien pourveu Nous navons qun petit a vivre Pour tant fait bon eslire un vivre Entroes quon est dou prendre en point 75 Quon ne faille a sa sante point Pour amer par amours lentens Mieuls ne poet emploiier le temps Homs ce mest vis quau bien amer Car qui voelt son coer entamer 80 En bons mours et en nobles teches En tous membres de gentilleches Amours est la droite rachine Et coers loyaus qui lenrachine En soi et point ne soutrequide 85 Ne poet avoir lentente wide Quii ne soit gais et amoureus Et as biens faire virtueus Car qui naimme ou qui na ame Quoi quon ait lomme en che blasme 90 Ja nara vraie congnissance Ne en bonnes virtus poissance Mais li aucun ensi opposent Quii sont ame puis quamer osent Nennil amours de celle part 105a 95 Ne prendera ja au coer part Qui le voelt par cuidier avoir Oultrecuidance est nonsavoir Et pour ce ne si doit nuls mettre Qui damer se voelt entremettre 100 Dont ensi pour mieuls confremer Le fait dont vous voel enfourmer Jai dit quamours est sens et vie Qui si gouverne sans envie Ensi le croi pour che le pris 105 107For in many places it is repeated That every joy and honor comes From the pursuit of arms or from love. Thus I spent my youth; 55 But I can tell you assuredly That I did not spend it like a fool, But in loving in the fullness of love, For this life so pleased me That my interest was never drawn elsewhere, 60 Nor my pleasure nor my body. The memory of it still does me good And will, for as long as I live, For through these thoughts I have furnished My life with sweet fodder 65 And such is my sustenance. I would already have perished long ago Had I not been so nourished, But the memory and the pleasure, The conversations and the reminiscences, 70 Which many a time I had from it, Have provided me with much good. We have only a short time to live; Therefore it is good to choose a life, While one is best able to take the opportunity, 75 And one is not lacking in health,— I mean by this, to love amorously. A man cannot spend his time in any better way, It seems to me, than in loving well. For whoever wishes to train his heart 80 In good behavior and noble qualities, In all the points of gentility, Love is the proper root; And the loyal heart which plants it deep Within itself and does not overreach 85 Cannot come up empty And fail to be happy and loving And virtuous in good deeds. For whoever does not love or has not loved, Though he may be reproved thereby, 90 He will never have true understanding Or power in good virtues. But some answer back That they are loved as soon as they dare to love. Not at all. Love, in this fashion, 95 Will never take part in the heart That desires to have it pridefully. Overreaching is ignorance, And therefore no man must behave that way Who wishes to involve himself in love. 100 And so, in order to clarify more fully The facts that I wish to tell you, I have said that love is wisdom and life, For whoever governs himself without spite. Thus I believe, for I esteem in it 105 108Tant a valour honneur et pris Que dexposer tout son afaire Jaroie grandement a faire Non pour quant dedens ce dittier Mon fait tout piain et tout entier 110 Qui sus lestat damours se trette La verite en iert retrette Et tout pour lamour de ma dame Que diex gart et de corps et dame Amours et elle mont apris 115 Bien voie de monter en pris Et se je nai pas retenu Tout le bien dont il mont tenu A moy le blasme et non a euls Car grasces en doi rendre a ceuls 120 Dont pourfis me vient et honnours Cest a ma dame et a amours Moult couvegnable en est lusance Or ai je un petit descusance De ce que lors trop jones iere 125 Et de trop ignorane maniere Et moult me trouva foible et tendre 105b Amours quant si haut me fist tendre Comme en amer mes lamour moie De quoy lors par amours amoie 130 Tant quen enfance pour ce fait Ne me portoit gaires deffet Espoir sil meuist plus viel pris Jeuisse este trop mieuls apris Et congneuisse mieuls son nom 135 Que je ne face et espoir non Car on dist qui voelt la saucielle Ploiier aise il le prent vregielle Aussi amours me prist ou ploi De mon droit jouvent pour ce ploi 140 Tout ensi qui me voelt ploiier Car mieuls ne me voel emploiier Mais quel eage au dire voir Cuidies vous que peuisse avoir Des lors quamours par ses pointures 145 Mensengna ses douces ointures Jones estoie dans asses Jamais je ne fuisse lasses A jeuer aux jeus des enfans Tels quii prendent desous .xii. ans 150 Et premiers par quoi je mescuse Je faisoie bien une escluse En un ruissot dune tieulette Et puis prendoie une esculette Que noer je faisoie aval 155 Et sai souvent fait en un val Dun ruissot ou dun acoulin Sus deus tieulettes un moulin Et puis jeuiens aux papelotes 105c Et ou ruissot laviens nos cotes 160 109Such value, honor, and dignity That, to tell you everything about it, I would have a great deal to do. Nonetheless, within this poem, The truth of all my deeds, plain and simple, 110 Which concern the estate of love, Will all be laid out, And all for the love of my lady, May God save her body and soul. Love and she have taught me well 115 The way to become more worthy And, if I have not retained All the good with which they gratified me, The blame is mine and not theirs, For I must offer thanks to those 120 From whom profit and honor come to me: To my lady and to Love; The custom is most appropriate. Now I have a bit of an excuse In that I was then too young 125 And too ignorant in my ways; And Love found me extremely weak and tender When he made me offer myself so highly As to be in love; but my love, With which at that time I loved 130 As if I were still a child, for dlls reason Had little effect on me. I believe, if he had taken me when I was older, I would have been better schooled And would have recognized his name more readily 135 Than I did; and, yet, I think not, For it is said: "Whoever wishes to bend the willow Easily takes it as a sapling." Thus Love took to shaping me In earliest youth; and thus I bend 140 Just as he wished me to, For I don't wish to spend my time in any better way. But what age, to tell the truth, Do you believe that I could have been At the time when Love through his prickings 145 Taught me about his sweet ointments? I was very young in years: I had never yet tired Of playing children's games Of the kind they take up under the age of twelve. 150 And first, to explain myself, I indeed made a dam In a brook with a piece of tile. And then I took a little bowl That I made float down the stream; 155 And also, in a deep spot of a stream Or gutter, I often made a mill Out of two tiles; And then we played with little piles of mud And in the stream we washed our coats, 160 110Nos caperons et nos cemises Si sont bien nos ententes mises A faire voler aval vent Une plume et sai moult souvent Tamisiet en une escafote 165 La pourrette parmi ma cote Et estoie trop bons varies Au faire de terre boules Et pluiseurs fois me sui embles Pour faire des muses en bles 170 Et pour les pavellons cachier Me vosisse bien avanchier Et quant atraper les pooie Dun filechon je les loioie Et puis si les laissoie aler 175 Ou je les faisoie voler Aux des aux esees et aux tables Et a ces grans jeus delitables Les jeus ne voloie pas tels Mais de terre a faire pastes Rons pains Sannes et tartelettes 180 Et un four de .iiii. tieulettes Ou je mettoie ce mestier Qui mavoit adont grant mestier. Et quant ce venoit au quaresine 185 Javoie desous vine escame Descafotes un grant grenier Dont ne vosisse nul denier Et lors sus une relevee Avoec lescafote trauee 190 Jeueoie avoec chiaus de no rue 105d Et tout ensi con hoce et rue Je leur disoie hocies haut Car vraiement cape ne faut Et quant la lune estoit serine 195 Moult bien a la pince meurine Jeuiens ossi en temps deste A tels jeus ai je bien este Plus marris au département Que ne fuisse au commenchement 200 Vis mestoit quon me faisoit tort Quant on mavoit dou jeu estort. Puis jeuiens a un aultre jeu Quon dist a le keue leu leu Et aussi au trotot merlot 205 Et aux pieretes au havot Et au piloter ce me samble Et quant nous estions ensamble Aux poires jeuiens tout courant Et puis au larron engherant 210 Et ossi a le brinbetielle Et aux .ii. bastons quon restielle Et sai souvent dun bastonciel Fait un cheval nomme grisiel 111And our caps and our shirts; Also we set our minds firmly To making feathers fly In the wind, and many a time I sifted dust through my coat 165 Into a nutshell; And I was very good At making pies out of mud; And several times I set myself to the task Of making flutes from straws; 170 And I wished indeed to volunteer For hunting butterflies, And, when I was able to catch them, I tied them to a piece of string And then I let them go in such a way 175 As to make them fly. At dice, chess, and cards And such delightful grand games as these I did not wish to play, But rather preferred to make pies from dirt, 180 Round breads, flans, and little tarts, And an oven fashioned from four tiles, Where I placed what I had crafted, Which kept me very busy. And when it came time for Lent, 185 I would have built up, under a stool, A whole stash of seashells, Out of which I didn't want to give up any. And then, on a challenge, With the pile gaping open, 190 I played with the boys on our street And, as someone would shake and throw them, I would say to them: "Shake hard, For truly my blindfold has not slipped." And when the moon was yellow, 195 We played very often at pince meurine Also in the summertime; At such games I was certainly Worse off at the end Than I was at the beginning: 200 It was clear to me that someone did me wrong When I was forced out of the game. Then we played another game That was called the keue leuleu, And also trotot Merlot, 205 And pieretes au havot, And "heads or tails," it seems to me. And when we were together, We played at poires all running, And then the thief Engberant, And also at "odds and ends" 210 And wrestling with two sticks, And, as well, I often made from a stick A horse that I called Grisel; 112 Et ossi souvent fait avons 215 Hiaumes de nos caperons Et moult souvent devant les filles Nous bâtions de nos kokilles Aussi en cest avenement Jeuiens nous au roi qui ne ment 220 Aux barres et a lagnelet A oste moi de colinet A je me plaing qui me feri 106a Et dedens cambre a lesbahi Et aussi aux adeviniaus 225 Al avairme et as reponniaus A lerbelette et as risees Al estuet et as reculees Au mulet au salir plus haut Et a le carette mi chaut 230 Puis a le coulee bellee Quon fait dune carole lee Au cache lievre a le clingnete Ossi a la sote buirete A le corne de buef au sel 235 Et au jetter encontre un pel Ou deniers de pione ou pieretes Et si faisions fosseletes La ou nous bourlions as nois Qui en faloit cestoit anois 240 De la tourpoie as amantins Mesbatoie soirs et matins Et sai souvent par un busiel Fait voler daige un boulonciel Ou deus ou trois ou .v. ou quatre 245 Au veoir me pooie esbatre A tels jeus et a plus asses Ai je este moult souvent lasses. Quant un peu fui plus assagis Estre me couvint plus sougis 250 Car on me fist latin aprendre Et se je varioie au rendre Mes licons jestoie batus Siques quant je fui embatus En congnissance et en cremeur 106b 255 Si se cangierent moult mi meur Non pour quant ensus de mon mestre Je ne pooie a repos estre Car aux enfans me combatoie Jere batus et je batoie 260 Lors estoie si desrees Que souvent mes draps deschires Je men retoumoie en maison La estoie mis a raison Et batus souvent mes sans doubte 265 On y perdoit sa painne toute Car pour ce ja mains nen feisse Mais que mes compagnons veisse Passer par devant moi la voie 113And also often we made 215 Helmets out of our hoods, And very frequendy in front of the girls We had fights with our mussel shells. Also when we were together like this We played "the king who does not lie," 220 "Prisoners' base" and "little lamb," And "blind man's buff," And "I'll tell you who hit me," And, indoors, we played at "dumbstruck" And also at guessing games, 225 At avainne and at "hide and seek," At erbelette and "mockeries," At "stuffing" and "retreat," At "stubborn mule" and "jump higher" And at "Michaut's cart"; 230 Then we played coulée belée Which is done to a merry round dance, At "hare chase," at "blink," Also at "foolish blockhead," At "corned beef and salt," 235 And at tossing into a hole Either lead coins or pebbles. And we made little trenches, Where we bowled with nuts; Whoever missed, it was too bad. 240 With a spinning top I entertained myself both night and day; And I often, with a little tube, Made a soap bubble fly from the water, Or two or three or five or four; 245 Truly I knew how to enjoy myself. At such games, and many more besides, I often tired myself out. When I had grown a little wiser, It was proper for me to be more submissive 250 For I was made to learn Latin And, if I wasn't consistent at reciting My lessons, I was beaten; So that, when I was plunged Into knowledge and fear, 255 My habits changed a great deal. Nonetheless, away from my schoolmaster, I could not be at rest, For I fought with the other children; I was beaten and I beat them back. 260 Then I was so torn up That often I returned home With my clothes in shreds. There I was set right And beaten often, but I guess 265 All their efforts were wasted, For I didn't do it any less for all this: Instead, when I saw my companions Pass before me on the road, 114Escusance tost je lavoie 270 Pour aler ent esbatre o euls Trop envis me trou voi e seuls Et qui me vosist retenir Se ne me peuist on tenir Car lors estoit tels mes voloirs 275 Que plaisance mestoit pouoirs Mes il mest avenu souvent Che vous ai je bien en couvent Selonc ce quencor il me samble Que voloirs et pouoirs ensamble Quoi que di que tant me valoient 280 A mon pourpos souvent faloient. Mais je passoie a si grant joie Cheli tamps se diex me resjoie Que tout me venoit a plaisir 285 Et le parler et le taisir Li alers et li estre quois 106c Javoie le temps a mon quois Dun capelet de violettes Pour donner a ces basselettes Faisoie a ce dont plus grant compte 290 Que maintenant dou don dun conte Qui me vaudroit .xx. mars dargent Javoie le coer liet et gent Et mon esperit si legier 295 Que ne le poroie eslegier En ceste douce noureture Me nourri amours et nature Nature me donnoit croissance Et amours par sa grant poissance 300 Me faisoit a tous déduis tendre Ja euisse je le corps tendre Se voloit mon coer par tout estre Et especiaument chil estre Ou a fuison de violiers 305 De roses et de pioniers Me plaisoient plus en regart Que nulle riens se diex me gart Et quant li temps venoit divers Qui nous est appelles yvers 310 Quii faisoit lait et plouvieus Par quoi je ne fuisse anoieus A mon quois pour esbas eslire Ne vosisse que rommans lire Especiaument les traitiers 315 Damours lisoie volentiers Car je concevoie en lisant Toute cose qui miert plaisant Et ce en mon commencement 106d Me donna grant avancement 320 De moi ens es biens damours traire Car plaisance avoie au retraire Les fais damours et al oir Ja nen peuisse je joir 115I right away had every excuse 270 lb go out and fight with them. I was very unwilling to find myself alone; And no matter who wished to hold me back, Yet I could not be restrained; For then my desires were such 275 That being strong was pleasurable to me. But it happened to me often— This I tell you in confidence— According to how it still seems to me, That desire and strength together, 280 Though I say how important they were to me, Often fell short of my intentions. But I spent this time in such Great joy, may God bring me joy, That everything was a pleasure to me, 285 Both speaking and not speaking, Going out and staying at home; I had as much time as I chose. I cared more then For a crown of violets 290 To give to these little girls, Than I care today for a gift from a count That would be worth twenty silver marks. I had a happy and gentle heart And my spirit was so light 295 That I could not estimate its value. With this sweet sustenance Love and Nature nourished me: Nature gave me growth And Love, by his great power, 300 Made me seek out all kinds of delights. Though I had a delicate constitution, Yet my heart wished to be everywhere, And especially those places Where an abundance of violets, 305 Roses and peonies Pleased me more to look at Than anything else, so help me God. And when the change of weather came Which we call winter, 310 When it was ugly and rainy, Because of which I was not troubled, In my seclusion, to select a diversion, I wished to do nothing but read romances. I was especially eager to read 315 Treatises of love, For I formed a conception in this reading Of everything that was pleasing to me; And this, in my beginnings, Advanced me a great deal 320 In drawing out in me the virtues of love, For I took pleasure in the retelling Of deeds of love and in hearing them, Though I could not yet enjoy them myself; 116Mais plaisance nee en jouvent 325 Encline a ce le coer souvent Et li donne la vraie fourme Sus la quele son vivant fourme En tele fourme me fourma Amours et si bien menfourma 330 Quii mest tourne a grant vaillance Sans vantise di ma plaisance Car jai par ce tel cose empris Que ne poroie mettre en pris Car tant vault la valour quai prise 335 Et le tieng de si noble emprise Que ne le poroie esprisier Tant le sceuisse haut prisier. Droitement ens ou temps de joie Que tous coers par droit se resjoie 340 Qui espoire ou pense a joir Dou bien qui le fait resjoir Car lors jolivete commence Dont nesce pas raison quon menee Dune mervelle selle avient 345 Et pour ce que il me souvient Dune aventure qui mavint Quant ma jonece son cours tint Onques dou coer puis ne missi Pour che compte en voel faire ichi 350 Ce fu ou joli mois de may 107a Je noi doubtance ne esmay Quant j entrai en un gardinet Il estoit asses matinét Un peu apries laube crevant 355 Nulle riens ne maloit grevant Mais toute cose me plaisoit Pour le joli tamps quii faisoit Et estoit apparant dou faire Chil oisellon en leur afaire 360 Cantoient sicom par estri Se liet estoient nen estri Car onques mais si matin nee Ne vei si belle matinee Encor estoit tous esteles 365 Li firmamens qui moult est les Mais lucifer qui la nuit cace Avoit ja entrepris sa cace Pour la nuit devant soi cachier Car aurora ne la pas chier 370 Anchois le tient en grant debat Et encores pour son esbat Cachier faisoit par zepherus Les tenebres de hesperus Et ensi me voelle aidier dieux 375 Se plus bel temps vi onques dieux Et se puissedi ne avant Me vint tel pensee en devant Que la me vint ne scai comment 117But pleasure born in youth 325 Often inclines the heart this way And gives it the true shape Upon which its life will be formed. In such a way Love formed me, And Love taught me so well 330 That he shaped me to great advantage, Without boasting, through my pleasure; For I have by this means undertaken Such a thing whose value cannot be measured; For the valor that I have gained is of such worth 335 And I consider it such a noble enterprise That I could not express it, No matter how highly I knew how to praise it. Right in this time of joy, That all hearts rightly rejoice in 340 Who hope or think to enjoy The good that makes them rejoice, For then happiness begins, And therefore it is not right to lie about A marvel if it occurs; 345 And because I remember an adventure That occurred to me When my youth was following its course— It has never since left my heart— For this reason I wish to recount it here. 350 It was in the pretty month of May. I had neither misgivings nor dismay When I entered a little garden. It was quite early in the morning, A little after daybreak. 355 Nothing was bothering me; Rather everything pleased me Because of the weather which was so pretty And which so clearly manifested itself. The birds in their business 360 Sang as if in competition. They were so happy (I am not surprised), For never before so early in the day Had I seen such a beautiful morning. The heaven, which is so full of joy, 365 Was still filled with stars; But Lucifer, who chases away the night, Had already begun his pursuit To drive the night before him; For Aurora does not like him 370 But rather keeps him engaged in a great quarrel; And also, for her amusement, She had Zephyrus engage in a hunt Against the shadows of Hesperus; And thus, may God help me, 375 If ever I beheld a more beautiful sight With my eyes, and if, from this time forward, Any such thought ever came before me As came then, I don't know how! 118Je me tenoie en un moment 380 Et pensoie au chant des oisiaus En regardant les arbrissiaus Dont il y avoit grant fuison 107b Et estoie sous un buisson Que nous appelions aube espine Qui devant et puis laube espine. 385 Mais la flour est de tel noblece Que la pointure petit blece Non pour quant un peu me poindi Mais maventure a boin point di. 390 Tout ensi que la me seoie Et que le firmament veoie Qui estoit plus cler et plus pur Que ne soit argent ne azur En un penser je me ravi 395 Ne scai comment mes droit la vi Trois dames et un joneciel On ne lappelloit pas ansici Ains mercurius avoit nom Moult est homme de grant renom 400 Il se scet bien de tout mesler Les enfans aprent a aler Et leur donne labilite De parler par soutieuete Jupiter si est son droit pere 405 Et dame Juno est sa mere Forment men plot la contenance Et encores plus lacointance Je ne scai ou il mot veu Mes il ma tres bien congneu 410 Car par mon droit nom me nomma Ne onques ne me sournomma Et me salua tout dotel Con fait preudomme en son hostel Je fui lies de son salu prendre 107c 415 Et tous près ossi de lui rendre Et puis li dis chiers sires dous Ne vous congnois qui estes vous Et ensi vous me congnissies Que dont que nouri meuissies Lors me dist bien te doi congnoistre 420 Car puis .iiii. ans apries ton nestre En gouvrenance tai eu Et si ne mas pas congneu Si sui je asses bien renommes 425 Car mercurius sui nommes Et ces dames que tu vois la Sont Juno venus et palla Darmes damours et de riqueces Sont les souverainnes deesses Mais ores sont un peu en tense 430 Car paris rendi ja sentense Que la pomme dor devoit estre A venus que tu vois sus destre 119I stood still for a moment 380 And considered the song of the birds As I looked at the shrubbery, Of which there was a great abundance, And I was under a bush That we call the hawthorn, 385 Which pricks both before and after dawn, But the flower is of such nobility That the points wound but little. Nonetheless, it pricked me a bit. But I will tell you my whole story. 390 Just as soon as I sat down there And looked at the heavens, Which were clearer and purer Than silver or azure, I was carried off into a reverie: 395 I don't know how, but right there I saw Three ladies and a young man; He was not called "Ansel," But Mercury was his name. He is a man of very great renown; 400 He knows how to have a hand in everything: He teaches children to walk And then gives them the ability To talk with subtlety of mind. Jupiter is his true father 405 And lady Juno is his mother. His countenance greatly pleased me And even more his friendly manner. I don't know where he had seen me, But he knew me very well, 410 For he called me by my given name And never gave me a surname, And greeted me in just the way One would a man of honor in his home. I was happy to receive his greeting 415 And also quite ready to return it, And then I said to him: "Gentle sir, I do not know you. Who are you? And how is it that you know me as well As if you had raised me?" 420 Then he said, "Well I should know you, For since four years after your birth I have had you in my governance, And still you did not recognize me; Yet I am rather well known, 425 For my name is Mercury; And these ladies, whom you see here, Are Juno, Venus, and Pallas: They are the sovereign goddesses Of arms, love, and wealth. 430 But right now they are a little at odds, For Paris gave his judgment That the golden apple should belong To Venus, whom you see on the right. 120As deus dames pas ne souffist 435 Le jugement que paris fist Mes dient que par ignorance Et par petite congnissance Acorda la pomme a venus Juno en parle plus que nus 440 Car se a lui leuist donne Elle avoit ja tout ordonne Quii euist eu par poissance Des grigois tres belle vengance Si fu paris nices et lours 445 Quant il donna le pomme aillours Et pour un peu de vanite 107d Perdi proece et dignite Mieuls li vausist eu avoir Possessions et grant avoir 450 Que lamour de la belle helainne Ce ne prise jou une lainne Son pere si frere et sa mere En furent mort de mort amere Et bien vint mille chevalier En fist on en armes taillier 455 Et ossi tamaint millier domme Ce fu une trop maie pomme Et pour troiiens chier vendue Et amours povrement rendue 460 Que venus li guerredonna Car par ce la guerre donna Et une povre confiture Par mortele desconfiture Aux troiiens qui li plus monde Et li plus preu ierent dou monde 465 Et tu quen dis or respont ent Ha! chiers sires di je comment Vous saroie de ce respondre Ne bien la vérité espondre 470 Car je sui de sens ignorans Et de peu davoir signourans Et mercures lors me regarde Et me dist prens tu dont la garde Tant en pues tu miex dire voir 475 Car en eage et en avoir Sont malisces hainne envie Et pour ce que de jone vie Te voi selonc ce quii test vis 108a Je tempri di ment ton avis Et se paris qui on fist juge 480 De la pomme rendi bon juge Volentiers puis quii vous plest dire Que jen responde voir chiers sire Quant les dames paris trouverent 485 Et son jugement li rouverent Ja savóit paris de certain Qua grant avoir ne faurroit grain Car fils de royne et de roi 121The other two ladies are not satisfied 435 With the judgment that Paris made, But say that it was through ignorance And his lack of understanding that He awarded the apple to Venus. Juno speaks of it more than anyone 440 For, had he given it to her, She had already arranged everything So that he would have had power to take Great revenge upon the Greeks; Thus Paris was silly and dull-witted 445 When he gave die apple elsewhere And for a bit of vanity Forfeited prowess and dignity. It would have been of more value for him To have possessions and great fortune 450 Than the love of the beautiful Helen! I don't consider this worth a fleece of wool. His father, his brothers, and his mother Died a bitter death because of it, And indeed twenty thousand knights 455 Had to be fitted out in arms, And likewise many thousand others. That was a very evil apple And bought dearly by the Trojans, And the love that Venus granted him 460 As a reward was poorly repaid; For through it she gave war And a sorry preservation By mortal annihilation To the Trojans, who were the most virtuous 465 And most valiant people in the world. And you, what do you say about this? Now answer." —"Ah! Dear sir," said I, "How Would I know how to answer this Or how to interpret the truth? For I am lacking in wisdom 470 And lord of little wealth." And Mercury looked at me then And said to me: "Are you concerned about that? So much the better can you speak the truth, 475 For in age and possessions Are found Malice, Hate and Envy; And because I see that you are young, According to how it seems to you, I beg you, tell me your opinion And whether Paris, who was made the judge, 480 Gave a good judgment about the apple." "Gladly, since it pleases you to say That I should tell the truth, dear sir. When the ladies found Paris 485 And turned the judgment over to him, Paris already knew for certain That he need not worry about having great wealth, For the son of a queen and a king 122Ne puet fallir a noble arroi 490 Et sii ne donna a Juno La pomme de mains ne len lo Aussi ni acompta pas la Ne a la deesse palla Car jones et fors se sentoit 495 Et hardemens en li sentoit Tout ce ne li pooit tollir Pallas ne sen corps affoiblir Car ce que diex donne et nature Ne puet tollir nulle aventure 500 Elle leuist bien fait plus preus Et aux armes plus euwireus Quii ne fust non pour quant par mame As armes ne prist onques blame 505 Siques je sench que quant paris Donna la pomme a tous péris As grans avoirs ne as fortunes Nacompta .ii. petites prunes Vis li fu il avoit asses 510 Avoirs et trésors amasses Et si estoit en son venir 108b Si eut un joieus souvenir Tels que jones homs doit avoir Li quels tient terre et grant avoir Dont la pomme bien ordonna 515 Quant la deesse le donna Car il senamoura delainne Dont fist sa dame souverainne Dont son jugement a bon tieng Et le tenrai et le maintieng 520 Ou que je soie ne quel part Mercures lors de moy se part Et me dist che moult bien savoie Tout li amant vont celle voie. A tant mercures me laissa 525 Dont noient ne mesleecha Car volentiers euisse este Avoec lui encor un este Sestre peuist car mes pourfis Y fust grans je men tieng pour fis 530 Et a che quii sesvanui Juno sa mere le sieui Et pallas je ne les vi plus Mes dales moy remest venus Damours la dame et la deesse 535 Vi er s moy vint et dist biaus fils esce Bielle cose de bien ouvrer Tu le poras ychi prouver Car pour ce que bon tai veu Et que tu as si bien sceu 540 A mercurius bel respondre Et sa parolle au voir expondre Tu en aras grant guerredon 108c Car je te donne ychi un don 123Could not fail to be nobly arrayed. 490 And if he did not give Juno The apple, he would have no less; Thus he need not take her into account Nor the goddess Pallas, For he felt young and strong 495 And he was full of hardiness, Pallas could not take all this from him Nor could she weaken his body, For whatever God and Nature give No turn of events can take away 500 She could, of course, have made him more valorous And more successful in arms Than he had been. But nevertheless, by my soul, He was never blameworthy at arms. Therefore I feel that, when Paris 505 Awarded the apple, to everyone's misfortune, He didn't figure that great possessions and Fortune were worth two little plums. It was clear to him that he had amassed Enough belongings and treasures, 510 And so it was from the beginning of his life; So he had a happy outlook Such as a young man must have, One who owns property and great possessions. Thus he awarded the apple correctly 515 When he gave it to the goddess; For he was enamored of Helen And thus made her his sovereign lady. Therefore I consider his judgment was good And I will hold to and maintain that, 520 Wherever I am, no matter the place." Mercury then stepped away from me And said: "I knew this perfectly well! All lovers travel down this road." At that Mercury left me, 525 For which nothing would console me Since I would gladly have remained With him for another summer Had it been possible; for my profit in being With him was great, I firmly believe. 530 As soon as he had vanished, His mother Juno followed him And Pallas too: I saw them no more. But Venus, the lady and goddess Of love, remained nearby; 535 She came to me and said: "Dear son, Is it a fine thing to do a good deed? You can prove it here, For because I have seen that you are good And that you knew so well how 540 To respond to Mercury appropriately And expound truthfully upon his words, You will have a great reward, For I grant you here a gift: 124Vis tant que poes dor en avant 545 Mais tu aras tout ton vivant Coer gai joli et amoureus Tenir ten dois pour euwireus De ce te fai je tout seur Tu dois bien amer tel eur 550 Pluiseur laroient volentiers Mais je nen donne pas le tiers Non pas le quart non pas le quint Ja aient chil corps frice et quoint Mais quant tu mas veu en face 555 Cest drois que grant grasce te face Et il te vault trop mieuls avoir Plaisance en coer que grant avoir Avoirs se piert et joie dure Regarde se je te sui dure 560 Et encores pour mieuls parfaire Ten don ta grasce et ton afaire Une vertu en ton coer ente Que dame belle jone et gente De tout ton coer tu ameras 565 Obéiras et cremiras Car amours ne vault nulle rien Sans cremour je le te di bien Et tant ten plaira lordenance Et la douce perseverance 570 Que de foi de coer et de sens Diras apartoi en ce temps Plus de mille fois la semainne Quonques tele ne fu helainne Pour qui paris ot tant de mauls 108d 575 Or regarde se piente vauls Quant je te donne don si noble Il na jusquen constantinnoble Empereour roy duc ne conte Tant en doie on faire grant compte 580 Qui ne sen tenist a paiies Mais je voel que tout ce aiies Et que perseveres avant Et tout ce que jai dit devant. Et je qui fui en coer souspris 585 Et esbahis a parler pris Moult simplement et moult doubtieus Contre terre clinans mes yeus Ce fu raison car jones dans Estoie encor et ignorans 590 Et si navoie pas apris A oir cose de tel pris Ne a recevoir tel present Dont venus me faisoit present Lors levai un petit la face 595 Et di ma dame a dieu or place Que servisce vous puisse faire Qui me vaille et me puist parfaire Car jen aroie grant mestier 125Live as much as you can from this day forward, 545 But you will always have for your entire life A merry, joyous, and loving heart; You must consider yourself fortunate. Of this I give you complete assurance. You must be pleased with such good luck: 550 Many would be glad to have it, But I do not give it to a third, Nor a fourth, nor a fifth, Though they have young and graceful bodies. But since you have seen me face to face, 555 It is right that I should do you a great favor, And it is worth much more to you to have Pleasure of the heart than great possessions: Wealth diminishes and joy endures; See if % am treating you harshly! 560 And also, to make even better Your gift, your favor, and your affairs, I add one more quality to your heart: That with all your heart You will love, obey, and respect A beautiful lady, young and noble; 565 For love is worth nothing Without respect, I tell you for certain. And the situation will so please you, And the sweet perseverance, 570 That you will then say to yourself With faith, heart, and mind, More than a thousand times each week, That never was Helen, for whom Paris had So much suffering, such a woman as this. 575 Now see whether it is worth much When I give you such a noble gift! There is not, from here to Constantinople, An emperor, king, duke, or count No matter how great he must be considered, 580 Who would not think himself paid in full. But I want you to have all this And to persevere In everything I have said before." And I who was surprised in my heart 585 And abashed, began to speak Very simply and with much apprehension, Turning my eyes towards the ground. This was only right, for I was still Young in years and ignorant, 590 And so I had not learned Ίο hear anything of such value, Nor to receive such a present As Venus was bestowing upon me. Then I raised my face a little 595 And said: "My lady, may it please God That I might do you service Which is worthy of me and can perfect me, For I would have a hard time 126Pour ma jonece en bien haucier 600 Mais dittes moi ains quen aillies Puis que tel grasce me baillies Quel tempore mares en garde Et venus adont me regarde Et me dist .x. ans tous entiers 605 Seras mes drois servans rentiers Et en apries sans penser visee 109a "Tout ten vivant en mon servisce Dame di je or me laist diex faire En coer en foi et en afaire 610 Cose qui vous soit agreable Et a mon jouvent bien veable Car je ne quier ne voel aler Contre vous ne vostre parler Tant en vault la douce ordenance Que grant joie en mon coer avance 615 La ne respondí point venus De moi parti ne le vei plus Sous laube espine remes seuls Pensane en coer et moult viseus 620 Qui! me pooit estre avenu Mais il ma trop bien souvenu De la tres grant biaute de li Dont tous li coers men abelli Et pensai a ce longement 625 Quii miert avenu et comment Venus mot dit a sa plaisance Mon bien mon preu et ma vaillance Sest raisons que je le retiengne Et que dou tout a lui me tiengne 630 Ossi fai ne aultre ne voel Dou tout je mordonne a son voel Car elle ma amonneste Francise sens et honneste De moi le lairai couvenir Car tous biens men poet avenir 635 Ensi disoie en mon pourpos Et tous seules la le pourpos Par ma foi bien me doi amer 109b Quant venus me dagne entamer 640 Le coer de sa tres grant valour Diex comme est fresce de coulour Maintien joli corps frisce et gent Pas ne le monstre a toute gent Mais monstre le ma elle aumains 645 Et en ses douls parlers humains Mest son confers ossi garis Com je fuisse li biaus paris Nés de troies la grant cite Sicom je vous ai recite Que delainne elle enamoura 650 En tous ses fais grant amour a Si les vodrai sieuir et croire 127Rising to the occasion because of my youth. 600 But tell me, before you go away, Since you offer me such grace, How long will you have me in your care?" And Venus then looked at me And said: "For ten full years 605 You will be my liege servant, And afterwards, without thinking it a bad thing, You will spend all of your life in my service." —"Lady," said I, "Now may God allow me to do, In my heart, spirit, and actions, 610 That which will be agreeable to you And proper to my youth, For I do not wish or desire to go Against you or what you have said; This sweet disposition of matters is so worthy 615 That great joy wells in my heart." Venus did not respond to this at all. She left me; I saw her no more. Under the hawthorn bush I remained alone, Wondering in my heart and very pensive 620 About what could have happened to me. But I remembered all too well Her great beauty, Which had embellished my entire heart. And I thought about it a long time, 625 What had happened to me, and how Venus had with pleasure spoken to me of My virtue, gallantry, and valor; And so it is right that I remember it And that I hold fast to her in every way. 630 This I do, nor do I want anything else: I surrender myself entirely to her will, For she admonished me to practice Candor, wisdom, and honesty. Let her take charge of me, For in this way everything good can come to me. 635 Thus I said in my reflections, And all alone there, I made this resolution: "By my faith, I must congratulate myself, Since Venus deigns to take charge of 640 My heart in her very great worthiness. God, how bright she is in her color! Pleasing conduct, lively and noble bearing! She does not show all this to everyone, But she has shown it to me at least; 645 And in her sweet kind words She has also offered her support As if I were the handsome Paris Born in the great city of Troy, Just as I have told you, 650 He whom she made to fall in love with Helen. In all these events there is great love; And so I will wish to follow them and believe them, 128Car sa parolle est toute voire Et mieuls ne me puis avanchier 655 Mon nom ne mon fait essauchier Que par estre vrais amoureus Et a lui servir curieus. Ensi aparmoi devisoie Et a venus souvent visoie 660 Et conchevoie sa biaute Sa parole et sa loyaute Mais de che quelle esvanuie Estoit de moi forment manuie Trop iert de moi briefment partie 665 Et se ne scai en quel partie Elle iert retraite ne tournee Jai depuis tamainte journee Aie aux camps mon corps esbatre Mais onques ne me peuch embatre 670 A tele heure com lors je fis 109c Dont puis tenus men sui mains fis Et ai dit depuis pluiseurs fois En camps en jardins et en bois Pour ce que point ne li veoie 675 Vraiement que songiet avoie Songes nest fors que vainne cose Fols est que vérité y pose Mais quant javoie tout vise Et ce pour songe devise Et je pensoie au temps present 680 Dont venus me faisoit present Je disoie par saint francois Que maventure estoit ancois Averie a voir qua menconge Et que pas nen fesisse songe 685 Mais une vérité tres ferme Raison pour quoy dedens brief terme Apries ceste mienne aventure Sicom jones homs saventure Et en pluiseurs lieus il sembat 690 Par compagnie ou par esbat Je membati en une place Au dieu damours men tretiet place Car ma matere ychi sesprime 695 Droitement sus leure de prime Sesbatoit une damoiselle Au lire .i. rommanc moi vers elle Men ving et li dis doucement Par son nom ce rommanc comment 700 Lappelles vous ma belle et douce Elle cloy atant la bouce Sa main dessus le livre adoise 109d Lors respondí comme courtoise Et me dist de cleamodes 705 Est appelles il fu bien fes Et dittes amoureusement 129For everything she said is completely true, And I could not improve myself more in any way, 655 Nor make my name and deeds to be more exalted Than by being a true lover And serving her eagerly." Thus I thought things over to myself And often pictured Venus in my mind 660 And imagined her beauty, Her words and her loyalty; But because she had disappeared From me, I was greatly disturbed. She had left me much too quickly, 665 And so I did not know where She had gone or turned. I had for many a day Gone to the fields to take a pleasant walk, But never could I enjoy myself 670 With such happiness as I had before. Thus I have since been less sure And have said many times, In fields, in gardens, and in woods, Because I never see her there at all, 675 That I had truly been dreaming: Dreams are but vain things, And whoever imagines truth there is foolish. But, when I had considered everything And worked this out as a dream, 680 And I thought of the present time Of which Venus had made me a gift, I said, by Saint Francis, That my experience was as much Confirmed as a truth as it was a lie, And that I should not consider it a dream, 685 But something completely truthful. The reason? Within a short time After this adventure of mine, In the way that young men venture out 690 And amuse themselves in various places For companionship or pleasure, I was enjoying myself in a certain place: May my treatise be pleasing to the god of Love, For my theme expresses itself here. 695 At exactly six o'clock in the morning A young lady was amusing herself At reading a romance. I came Towards her and said to her gently: "By what name do you call this 700 Romance, my lovely and sweet one?" At that she dosed her mouth, And set her hand upon the book; Then she responded like a courteous lady And said: "It is called 705 Cleomadés. It is well written And amorously composed. 130Vous lores si dires comment Vous plaira dessus vostre avis Je regardai lors son douls vis 710 Sa coulour fresce et ses vairs yeux On noseroit souhaidier mieux Car ceveles avoit plus blons Quns lins ne soit tout apoint lons 715 Et portoit si tres belles mains Que bien sen passeroit dou mains La plus frice dame dou monde Vrais diex com lors iert belle et monde De gai maintien et de gent corps Belle di je adont je macors 720 A ce que je vous oe lire Nest sons dinstrument ne de lire Ou je prende si grant esbat Et la damoiselle sembat En un lieu qui adonnoit rire 725 Or ne vous saroi je pas dire Le douls mouvement de sa bouce Il samble quelle ni atouce Tant rit souef et doucement Et non mies trop longement Mais a point comme la mieuls nee 730 Dou monde et tout la plus senee Et bien garnie de doctrine Car elle estoit a point estrine En regart en parolle en fait Li sens de lui grant bien me fait 735 Et quant elle ot lut une espasse Elle me requist par sa grasse Que je vosisse un petit lire 110a Ne leuisse ose contredire 740 Ne ne vosisse nullement Adont lisi tant seulement Des foelles ne scai .ii. ou trois Elle lentendoit bien entrois Que je lisoie diex li mire 745 Adont laissames nous le lire Et entrames en aultres gengles Mais ce furent parolles sengles Ensi que jones gens sesbatent Et quen wiseuses il sembatent 750 Pour euls deduire et solacier Et pour le temps aval glacier Mais je scai moult bien qua celle heure Le diex damours me courri seure Et me traist de la droite flece 755 Dont les plus amoureus il blece Et si conchuc la maladie Par un regart se diex maye Que la belle et bonne me fist Cupido adont se fourfist 760 A ce que jai de sentement Car pas ne traist parellement 131You will hear it, if you will say How it pleases you according to your opinion." I looked then at her sweet face, 710 Her bright color and her gray eyes. One could not wish for better, For she had hair more blonde Than flax is, very long, And she had such very beautiful hands 715 That the finest lady in the world Would easily settle for less. True God, how beautiful and lively she was, With a merry demeanor and noble bearing! "Pretty one," I said then, "I agree 720 That I will listen to you read; There is no sound of instrument or lyre In which I would take such great pleasure." And the maiden started in At a passage that made us laugh. 725 Now I would not know how to describe The sweet movement of her mouth: It seems that she made no effort at it, So softly and gently she laughed, And not a bit too long, But just right, like the highest born woman 730 In the world, and the wisest And best endowed with doctrine, For she was exactly correct In look, in word, and in deed. Her good sense benefited me greatly. 735 And when she had read for a bit, She requested of me by her grace That I would read a little. I did not dare to contradict her, 740 Nor did I wish to at all. Therefore I read only a few Pages, I don't know, two or three. She listened carefully, while I read, God bless her. Then we left behind reading 745 And entered into other chit-chat. But these were innocent words, Such as young people bandy about And toss around in amusement 750 To enjoy themselves and have pleasure And to pass the time away. But I know very well that at that hour The god of Love hunted me down And wounded me with the very arrow With which he wounds those who love most; 755 And so I contracted the disease By means of a glance, so help me God, Which the good and lovely one gave me. Cupid broke his own rules in doing this, 760 That is how I feel, For he did not give equal treatment 132A ma dame sicomme a moi Je lescuse et escuser doi Ensi quon doit son signour faire 765 Car sires ne se poet mesfaire Aucunement viers son servant Espoir avoit il ja devant Trait sa flece douce et joieuse Sus ma dame et fait amoureuse 770 Dautrui que de moi au voir dire 110b Ne amettre ne escondire Ne len vodroie nullement Alais bien scai que parellement Ne fu com moi la belle traite 775 Pour quele amour ce dittie traite Je men scai bien a quoi tenir Or voel au pourpos revenir Dont je parloie maintenant Il est vrai que tout en riant Quant che vint la au congiet prendre 780 La belle ou riens na que reprendre Me dist moult amoureusement Revenes nous car vraiement A vostre lire preng plaisir 785 Je nen vodroie defallir Belle di je pour nulle rien Hemi que ce me fist de bien Car quant venus fui al hostel Je me mis en un penser tel 790 Qui onques puis ne me falli Jeuch bien cause qui massalli La biaute de la belle et bonne Di je jai este a nerbonne Cerchiet la francé et avignon 795 Mais je ne donroie un ougnon De tous les voiages quai fais Viers cesti or sui je parfais Ne onques nuls homs ne fa si Poroit il jamais estre ensi Que celle me daignast amer 800 Ne len oseroie parler Car se je len parloie voir 110c Tel cose se poroit mouvoir Que ses escondis averoie Par quoi mon esbat perderoie 805 Et plus niroie en sa maison Dont bien y a cause et raison Que jen vive et soie en cremeur Mais tant sont sage et bon si meur 810 Que moult les doi recommender En ses fais na riens quamender Destourbier ne dure esperance Pour moi ni voi fors grant plaisance Elle se jeue a moi et rit 815 Ja ma elle priiet et dit Que je me voise esbatre o soi 133To my lady as to me. I excuse and must excuse him, As one is obliged to one's lord, 765 For a master cannot do wrong In any way towards his servant. Perhaps he had already earlier shot His sweet and joyous arrow At my lady, and made her fall in love 770 With someone else besides me. To tell the truth, I would not want either to accuse Or shame him for it at all, But I know very well that the beautiful one Was not shot at all in the way I was, 775 She for whose love I write this poem: I have learned what to depend on!— Now I wish to come back to the point That I was discussing just now. It is true that in laughter, 780 When it came time to take our leave, The lovely one, in whom there is no flaw, Said to me very lovingly: "Come back and we will meet again, for truly I take pleasure in your reading." 785 —"I would not want to miss it, Lovely one," said I, "for anything." Alas! What good this did me! For when I had returned to my room, I put myself into a way of thinking 790 That has never left me since. I certainly had a good case brought against me: The beauty of the fine and virtuous lady. Said I: "I have been to Narbonne, Traveled through both France and Avignon, 795 But I would not give an onion For all those trips I have made Next to this. Now I am complete, As no man ever was before. Could it ever really be true That this woman would deign to love me? 800 I would not dare to speak to her of it, For if I were to speak of it, truly, The result could be That I would be rejected And so would lose my happiness 805 And never again enter her house. Thus there is good cause and reason That I live and exist in fear. But her ways are so wise and good That I must commend them highly; 810 In her deeds there is nothing to improve; I see neither turmoil nor painful hoping For me there, but great pleasure: She plays with me and laughs; 815 Already she has asked me and said That I might look forward to amusing myself with her. 134En tout ce grant bien je perchoi Et sil y avoit nul contraire Que ses yeux me vosist retraire 820 Et que de moi ne fesist compte Si scai je bien quant mon temps compte Que se pour samour je moroie Milleur fin avoir ne poroie. En ce penser que je pourpos 825 Mis lors mon coer et mon pourpos Et mi embati si au vif Quencor en cel estât je vif Et y morrai et rendrai ame Escrisiesle ensi sus ma lame 830 Pas ne mis sacies en oubli La parolle que jeuch de li Mais sougneusement y alai Hemi depuis accate lai Non pour quant jai tout en gre pris 110d 835 Tout quanq quamours men a apris Quant premierement vins vers elle Ne losoie que nommer belle Par dieu pas ne le sournommoie Mais par son droit nom le nommoie 840 Car plus belle ne vich ains dieus Si ai je este en moult de lieus Une fois dales li estoie A je ne scai quoi esbatoie Et elle par sa courtoisie Me dist jones homs je vous prie 845 Qun rommanch me prestes pour lire Bien vees ne le vous faut dire Que je mi esbas volentiers Car lires est uns douls mestiers Quiconques le fait par plaisance 850 Ne scai au jour dui or denance Ou jaie mieuls entente et euer Je ne li euisse a nul fuer Dit dou non ce deves bien croire 855 Mais li dis par parolle voire Certes belle je le ferai Et dun livre vous pourverai Ou vous prenderes grans solas Tout en riant me dist helas Je le vodroie ja tenir 860 Congiet pris sans plus dastenir Et men retournai en maison Cupido qui de son tison Tout enarse mavoit feru 865 Ma présentement secouru Ce fu dune pensee douce 111a Errant me chei en la bouce Et en la souvenance ossi Dont pour lors trop bien me chei 870 Que dou baillieu damours avoie 135In all this, I perceive great good And, since there was no refusal, Her eyes wished to recall me 820 And she was paying attention to me, Then I am sure, when I consider my situation, That, if I were to die for love of her, I could have no better end." In this thought that I describe 825 I then set my heart and my intention And plunged myself into it so sincerely That I still live in this state And will die in it and give up my soul; Thus it will be inscribed on my tomb. 830 I did not, you understand, forget The words that I had from her, But proceeded carefully in that respect. Ah me! I have since paid dearly for this! Nonetheless I have taken it all for the best, 835 Just as Love taught me to. When I first came toward her, I dared call her nothing but "beautiful." By God, I will not give her surname, But will call her by this apt name, 840 For I have seen no more beautiful woman anywhere, Though I have been many places. One time, I was near her; I was amusing myself at I know not what, And she, in her courtesy, Said to me, "Young man, I ask you 845 To lend me a romance to read: You understand—I need not tell you— That I like to amuse myself that way Since reading is a sweet pastime, For whoever does it for pleasure. 850 I do not know today of any activity For which I have more desire and heart." I would in no way refuse her, This you must certainly believe, But said to her in truthful words: 855 "Certainly, beautiful lady, I will do it And I will provide a book for you In which you will take great pleasure." Laughing, she said to me, "Alas, I would that I had it already!" 860 We parted without further delay, And I returned to my house. Cupid, who had gotten me enfiamed With his firebrand, Presently rescued me; 865 It was with a pleasant thought; Quickly it came into my mouth And into my memory as well— Thus, then, it came to me very luckily— 870 That I had the book Batllieu d'Amours. 136Le livre tantost li envoie Au plus bellement que je peuc Or vous dirai quel pourpos euc 875 Avant ce que li envoiai En un penser je mavoiai Et dis aparmoi je voi bien Que celle qui tant a de bien Nose requerir de samour Et vifs de ce en grant cremour 880 Car tant doubte son escondire Que pour ce ne li ose dire Dont ferai je une cose gente Que jescrirai toute mentente En une lettre et le lairai 885 Ou livre ou quel lencloerai Elle le trouvera sans doubte A ce pourpos mis errant doubte Et dis il poroit moult bien estre Quen aultres mains venroit la lettre 890 Et je ne vodroie a nul fuer Quon adevinast sus no euer Espoir tels ou tele laroit Qui trop fort grever rni poroit Si vault mieuls que je me deporte 895 Quon mi vee voie ne porte Mais el moult bien faire porai Dont encor nouvelles orai Sans perii et sans prejudisce lllb Nest nuls ne nulle qui mal disce 900 Dune cancón se on le troeve En un rommanch quon clot et oevre Met y dont une canchonnette Sen vaudra miex ta besongnette Car aultre cose ne requiert A present li cas ne ne quiert 905 Il te couvient dissimuler Soit en venir soit en aler Soit ou en parler ou en taire D aultre cose nas tu que faire 910 Ensi en moi me debatoie Mais noient ne mi esbatoie Car amours et cremeurs ensamble Me faisoient tamaint example Pour moi mieuls en avis fourmer 915 Et pour mon corage enfourmer Toutes fois a ce massend Et bonne amour le consenti Que une balade nouvelle Que javoie plaisans et belle 920 Faite de nouviel sentement Escripsi tout présentement Au plaisir damours qui me mainne Fait lavoie en celle sepmainne Or lisies et vous veres u 925 Et comment elle faite fu. 137Immediately I sent it to her In the most pleasant way I could. Now I will tell you my intention: 875 Before I sent it to her, In my thoughts I acknowledged And said to myself: "I see well That this lady who has so much goodness Dares not come forward with her love And I live in great fear of this, 880 For I am so afraid of her disapproval That for this reason I dare not speak to her. Therefore I will do something noble: I will write all my thoughts In a letter, and will leave it 885 In the book, where I will enclose it. She will certainly find it." To this intention I added a quick doubt And said: "It could certainly happen That the letter would fall into other hands, 890 And I would not like in any way For anyone to guess what is in our hearts; Perhaps such a man or woman would have it, Who could trouble me greatly with it; Thus it is better that I behave in a way 895 That reveals neither my route nor door. But I could very well arrange it in another way, And still hear news of it, Without danger and without damage: There is no man or woman who will speak evil 900 Of a song, if one finds it In a romance that one closes and opens. Therefore I will put a little song in it, So that your little affair will go better, For the case does not at present require 905 Or demand anything more. It is in your best interest to dissimulate, Be it in coming or in going, Be it in speaking or remaining silent; There is nothing else for you to do." 910 Thus I debated with myself, But none of it pleased me, For Love and Fear together Made for me so many examples To form a stronger opinion in me 915 And to build up my courage. Finally I settled on this, And Good Love agreed, That I wrote out a new ballade, A pleasant and beautiful one, 920 Composed out of new feelings, That I had written just then. In the pleasure of Love that leads me I had written it that very week. Now read, and you will see in what circumstances 925 And manner it was made: <target id="page_138" target-type="page">138</target>.Balade. A tres plaisans et jolie Lie mon coer et rench pris Pris men croist sans villonnie Onnie est en bien de pris 111c 930 Pris me rench en la prison La belle que tant prison A ceste merancolie Colie mon coer toutdis Dis en fei car je mendie 935 Die qui voelt cest pourfis Fis sui quains sans mesprison La belle que tant prison Dame lappelle et amie Alie ne le fai envis 940 Vis mest que lains sans envie Vie men croist et avis Vis me rench pour le prison La belle que tant prison En une cedule petite 945 Fu la balade bien escripte Et puis ens ou rommanch le mis Et a celle je le tramis Qui moult liement le rechut Et qui tout ou de pries le lut 950 Quant elle le me renvoia Grandement men remercia Je rechuc sen bon gre tous lies Et si fui moult tost consillies De regarder se ou rommant 955 Est la balade que devant Mais tout ensi ne plus ne mains Que je Ii euch mis a mes mains Le trouvai sans avoir escange Ha! di jou vechi cose estrange 960 La balade a laissiet la belle Ou lieu ou le mis aumains selle 111d Leuist un petit regardee Moult fust bien la besongne alee Se tenu leuist ne puet estre 965 Que retourne neuist la lettre Or il me couvient ce souffrir Et mon coer a martire offrir Tant est belle plaisans et douce De corps de mains dieux et de bouce 970 Que mieuls men vault la penitance Que de nulle aultre la cointance. Damours ce premerain assai En tres grant pensement passai Mais jonece voir me portoit 975 <target id="page_139" target-type="page">139</target>Ballade To the very pleasing and pretty lady I bind my heart and offer praise. Respect without dishonor grows within me. She is uniformly virtuous. 930 I make myself a captive in the prison of The beauty who is so highly esteemed. To this melancholy My heart has abandoned itself forever. I speak of it, for I am a beggar. 935 Say what one will, it is done: I am sure that I love without any mistake The beauty who is so highly esteemed. I call her my lady and my love: Nor do I begrudge her this at all. 940 It is clear that I love without envy. My life grows out of it and my resolution. I surrender myself alive to the prison of The beauty who is so highly esteemed. On a little slip of paper 945 The ballade was carefully written, And then I put in into the romance And took it to my lady, Who received it very happily And who read it all, or nearly all. 950 When she sent it back to me, She thanked me profusely. I received her thanks with great happiness; And so I very soon decided To see whether the ballade was 955 In the romance where it was before. But just the same, neither more nor less, As I had put it in with my own hands, I found it and had nothing in exchange. "Ha!" said I, "Here is a strange thing! 960 My beautiful lady has left the ballade In the place where I put it. If only she Had looked at it just a little! The business would have gone very well, Had she taken it! It could not be 965 That she would have returned the letter. Now I will have to suffer this And offer my heart in martyrdom, For she is so beautiful, so pleasing and sweet, In her body, her hands, her eyes, and her mouth, 970 That the penance will be better for me Than the friendship of any other woman." I spent that afternoon in Deep thoughts of love. But youth, truly, came to my aid 975 140Et amours ossi menhortoit Que je perseverasse avant Souvent rne mettoie au devant De elle car quant le veoie Tout le jour plus lies men trouvoie 980 Or avint qun apries disner En un jardin alai jeuer Ou ot esbatemens pluisours De roses de lis et de flours Et dautres esbas mainte cose 985 Et la une vermelle rose Cuellai sus un moult vert rosier Et puis men vinch sans point noisier Tout liement devant lostel De ma dame jeuch leur tel 990 Que daventure li trouvai A lui ving et se li rouvai Que par amours le vosist prendre Elle respondí sans atendre 112a Sus le point dou non recevoir 995 Et me dist par moult grant savoir Et par parlers douls et humains Laissies le elle est en bonnes mains Et je li dis prendes le dame Car en milleurs ira par mame 1000 Et elle doucement le prist Et en parlant un peu sourist Ce me fist grant joie et grant bien Quant je vi le bon plaisir sien Congiet pris et de îa parti 1005 Mais au depart moult me parti Grandement de son douls espart Je men retournai celle part Ou la rose coelliet avoie Car plus biel lieu je ne savoie 1010 Desbatemens ne de gardins La estoie soirs et matins Et moult souvent trestout le jour Tant mi plaisoient li séjour Que je ne vosisse ailleurs estre 1015 Et quant revenus fui en lestre Par desous le rosier masis Ou de roses ot plus de sis Et droit la fis un virelay Tout otel que droit chi mis lay. 1020 .Virelay. Coers qui rechoit en bon gre Che que li temps li envoie En bien en plaisance en joie Sen eage use en sante Par tout dire loseroie 112b 1025 Comment quen la douce vie Damours li pluiseur bien sont 141And Love also exhorted me That I should press ahead. Often I put myself before her, For, when I saw her, I found myself happier for it all day long. 980 Then it happened that after dinner one evening I went to relax in a garden Where I had many pleasures From the roses, the lilies, and the flowers And many other delights. 985 And there I gathered a deep red rose From a very green rosebush; And then I went, without any ado, With great happiness to the dwelling Of my lady. I had the pleasure as well 990 As the good fortune to find her there. I came to her, and thus revealed to her That I wished her to take the rose out of love. She answered, without hesitation, In the way of a refusal, 995 And said to me with great wisdom And in sweet, sympathetic words: "Leave it, it is in good hands." And I said to her: "Take it, lady, For it will go to better ones, by my soul." 1000 And she took it gently And smiled a little as she spoke. This gave me great joy and satisfaction, When I saw her great pleasure. I took my leave and parted from her; 1005 But at my departure I felt a great sense Of separation from her sweet look. I returned to that spot Where I had picked the rose, For I knew of no more beautiful place 1010 Of recreation nor no lovelier garden. I was there evenings and mornings And very often the whole day long. The time spent here pleased me so much That I did not wish to be elsewhere. 1015 And when I had returned to the place, I sat down beneath the rosebush, Where there were more than half a dozen roses, And right there I composed a virelay Exactly as I have put it down here: 1020 Virelay Aheart that willingly receives Whatever the times may send In goodness, pleasure, and joy Spends its old age in good health. I would dare to say this everywhere. 1025 Although in the sweet life Of love most are deeply 142Navre dune maladie Et ne sevent pas quil ont Mais leur coers de ce secre 1030 Congiioist bien la droite voie Hemi vrais diex se javoie Un seul petit de clarte Trop plus liement diroie Coers qui rechoit etc. 1035 Plus plaisant ne plus jolie Na je croi en tout le mont Que ma dame qui me lie Le coer mes en larmes font Car quant jai a tout pense 1040 Ne scai se li oseroie Dire que ma vie est soie Et selle nen a pite Nest drois que plus dire doie Coers qui rechoit etc. 1045 Ce virelay fis en otant Despasse quon liroit notant Et puis si me parti diluee A mon departement avoec Moi estoient en contenance 1050 Douls pensers espoirs et plaisance Et grant compagnie me tinrent Noef ou dis jours avoec moi vinrent Et si mavint un peu apries Quen un hostel joindant moult pries 1055 De cesti ou demoroit celle Qui tant estoit plaisans et belle 112c Nous .v. ou nous .vi. dun eage Y venimes de liet corage Et mengames dou fruit nouviel 1060 En solas et en grant reviel La estoit ma dame avoec nous Dont li contenemens fu dous Mais ne li osai samblant faire Dont on peuist penser estraire 1065 De la partesimes ensi Moi tous jours attendans mersi Cangoie souvent maint pourpos Et disoie se tu nies os De li remonstrer ton corage 1070 Je ne te tenrai pas a sage 143Wounded by a sickness And do not know what is wrong, Still their heart knows very well 1030 The true path of their inmost feelings. Ah me! True God, if I had Only a little bit of insight I would say much more happily: A heart that willingly receives 1035 [Whatever the times may send In goodness, pleasure, and joy Spends its old age in good health. I would dare to say this everywhere.] There is no woman more pleasing nor More lovely in all the world, I think, Than my lady, who gladdens My heart. But it dissolves in tears, For, when I have thought it all over, 1040 I do not know if I would dare Tell her that my life is hers; And if she does not have pity, It is not right that I should keep saying: A heart that willingly receives 1045 [Whatever the times may send In goodness, pleasure, and joy Spends its old age in good health. I would dare to say this everywhere.] I composed this virelay in the time It would take to write it down, And then I went away from there. At my departure, with me In spirit were 1050 Sweet Thought, Hope, and Pleasure, And they kept me good company. Nine or ten days they stayed with me, And then it happened shortly afterwards That at a home very near 1055 To the one that was the dwelling of This lady who was so pleasing and beautiful, Five or six of us of the same age Came there with happy hearts And ate some new fruit, 1060 In pleasure and great reveling. With us there was my lady, Whose demeanor was gende. But I did not dare make any show That anyone might think strange. 1065 Thus we departed from that place. I, always waiting for her mercy, Often changed my mind And said: "If you do not dare To show her what's in your heart, 1070 I will not consider you wise: 144Ce nest pas vie densi vivre En ceste amour ton coer senivre Et puis aultre cose nen as Fors les regars et les esbas 1075 Vrais diex disoi je cest asses Se chils bons temps estoit passes Je ne saroie ou refuir Jaim mieuls joieusement languir Que de faire cose ne dire 1080 Dont je soie ocis a martire. Ensi passoie le saison Tout par amours et par raison Raisons voloit que je souffrisse Et amours que mon coer offrisse 1085 Et que remonstrasse a la belle Comment je vivoie pour elle Et que tout ce que je faisoie Ce nestoit que pour lamour soie 112d Cest bon di je que je li die 1090 Et bellement merci li prie Di je volentiers li dirai Si tretost que le lieu arai Sur ce ordonnai mon penser Une fois presins a danser 1095 La estions plus de nous doi Je le tenoie par le doi Car elle me menoit devant Mes tout bellement en sievant Entroes que le doi li tenoie 1100 Tout quoiement li estraindoie Et ce si grant bien me faisoit Et telement il me plaisoit Que je ne le saroie expondre Selle cantoit de lui respondre 1105 Moult tost estoie apparillies Hemi com lors estoie lies Puis nous assesins sus .i. sige Et la tout bellement li di je Ensi que par parolle emblant Certes belle vos douls samblant Vo gent maintieng vo corps le gai Me font avoir le bien que jai Je ne le vous puis plus celer Se temps avoie de parler 1115 Et que chi fuissiemes nous doi Je le vous diroie par foi Et elle un petit me regarde Ensi quon ne sen presist garde Et me dist seulement feries 1120 Esce a bons sens que me vodries 113a Amer. et a ces cops se lieve Et dist dansons pas ne me grieve Li esbatemens de la danse Lors entrames en lordenanse 1125 De danser une longe espasse 145To live this way is no life, Your heart loses its nerve in this love, And then you have nothing But looks and games." 1075 —"True God," I would say, "that's enough! If this good time were to pass, I would not know where to find refuge; I prefer languishing joyously To saying or doing anything 1080 That would make me die a martyr." Thus I spent the season, Entirely directed by Love and by Reason. Reason wanted me to suffer And Love wished me to offer my heart 1085 And demonstrate to my beautiful lady How I lived for her And how everything I did Was only for love of her. "It is good," said I, "that I tell her 1090 And beg her mercy graciously." I said: "I will be glad to tell her As soon as I have the right opportunity." On this idea I ordered my thoughts. One time we began to dance 109S (There were more than the two of us there); I held her by the fingertips, As she led me forward; But very gently, as she sat down, While I still held her fingers, 1100 I squeezed them very softly, And this did me so much good And pleased me so much That I would not know how to explain it. If she broke into song, I was 1105 Completely prepared to answer her. Ah me! How happy I was then! Then we sat down upon a seat And there I said to her gently, As if in furtive words: 1110 "Certainly, pretty one, your sweet face, Your gentle demeanor, your merry manner Cause me to have the pleasure I have, I can no longer hide it from you. If I had time to speak 1115 And if we two were here alone, I would tell you, by my faith." And she looked at me a little, In a way that no one would notice, And said this to me alone: "Would you? 1120 Is it sensible for you to wish to Love me?" And with this she rose And said: "Let us dance. I am not disturbed By the pleasures of dancing." Then we took part in the activity of 1125 Dancing for a long time. 146Il nest esbanois qui ne passe De cesti la nous partesins Et de son bel hostel issins Mais au partement congiet pris 1130 A la belle et bonne de pris Qui le me donna liement Ne le sceuist faire aultrement Car elle a si tres lie chiere Quon len doit bien tenir pour chiere. 1135 Τout ensi passoie le tamps Une heure je venoie atans De li veoir et lautre non La belle et bonne de renom Mavoit le coer saisi si fort 1140 Que point navoie de confort Le jour se veu ne lavoie Et quant alefois je savoie Quen aucun lieu aloit esbatre Pas ni fausisse del embatre 1145 Mais que sa pais veoir y peusse Ja aultrement aie ni eusse Or entrai en merancolie De ce quelle estoit aussi lie As aultres gens quelle iert a moi 1150 Et je qui de fin coer lamoi En disoie souvent hemi Celle a fait un nouviel ami 113b Elle jeue et rit a cascun Si regard sont trop de commun 1155 Ensi disoie moult pensieus Et souvent duns moult piteus y eus Le regardoie en ce regart Looie moult se diex me gart Sa biaute sa bonté ses fais 1160 Et disoie sun pesant fais Ma amours envoiiet pour celle Ne men chaut pour tele pucelle Deveroit on mort recevoir Mais quelle sceuist bien de voir 1165 Que mors je fuisse en son servisce Ne le tenroie pas pour visee. Qui est en pensee nouvielle Peu de cose le renouvielle Souvent pensoie sus et jus 1170 Et alefois a aucuns jus As quels sesbatent jone gent Jeuoie de coer Ii et et gent Mais que ma darne y fust pour voir Ou quelle mi peuist veoir 1175 Et pour tres petite ocquison Passoie devant sa maison Et jettoie mes yeux viers elle Et quant il plaisoit a la belle 147There is no pleasure that does not end. From this one we departed And went out from her beautiful lodgings, But upon separating I took my leave 1130 Of the lovely and worthy lady, Who gave it to me cheerfully. She did not know how to do otherwise, For she has such a pleasant manner That she should therefore be held in high esteem, 1135 In just this way I spent the time; One hour I came by To see her, and another I did not. The pretty and esteemed one Had seized my heart with such force 1140 That I had no comfort at all During the day if I did not see her. And when at times I learned She was going to a party somewhere, I didn't miss a chance to take part 1145 If I could see her satisfaction in it; Otherwise I would not have gone. Then I began feeling melancholy Because she was as nice To other people as she was to me. And I who loved her with a pure heart 1150 Often said of her: "Alas! She has made a new friend! She plays and laughs with each one. Her looks are bestowed upon too many!" 1155 Thus I spoke, full of heavy thoughts, And often looked at her with a Most pathetic eye. With this in mind, I highly praised, so help me God, Her goodness, her beauty, her deeds, 1160 And I said: "If Love sends me A weighty deed to do for this lady, I do not mind. For such a maiden One should be ready to die! If only she were able to see 1165 That I had died in her service, I would not think it a misfortune." Whoever is engaged in a new thought Finds it reinforced by even a small thing. Often my thoughts went here and there. 1170 And at the same time at any place Where young people were amusing themselves, I enjoyed myself with a light and noble heart, As long as my lady was there, in truth, Or if she could see me there. 1175 And for the slightest reason I passed before her house And cast my eyes towards her, And, when it pleased her 148Que de lui un regart euisse 1180 Tout erranment en coer sceuisse Sil estoit amoureus ou non Tels demande souvent grant don Au quel pas on ne lie otrie Si tost quii vorroit quant il prie 113c 1185 Je men scai bien a quoi tenir Il ma couvenut soustenir Moult de griefs dont petit don ai En ce temps que mon coer donnai Sans departir tout a ma dame 1190 Par amours qui les coers entame Une heure si tres lies estoie Qua toute cose mesbatoie Et une aultre si fort pensieus Quen terre clinoie mes yeus 1195 Et ne faisoie de riens compte Sii ne me portoit blasme ou honte. Je mavisai a tres grant painne Que ma dame tres souverainne Ses venirs et alers avoit 1200 A une femme qui savóit De ses secres une partie Je me trais vers celle partie Car ailleurs ne mosasse traire Pour ma necessite retraire 1205 Ensi di quant je fui venus Damoiselle nulle ne nuls Fors vous ne me puet consillier Se vous y volies travillier Et vesmechi vo valeton 1210 Pour entrer en un baneston Se le me commandies en leure Et celle qui me volt seqeure Me respondí tout erranment Or me dites hardiement 1215 "Tout ce que il vous plaist a dire Et foi que doi a nostre sire 113d La metterai a mon pooir Consel et confort tout pour voir Ahi di je vostre merchi 1220 En vérité dou tout muir chi Pour ceste nommer li alai Voirs est qun petit len parlai Lautre fois mais depuis sans doubte Sicom elle euist de moi doubte 1225 Elle ne se met plus en voie De parler a moi mais menvoie Des regars amoureus trop mains Quelle ne soloit faire aumains Ensi que dire li pores 1230 Et sur ce sa response ores Que point dure chiere ne face Car je qui prie a avoir grasce Et merchi quant il li plaira 149To offer me a glance, 1180 I would know immediately in my heart If it was a loving one or not. A man in such a case often demands A great reward, and it is not granted to him As soon as he would like when he asks: 1185 I knew what to expect. It had been my lot to sustain Many griefs, for which I have little reward. In this time when I gave my heart Completely to my lady without exception, 1190 In love, which wounds hearts, One hour I would be so happy That I enjoyed everything I did, And another so deep in thought That I turned my eyes to the ground 1195 And paid attention to nothing If it did not bring me blame or disgrace. I found out through considerable effort That my most sovereign lady Shared her comings and goings with 1200 A lady who knew Some part of her secrets. I approached this person, For I dared not go elsewhere lb express what I needed. 1205 And so I said to her when I had come: "Young lady, no woman or man Except you can advise me, If you are willing to try your hand at it, And I present myself here as your servant 1210 Ready to climb into a bread basket Right now if you ask me." And she who wished to reassure me Answered right away: "Now tell me with confidence 1215 Everything it pleases you to say And, by the faith I owe Our Lord, As best I can I will offer Counsel and comfort, truly." —"Ahi!" said I, "mercy. 1220 In truth, I am near death here For her (I was going to name her). It is true that I spoke to her a little of it The other time, but it certainly seems, since then, That she is unsure of me, 1225 That she no longer puts herself in a position To speak with me, but instead sends me Loving glances much less often Than she was wont to do. At least (Since you can speak with her 1230 And will hear her response to this), Let her not harden her countenance! For I who beg to have grace And mercy, whenever it pleases her, 150En tel dangier mon coer mis a 1235 Que sus le point dou desconfire Ensi que vous li pores dire. Ceste qui ot pite de moi Me respondí en bonne foi Je vous dirai que vous feres 1240 En une canchón escrires Une grant part de vostre entente Et je vous di que sans atente De lenvoiier ne vous couviegne Ensi quon ne scet dont ce viegne 1245 Elle lara et le lira Et aucune cose en dira Puis li dirai que fait laves Pour samour au mieuls que saves 114a Di je bien oyl damoiselle 1250 Nai oy parolle si belle Et je le ferai tout errant Adont de coer liet et joiant Une balade maçonnai Ou nulle riens ne mencongnai 1255 .Balade. Tres plaisans et tres honnouree En qui tout grant bien sont compris Mon coer mamour et ma pensee Aves par vos douls regars pris Or vous supplì dame de pris 1260 Que vous me voellies faire otri Dou gratieus don de merci Je nai toute jour ajournée Ne toute nuit nul anitre avis Que de moy loyaument amee 1265 Soiies ensi seres toutdis Et senviers vous sui trop petis Pour dieu que ne maiies bani Dou grati eus etc. Loyautes doit estre comptee 1270 En fais en oevres et en dis Or vous plaise destre enfourmee De moi car vos servans mescrips Et se jai en ce riens mespris Pardonnes le moi car je pri 1275 Dou gratieus etc. La demoiselle alai baillier La balade escripte en papier Et ceste qui jhesus honneure Le garda bien tant que vint heure 114b 1280 Que ma dame et elle a seulet Estoient ensi quon se met Adont la damoiselle sage 151Have placed my heart in such danger 1235 That it is on the point of being undone, Just as you can tell her." This lady, who had pity on me, Answered: "In good faith, I will tell you what to do: 1240 You will write in a song Much of what you intend, And I tell you that, in no time (Sending it is not suitable for you, Since no one should know where it came from), 1245 She will have it and will read it And will say nothing about this. Then I will say to her that you wrote it For love of her, as best you know how." I said enthusiastically, "Yes, indeed, my lady, 1250 I have never heard such beautiful words! And I will do this right away." Then with a light and joyous heart I put together a ballade, In which I told no lies: 1255 Ballade Most pleasing and honored lady, In whom all great virtues find a place, You have, with your sweet glances, taken My heart, my love, and my thoughts; Now I beg you, worthy lady, 1260 That you might wish to grant me Your gracious gift of mercy. Through any day that dawns and all Night long, I have no other thought But for you to be loved faithfully. 1265 And thus you will always be. And if, compared to you, I am too unworthy, For God's sake, may you not banish me from Your gracious [gift of mercy]. Loyalty must be measured 1270 In deeds, in works, and in words. Now may it please you to be informed Of me, for I consider myself your servant. And if I have committed any fault in this, Forgive me for it, for I beg 1275 Your gracious [gift of mercy]. The young lady took charge of The ballade written on paper, And this woman, may Jesus do her honor, Kept it well, until the hour came 1280 When she and my lady were alone, As it had been arranged. Then the wise young lady, 152Qui damours savoit bien lusage Car batue en avoit este 1285 Plus dun yvier et dun este Li dist par trop belle raison Jai chi escript urie cancón Par amours voellies le me lire Et tua dame prist lors a rire 1290 Qui tost pensa dont ce venoit Et dist cha! quant elle le voit Souef en basset le lisi De sa bouce riens el nissi Fors tant par maniere de glose 1295 Ce quii demande cest grant cose Onques riens el nen peut avoir Ce me compta elle pour voir Or fui je forment couroucies Deus jours ou .iii. tous embroncies 1300 Et le caperon sus les yeux Me tenoie trop fort pensieux Et alefois me repentoie Pour tant que grant dolour sentoie Quant je lavoie veu onques 1305 Ciert ma destruction! adonques Reprendoie tost ce parler Ne le laissoie avant aler Et disoie par saint dénis Se pour lamour de li finis 1310 Le corps en terre et a dieu lame Je ne puis avoir milleur lame 114c Ossi fist jadis leander Pour hero fille a jupiter Et achillee qui preus regna 1315 Pour la belle polixena Et acteon li damoisiaus Se je sui comptes avoec chiaus Qui sont pour loyaument amer Mort ou peri dedens la mer 1320 Je le tenrai a grant victore Et le me compteran a glore. En eel estat que je vous di Sicom jai senti puissedi Estoie lors apparillies 1325 Destre une heure ireus lautre lies Mais quant amours venoit en place Et li souvenirs de la face Ma dame simple et gratieuse Et sa contenance amoureuse 1330 Toute dolour mettoie arriere Jen avoie bonne maniere Avoec les amoureuses gens Estoie haities lies et gens Et devisoie a faire festes 1335 Et tous esbatemens honnestes Canter danser caroler rire Bons mos oir parler et dire 153Who knew well the ways of love, Since she had been stricken with it 1285 For more than a winter and a summer, Said to her in a quite reasonable way: "I have copied down a song here. Would you kindly read it to me?" And my lady then began to laugh, 1290 Having at once surmised where it came from, And said, "Give it here!" When she saw it, She read it sofdy in a low voice. Nothing else came out of her mouth Except this, by way of gloss: 129S "What he asks, it is a great deal!" Nothing more could I have from this, So the woman informed me, in truth. Then I was very disturbed for Two days or three. All bent down, 1300 And my hood over my eyes, I remained in deep thought; And at the same time I was sorry, Because I felt such great sadness That I had ever seen her: 1305 "She will ruin me!" Then I would immediately take back those words, Nor would I allow them to go forward And said: "By Saint Denis, If, for die love of her I end up with 1310 My body in the earth and my soul with God, I can have no better tombstone! Long ago Leander did the same For Hero, daughter of Jupiter, And Achilles, who reigned valiandy, 1315 For the beautiful Polixéna, And also the young man Actaeon. If I am counted among those Who have, through loving loyally, Died or perished in the sea, 1320 I will consider it a great victory And will count it as glory for myself." In this state that I describe to you, Just as I have felt ever since, I was then in such a condition as 1325 To be angry one hour and happy another. But when love came to mind And the memory of my lady's face So simple and gracious And her loving countenance, 1330 I put all sadness behind me; I behaved properly. With others who were in love I was gay, happy, and pleasant, And I managed to arrange celebrations 1335 And all sorts of honest diversions: lb sing, dance, carol, laugh, Hear witty speeches, talk and recite. 154Et quant je pooie veoir Ma dame ce fust main ou soir 1340 Aparmoi disoie vesla Celle qui si biel maparla Quant je parlai a lui premiers Ses corps nest mie coustumiers 114d Fors que donneur et de bien faire 1345 Cascuns prise son bel afaire Son maintien son estre et son sens Pour ce dou tout a lui massens Par heures je me confortoie Aparmoi et me deportoie 1350 Et alefois venoit une heure Que me venoient courir seure Li mal damours en abandon Jen avoie si grant randon Que jestoie plus dolereus 1355 Que ne soit uns cops collereus. Mais trop grant confort me portoit La damoiselle qui estoit Asses secree de ma dame Onques mes ne vi milleur fame 1360 A lame li voelle diex rendre Pluiseurs fois ma fait elle entendre Grans confers dont il nestoit riens Je prise moult bien tels moiiens De savoir de necessite 1365 Ouvrer et faire auctorite Quoi quon y voie le contraire Mais amours ont moult bien a faire Quon soit alefois resjoi Et soit gengle ou voir conjoi 1370 Autrement li coer amoureus Seroient trop fort dolereus Et jestoie lors en tel point Que sus lestât et sus le point Auques pries sus le marvoiier 1375 Et pour moi en bien ravoiier 115a Et pour estaindre lestincelle Je venoie a la damoiselle Qui auques mes secres savoit Et qui de moi pite avoit 1380 Pour ce que tant de mauls portoie En lui comptant me deportoie Et alegoie la dolour Qui mapalissoit la coulour. Or avint qune fois li dis 1385 Damoiselle peu me tieng fis De lamour celle que tant aimme Que ma tres souverainne claimme Car je nen puis avoir raison Dedens ne dehors sa maison 1390 Ne aler viers li plus je nose Dont cest une trop fiere cose 155And whenever I could see My lady, whether morning or evening, 1340 I said to myself: "Here Is she who spoke to me so prettily When I first spoke to her. Her person is not at all accustomed To anything but honor and good deeds. 1345 Everyone admires her good management, Her behavior, her estate, and her wisdom. Because of this I grant myself entirely to her." At times I was able to comfort Myself and find pleasure, 1350 And sometimes an hour arrived When the sufferings of unrequited love Were sure to assail me. I had so very many of them That I was more fall of suffering 1355 Than an angry cuckold. But great comfort was brought To me by the young woman, who was very much In the confidence of my lady. Never since have I seen a better woman; 1360 May God save her soul! Many a time she made me expect Great comfort where there was none. I place great value on such an intermediary For knowing how to work out of 1365 Necessity and act authoritatively. Even though one may see the opposite, Still love affairs benefit in arranging That the lover be both filled With joy and, falsely or truly, satisfied. 1370 Otherwise, amorous hearts Would be too full of sadness. And I was then in such a condition That I was in a state and at a point Almost on the verge of madness, 1375 And, in order for me to regain my health And extinguish the spark, I went to the young lady, Who already knew my secret And who had pity on me 1380 Because I suffered so many woes. In telling them to her I became joyful And lightened the sadness Which made my color pale. Then it came about that one time I said 1385 To her, "Miss, I do not feel very sure Of the affection of the one I so love, Whom I claim as my sovereign lady, For I cannot get any account of it Within or outside of her house, 1390 Nor do I any longer dare go near her. Thus it is a very cruel situation, 156Car vous saves de quel pointure Je sui poins par tele aventure Qui soudainement me poindi 1395 Et se nai nul confort de li Encore voi je a sa maniere Quelle me monstre crue chiere Je saroie trop volentiers Pour quoi cest et se mest mestiers 1400 Si arai avis se je puis Sus mes mauls et sus mes anuis Et celle lors me respondí Tout bas et me dist je vous di Il vous faut cangier vo corage 1405 On parle de son mariage De son mariage par dieu Voire dist ceste et sest en lieu 115b Qui est bien taillies de venir Or ai je bien le souvenir 1410 Comment je fui apparillies Se javoie estet petit lies En devant encores le fui Cent fois plus et en grant anui Doubte et cremeur si massalirent 1415 Qui le viaire mapallirent Les yeux et la bouce et la face Nest contenance que je face Fors que de desconforte homme Adont infortunes me nomme 1420 Et me parc sans nul congiet prendre Et tous seules sans plus atendre En une cambre mencloy Je ne scai se nulz homs moy Alais je fis la des biaus regres 1425 Ensi com loyaus amans vres Piain de jalousie et de painne Et qui amours a son gre mainne. Ensi aparmoi je margue Haro di je je lai perdue 1430 Pour quoi laim ne onques lamai Or sui je entres en grant esmai Que ferai selle se marie Foi que doi a sainte marie Jociroie son mari ains 1435 Que il mesist sur lui les mains Aroi je tort quant la plus belle Et qui de mon coer dame est elle Lairoie aler par tel fortune Nai a morir dune mort qune 115c 1440 Vesleci elle sera preste Fortune pour moi le mapreste Puis quon voelt ceste marier A cui mon coer se voelt tirer Je ne le poroie souffrir 1445 Lors malai si dou tout offrir A anois as merancolies 157For you know with what sharpness I was struck by this event That suddenly wounded me; 1395 And yet I have no comfort from her, Always I see by her manner That she is showing me a harsh countenance. I would really like to know Why this is, and, if I need it, 1400 I would like to have advice, if I could, Concerning my woes and my troubles." And then she answered me in a low voice, And said to me: "I tell you, You must change your feelings: 1405 People are speaking of her marriage." —"Òf her marriage?"—"By God, Truly," said she, "and it is of a kind That is likely to come to pass." Now I have a clear memory 1410 Of how I reacted to this: If I had been bound to her somewhat Before, now I was one hundred times More so, and in a greatly troubled state. Doubt and fear assailed me, 1415 Which made my whole countenance go pale, My eyes and my mouth and my face: I gave no impression but that Of a man greatly discomfited. Then I called myself unfortunate 1420 And left without even taking leave, And all alone without waiting any longer I closed myself up in my room. I do not know if anyone heard me, But I there expressed great complaints, 1425 Like a true loyal lover, Who is full of jealousy and pain And whom Love leads at his whim. In this way I debated with myself: "Alas!" said I, "I have lost her! 1430 Why do I love her or ever did love her? Now I have entered into great dismay. What will I do if she marries? By the faith I owe Saint Mary, I would kill her husband rather than 1435 Have him lay his hands on her! Would I be wrong, when, by such a chance, I would be letting go the loveliest of wom en And the one who is the lady of my heart? I have but one death to die: 1440 Here it is, it will be ready; Fortune has prepared it for me Because someone wishes to marry this woman To whom my heart wishes to draw near; This I could not bear." 1445 Then I so completely gave myself over To worry, to melancholy 158Et a toutes aultres folies Que jen fui en perii de pierdre Les fievres malerent ahierdre 1450 Je malai acoucier au lit Ou je neuch gaires de delit Et fuisse mors dedens briefs jours Se ne meuist donne secours La demoiselle qui la vint 1455 Le cief me mania et tint Bien senti quen peril estoie Adont me dist la merci soie Pour moi aidier si bons consaus Qun petit cessa mes travaus 1460 Mais depuis .iii. mois tous entiers Fui je a la fievre tous rentiers Et adont en la maladie Cest bien raison que je le die Fis je une balade nouvelle 1465 Au desespoir damours fu celle Je ne scai selle vous plaira Mais tele est qui bien le lira .Balade. Pluiseur amant vivent bien en espoir Davoir merci et destre encore ame 1470 Mais ma vie est tournee en desespoir 115b Car on ma ja tant de fois refuse Tant eslongiet tant monstre de samblans Durs et crueuls et contre moi nuisans Que je nai fors painnes maulz et dolours 1475 Je finerai ensi que fist tristrans Car je morrai pour amer par amours Las que brieftnent puisse la mort veoir Plus le desir asses que ma sante Car ma dame qui tant a de savoir 1480 Ne voelt avoir ne merci ne pite De moi qui sui ses cremeteus servans Ains me refuse et grieve et nuist tous tamps Se men fault dire et par nuis et par jours Je finerai etc. 1485 Et si scet bien ensi com je lespoir Com longement jai ja pour li porte Taint le viaire et palle et mat et noir Mais point ni vise on le ma bien compte Ains est toutdis en ses pourpos manans 1490 Et quant je sui bien a tout ce pensans Dire men fault en cris en plains en plours Je finerai etc. Chief enclin et moi moult malade Ordonnai je ceste balade 1495 Et quant je peuch je lescripsi 159And to all other sorts of folly, That I was in danger of being lost. Fever came on and laid me low; 1450 I went to lie down in bed, Where I hardly had delight, And would have died within a few days Had I not been saved By the young lady who came there. 1455 She felt my head and held it: She fully understood that I was in danger. Then she offered, may she have mercy, In order to help me, such good words of counsel That my troubles stopped for a little while. 1460 But afterwards, for three entire months I was completely at the mercy of my fever. And yet, in my sickness (It is important that I say it), I composed a new ballade: 1465 The despair of love was its theme. I do not know if it will please you, But it is as follows, for whoever will read it: Ballade Many lovers live firmly in the hope Of having mercy and being loved in return. 1470 But my life has turned to despair, For I have been refused so many times, Kept distant so often, and shown so many looks That were hard and cruel and harmful to my suit, That I have nothing but pains, sadness, and woes. 1475 I will end up just as did Tristan, For I will die from loving passionately. Alas, that I might have my death right now! I desire this much more than my health, For my lady, who is so very wise, 1480 Wishes to have neither mercy nor pity On me, her humble servant; but instead Refuses, grieves, and pains me all the time. So I must say of it, both night and day: I will end up [just as did Tristan, 1485 For I will die from loving passionately.] And she knows well, just as I would hope, How long I have already worn for her A faded countenance, pale, defeated, and sad. But she pays no heed, as I have indeed been told, And instead continues always on her way. 1490 And when I am really thinking of all of this, I must say in cries and plaints and tears: I will end up [just as did Tristan, For I will die from loving passionately.] Head bowed down and gravely ill, I composed this ballade 1495 And when I could, I wrote it down; 160Bien me pleut quant je le lisi Non pour quant pas lien fu estainte La maladie qui destainte Mavoit la coulour et la face 1500 Or est drois que memore face Comment vivoie nuit et jour Sans avoir gaires de séjour 116a Je me tournoie et retournoie Et en tournant tels matournoie 1505 Que je ne vous saroie dire Des cent pars le mendre martire Que javoie lors a porter Mais pour moi un peu conforter Jen laissoie bien couvenir 1510 Damours le tres douls souvenir Et ce grandement me vali Mais toutes fois li me fali Estre trois mois trestous entiers A la fievre certains rentiers 1515 Et homs qui vit en tel mescief A par droit dolereus le cief Je lavoie lors si endoivle Et le coer si mat et si foivle Qua painnes pooie parler 1520 Ne moi soustenir ne aler Et la calour si mataingnoit Et si tres fort me destraingnoit Que je navoie aultre désir Que toutdis boire et moi jesir 1525 Mais deffendu on le mavoit Uns medechins qui bien savoit Quel maladie avoie ou corps Pour moi traire de caleur hors Avoit a mes gardes bien dit 1530 Quon ne laissast entour mon lit Nul buvrage ne pot ne voirre Car trop contraires mestoit boire Et on men garda bien ossi Dont une fois avint ensi 116b 1535 Que javoie calours si grans Que de riens je nestoie engrans Fors de tant que beu euisse Et me sambloit se je peuisse Boire que jestoie garis 1540 Adont di jou tous esgaris Ha pour dieu quon me donne a boire Ou je muir on ne men volt croire Ains mes gardes se teurent quoi Et je par grant désir dis quoi 1545 Me lairan chi de soif morir En cel ardeur en ce désir Mala souvenir de ma dame Lors malai aquoisier par mame Et pris fort a penser nient mains 1550 Sus mon orillier mis mes mains 161It pleased me greatly when I read it. Nonetheless there was no extinguishing The illness that had discolored My complexion and my face. 1500 Now it is right that I leave a record Of how I lived night and day. Having hardly any respite, I tossed and turned And in turning so disposed myself 1505 That I could not tell you A hundreddi part of the martyrdom That I had to bear. But, to comfort myself a little, I allowed the sweet memory of love 1510 Ts take charge of me; And this very much availed me. But nonetheless I had To spend three entire months Completely at the mercy of my fever, 1515 And a man who lives in such a bad state Truly has a head full of pain. Mine at that time was so weak And my heart was so beaten down and so feeble That I could barely speak 1520 Nor could I stand or walk, And the heat so affected me And so greatly distressed me That I had no other desire Than always to be drinking and lying in bed. 1525 But it had been forbidden to me: A doctor, who knew very well What illness I had in my body, In order to draw the heat from me Had said clearly to those who attended me 1530 That there was to be left around my bed No beverage, neither pitcher nor glass, For it was too dangerous to me to drink; And I was indeed kept from it very well. So that one time it happened in this way, 1535 That I was overcome by a heat so great That I had no desire for anything Except how much I might have to drink, And it seemed to me, If I could drink, That I would be cured. 1540 And so I said in great confusion: "Ah! By God, let someone give me a drink, Or I will die!" They didn't wish to believe me, But rather my attendants remained still; And I, out of great desire, said: "What! 1545 Will these people let me die of thirst?! In this ardor, in this desire The memory of my lady came back to me. Then I calmed myself, by my soul, And started thinking very hard. Nonetheless 1550 I placed my hands upon my pillow. 162En ceste ardeur qui me tenoit Mains pensers devant me venoit La ordonnai une complainte Damours dont en vechi la plainte. 1555 .La complainte del amant. Aboire a boire li coers mart Car férus est dun ardant dart Pour ce desire tempre et tart Boire a fuison Car la flame par tout sespart 1560 Ja est bruis plus que dun quart Et se ni scai voie ne art De garison Ne medecine ne puison 1565 Car touchies est dou droit tison Dont cupido une saison 116c Se diex me gart Feri phebus en loquison De dane a la clere facon Or ai juste comparison 1570 Pris pour ma part Dane si fu une pucelle De dyane estoit darnoiselle Que phebus enama mais celle Point ne lamoit 1575 De quoi phebus pour lamour delle Rechupt mainte dure estincelle Vive et ardans sous la mamelle Et a bon droit Car pour samour si pris estoit 1580 Quii le prioit et requeroit Et celle toutdis le fuioit Ensi la belle Que mon coer crient sert aime et croit Me tient en ce meisme endroit 1585 Com plus li prie et mains rechoit De ma querelle Aumains se jen avoie otant Que phebus ot en son vivant Jen viveroie plus joiant 1590 Que je ne face Comment quii nen ot pas trop grant Déduit au coer mais non pour quant Li dieu qui le veirent amant Li fisent grasce 1595 Et encores il sen solace Et se lacole et se lembrace Mais veoir ne le puet en face 116d Ne son samblant 163In this heat which possessed me, Many thoughts came before me. Then I composed a complaint Of love, of which this is the plaint: 1555 <italic>The Complaint of the Lover</italic> I Adrink! A drink! My heart is on fire, For it has been wounded by a burning dart. Because of this, both early and late, I wish to drink copiously, For the flame spreads everywhere: 1560 Already more than a quarter has burned up, And yet I know of no method or art Of healing, No medicine or potion, For it has been hit by the very arrow tip 1565 With which Cupid once, So help me God, Struck Phoebus because of Daphne With the bright face. And so I have made a fair comparison 1570 To how things stand with me. II Daphne was a young virgin, (She was an attendant of Diana), Whom Phoebus loved. But she Didn't love him at all; 1575 So that Phoebus, for love of her, Received many a cruel spark Alive and burning beneath the breast; And righdy so, For he was so taken by her love 1580 That he entreated her and chased after her, And she always fled from him. Similarly, my beautiful lady, Whom my heart cries after, serves, loves and believes, Keeps me in this same spot: 1585 The more I entreat her, the less receptive she is To my cause. III At least, ir I were to have as much As Phoebus had in his life, I would live more joyfully 1590 Than I do. Although he did not have very great Joy in his heart, nonetheless The gods, who saw how he loved, 1595 Granted him their favor, And with this he yet found comfort, And embraced her and hugged her. But he could not see her face to face, Nor her likeness, 164Et se poursieut tous jours la trace 1600 De sa tres amoureuse cace Mais dane au coer ne li pourcace Joie noiant Or vous dirai raison pour quoi Phebus chei en tel anoi 1605 Il y eut bien cause je croi Vechi comment Un jour fu en son esbanoi Cupido damours dieu et roi Avint que phebus vint sur soi 1610 Soudainnement Et li dist orghilleusement Lare de quoi tu tres rent moi rent Et la flece tout ensement Car enviers moi 1615 Tu ne sees traire de noient Jai ocis phiton le serpent Qui de longheur ot un arpent Cest trop pour toi Et cupido qui fu plains dire 1620 Li prist tout en pensant a dire Voire phebus phebus biau sire Estes vous tels Que mon arc et la droite vire Dont je mesbas et dont je tire 1625 Me voles ore contredire Et vous vantes Que mieuls de moi traiies asses Je ne sui mies si lasses Car a ins que Ii ans soit passes 117a 1630 Pour vo mestire Contre moi ne vous garires Car ma flece si sentires Que mieuls trai que vous ce dires Doit il souffire 1635 Bien li tint ce quii li proumist Sicom ovides le descrist Car en brief termine il sassist Dessus le mont Que de supernascus on dist 1640 Son arc et ses .ii. fleces prist Lamoureuse ou coer phebus mist Si tres parfont Que la ou li vrai amant lont Ce fu pour dane qui adont 1645 Estoit la plus belle dou mont Ensi lesprist Lautre flece dou cop secont Traist a dane trop loing se vont 165And was always in pursuit of the trail 1600 Of his most beloved prey. But Daphne did not provide any joy at all To his heart. IV Now I will tell you the reason why Phoebus fell into such distress. 1605 There was good cause, I believe; Here is how: One day Cupid was out for sport, The god and king of love. It happened that Phoebus came on him 1610 Suddenly And said to him arrogantly: "Give me the bow you pall, give it to me, And the arrow with it too. For compared to me 1615 You do not know how to shoot at all. I killed Python the serpent, Who was an arpent long: That is too much for you." V And Cupid, who was full of anger, 1620 Began thoughtfully to say to him: "Truly, Phoebus, Phoebus, good lord, Are you such a man That with regard to my bow and true arrow, With which I amuse myself and shoot, 1625 You wish now to oppose me And boast That you can shoot them better than I? I am not at all so tired out, For, before the year is up, 1630 Despite your superiority in archery Against me you will not prevail, For you will so feel my arrow That you will say this: that I shoot better than you. Should this suffice?" 1635 VI He held firmly to what he had promised, As Ovid describes it, For in a short time he was sitting Upon the mountain That is called Parnassus. 1640 He took his bow and two arrows: He put the love arrow into Phoebus's heart As very deep As where true lovers have it; It was for Daphne, who then 1645 Was the most beautiful woman in the world; Thus it inflamed him. The other arrow, the second blow, He shot at Daphne. These two hits 166Chil doi cop car contraire sont 1650 Et plain destrit Li une flece est amoureuse Et li aultre si haynneuse Que plus ne poet de le ploumeuse Fu lors atainte 1655 Dane la simple et gratieuse Pour ce se tenoit orghilleuse Contre phebus et peu piteuse Doir sa plainte Non pour quant priiere tamainte 1660 Maint souspir et mainte complainte Fist phebus qui vie en ot chainte 117b Tres dolereuse Dont la face avoit palle et tainte Souvent disoit a vois destainte 1665 Dane pour quoi mes tu si fainte Ne si nuiseuse Quant tu ne me daignes amer Si na de cha ne de la mer Dame que on deuist blasmer 1670 Pour moi cherir Je ne le di pas pour vanter Mais pour ce que damours sans per Je taim et si ne puis trouver Ne en toi vir 1675 Grasce qui me puist resjoir Ne tu ne me daignes oir Mais eslongier et defuir Et moi donner Aperte cause de morir 1680 Car longement ne puis souffrir La vie ou il mestuet languir Et cest tout cler Ensi faisoit phebus ses plains Damours et de doleurs tous plains 1685 Mais dane nacomptoit .ii. pains A ses anois Ains sesbatoit pour ce nient mains Que phebus fust vers li destrains Avint qun jour cachoit as dains 1690 Dont celle fois Regarde et voit dane ens el bois Viers li sen vint et com courtois Se le salue ce fa drois 117c Et joint ses mains 1695 Et quant dane en oy la vois Elle ne dist pas je men vois Mais tantost sen fui envois Quanq que peut ains 167Go very far apart, for they are opposite 1650 And foil of contradiction: VII The one arrow is so full of love And the other so full of hate That it could not have more. With the leaden arrow Then was pierced 1655 Daphne the simple and gracious. For this reason she held herself In disdain of Phoebus, and had little pity lb hear his complaint. Nonetheless, many requests were made, 1660 Many sighs and many complaints offered By Phoebus, who had a life made Very sad, And whose face was pale and discolored. Often he said in a distressed voice: 1665 "Daphne, why are you so indifferent And so hurtful to me, VIII As not to deign to love me? There is not here or across the sea Any lady that could be blamed 1670 For loving me. I don't say that to brag, But because I love you with a Matchless love, and yet I cannot find Or see in you 1675 Any mercy that can restore my happiness, Nor do you deign to hear me, But wish to distance yourself and flee And give me Clear cause to die; 1680 For I cannot long tolerate The life in which I languish, And that is quite clear. IX Thus Phoebus made his complaint, All full of love and suffering. 1685 But Daphne didn't give two pieces of bread For his troubles, But rather she enjoyed herself not a bit less For all of Phoebus's vexation towards her. It happened that one day he was hunting deer; 1690 So that this time He looked and saw Daphne in the woods. He came towards her and, in a courteous way, Greeted her, as was right, And clasped his hands; 1695 And when Daphne heard his voice, She did not say, "I am going away," But quickly fled the area as far away As she could, 168Parmi le bos tout le grant cours 1700 Moult li sambloit li termes cours Quavoir peuist aucun secours De la deesse Dyane a cui elle tous jours Prioit et faisoit ses clamours 1705 Et li disoit tous mes retours Dame et mestresse Gist en vous dont par vo noblesce Ne consentes que ja me blesce Phebus car jou en sui en esce 1710 Trop mest entours Et se je fuich tout pour lui esce Car onques damer noch la tesce Ne onques ne senti la flesce Au dieu damours 1715 En ftiiant disoit dañe ensi Et tant ala quelle afui Sus les ombres de penei La saresta Car sa force moult afoibli 1720 Et phebus de pries le sievi Quant dane le vit dales li Si sescria Et dist dame que mavenra Se ne maidies trop mal mira 1725 Car phebus de moi joira 117d Sa vois oi Dyane qui forment lama Aidier le volt adont droit la En un lorier le transmua 1730 Vert et joli Or est dane en lorier muee Et phebus a cui pas nagree Ne sen poet trop en sa pensee Esmervillier 1735 En estant jette sa visee Que celle quii a tant amee Que daine et amie clamee Est un lorier Pas ne le voelt pour ce laissier 1740 Mais le va doucement baisier Et acoler et embracier Et dist riens nee Ne me puet au coer tant aidier Que toi honnourer et prisier 1745 Douls arbres car dane och trop chier Qui mest emblee <target id="page_169" target-type="page">169</target>X Into the woods, at a great speed. 1700 She very much thought that shortly She should have some help From the goddess Diana, to whom she prayed every day And made her complaints 1705 And to her she said: "All my recourse, Lady and mistress, Lies in you. Therefore, by your nobility, Do not allow Phoebus ever to Hurt me, for I am in such danger. 1710 He is everywhere around me; And if I flee, it is ail because of him, For I have never had the mark of love Nor have I ever felt the arrow Of the god of Love." 1715 XI In fleeing, this is what Daphne said; And she went so far that she fled Into the shadows of the Peneus. There she stopped, For her strength was failing. 1720 And Phoebus followed close behind. When Daphne saw him near her, She cried out And said: "Lady, what will become of me? If you do not help me, it will go very badly for me, 1725 For Phoebus will take his pleasure with ine." Diana, who greatly loved her, Heard her voice. She wished to help her. So right on the spot She transformed her into a laurel tree, 1730 Green and pretty. XII Now Daphne has been changed into a laurel, And Phoebus, to whom this is not pleasing, Cannot in thinking of it Marvel enough. 1735 Rooted to the spot with a glance he sees that The woman, whom he had so loved That he called her his lady and lover, Is a laurel tree. He does not wish to leave her because of this, 1740 But goes to her to kiss her gently And embrace her and hold her And say: "No creature ever born Can do my heart as much good As to honor and praise you, 1745 Sweet tree, for I held Daphne too dear, And she is stolen from me." 170Dyane en lorier le ma mis Et pour ce que je ses amis Sui et voel demorer toutdis 1750 Un don li donne Quen tous temps iert vers et jolis Et tout roi qui conquerront pris Donneur et darmes tant le pris Une couronne 1755 Aront de lorier belle et bonne Et le portera la personne Qui victore ara je lordonne 118a En tous pays Souef flairra et fuelle et gonne 1760 Ensi ala que je vous sonne Sicom ovides le raisonne En ses escrips Pour retourner au droit pourpos De mon plaint de quoi je pourpos 1765 Di que phebus en grant repos Vint de sa dame Quant elle fu muee en bos Raison pour quoi dirai tantos El nen avoit que cruels mos 1770 Quest de la fame Qui le coer dun amant entame Et puis nen voelt oir esclame Ne rechevoir en pite larme Que li devos 1775 Die ne fait anchois lenflame Trop mieuls vaudroit celi par mame Quii fust pellerins a saint jame Quen tel compos Pleuist or au roi de lassus 1780 Que rna dame qui de refus Sesbat a moi et fait ses jus Fust devenue Uns biaus loriers vers et foillus Aumains je ne seroie plus 1785 En doubte de moi traire ensus De sa veue Mais ce quelle se rit et jue A moi donner response nue Che me taint la coulour et mue 118b 1790 Sest mes argus Sen un lorier estoit vestue Ma dolour aroit grant ayeue Car elle seroit secourue De la phebus 1795 <target id="page_171" target-type="page">171</target>XIII Diana has changed her into a laurel for me; And because I am her lover And wish to remain so forever, 1750 I grant her a gift: That in all seasons she will be green and pretty: And all kings who win the prize of Honor and arms, no matter how worthy, Will have a crown 1755 Of beautiful and wholesome laurel, And the person who has victory Will wear it, as I command. In every country Both oil and trunk will exhale a sweet scent." 1760 Thus it happened as I sing to you, Just as Ovid explains it In his writings. XIV To return to the original purpose Of my complaint, of what I am proposing, 1765 I say that Phoebus came away from his lady In great peace When she had been changed into wood; The reason for this I will say straight out: Otherwise he had nothing but cruel words. 1770 What is a woman, Who wounds the heart of a lover And then does not wish to hear his cries Nor receive with pity the tears That the devoted one 1775 Speaks or makes, but rather inflames him? Such a man would be much better off, by my soul, To be a pilgrim to Saint James Than to be in such a fix! XV Now if it had only pleased the King above 1780 That my lady, who entertains herself at my expense With her refusals and plays her games, Had become A beautiful green and leafy laurel! At least I would no longer be 1785 In fear of drawing Into her sight. But the fact that she laughs and plays At giving me meaningless answers, This makes me change color and alter in hue. 1790 Here is my point: If she were dressed in the form of a laurel, My sorrow would have great assistance, For it would be relieved By Phoebus. 1795 172Nama pymalion lymage De quoi il fist taille et ouvrage Et candasce qui tant fu sage En pourtraiture 1800 Fist ouvrer le droit personnage Dalixandre corps et visage Et en ama de bon cor age Chelle pointure Jen scai mainte belle figure Se ma dame qui mest si dure 1805 Iert ossi muee en vredure Ni voi damage Dont je fesisse trop grant cure Mais quant je vise a laventure Jai dit au regarder droiture 1810 Un grant outrage Quant jai ma dame souverainne Souhedie par pensee vainne Que sa facon douce et humainne Et son gent corps 1815 Fust mues en fourme villainne De la mervelle je me sainne Comment jeuch onques sane en vainne De penser lors Si grant outrage aliors ahors 1820 Certes je ferai traire hors Le sane de moi qui sest amors 118c Et mis en painne A moi donner tous desconfors Se ma dame ooit tels recors 1825 Mieuls me vaurroit a estre mors Quen leur demainne Mais qui ma fait tels souhes faire Il ne me sont pas necessaire Car de petit me puet on traire 1830 En grant peril Trop me voelt estre secretaire Fortune qui a tous voelt plaire Se jai mespris je men voel taire De lui vient il 1835 Trop sont si las fort et soutil Prendre me voelt je croi au bril Elle ma mis en grant peril De moi deffaire Mes quoi quelle me tiengne vil 1840 Ma dame a le coer si gentil Que ja ne men vodra nennil Cose contraire <target id="page_173" target-type="page">173</target>XVI Did Pygmalion not love the image That he designed and made? And Candace, who was so wise, Had fashioned into a portrait The very image of 1800 Alexander, body and face, And fell in love wholeheartedly With this painting. I know many such pretty comparisons. If my lady, who is so harsh, 1805 Were also changed into greenery, I do not see any harm That would bother me a great deal. But when I reflect on such a possibility, I realize that I have said, in truth, 1810 An outrageous thing, XVII When I have wished, in vain thoughts, That the sweet and humane manner And gende person Of my sovereign lady 1815 Were changed into base form. I cross myself at this marvel, That I would ever have such blood in my veins As to think Such an outrageous thing. Alas! Alas! 1820 Certainly I will have the blood Drawn out of me, which persists and And goes to such pains To give me every possible discomfort. If my lady were to hear such stories, 1825 It would be better for me to be dead Than in their power. XVIII out wnat made me make such wishes? They are not necessary to me, For with only a trifle I could be drawn 1830 Into great danger. Fortune, who wishes to please everyone, Wants too much to be my counselor. If I have made a mistake, I wish to be silent about it; It comes from her. 1835 Her snares are too strong and subde: She wishes to catch me, I believe, in her trap. She has put me in great danger Of destroying myself, But although she considers me a lowly creature, 1840 My lady has such a gentle heart That she would never, ever, wish me Bad luck. 174Ossi jescuse le euer mien Quonques ni pensai mal engien 1845 Amours le scet qui congnoist bien Ce que je pense Comment jaimme sur toute rien Ma dame car cest tout mon bien Mon souverain dieu terriien 1850 Tant quen loquense Cest monnour et ma reverense Cest ma tres plaisans residense Ou je preng confort et prudense 118d Sans nul moiien Si le voel en obediense Servir par bonne diligense Et rechevoir en pasciense Le plaisir sien Et se fortune plus massaut 1860 Qui de mon coer fait son bersaut Pour la quele cose il tressaut En mainte fourme Si me vodrai je tenir baut Car courous en coer riens ne vault 1865 Mais par necessite il fault Aidier coer mourme Las mes se ma dame on enfourme Que je laie par langage ourme Souhaidiet ne lorier ne ourme 1870 Un moult biel saut Ferai et arai grant sens domme Se je me puis ce est la somme Escuser car pour mains on nomme Homme ribaut 1875 Quant je mavise jai dit mal Car je voel mettre en general Ce qui est par especial Oevre commune Ja scevent juge official 1880 Comment fortune boute aval Cheuls a piet et cheuls a cheval Et les desjime Alefois en droit temps quon june De jalousie et de rancune 1885 Encores fait trop pis fortune 119a En principal Dont sii est aucuns ou aucune Qui sen plaint elle est a tous une Mais jou arai maugre lenfrune 1890 Le coer loyal <target id="page_175" target-type="page">175</target>XIX Likewise, I excuse my heart For ever having had malign thoughts. 1845 Love, which knows well what I think, Understands: How I love above all else My lady, for she is all my well-being, My sovereign god on earth, 1850 As much as language can express; She is my honor and my worship, She is my most pleasant dwelling place Where I find comfort and discretion In unmediated homage. 1855 Thus I wish to serve her Obediendy and with great diligence And receive patiendy Her pleasure. XX And if Fortune continues to assault me, 1860 Making a quintain of my heart, Because of which it starts and skips In many a way, Yet I will resolve to remain merry, For anger in the heart is worth nothing, 1865 But by necessity one must Help a sullen heart. Alas, if anyone informs my lady That I wished her in foolish words To be a laurel or an elm, 1870 I will have to make a pretty leap And have great manly wisdom If I can, and this is the main thing, Excuse myself, for with lesser cause a man is called A rogue. 1875 XXI When I think it over, I spoke badly, For I wish to put into general terms That which is essentially A common affair: Already the official judges know 1880 How Fortune thrusts downward Those on foot and those on horseback And feeds them a meal Sometimes, at the very moment when they are fasting, Of jealousy and rancor. 1885 Portane does still worse things To the one at the center of attention; Thus if there is any man or woman Who complains of her, she is the same to all. But 1 will have, despite this cruel one, 1890 A loyal heart. 176Si mest vis que je me puis mieuls Escuser par droit en tous lieus Que de son fait estre doubtieus Ne rni doloir 1895 De fortune voel je estre esquieus Et penser as dous plaisans ieuls De ma dame vairs et gentieus Et conchevoir Comment elle fait son devoir 1900 De sagement apercevoir De donner et de rechevoir Regars soubtieus Chils pensers me met main et soir En tel firefel au dire voir 1905 Que je ne congnois blanc a noir Si mayt dieus Et mest vis qua cuesir ou monde Si grans quii est a la reonde On ni trouveroit pas plus monde 1910 Cest cose vraie "Toute bonté en lui habonde Et moult grant biaute le souronde Simple et plaisans vaire est et blonde Jolie et gaie 1915 Son biel maintien forment mesgaie Car si courtoisement me paie Dun regart dont elle me plaie 119b Pour ce une onde De pite couvient il que jaie 1920 Ou aultrement Ii mors madaie Car jai pointure ou coer sans plaie Grande et parfonde Qui ne puet a garison prendre Car elle est si foible et si tendre 1925 Que de trop petit elle engendre Painne et dolour Uns seul regars me fait entendre Que je doi et puis bien atendre Grasce en ma dame ou je voel tendre 1930 Par bonne amour Or ai je alefois grant paour De falir et de lontain jour Et pour ce quen peril sejour Je voel aprendre 1935 Comment trouver poroie un tour Salve sa pais et son honnour Que je peuisse a sa douchour Plus brief descendre <target id="page_177" target-type="page">177</target>XXII Thus it seems to me that I can better Excuse myself lawfully in all places, Than to be in doubt of the fact Or grieve myself over it. 1895 I want to be disdainful of Fortune And think about the sweet and pleasant pastimes Of my lady, true and gende, And think about How she does her duty 1900 Of perceiving wisely, Of giving and receiving Subde glances. This thought puts me, morning and evening, In such agitation, to tell the truth, 1905 That I do not know white from black, So help me God! XXIII And it seems to me that if one searched the world, As big as it is around, One would never find a purer woman, 1910 And this is the truth. All goodness abounds in her And the greatest beauty surrounds her: Simple and pleasing, she is fair and blonde, Pretty and gay. 1915 Her lovely demeanor makes me exceedingly happy, For she repays me so courteously With a glance with which she wounds me. Therefore it is fitting That I get a little pity, 1920 Or otherwise death will harass me, For I have a pricking in the heart without A great or deep wound, XXIV Which cannot be healed; For it is so weak and so tender 1925 That the smallest thing engenders Pain and grief. One little look brings me to understand That I must and can indeed wait for Mercy from my lady, whom I wish to approach 1930 In true love. Now I have at the same time great fear Of failing and laboring long; And because I live in peril, I wish to learn 1935 How I might be able to find a tower, And salute her peace and her honor, That I might descend sooner To her kindness. 178Mais je ne seal qui men conselle 1940 Car ina vie nest pas parelle As pluiseurs ains est desparelle Plus quaultre cose Car quant je dors et quant je velie Tous jours mest presente en lorelle 1945 Ma dame qui blance et vermelle Est com la rose Et lors aparmoi je propose Les grans biens de li et les glose Et quant en ce penser repose 119c 1950 Moult tost mesvelle Amours qui mest ou coer enclose Mais je voi bien quelle mopose Car a ma dame dire nose Ceste mervelle 1955 Ains dun tout seul regart sesbat Mon coer il ni prent aulire esbat Mais longement en eel estât Vivre ne puis Car mon coer tient en grant debat 1960 Cremeur qui dedens soi sembat Et jalousie qui abat Tous mes déduis Cuidies vous que je soie wis De durs jours et de povres nuis 1965 Nennil jen ai bien quatre muis De bon acat Et ai eu le plus depuis Que je mis le piet dedens luis De lostel ou confort ne trais 1970 Che me rent mat Et ne scai ou garant je quiere Car eest mieuls drois que jen requiere Chelle qui me poet mettre arriere De joie ou ens 1975 Quautrui mais trop crieng sa maniere Car je scai bien combien lai ciere Mais elle fait trop milleur chiere As pluiseurs gens Qua moi qui ai mis tout mon temps 1980 Mon coer mon corps mamour mon sens A lui amer hemi dolens 119d Or mest plus fiere Cas aultres ce mest durs contens Je ne men tiene pas pour contens 1985 Car je li samble uns drois noiens En ma priiere <target id="page_179" target-type="page">179</target>XXV But I do not know who can advise me, 1940 For my life is not like Most others, but rather is different More than anything, For, when I sleep and when I lie awake, On my pillow I always feel the presence of 1945 My lady, who is white and red Like a rose; And then I name off to myself Her great virtues and expound on them; And when I fall asleep in this thought, 1950 Very soon I am awakened By the love which is in my heart; But I see clearly that she opposes me, For I dare not tell my lady Of this marvel, 1955 XXVI Rather, my heart fills with happiness at A single look; it finds from her no other joy. But I cannot live much longer In this state, For my heart is held in great contention 1960 By dread, which sets itself going, And jealousy, which beats down All my pleasures. Do you believe that I am free From hard days and impoverished nights? 1965 Not at all. I have a full four months Righdy measured And have had more since I put my foot inside the door Of the house where I found no comfort: 1970 This leaves me overwhelmed with sadness. XXVII And I do not know where to look for support. For it is more right that I ask it of The lady who can put me out of or Into joy 1975 Than anyone else. But I fear her manner too much, For well I know how much I hold her dear. But she looks a good deal more kindly Upon many others Than upon me, who have put all my time, 1980 My heart, my body, my affection, my thoughts Into loving her. Ah me! I am wretched, Now she is much more standoffish to me Than to others, which is hardly satisfying. I do not consider myself happy, 1985 For I seem to her a complete nonentity In my entreaties. 180Elle y aconte ensi que nient Cest ce qui en soussi me tient Dont se mon coer sesmaie et crient 1990 Et se complaint Bien y a cause il apertient Car toutes fois quii me souvient Comment ma dame me maintient Mon coer se taint 1995 Diversement en plus dun taint Car caleur et froideur lataint Et si nest douchour qui lestaint Dont sil navient Que francise pite ramaint 2000 Je scai moult bien ou Ii mors maint Et se je muir ossi font maint Morir couvient Jains mieuls morir ja ne demeure Puis que fortune me keurt seure 2005 Et que la mort pour moi labeure Questre entrepies Il nest confers qui me sekeure Ne qui pour moy aidier akeure Et mon las coer qui tous jours pleure 2010 Si est plaiies Dun ardant dart qui fa forgies Duns douls vairs yeux plaisans et lies Or nest boires tant soit haities 120a Qui me saveure Ne par qui soit assouagies Le soif que jai qui mest si gries Boire me fault dame or maidies Il en est heure Or ai je demandes a boire 2020 Et que ma demande soit voire On men puet loyaument bien croire Que grant soif jai Mais ce nest pas de vin daucoirre De saint poursain ne de saussoirre 2025 Tant soit clers ne frians en voirre Ne de goust gai Ains est dun simple parler vrai Qui viengne dou coer je navrai Bien jusqua tant que je verai 2030 Venir bon oirre Ce parler qui moste desmai Et lors le soif estinderai Que jai si grant certes je fai Bien a concroire 2035 <target id="page_181" target-type="page">181</target>XXVIII She thus counts them as nothing, And it is that which keeps me filled with cares. Therefore, if my heart is dismayed and cries out 1990 And complains, There is plenty of cause, it is apparent; For every time I remember How my lady treats me, My heart changes color 1995 Variously in more than one shade, For heat and cold overtake it, And it is not sweetness that quenches it. Thus if it does not happen That kindliness brings about pity, 2000 I know perfectly well where death leads, And, if I die, so do many: Death is fitting. XXIX I would prefer to die, to live no more, Since Fortune constantly pursues me 2005 And death labors after me, Than to be trampled underfoot. There is no comfort that reassures me Nor any which comes to help me, And my tired heart, which cries all the time, 2010 Is wounded By a burning arrow that was forged By pleasing and happy soft grey eyes. Now there is no drink, however cheering it might be, Which appeals to me 2015 Nor by which might be satisfied The thirst that I have, which troubles me so. I must drink, lady. Now help me, It is time. XXX Now I have asked to drink; 2020 And that my request is sincere, One can faithfully believe. What great thirst I have; But it is not for the wine of Auxerre, Of Saint-Pourçain or of Sancerre, 2025 No matter how clear or dainty in the glass Or lively tasting, Rather it is a simple word of truth That comes from the heart. I will not Be well until I see 2030 Come, in good speed, This speech which frees me from dismay, And then this great thirst that I have Will go away. Certainly I try hard To believe it. 2035 182Car qui desire il nest pas aise Ains vit en painne et ne mesaise Pour ce rechoi par saint nicaise Grief penitance Il nest nulle riens qui me plaise 2040 Ne qui mon povre coer apaise Fortune macole et me baise A sa plaisance Elle a sur moi trop grant poissance Elle me toit la congnissance 2045 De maniere et de contenance 120b Qui qui sen taise Se ce nestoit seule esperance Qui me tient en ferme ordenance Je ne vaurroie la montance 2050 Dune frambaise Mais elle bon confort me baille Et garant contre la bataille Qui nuit et jour en coer mentaille Pensers divers 2055 Dont je mestens frémis et baille Il nest nulle riens qui me vaille Ne je ne scai comment jou aille Nus ou couvers Car soit estes ou soit yvers 2060 Je sench mon corps mon sane mes ners Tous afoiblis palles et pers Ensi sans faille Sui je de par fortune ahers Nai fors le coer qui gist en fers 2065 Mais ja a lui ne sera sers Vaille que vaille Ne poet on croire a ma parole Oil car on dist a leseole Que la bouce dou coer parole 2070 Certes ce fait Vois de la mienne nist ne voie Que mon coer ne le jette en mole Et sent bien selle est sage ou foie Ains le retret 2075 Selle est bonne en avant le met Si non par derriere le let Mais je scai bien tant qua ce fet 120c Qui me console Dou milleur dou coer lai estret 2080 Et bien poroie dou parfet De ce que jai dit et retret Emplir un role <target id="page_183" target-type="page">183</target>XXXI For whoever feels desire is not at his ease, But instead lives in pain and misery. For this reason I receive, by Saint Niçaise, Heavy penance. There is nothing at all that pleases me 2040 Or appeases my poor heart. Fortune embraces me and kisses me At her pleasure. She has too much power over me. She takes away my awareness 2045 Of Good Manners and Behavior, Who remain silent. If it were not for Hope alone, Which keeps me firmly in line, I would not be worth so much 2050 As a raspberry. XXXII But she grants me good comfort And protection against the battle Which night and day carves into my heart Conflicting thoughts, 2055 From which I pull away, tremble, and yield. There is nothing of value to me, Nor do I know how I go about, Naked or dressed; For, whether it is summer or winter, 2060 I feel my body, my blood, my nerves All weakened, pale and lost. Thus, without fail, I am caught by Fortune. My heart, which lies in chains, is not strong; 2065 But it will never be her servant, No matter what happens. XXXIII Can my words not be believed? Yes, for it is said at school That the mouth speaks from the heart. 2070 Certainly, so it does. I see nothing come or escape from mine That my heart does not give shape, And feel whether it is wise or foolish In order to take it back: 2075 If it is good, it puts it forward; If not, it leaves it behind. But I know well, as far as that goes, What brings me comfort: From the best part of the heart I have taken it 2080 And could very well, from the totality Of what I have said or held back, Fill a list: 184Comment je vif comment je sui Comment je sench painne et anui 2085 Et si nen scai pas bien a qui Prendre consel A ma dame non a aultrui Deuisse monstrer mon anui Car premiers par li mis je fui 2090 En ce travel Ne phebus li diex dou solel Pour dane not ains le parel Que je rechoi si mesmervel Moult au jour dui 2095 Comment tant dure en tel essel En tel soussi en tel frefel Jai seul espoir la me consel Cest mon refui Gest asses peu car longe atente 2100 Fait bien falir iomme a sentente Il est avenu a euls trente Qui nont eu De leur queste nulle aultre rente Fors tele quamours me presente 2105 Mais asses peu je me contente De ce salu Car saucun ont leur temps perdu Je vodroie avoir despendu Le mien en grasce et en vertu 120d 2110 Las or me tempte Desespoir qui onques ne fu Mes dedens moi qui me sent nu De confort simple mat et mu Ce me tourmente 2115 Et si ne scai ou garant querre Il na si sage clerc en terre Qui me sceuist de ceste guerre Mettre a le fin Mon coer voelt que toutdis je erre 2120 Et com plus voi et plus menserre En estât ou ne puis conquerre Un seul frelin Sen rechoi je soir et matin Maint chaut maint froit et maint hustin 2125 Qui me font tenir chief enclin Or voel requerre Ma dame au gent corps feminin Que par son douls plaisir benin Je puisse dedens brief termin 2130 Sa grasce acquerre <target id="page_185" target-type="page">185</target>XXXIV Mow 1 live, now 1 get along, How I feel pain and trouble; 2085 And yet I do not know from whom I can Take counsel. To my lady, and not to anyone else, Must I explain my suffering, For it is through her that I was first put 2090 Into this travail; Never did Phoebus, the god of the sun, Have for Diana's sake the equal of what I receive. Thus I marvel Greatly today 2095 How I go on under such assault, In such care, in such tumult. I have only Hope. She counsels me; She is my refuge. XXXV That is rather little, for a long wait 2100 Can make a man fail in his intentions. It has happened to thirty of them, Who have not had Any better return from their quest Than Love offers me. 2105 But I take little satisfaction From this salvo, For, if others have wasted their time, I would like to have spent Aline in good favor and efficacy. 2110 Alas, now I am tempted By despair, which was never In me before, who feels me deprived Of comfort, dumbfounded, beaten down, and speechless; This torments me. 2115 XXXVI And so I do not know where to seek refuge. There is no clerk on earth wise enough To know how to put this war of mine To an end. My heart desires that I wander forever 2120 And, the more I see, the more I am closed up In a state where I cannot conquer A single hornet. So I receive both evening and morning Many a fall, many a chill, and many a dispute 2125 That make me hang my head low. Now I wish to ask of My lady with the fine female form That, by her sweet kind pleasure, I might be able in a short while 2130 To gain her mercy; 186Et se je fail ma joie est morte Et se je lai je me deporte Ensi voi devant moi la porte Ample et ouverte 2135 Qui joie et destourbier maporte Voies y a li une est torte Mais sieuir vodrai la plus forte Et plus aperte Plaisance sest a moi offerte 2140 Et ma dit a la descouverte Sert loyaument car de ta perte 121a Me desconforte Tu seras selonc ta desserte Paiies je te di tout acerte 2145 Et se fortune test perverte Si te conforte Ensi plaisance mamonneste Que je me tiengne en vie honneste Et moult bien me poet sa requeste 2150 Faire tout rice Croire le voel et servir ceste Pour qui je sui entres en queste Or doinst que sa grasce conqueste Car je mafice 2155 Que se jestoie rois daufrice Dux de baiviere et dosterice Sen feroi je ma dame frice Honnour et feste Las mes je croi quelle a trop nice 2160 Tient mon langage et mon service Et pour ce sur moi quoi quen dice Si peu sareste Je ne sui pas de taille digne Pour amer cose si benigne 2165 Com est ma dame feminine Mais jen acuse Amour qui a mis la rachine Dedens le coer et qui mencline A samour or en determine 2170 Car je mescuse Par lui chi ne fault nulle ruse Je scai bien comment mon temps use On me débat on me refuse 121b On me hustine 2175 Cest ce pour quoi je pense et muse Trop est pites pour moi repuse Pour quoi mest elle si rencluse Ne si estrine <target id="page_187" target-type="page">187</target>XXXVII And if I fail, my joy is dead; And if I have it, I will rejoice. Thus I see before me the wide and Open door, 2135 Which brings me joy and trouble. There are pathways: the one is wrong, But I wish to follow the more difficult And more valorous. Pleasure offered herself to me 2140 And told me from the beginning: "Serve loyally, for I am distressed By what you have lost. You will be rewarded according to your Desert, I tell you in all certainty; 2145 And if Fortune is perverse towards you, Take comfort in it." XXXVIII Thus Pleasure admonished me That I should maintain an honest life, And her petition could very likely make things 2150 Turn out well for me. I wish to believe it and serve the woman For whom I began my quest. Now may it be granted that I win her mercy, For I swear 2155 That, if I were king of Africa, Duke of Bavaria or of Austria, I would do my lively lady Honor and pleasure. Alas, but I believe that she has thought 2160 My language and service too foolish; And therefore, to me, whatever I say, She gives little attention. XXXIX I am not of such worthy stature As to love one so kind 2165 As my feminine lady, But I blame Love, who put the root Into my heart and inclined me towards Her love. Now let him decide about it, 2170 For I excuse myself Through him, and this requires no trickery. I know how my time is being wasted: I am argued with, refused, Disputed; 2175 It is this that makes me ponder and muse. Pity is too thoroughly hidden from me. Why is she so reclusive And such a stranger? 188Quant el que loyaute ne voel 2180 Servir et cremir bel aquoel Et obéir a tout son voel Pas ni prent garde Ma dame hemi dont jen requoel Plus de grietes quavoir ne soel 2185 Et cupido dont je me doel Si me regarde Fellement de sa haute garde Trait ma de lamoureuse darde Mais de celle que mal feu arde 2190 Plainne dorgoel Qui est hayneuse et couarde A trait ma dame la gaillarde Bien le voi car elle me tarde 2195 Son douls aquoel Et ne seal comment men cevisse Car se viers li mespris euisse Vraiement je me rendesisse En leure mas Mais nennil pour quoi je deuisse 2200 Rechevoir si grant prejudisse Que je rechoi ne pour quoi gisse De tous solas He! cupido navre tu mas De la flece dont ja navras 2205 Phebus pour dane or ne voi pas 121c Qui me garisse Ma dame me fuit le grant pas Et se mont donne ce trespas Si douch vair oel fait par compas 2210 Simple et propisse Car quant premiers me regardoient Vis mestoit que bien me pouoient Conforter pour ce quii estoient Douls simple et vair 2215 En ce regart quii me faisoient Tout plainnement me conqueroient Car en regardant me perchoient Sens corps et coer Or voel requerre a jupiter 2220 Et a venus sa belle soer Et a Juno deesse en 1er Quii me desloient De ce tres dolereus enfer Et ostent de mon coer le fer 2225 Qui me toit le goust et le fler Que mi oel voient <target id="page_189" target-type="page">189</target>XL I hough I desire nothing but loyalty, 2180 To serve and fear Fair Welcome And obey all his wishes, My lady pays No attention. Ah me! And so I reap More griefs than I care to have! 2185 And Cupid, of whom I complain, Looks at me Cruelly with his haughty regard: He has wounded me with the arrow of love; But with the one that burns with evil fire, 2190 Full of pride, Which is hateful and cowardly, This gallant shot my lady. I see it clearly, for she is slow giving me Her sweet welcome. 2195 XLI And I do not know how I might prevail, For were I to offend her, Truly I would put myself In a bad situation. But not at all. Why should I 2200 Face such great obstacles As I do? And why do I escape All comfort? Ah! Cupid, you have wounded me With the same arrow with which you wounded 2205 Phoebus for Diana's sake. Now I do not see Who can cure me: My lady flees me at a great pace And yet it was her soft gray eyes Made to perfection, simple and gracious, 2210 That brought me to this death. XLII For, when they first looked upon me, It seemed to me that they could bring me Great comfort, because they were Sweet, simple and true. 2215 In this look that they gave me They conquered me completely, For in looking they transfixed me, Spirit, body, and heart. Now I wish to ask Jupiter 2220 And Venus, his beautiful sister, And Juno, goddess of the air, To release me From this painful hell And take from my heart the arrowhead 2225 That strips from me both taste and smell, That my eyes see. 190Car je voi ce que je nai mie Grasce en ma dame a cui je prie Dont se ma priiere est oie 2230 Et que li dieu Lessaucent par leur courtoisie Faire me poeent grant aie Car quant phebus not point damie Dales un rieu 2235 Un biau lorier vit en son lieu Or pri Jupiter de coer pieu Que men fait face plus hastieu 121d Et quii maye Car je mac tout ou plaisir sieu 2240 Ma dame me fait trop pensieu Et pas ne li di en ebrieu Ma maladie Mais en langage cler et plain Quant je puis mes tant fort je lain 2245 Que quant li voel dire en certain Et en appert Comment pour lui sui soir et main Je nai bouce coer oel ne main Qui puist dire ne monstrer grain 2250 Quel cose il quert Or ne scai de quoi chils fes sert Car simplement et en couvert Se tiennent mi oel tout ouvert Et ont grant fain 2255 Que mon coer dice jai souffert Tous griefs pour vous dame or desert Mort ou merci il le requert Au pardarrain Mais neimil mon coer pas ne poet 2260 Dire tout ce quii pense et voelt Et pour ce souffrir len estoet Tamaint grant grief Car désirs ardanment le moet Par plaisance qui le promoet 2265 Et puis quns tels assaus sesmoet Dedens mon chief Ή couvient que je traie a chief Ma penitance et mon meschief Mais je voi bien que de rechief 122a 2270 Ensi quii soet Mon coer je sench si fort blechief Dun dart qui est escrips ou brief Dont phebus fu navres en brief Que ce le doet 2275 <target id="page_191" target-type="page">191</target>XLIII For I see that which I do not have at all: Mercy in my lady, to whom I pray Thus, if my prayer is heard 2230 And the gods Assent by their courtesy, They can give me great help; For when Phoebus did not have any lover at all, Beside a stream 2235 He saw a lovely laurel in her place. Now I pray Jupiter with a pious heart That he might hasten the solution of my case And that he might help me, For I do all things for his pleasure. 2240 My lady makes me too heavy-hearted And I do not tell her about my malady In a drunken state, XLIV But rather in clear and plain language, When I can. But I love her so much 2245 That, when I wish to tell her definitely And clearly How I live for her both night and day, I have neither mouth, heart, eye nor hand That can say or show a bit 2250 The thing it seeks. Now I do not know to what end all this serves, For innocently and secretly My eyes stay wide open And they have a great yearning 2255 For my heart to say: "I have suffered Every grief for you, lady." Now it deserves Death or mercy. My heart calls out for it At death's door. XLV But not at all. My heart cannot 2260 Say everything it thinks or wants; And therefore it must suffer Many great griefs, For Desire moves it ardently Because of Pleasure which excites it. 2265 And since such an assault is taking place In my head It is fitting that I bring to a conclusion My penitence and my unhappiness. But I see clearly that again, 2270 Just as it has been, I feel my heart so strongly wounded By an arrow, which is inscribed with the message By which Phoebus was quickly hurt, That this makes it suffer. 2275 192Car la plaie nest pas petite Qui mest dedens le coer escripte Pas ne mi nuist ains mi pourfite Car elle est fette Dun penser qui moult me delite 2280 Et quant je sench nul opposite En pensant aparmoi recite Qui li a trette Uns regars une douce attrette De la belle bonne et parfette 2285 Qui de toute honnour est estrette Or soit benite La plaie et ossi la saiette Qui me tient en si douce dette Que mon travel et ma souffre tie 2290 Tieng pour merite Cest mon bien cest toute ma joie Gest li pensers qui me resjoie Et le quel nuit et jour menvoie Grasce et confort 2295 Alefois quant le plus manoie Et que par souhet je vorroie Qua moi venist la droite voie Amere mort Et je ymagine bien fort 2300 Le gent corps et le biel deport La maniere et le douls ressort 122b Ma dame quoie Je preng en moi grant reconfort Et mest vis que jaroie tort 2305 Se par cause de desconfort Je mocioie Lanscelos tristrans lyonniel Porras le baudrain cassiiel Paris et tamaint damoisiel 2310 Nont pas este Ame pour seul dire il mest biel Dame quor prendes ce capiel Et me donnes sans nul rapiel Vostre amiste 2315 Nennil ains en ont bien livre A grant martire leur sante Et maint y ont ains quiestre ame Laissiet le piel Or sui je lies en verite 2320 Et preng la mort en grant chierte Quant jou ai compagnon trouve Il mest trop biel <target id="page_193" target-type="page">193</target>XLVI For the wound is not small That is written in my heart. It does not hinder me, but rather it improves me, For it is made From a thought which brings me great delight; 2280 And when I do not feel any opposition, In thinking to myself I declare: "Who shot it there? A look, a sweet enticement From the beauty, good and perfect, 2285 Who is the image of all honor." Now may the wound Be blessed and also the arrow point Which holds me in such sweet debt That I consider my trouble and suffering 2290 Something meritorious. XLVII It is my wealth, it is all my joy, It is the thought that gladdens me And sends me, night and day, Grace and comfort, 2295 At the same time, when it troubles me most And in my wishes I would like For bitter death to come to me Directly And I imagine vividly 2300 The noble form and graceful deportment, The manner and the sweet appeal Of my tranquil lady, I take within myself great comfort And it seems to me that I would be wrong 2305 If, because of my suffering, I were to kill myself. XLVIII Lancelot, Tristan, Lionel, Poras, Cassiel the Baudrain, Paris and many a young man 2310 Has not been loved Just for saying: "It would please me, Lady, if you would now take this chaplet And give me, without repeal, Your love." 2315 Not at all, but rather they have given up Their health in great martyrdom; And there is many a one, rather than being loved, That lost his hide. Now I am truly happy 2320 And accept death with good will: Since I have found companions, It is beautiful to me. 194Aumains ne puis je morir seuls Jai des compagnons plus de deus 2325 Mais en fin de mon plaint piteus Je te délivré Amours tous mes fes temporeus Car tu ies mes diex corporeus Et te pri tres affectueus 2330 Que livre a livre Poises les bien car je me livre Tels a toi ne plus ne voel vivre Sees tu pour quoi trop fort menivre 122c Li ardans feus 2335 Qui le coer langereus fait ivre Mais je tempri escripme ou livre Ou on trueve qui bien sarive Les amoureus Dame cent clauses desparelles 2340 Pour vostre amour nest pas mervelles Ai mis en rime or crieng moult celles A mal dittees Sensi est encoupes les belles Vos simples et plaisans maisselles 2345 Qui a point blances et vermeiles Sont coulourees Car ce mont souvent mes pensees En pluiseurs pourpos transposées Et se bien ne les ai posees 2350 Si me conselles Amours car je tai moult danees Servi et mon service grees Mais sees tu de quoi tu mesfres Trop me travelles 2355 En souspirs en plours et en plains Prist un peu daces mes complains Et non pour quant en mon gisant Ce complaint aloie disant 2360 Plus dîme fois le jour sans doubte La estoit mon entente toute Et le souvenir de ma dame Qui diex gart et de corps et dame Ce me faisoit entroubliier Asses mon merancoliier 2365 A ce mesbatoie aparmi 122d Au cief de .iii. mois et demi Se cessa la fievre quavoie Je me mis au râler la voie Je sambloie bien demi mors 2370 Moult de fois le man puis remors Et ma dame en parla a celle Chils jones homs est moult dist elle <target id="page_195" target-type="page">195</target>XLIX At least I cannot die alone: I have more than two companions. 2325 But at the end of my piteous complaint I hand over to you, Love, all my temporal goods, For you are my earthly god, And I pray you most lovingly 2330 That, pound by pound, You weigh them well; for I leave all Such to you, I no longer wish to live. Do you know why? I am too unnerved By the ardent fire 2335 That makes my weary heart drunk. But, I beg you, write me into the book Where whoever follows the road well finds Those who love. L Lady, I have put one hundred 2340 Different line endings—it is no marvel— Into rhyme for your love. Now I fear that many Are badly expressed. If so, hug the pretty ones to Your innocent and pleasing cheeks, 2345 Which are perfectly colored in white And rose, For they have often transposed My thoughts in various ways. And if I have not put them well, 2350 Advise me, Love, for I have already served you Many years, and you have accepted my service. But, do you know how you frighten me? You make me suffer too much. 2355 In sighs, in tears, and in cries My complaints stopped for a moment, And nonetheless, as I lay helpless, This complaint went forth More than once a day, without doubt; 2360 My whole meaning was there, And the memory of my lady, May God protect her body and soul. This made me forget My melancholy somewhat; 2365 At this, I took pleasure within myself. At the end of three and a half months The fever I had came to an end; I began to go out again. Indeed, I seemed half dead; 2370 Many a time it has been recalled to me. And my lady spoke of it to her friend: "This young man has gotten," said she, 196Empires dont ce poise moi Dist la damoiselle je croi 2375 Quii se prendera a sante Ce seroit bien ma volente Dist ma dame par saint remi Tout ensi le redist a mi La demoiselle di ex li mire 2380 Cest drois quen tels parlers me mire Car ce mestoit uns grans confers Or me prist voloirs daler fors Dou pays et oultre la mer Pour moi un petit refremer 2385 En sante et pour mieuls valoir Je ne mis pas en noncaloir Mon pourpos ains perseverai Et que fi je je le dirai A la damoiselle men vins 2390 De mon aler parlement tins Et elle le me loa bien Pour ma sante et pour mon bien Car dun homme toutdis avoir A lostel ce nest pas savoir 2395 Et entroes que vous seres hors Ne puet estre cauquns recors Ne seront de vous moi a elle 123a Voire di je ma damoiselle Mes entroes que hors je serai 2400 Et que ceste point ne verai Dont tant me plaisent Ii regart Que ferai je se diex me gart Il faut que vous me consillies Ha! dist elle anchois quen aillies 2405 Tel cose ares se diex mavance Ou vous penres tres grant plaisance Selle le dist pas nen falli Lendemain je revins viers li Mes elle meut tout pourveu 2410 Che dont gre li ai puis sceu Tenes dist elle je vous baille Che miroir et sacies sans faille Que ceste qui nest pas iree Si est ja par .iii. ans miree 2415 Si len deves plus chier tenir Dont li di diex vous puist benir Car moult vales et moult vous pris Le mireoir liement pris Si le boutai dedens mon sain 2420 Pries dou coer que je tins plus sain Ne leuisse rendu arriere Pour le royaume de baiviere De la damoiselle parti Lies et joieus je le vous di 2425 Et puis ordonnai ma besongne De trestout ce quii me besongne Dou pays parti quant fu tamps Damours le droit arroi sentans 197"Much worse, which weighs heavily on me." And the lady said: "I believe 2375 That he will recover his health." —"That would certainly be my wish," Said my lady, "By Saint Remi!" In just those words, the maiden repeated it To me, may God reward her. 2380 It is right for me to take pleasure in such conversation, For it was a great comfort to me. Now I was overcome by a desire to get Out of the country, and beyond the sea, In order to restore my health a little 2385 And improve myself. I did not neglect my plan But rather I persevered, And what did I do? I will tell you. I went to the young lady; 2390 I held forth on the subject of my departure, And she approved it as being good For my heal th and for my well-being: "For when a man stays at home All the time, it is not wise. 2395 And while you are away, It cannot be that there will be No reflections upon you." And I to her: "True," said I, "my lady; But while I am away 2400 And I am not seeing that one Whose looks so please me, What will I do? As God protects me, You must give me advice." —"Ah!" said she, "before you go away 2405 You will have something, if God helps me, In which you will take great pleasure." She did not fail to do as she said. The next day I came back to her, But she had prepared everything for me, 2410 For which I was then grateful to her. "Wait," she said, "I am presenting you This mirror; and know without doubt That your lady, who is not angry, Has been looking at herself in it for three years; 2415 So you must cherish it all the more." And so I said to her: "May God bless you, For you are very worthy, and I have great esteem for you!" I took the mirror gaily; Then I thrust it into my bosom, 2420 Next to my heart, to keep it safer. I would not have given it back For the realm of Bavaria. I parted from the young lady Happy and joyous, I tell you, 2425 And then I put my affairs in order with Everything that I was going to need. I left the country when it was time, Feeling that I was right with love. 198Et pour ce qun petit vi lombre 123b 2430 De la belle dont je fai nombre Ordonnai au département Amours men donna hardement Un virelay gai et joli Que je fis pour lamour de li. 2435 .Virelay. Au departir de vous ma dame Li coers ne scet se li corps part Car tous jours tire a vous par mame Par le grant désir qui menflame Pour vostre amour bruist et art 2440 Mes je vous lais ma dame chiere Tenes ma foi mamour entiere Sans departir Or le prendes a lie chiere Car vous en estes droituriere 2445 Dou pourveir Mon corps se part li coers se panie Car vo vair oel qui sont droit dart Lont si ataint que sans le flame Qui nuit et jour lart et enfiarne 2450 Narai séjour tempre ne tart Au departir etc. Dou virelai lors plus ne fis Dont je croi que je me mesfis Car encor y deuist avoir 2455 Dou mains un vier au dire voir Mais quant acompagniet on est Avoec les gens tels fois il nest Aucun parler ou aucun compte Dont il couvient quon face compte 2460 Et que son penser on delaie 123c Ce me fist faire le delaie Dou virelai que nen fis plus Car ne voloie la que nuls Sceuist que je fuisse en penser 2465 Car donne euisse a penser A chiaus qui tout a pes estoient Et qui avoec moi sesbatoient Nous chevaucames tant adont Le jour premier et le secont 2470 Et chiaus qui nous embesongnierent Quonques cheval ne resongnierent Que nous venins a une ville Ou davoles a plus de mille 199And because I saw a little the shadow 2430 Of the beautiful lady whose story I tell, I put together at my leaving (Love gave me the nerve to do it) A gay and lively virelay That I composed for love of her: 2435 Virelay In parting from you, my lady, My heart does not know if the body goes, For I am always drawn towards you, by my soul, By the great desire that enflames me, I blaze and burn for your love. 2440 But I leave you, my dear lady; Keep my faith, my entire love Undivided: Take it now, with a happy face, For you are the rightful protector 2445 Of my love. My body breaks, my heart grows faint; For your gray eyes, which are true javelins, Have wounded me so that, without the flame That burns it and enflames it night and day, 2450 I would have no rest, early or late, In parting [from you, my lady, My heart does not know if the body goes, For I am always drawn towards you, by my soul, By the great desire that enflâmes me, I blaze and burn for your love.] Then I worked no more on my virelay; Which I now believe was a mistake, For it still should have 2455 At least one more verse, to tell the truth. But when one is surrounded By people, at such a time there is No speech and no story That is fitting to take account of, 2460 Arid one must delay one's own thoughts. This caused me to set aside The virelay so that I composed no more; For I did not wish that anyone Might know that I was deep in thought, 2465 For I would have given something to think about To those who were completely at peace And were amusing themselves with me. We rode ahead, therefore, The first day and the second, 2470 Along with those who were taking care of our affairs, So that the horses were never a concern, Until we came to a town Where there were over a thousand who had been put to flight, 200Et illuec nous mesins en mer 2475 En volente doultre rimer En une nef grans gente et fors Mes anchois que je fuisse fors Euch vers ma dame maint souspir Maint pensement et maint espir 2480 Qui me lisent liet et courtois Et la ordenai jusqua trois Rondeles en ytele fourme Quamours en moi aidant enfourme .Rondiel. Dou corps qui sans coer navie 2485 Douce amie en ceste nef Souviegne vous je vous prie Dou corps etc. Car soit a mort soit a vie Je vous en laisse le clef 2490 Dou corps etc. Depuis nai gaires atendu I23d Que jai au secont entendu Et le fis par maniere tele Que la saisons qui moult ert bele 2495 Le requeroit tant qua ceste heure Car qui nage en mer il labeure .Rondiel. Diex dornst que brier vous revoie Ma droite dame en honnour Car je muir pour vostre amour 2500 Et en quel part que je voie Diex doinst etc. I! nest ne chemins ne voie Qui me puist donner bon jour Fors vous qui estes mamour 2505 Diex doinst etc. Depuis nagames une espasse Et ensi qune wage passe Par le force dou vent divers No nef fist tourner a revers 2510 Li maronnier criierent lors Car Ii aige entroit ens es bors Le single abati on aval Moult y valirent li cheval Qui estoient ou bas estage 2515 Car il nous fisent avantage Entre les ondes et le vent Valent as maronniers souvent Bien me sovient del aventure 201And there we put out to sea 2475 In the desire to sail across In a ship that was great, noble, and strong. But although I was in pain, I had many a sigh for my lady, Many thoughts and many yearnings, 2480 That made me lighthearted and cordial. And right there I composed three Rondeaux, in the very form That love in his assistance taught me. Rondeau Of this body, which navigates without a heart, 2485 Sweet friend, on this ship, Have remembrance, I beg you, Of this body, [which navigates without a heart.] For, whether dead or alive, I leave you the key, 2490 lo this body, [which navigates without a heart, Sweet friend, on this ship.] Afterwards I hardly waited at all Before turning my attention to the second; And I composed it in a way That the weather, which was beautiful, 2495 Demanded at that particular hour, For whoever travels on the sea, that man struggles: Rondeau May God grant that I see you soon, My true lady, in honor; For I die for your love, 2500 And everywhere I go, May God grant [that I see you soon.] There is no road or way That can bring me happiness Except for you, who are my love. 2505 May God grant [that I see you soon, My true lady, in honor, For I die for your love.] After this we sailed on for a while; And just as a promise passes away, By the force of varying winds, Our boat was turned backward. 2510 The sailors cried out then For the water came into the boat; The damaged sail was lowered. The horses which were stowed below Were of great value, 2515 For they worked to our advantage; Between the waves and the wind, They are often helpful to the mariner. I remember the circumstances well, 202Mes quonques jen fesisse cure 2520 Ne qua cordes le main mesisse Ne de riens men entremesisse Ensi me voelle diex aidier 124a Quant jen arai plus grant mestier Mes a mon rondelet pensoie 2525 Et aparmoi le recensoie Le quel je fis et ordonnai Tout ensi que puis le donnai A ma dame pour quele amour Je sentoie mainte langour. 2530 .Rondiel. On doit amer et prisier Joieuse merancolie Qui tient le pensee lie Et le tamps fait oubliier Sans soussi et sans envie 2535 On doit amer etc. Et moult souvent souhedier Quon soit avoec sen amie Pour maintenir gaie vie On doit amer etc. 2540 Che rondel recordai je asses Entroes fu li lais tamps passes Dieu merci a bon port venimes Par vent par singles et par rimes Et arivans en une terre 2545 Qui plus het le pais que le guerre En ce pays ne venoit nuls Qui ni fust le tres bien venus Car cest terre de grant déduit Et les gens y sont si bien duit 2550 Que toutdis voelent en joie estre Dou tamps que je fui en leur estre Il mi pleut asses grandement Je vous dirai raison comment 124b Avoec les signeurs et les dames 2555 Les damoiselles et les fames Mesbatoie tres volentiers De ce nestoie pas ratiers Et ossi sacies qua ma dame Pensoie si souvent par mame 2560 Que je navoie nul sejour Ce me mettoit et nuit et jour Une heure en joie et lautre non De moi tenoie pries le don Que meut donne la damoiselle 2565 Au partir dieu merci a elle Car moult me plaisoit a veoir Cestoit le plaisant mireoir 203Although I did not care much about it 2520 And never put my hands on the ropes Or got involved in any way, May God help me as much When I put more effort into it! But I was thinking of my rondeau 2525 And I was reciting it to myself, The one that I made and composed Just so that I could give it lb my lady, for whose love I was feeling great longing. 2530 Rondeau One must love and value highly Joyous melancholy, Which keeps thought gay And makes one forget time Without care and painful longing; 2535 One must love [and value highly Joyous melancholy,] And often make a wish To be with one's own love; To maintain a happy life, One must love [and value highly 2540 Joyous melancholy, Which keeps thought gay.] I wrote down this rondeau; In the meantime, the bad weather passed. God be thanked, we were brought by the wind To safe harbor, with sails and rowing, Arriving in a country 254S That hates peace more than war. No one comes to this country Who is not well received, For it is a country of great delight; And the people are so well brought up 2550 That they wish always to be in a state of enjoyment. For the time that I was among them, They pleased me very much. I will tell you why. With the lords and the ladies, 2555 The maidens and women I amused myself with great pleasure; In this, I was not stingy; And also know that I thought Of my lady so often, by my soul, 2560 That I did not have any rest. This put me, both night and day, One hour in joy and the next not. I kept near me the gift That the maiden had given me 2565 At my parting, God bless her, For it pleased me greatly to see it: This was the pleasant mirror. 204Ce me donnoit joie et confort Et pensement ossi moult fort 2570 Car quant ou miroir me miroie Sus ma dame pas ne miroie Ancois disoie en ceste glace Se miroit ceste qui me lace Le coer et tient sougit sous soi 2575 Las son douls vis plus ne perchoi Pluiseurs fois sest ychi mires Mes de che sui je moult ires Que je ne le puis perchevoir De tout che ensi esce voir 2580 Par figure pour verite Quns ombres qui vient sus clarte Chi est lumiere et puis vient ombre Qui le tamps fait obscur et sombre Las pour quoi de ma dame chiere 2585 Quant je regarde le maniere 124c Dou mireoir nai le regart De sa facon se diex me gart Je vorroie quii peuist estre Que je ressamblaisse le mestre 2590 Qui fist le mireoir a romme Dont estoient veu li homme Qui cevaucoient environ Se le sens avoie ossi bon Que chils qui le mireoir fist 2595 En cesti chi par jhesucrist En quelconques lieu que giroie Ma dame apertement veroie. Ensi devisoie aparmi Dont pluiseurs fois par saint remi 2600 Prendole en parlant tel plaisance Quil mestoit avis par samblance Que je veoie au dire voir Ma dame ens ou mien mireoir Tamainte consolation 2605 Me fist lymagination Dou mireoir et de la glace Ou ma dame eut mire sa face Et le tenoie moult prochain Tant de mon coer que de mon sain 2610 Jamais je nen fuisse senoec Que toutdis ne leuisse avoec Moi en quel que part que jestoie Car au regarder mesbatoie Cestoit mon bien et mon delit 2615 De quoi il avint quen mon lit Jestoit en une nuit couchies Des pensers damours atouchies 124d Sous mon orillier je leuch mis En pensant a che mendormis 2620 Dont vis me fu en mon dormant Quen une cambre bien parant Bien aournee et bien vestue 205It gave me joy and comfort, And also great sadness; 2570 For when I reflected upon the mirror, I did not get angry at my lady, But rather I said: "In this glass Was reflected the one who ensnares My heart, and holds it subject to herself; 2575 Alas! I no longer see her sweet face! It was reflected here many times; But I am most irritated by the fact That I can not perceive it. All of this is similar, in truth, 2580 Figuratively speaking, To a shadow which comes over brightness: Here is light, and then the shadow comes Which makes die weather dark and somber. Alas! Why is it that when I look at 2585 The form of the mirror, I do not see the face Of my dear lady? So help me God, I wish it could happen That I would be like the master craftsman 2590 Who made the mirror in Rome In which could be seen the men Who were riding around on their horses. If I had as much knowledge As the man who made that mirror, 2595 In this one, by Jesus Christ, No matter where I went, I would see my lady perfectly." Thus I conversed with myself. So that several times, by Saint Remi, 2600 I took such pleasure in my talk That it appeared to me, so it seemed, That I saw, to tell the truth, My lady in my very mirror. Imagination made for me 2605 So much consolation From the mirror and the glass Where my lady had looked at her face, And I held it very close As much to my heart as to my breast. 2610 Never was I without it So that I always had it with Me, wherever I was; For I took great joy in looking at it; It was my wellbeing and my delight. 2615 So it happened that I had One night gone to bed, Deep in thoughts of love. I had put it under my pillow. I fell asleep thinking of this. 2620 And so it seemed to me, in my sleep, That in an attractive bedchamber, Well decorated and draped 206De tapisserie batue Tous seules illuec mesbatoie 2625 Et ensi quen la cambre estoie Ceste part vins et ens regarde De mon mireoir me prens garde Que gi voi limpression pure De ma dame et de sa figure 2630 Qui se miroit ou mireoir Et tenoit divore un trechoir Dont ses ceveles demi Ions Partissoit quelle eut biaus et blons Jen fui esmervillies forment 2635 Mes pour .c. muis de bon fourment Je ne vosisse estre aulire part Adont dou mireoir me part Car dencoste moi le quidoie Qui bien aimrne cest drois quii doie 2640 Regarder a ce quii desire Je neus ne mautalent ne ire Ains di ma dame ou estes vous Pardonnes moi fins coers tres dous Che que sur vous sui embatus 2645 Lors le cuidai veoir sans plus Dire a li lors ne mos ne vers Mais il men fu tout au revers Car en fourme ne le vi pas Si fi je en le cambre maint pas 125a 2650 Et le quis a bon escient Par tout mes ne le vi noient Puis men revins au mireoir Et encores lalai veoir Lors di vechi cose faee 2655 Certes dame forment magree Quant piner vous voi vos ceviaus Se vous jeues as reponniaus Faites aumains que je vous troeve En nom damour je le vous roeve 2660 Adont les fenestres ouvri Et tous les tapis descouvri Pour savoir selle si mettoit Mais vraiement pas la nestoit Non pour quant ens ou mireoir 2665 Le pooie pour voir veoir La disoie en moi cest fantomme Non est car ja avint a romme De deus amans luevre parelle Tele si nest pas grant mervelle 2670 De ceste chi quant bien mavise Ensi quovides le devise Il y eut jadis dedens romme Le fil dun sage et dun noble homme Chils estoit papirus nommes 2675 En pluiseurs lieus est renommes Car li sens de li moult vali A dame amer pas ne fali 207In tapestry embroidered in gold, I was enjoying myself there all alone; 2625 And while I was in the room I came to this place and looked at it; I noticed my mirror, Where I saw the perfect impression Of my lady and of her face 2630 Which was reflected in the mirror, And she held an ivory comb, With which she parted her long Hair, which was beautiful and blonde. I was greatly amazed; 2635 But for one hundred measures of good wheat I wouldn't wish to be anywhere else. At that time I left the mirror, For I imagined her to be beside me; Whoever loves deeply, it is right that he 2640 Must pay attention to the thing he desires. I felt neither ill will nor anger, But rather said, "My lady, where are you? Pardon me, most sweet and refined heart, For having come upon you suddenly." 2645 Then I believed that I saw her, without Saying another word or line to her; But everything was now backwards to me, For I did not see her in physical form. So I took many steps around the room 2650 And sought her in all earnestness Everywhere, but did not see her at all. Then I went back to the mirror And again I began to see her; Then I said: "Here is an extraordinary thing! 2655 Certainly, lady, it pleases me very much When I see you combing your hair; If you are going to play hide and seek, At least let me find you, In the name of love, I beg you." 2660 Then I opened the windows And removed all the hangings To see if she had hidden there. But truly she was not there. Nonetheless, in the mirror 2665 I could truly see her. Then I said to myself: "This is not A ghost; for long ago in Rome Just the exact same thing happened to Two lovers, so this thing is 2670 No great marvel, when I consider it well, As Ovid has related it: "Long ago in Rome there was The son of a wise and noble man, Who was named Papirus. 2675 He was renowned in many places For his wisdom was of great worth. He did not lack a lady to love, 208Ossi fu bien ames de celle Ydore eut nom la pucelle 2680 De papirus et dydoree Est listore tres bien doree 12Sb Car si loyaument sentramerent Quonques loyauté nentamerent Ains furent leur coer tout uni 2685 Avint de papirus ensi Que li rommain si leslisirent Pour un grant besoing et li dirent Papirus il ten faut aler Au roi de cecilie parler 2690 Li chemins y est grans et Ions Pour ce envoiier ti volons Quon te tient en romme a moult sage Et que bien feras le message Papirus nosa dou non dire 2695 Mes ses coers fa moult remplis dire Et quant ce dist a ydoree Si en fa forment esploree Et dist papirus amis douls De moi dont vous partires vous 2700 Jen ai au coer si grant effroi James ne me veres je croi Et papirus qui grant sens ot Dist ensi quant ydoree ot Belle il faut que tout ce se face 2705 Alais tous jours me veres en face Et je vous or vous confortes Et de tous doels vo coer ostes Car je serai lors revenus Deus mireoirs fist papirus 2710 Je ne scai pas sus quele englume Mais il furent tout dun volume Et fait par tel nigromancie Que ce fa trop belle mestrie 125c Car quant il venoit en agree 2715 Que ens se miroit ydoree Elle y veoit son ami chier Papirus pour li solacier Et papirus otretant bien Veoit ydoree ens ou sien 2720 Tel durèrent au dire voir Le voiage li doi miroir Encores en voit on lexemple A romme de minerve ou temple. Dont se lors pooie veoir 2725 Ma dame ens ou mien mireoir Croire le doi et a moi plaire Car jai figure et exemplaire Qui est toute cose certainne Ossi dame tres souverainne 2730 Quant je vous voi forment magree Car cest cose trop plus faee Que dou mireoir papirus 209And he was well loved by her; The maiden was named Ydorée. 2680 The story of Papirus and Ydorée Is indeed quite well gilded, For they loved each other so loyally That they never broached the subject of loyalty But rather were completely united in their hearts. 2685 It came to pass for Papirus That the Romans chose him For a great mission, and said to him: 'Papirus, it is necessary for you To go speak to the king of Sicily; 2690 The road there is great and long. We wish to send you, Since you are considered in Rome to be Very wise and you will carry the message well.' Papirus did not dare refuse, 2695 But his heart was full of anger; And when he told this to Ydorée, She was overcome with weeping, And said, 'Papirus, my sweet love, Will you thus go away from me? 2700 I have such terror in my heart; You will never see me again, I believe.' And Papirus, who had great wisdom, Said this when he heard Ydorée: 'Pretty woman, it is necessary that all this be done, 2705 But you will always see my face And I yours. Now take comfort Arid remove all the sadness from your heart, For I will come back again.' Papirus made two mirrors, 2710 On what anvil I do not know, But they were both of just the same size And made by such a magical spell That it was the most wonderful art, For when it pleased Ydorée 2715 To look at herself in the mirror, She saw her beloved friend, Papirus, to comfort her; And Papirus just as surely Saw Ydorée in his. 2720 And so the two mirrors lasted Throughout the voyage; And one can see another example In Rome, in the Temple of Minerva. "Therefore if I can see my lady so, 2725 In my mirror, I must believe it and it must please me. For I have the model and precedent That is to be trusted in every way; Also, my most sovereign lady, 2730 When I see you, you please me exceedingly, For this is an even more magical thing Than the mirror of Papirus, 210Car je vous voi et sus et jus Tout parmi ceste cambre aler 2735 Aumains que vous dagnies parler Et un petit ouvrir vo bouce Je nai main qui sur vous atouce Ne qui y puissent atoucier Parles car je me voel coucier 2740 Droit chi dales mon mireoir Et vo contenance veoir Car mieuls ne puis manoir ne estre Lors massis dales la fenestre Et mapoie dessus ma coûte 2745 Main a maisselle et si escoute 125d Et entens le vois de ma dame Ne mosai remuer par mame Car espoir se remues fuisse Trop grant plaisir perdu euisse 2750 Ains me tins quoi et regardai Ou mireoir que bien gardai La figure vi que me touce Qun petit entreouvri la bouce Dont dessus moi la vois oy 2755 Qui grandement me resjoy. .Le reconfort de la dame. Se pour moi es tristres et ariguisseus Mas esplores et en coer dolereus Et de complains dire et faire songneus Tres dous amis certes tu nies pas seus 2760 Car mon las coer povres et langereus Est enviers toi fins vrais et amoureus Ne il ne poet nuit ne jour estre wiseus Quadies ne pense Comment te soit en toute honneur piteus 2765 Ne te vorroit point estre despiteus Car loiies est damours dossi drois neus Que pour tristran en fu la belle yseus Et genevre pour lanscelot le preus Et tout aultre non pas seul de ces deus 2770 Mais pour les faus mesdisans hayneus Faut abstinense Car leur parler leur oevre et leur loquense Est si plainne de toute violense Quon doit cremir destre en leur audiense 2775 Et se pour toi est grans la differense Mon coer en a ossi dure sentense 126a Car bonne amour latise et lime et tense Qui ne le lait omme jour ne dimense De dire ensi 2780 A ton servant grasce un petit dispense Par quoi sur toi nullement ne mespense Car mal paiies se tient en consciense 211For I see you high and low Going everywhere in my chamber. 2735 If only you would deign to speak, And open your mouth a little! I have no hand that touches you Nor any that can reach you. Speak, for I wish to lie down 2740 Right here, beside my mirror, And see your countenance, For I cannot live or exist in any better state." Then I sat down beside the window And supported myself on my elbow, 2745 Hand to cheek, and thus listened And heard the voice of my lady. I dared not budge, by my soul, For, perhaps, if I were to stir, I would have lost this great pleasure, 2750 But rather I stayed still and looked In the mirror that I kept so carefully. I saw the face that touched my heart, Which opened slighdy its mouth, And from above me I heard the voice 2755 Which greatly cheered me. <italic>The Comfort of the Lady</italic> I If because of me you are sad and anguished, Depressed, tearful, and grieving in your heart, And vigilant at making and speaking your complaint, Most sweet friend, certainly, you are not alone, 2760 For my weary heart, poor and languorous, Is pure, true, and loving towards you, Nor can it, night or day, be idle That it is not always thinking How to be merciful to you honorably. 2765 Nor would it at all be scornful to you, For it is bound up with love, with knots as tight, As pretty Isolde was for Tristan And Guinevere for valiant Lancelot, Or any other, not only these two. 2770 But because of false and hateful slanderers 1 must forbear. II For their words, dieir deeds, and their talk Are so full of violence of all kinds That one must fear being in their range of hearing. 2775 And if the unpleasantness of this is great to you, My heart also suffers a harsh sentence, For Good Love stirs, excites, and torments it, Never ceasing, on workdays or on Sunday, To say thus: 2780 "Give your servant just a little pity, Which no one will think badly of you for; For he believes himself poorly rewarded 212De ce qua li fais si longe silense Ensi amours nuit et jour me recense 2785 Je me tieng bien contente de la cense Or te supplì en nom dobediense Soies ensi Tels enviers moi com je sui enviers ti Et que no coer soient vrai et uni 2790 Car je te tieng pour mon tres douls ami Loyal secre discre humle et joli Ne onques mes tant ne ten descouvri Avise toi sur ce que je te di 2795 Et a outrage ne le tiens je tempri Se plus avant Que nas eu je te presente chi Car se de ce tavoie enorgilli Morte marois je le te certefi Mes en ton bien telement je mafi 2800 Que quant gi pense asses men glorefi La loyauté de toi ma enhardi De toi donner confort grasce et lotri De ton demant Voires mes cest par un tel couvenant 2805 Que se ton bien aloit amenrissant Et voloies ouvrer de faus samblant Morte marois pis que dou dart trenchant Dont acteon ocist sa dame quant 126b Elle laloit parmi le bois querant 2810 Car de bon coer la belle lamoit tant Quen un buisson Repuse estoit pour veoir en passant Acteon qui les dains aloit cachant Car elle en ert en jalousie grant 2815 Chils tret son cop apries .i. dain alant Ceste feri par mescief ignorant Et le navra dou cop. la belle errant Piteusement li dist en escriant Ha! acteon 2820 Li dains sen fuit morte mas sans raison Li damoisiaus entendí bien le son Son arc mist jus au tret vint dou bougon Celle acola qui pale eut la facon Car de la mort ni avoit garison 2825 Et quant il vit que pour tele oquison Morte 1 avoit si en eut grant fricon Je le raporte A celle fin entens bien ma licon Quentrer ne voel de toi en souspecon 2830 Car je taim plus que hero leandon Ne medee nam a le preu jason 213Because you have remained silent for so long." Thus love exhorts me night and day; 2785 I remain content with the rate of payment, And beg you in the name of obedience, To be III Just the same towards me as I have been towards you, In order that our hearts might be true and united, 2790 For I consider you my very sweet friend, Loyal, cautious, discreet, humble, and pleasing; Nor have you ever revealed yourself so much before. Take heed of what I am telling you, And don't consider it an insult, I beg you, 2795 If I do not Put you forward now more than you have been, For if by doing this I made you presumptuous, You would cause my death, I promise you. But I have so much faith in your goodness 2800 That when I think of it, I feel a little proud. Your loyalty has given me the courage To give you comfort, mercy, and the gift That you demand. IV Stili it is true that it is by the sort of arrangement 2805 That, if your goodness began to diminish, And you chose to work through false-seeming, You would cause me a worse death than did the slicing dart With which Actaeon killed his lady, when She went searching for him in the woods; 2810 For this beauty loved him with such a good heart, That in a wood The lady hid herself, to see Actaeon Passing by, as he went hunting for some deer, For she had an extreme jealousy of him. 2815 Fie released his arrow towards a running buck, Struck her with no intent of harm, And wounded her with the blow. Right away the pretty one Said to him pitifully as she cried out: "Ah! Actaeon, 2820 V The buck has escaped, you have killed me wrongfully!" The young man heard the sound clearly; He put down his bow, followed the arrow's path. In his arms he gathered this girl, who was looking pale, For there was no cure that would save her from death. 2825 And when he saw that he had killed her Under such circumstances, it made him shudder. I tell this story For this reason, so understand my lesson well, That I do not wish to become suspicious of you, 2830 For I love you more than Hero loved Leander And Medea loved the valiant Jason. 214Mon coer mamour te donne en abandon Or en uses sans nulle desraison Aies toutdis îoiielle entension 2835 Et te conforte A loyautE maintenir te deporte Je ne te voel estre enfrune ne torte Mes justement de mon bon coer tenorte Que je voel que no coer tout dune sorte 2840 Soient et se nuls nul mal nous raporte 126C Ja nentera jalousie en no porte De ce serai vraie ententieue et forte Je le te jure Mes je te pri qun petit te susporte 2845 Pour mesdisans que maie mort en porte De ce que vois riens ne te desconforte Seurement sur ce que di endorte Uns tamps venra quencor diras ressorte Joie en nos coers qui ores sen transporte 2850 A tout le bien que tu poes te ramorte Et tasseure Ensi que di je te serai seure Et se je tai este un peu plus dure Que ne vorrois de tout ce ne fais cure 2855 Car la piteuse vie maint en lobscure Dore en avant te serai douce et pure Et osterai de ton las coer lardure Je voel sentir tout ce que tu endure Esce or asses 2860 Figure mas au lorier par figure Et a dane qui tant fu dure et sure Contre phebus ce dist li escripture Conques amer ne le volt par droiture Muee en fu de dyane en vredure 2865 Ce fu pour dane une gries aventure Certes amis au lorier me figure A tous bons gres Car li loriers est uns arbres loes Vers en tous tamps prisies et honnoures 2870 Onques ne fu ne enfrains ne mues Ensi sera ferme en moi loyautes Ne cangerai soies asseures 126d Mes je te pri car tu ies moult discres Obeissans humles vrais et secres 2875 Que bellement Soit li estas amoureus gouvrenes Car je te jur et sest ma volentes Que se .ii. ans .iii. ou .v. la prendes Et laportast ensi nécessites 2880 Tu avoies a lensus de moi mes Se serois tu tous jours en moi entes 215I give you my heart, my love in total surrender; Now use it without any foolishness; Always have loyal intentions, 2835 And I will comfort you. VI Take pleasure in remaining loyal; I wish to be neither cruel nor tortuous towards you, But only to exhort you good-heartedly That I wish our hearts to be of one 2840 Accord, and if no one ever says ill of us, Then jealousy will never enter our door. In this case, I will be true, attentive, and strong, I swear to you. But I beg you to be a little patient because of 2845 Rumor-mongerers, who bring a bad end. As I see it, nothing should be grieving you; Sleep securely with what I have said, A time will come when you will say: "May the joy Be reborn in our hearts, which now escapes us!" 2850 Fasten onto and secure for yourself All the good that you can. VII Just as I say, I will be faithful, And if I have been a little harsher than You would have liked, do not worry about all this, 2855 For a life devoted to kindness remains in the shadows. From now on I will be sweet and truthful to you And I will remove the burning from your tired heart. I want to feel everything you endure; Now is this enough? 2860 You have compared me to the laurel tree And to Daphne, who was so harsh and unyielding "Towards Phoebus, as the story goes, That she swore never to love him; She was changed by Diana into a tree; 2865 This was, for Daphne, a painful experience. Certainly, my friend, I am quite happy to Imagine myself as the laurel, VIII For the laurel is a much praised tree, Green in all seasons, esteemed and honored; 2870 Never is it either broken or changed. Thus will I be firm in my loyalty; I will not change, you may be sure; But I beg you, as you are most discreet, Obedient, humble, true and trustworthy, 2875 That the life of love Must be very carefully managed; For I swear to you, and this is my will, That if for two years, three or five, you stay there And if, by necessity, 2880 You have remained far away from me, You will nonetheless always be grafted within me 216Et en mon coer escrips et figures Vechi comment En ton maintien en ton gouvernement 2885 En ton parler en ton contenement En ton regart garni datemprement Penroie nuit et jour esbatement Et seslongiet mavoies un granment Si me seroit tous jours tout ce present 2890 Par un tres douls souvenir seulement Qui mest propisse A ceste amour dont je taim ardanment Mes je te pri et pour plus longement No vie avoir joie et deportement 2895 Voelles user de tout ce bellement Pour mieuls salir on sareste souvent En trop haster na nul avancement Qui souffrir poet il vient a ce quii tent Se je peuisse 2900 Mon tamps passe esleeciet tenisse Et puis quamours voelt que de mon coer isse Confort pour toi et qun peu te garisse Ce nest pas drois que je te renkerisse Mamour te donne il ni faut nul premisse 127a 2905 Salve monnour la tient le prejudisse Se mieulz peuisse faire je le fesisse De coer entier Or te requier qua present te souffisse Sensus de moi amis je te veisse 2910 Pour ton pourfit liement tescripsisse Et assavoir par lettres te fesisse Comment mon coer voelt que te resjoisse Et que jamais nostre amour ne fenisse Mes on en voie lardeur et ledefisse 2915 Montepliier Je ne doi pas hayr ce qui ma chier Ne ce fuir qui me voet aprochier Quant je ni voi quonneur sans reprochier Et loyauté sans mentir ne trechier 2920 Par plusieurs fois tai peut assaiier Par refuser sans toi riens otroiier Par toi monstrer samblant cruel et fier Piain de rigour Dont pluiseurs fois tai veu fretillier 2925 Trambler fremir sane muer et cangier Onques trop dur ne furent mi dan gier Je tai veu toutdis humiliier Et bellement priier et suppliier Dont vraieinent je lose bien jugier 2930 Asses te doit ta loyaute aidier Or tiens mamour 217And written and pictured in my heart. Here is how: IX In your appearance and behavior, 2885 In your speech, in your attitude, In your look embellished with moderation, I will take pleasure night and day, And if you have been far away for a long time, Just so all this will always be with me 2890 Only by a very sweet memory, Which for me is propitious To this love with which I love you ardently. But I beg you, in order that we might have Joy and pleasure in our lives for a longer time, 2895 Make use of all this most carefully. To leap forward, one must stop frequendy; In too much hurry, there is no progress; He who knows how to suffer gets the thing he wants. If I had been able, 2900 X I would have shown more delight in times past, And since love wishes for comfort to come forth From my heart for you, and for me to cure you a little, It is not right for me to make you pay too dearly. I give you my love; nothing further is required, 2905 Except my honor. That is the danger. If I could do better, I would do it With my whole heart. For the present, I call upon you to be satisfied. If I see that you are far from me, my friend, 2910 I will happily write you for your benefit, And I will let you know through letters How my heart wishes for you to be happy And for our love never to end, But rather that its passion and substance be seen 2915 To multiply. XI I must not hate what holds me dear, Nor flee from him who wishes to draw near me, When I see nothing there but irreproachable honor And loyalty without lying or tricks. 2920 Many a time I have tested you By refusing, without conceding anything, By showing you a cruel and proud face, Full of severity, From which, several times, I have seen you quiver, 2925 Tremble, shudder, alter, and change in your blood. Never were my signs of standoffishness too harsh: I saw you repeatedly humble yourself And make gentle requests and supplications; So that, truly, I dare indeed conclude that 2930 Your loyalty must help you a great deal: Now take my love. 218Je le tacorde amis en toute honnour Mes autrement nen prias onques jour Car garnis ies de sens et de valour 2935 De congnissance et de gentil atour Que ne vorrois pour riens ma deshonnour 127b Ce bon renom te portent li pluisour Ceste vertu a en toi grant vigour Et bien magree Quant jai mon coer ente en un sejour 2940 Et si me voi amee dou millour Que veisse ains pour ce taim et aour Et pour oster de ton las coer lardour Je te requier en joie et en douchour 2945 Que tout espoir te soient de savour Nest nulle riens qui en viegne a son tour Se ta pensee Est en amours mise et eiirachinee Il ne sera ne soir ne matinee 2950 Que ne te soit toute joie ajournee Onques ne fu tamour en riens fraudee Mes je tous jours bel servie et loee Cremue en foi prisie et honnouree Or ten sera loevre guerredonnee 2955 Sans nul délai Ne me veras de ce pourpos muee Pour parolle de creature nee Pour fortune qui mal est avisee Car en ton bien telement il magree Que cose que je voi riens ne meffree 2960 Car en la vie amoureuse et discree Ai mis mon coer et toute ma pensee Saces de vrai Confortes toi en ce que te dirai 2965 Secretement tous les jours ame tai Mes onques mes de ce ne te parlai Dor en avant je le te monsterai Et croi ensi que je le te dirai 127c Si trestos com je parler toerai 2970 Car je tai mis en tamaint grant assai Par maintes fois Mes onques jour certes ne te trouvai Fors tres loyal la vois ten porterai Et le renom quel part que je serai 2975 Tu te dois bien donques oster desmai Car onques coer fors que le tien namai Ne a nul jour jamais je namerai Trestout ensi en mon coer escript lai Com tu le vois 2980 <target id="page_219" target-type="page">219</target>XII I grant it to you, my friend, in all honor; But you have never asked for it in any other way For you are equipped with wisdom and valor, 2935 With knowledge and gentle disposition, Such that you would never wish my dishonor; Most men bear you in this good reputation, This virtue is very strong in you. And this pleases me well, 2940 Since I have fixed my heart permanently And thus find myself loved by the best 1 have ever seen; therefore, I love and adore you. And in order to remove the burning from your weary heart, I summon you in joy and sweetness 2945 That you might taste of every hope; There is nothing that fails to come in time. If your mind XIII Is set and rooted in love, There will be no evening or morning 2950 That will not be adorned with joy. Never has your love been dishonest in any way; But rather, I have been well served and praised, Faithfully respected, valued, and honored. Now your work will be rewarded 2955 Without delay; You will not see me deviate from this intention No matter what anyone may say, Nor through Fortune, who lacks judgment; For so much pleasure comes to me from your goodness 2960 That nothing of what I see frightens me; For I have dedicated my heart and all my thought To the life of love and circumspection, Know this truly. XIV Comfort yourself in what I tell you: 2965 I have always loved you secredy, But I will never again speak to you of this. From now on I will show it to you; And be assured that I will tell it to you As clearly as if I had said it aloud. 2970 For I have put you through such great trials Many a time; But never, indeed, have I found you to be anything But loyal. I will bring you good name And reputation, wherever I may be. 2975 Henceforth you must, therefore, rid yourself of dismay For I have never loved any heart but yours, Nor have I ever not loved you; Exacdy in this way I have written it in my heart, Just as you see it. 2980 220Soie a le ville as camps as pres as bois Soie en esbat ou esbatre meri vois En dis en fes en parlers et en vois Seras de moi nommes le tres courtois Pour qui mes coers est tristes et destrois 2985 Quant plus souvent ne te voi et cest drois Et tout ensi maie sains elois Que je jurrai Dessus les sains sacres et beneois Se mesdisant ne tendoient leurs rois 2990 De quoi il font as amans moult d effroi s Pour un confort je ten donroie trois Mais je te pri quen bon gre tout rechois Car en un jour avient plus or men crois Quii navenra souvent en trente mois 2995 Or ne tesmai. Lors se tint la vois quoie et mue Et la figure se transmue Ou mireoir plus ne le vi Car son pourpos eut assouvi 3000 Dont me sambloit que je disoie 127d En dementroes que la gisoie Vechi mervelles et fantomme En ce penser perdi mon somme Et lors que je fui esvillies 3005 Grandement fui esmervillies Non pour quant a mon orillier Malai erranment consillier Assavoir se gi trouveroie Mon mireoir ne li veroie 3010 Oil voir droit la le trouvai Ou je leus mis lors le levai Et le baisai moult doucement Puis pensai en moi longement Que javoie veu ma dame 3015 Et oy parler. mes par mame Ce nestoit que derision De toute men avision Et quelle me feroit a dur Pour mon confort si grant eur Croi fermement que le contraire 3020 Oras tu temprement retraire Je ne sui pas tous seuls au monde Selonc ce que jai de faconde A cui li douls diex de dormir 3025 Morpheus que si bon remir A en dormant fait grasce vainne Ceste chi mest asses lontainne Mes toutes fois soit fable ou voir Je li en doi grant gre savoir 3030 Quant en dormant ma monstre celle Pour qui lamoureuse estincelle Sench et perchoi que peu redoubte 128a <target id="page_221" target-type="page">221</target>XV Whether in the city, the fields, the meadows, the woods, Whether at entertainment where I go to be amused, In word, in deed, in conversation, and in renown, You will be named by me as the most courteous, For whom my heart is sad and distraught, 2985 Since I do not see you more often, and this is the truth. And so help me Saint Eloi, I will swear Upon the holy blessed saints that If slanderers did not spread their nets 2990 With which they cause lovers so much fright, For one comfort I would give you three. But I entreat you to accept everything gratefully, For in one day there will come as much good, I believe, As often does not come in three months; 2995 Now be not dismayed. Then the voice remained silent and mute, And the face transformed itself. I no longer saw it in the mirror, For it had achieved its purpose. 3000 And so it seemed to me that I was saying As I was lying there: "Here is something marvelous and strange!" In this thought I lost sleep. And when I woke up, 3005 I was very much amazed. Nonetheless I went immediately To check my pillow To find out whether I would find My mirror or see it there. 3010 Yes, indeed! I found it right there Where I had left it. Then I picked it up And kissed it very gently. Then I thought to myself for a long time That I had seen my lady and heard 3015 Her speak. But, by my soul, My vision was nothing But a mockery! And that she would go to the trouble to create Such happiness for my comfort— 3020 I firmly believe that you will have to Report the contrary very soon! I am not the only one in the world, From what I am able to tell, For whom the sweet god of sleep, 3025 Morpheus, who repays one so well, Has created false mercy in sleep. This mercy is rather far away! But in any case, whether it be fable or truth, I must be very grateful to him, 3030 When in my sleep he has shown me the one For whom I feel and experience The spark of love, which I fear a bit: 222Mis ma en pes et en grant doubte Je vorrai retourner en brief 3035 Que ma dame nait aucun grief Se sarai comment il li est Je croi que fortune me pest Daucune douce melodie Qui me tourra a maladie 3040 Car se la belle au corps vaillant Pour qui je me voi travillant Trouvoie mariee ou morte Cest li poins qui me desconforte Par le digne corps jhesucris 3045 Mon testament seroit escris Je vorroie morir sans faute Nai pensee basse ne haute Fors a ma dame que tant ains Dont joindi humlement les mains 3050 Viers le ciel et fis ma priiere Que ma tres douce dame chiere Peuisse a sante reveoir Adont baisai mon mireoir "Tout pour ma dame et pour samour 3055 A cui diex doinst joie et honnour Et laissai mon penser ester Je ne mi veus plus arester Et pris en bon confort le tamps Dieu merci je fui plus sentans 3060 Finaument de bien que de mal Peu de cose en especial Reconforte le coer damant A toute joie me ramant Mon songe et bien y a raison 128b 3065 Adont manoia le saison Pour ce que la tant sejournoie Et quens ou lieu ne retournoie Ou javoie laiiet ma dame Pour qui jai fait tamaint esclame 3070 Et sui encor près dou sentir Sans moi de noient alentir Mes ou lieu et ens ou pays Ou je nestoie pas hays Avoie lors tant desbanoi 3075 Que ce me brisoit mon anoi Non pour quant quant bien mavisoie Et a ma dame je visoie Moult bien ailleurs estre vosisse Lors dis en moi il faut que gisse 3080 De ce pays trop y demeure Râler men voel il en est heure Et quon voie que chi manoie Cest bon qun petit mesbanoie A faire un virelay tout ample 3085 Ensi qu jen ai bien lexemple. 223It has put me both in peace and in great doubt. I will wish to return home quickly 3035 So that my lady might have no unhappiness; Thus I will know how it is with her. I believe that Fortune weighs me down With some sweet melody That will turn into an illness for me; 3040 For, were I to find the beautiful lady With the noble body, for whom I see myself suffering, To be either married or dead, That is the blow that would destroy me; By th e worthy body of Jesus Christ, 3045 My last will and testament would be written! I would wish to die without a doubt. I have no thought, serious or light, Except of my lady, whom I love so much. And so I humbly clasped my hands 3050 Towards heaven and said my prayer That I might again see my very sweet And dear lady in good health. Then I kissed my mirror All for my lady and her love, 3055 She to whom God gave joy and honor, And I let my thinking cease. I no longer wished to dwell on it, And took the situation cheerfully. Thank God, I was more aware 3060 Finally of the good than the bad. Few things are especially Comforting to the heart of the lover; My dream brings me back to complete joy, And with good reason. 3065 Now the passage of time bothered me Because I was staying there so long And I was not returning to the place Where I had left my lady, For whom I had made so many complaints, 3070 And for whom I am still having the same feeling Without relenting in any way. But in this place and this country, Where I was not despised, I had so much pleasure 3075 That it relieved my pain. Nonetheless, when I thought it over And set my sights on my lady, I wished very much to be elsewhere. Then I said to myself: "I have to leave 3080 This country, I have stayed too long; I want to return; it is time, And it is apparent that I am troubled. It is good for me to amuse myself By composing a complete virelay, 3085 Just as my model appropriately suggests": <target id="page_224" target-type="page">224</target>.Virelay. Moult mest tart que je revoie La tres douce simple et quoie Qui jaim loyaument Et pour qui certainnement 3090 Chils séjours manoie Long tamps a que ne le vi Ne que parler nen oi Sen vifs en tristour Car en son maintien joli 3095 Et ou plaisant corps de li 128c Garni de valour Tous esbatemens prendoie Et par ensi je vivoie Tres joieusement 3100 Or me faut souffrir tourment Ens ou lieu de joie Moult mest etc. Amours dittes li ensi Quonques amans ne souffri 3105 Si forte labour Que jai souffert pour li chi Et soufferai autressi Jusqua mon retour Cest raisons quelle men croie 3110 Car quelque part que je voie Tant laim ardanment Il mest avis vraiement Que toutdis le voie Moult mest etc. 3115 Or sont grief plour et grief cri Regret anoi et soussi En moi nuit et jour Car sus lespoir de merchi De li au partir parti 3120 Et par bonne amour Dont sa li parler pooie Aumains je li monsteroie Ce que mon coer sent Mes bien voi tant quen present 3125 Nuls ne mi renvoie Moult mest tart etc. Lors que jai fait le virelai 128d A la dame bailliet je lai Qui me tenoit ens ou pays 3130 Dont je nestoie point hays Elle voit ben par le sentense Que mon coer aillours tire et pense <target id="page_225" target-type="page">225</target>Virelay For much too long I have not seen The sweet, simple, humble lady, Whom I love faithfully And for whom certainly 3090 This absence troubles me. For a long time I have not seen her, Nor have I heard her speak, And so I live in sadness, For, in her gay demeanor 3095 And in her pleasing body, Embellished with worthiness, I took nothing but pleasure, And thus I lived Most joyously; 3100 Now I must suffer torment Instead of joy. For much too long [I have not seen The sweet, simple, humble lady] Love, tell her this: That never has a lover suffered 3105 Such difficult pains As I have suffered here for her And will suffer still Until my return. It is right for her to believe me, For, wherever I may go, 3110 I love her so ardently It seems to me truly That I see her every day. For much too long [I have not seen 3115 The sweet, simple, humble lady] Now there are grievous tears and cries, Regret, pain, and care In me, night and day, For with the hope of mercy I parted from her at my leaving 3120 And out of true love; And so if I could speak with her, At least I would show her What my heart feels; But I see clearly, as for now, 3125 Nothing will send me back there. For much too long [I have not seen The sweet, simple, humble lady] Wien I had finished the virelay I presented it to the lady Who sustained me in this country, 3130 Where I was not despised. She saw clearly from the meaning That my heart and thoughts were drawn elsewhere. 226Asses bien men examina Et de moi tant adevina 3135 Que fort estoie enamoures Or dist elle vous en ires Si ares temprement nouvelles De vo dame qui seront belles Dor en avant congiet vous donne 3140 Mes je le voel et si lordonne Quencor vous revenes vers nous Et je qui estoie en genous Li dis ma dame ou je serai Vostre commandement ferai 3145 Et la a mon département Me donna dou sien grandement Se tant vous en voles savoir Chevaus et jeuiaus et avoir Qui puis me fisent moult de bien 3150 Je men revins ou pays mien En bon estât et en bon point Dieu merci il nen falli point Et lors que je fui revenus A painnes fui je descendus Quant deviers celle je me trai 3155 Qui de nos coers scavoit lattrai La quelle moult me conjoi Ma venue le resjoi Et me demanda merci soie 129a 3160 Comment dou corps je le faisoie Et avoie ossi depuis fet Certes di je sai maint souhet Fet au les de cha puissedi Que me parti et que vous vi 3165 Et toutefois que fet ma dame Moult bien ce voel ge voir par mame Car en li est ma sante toute Sai depuis eu mainte doubte De li et mainte souspecon 3170 Je vous dirai par quel facon Je mestoie coucies un soir Desous mon cief le mireoir Que me donnastes au partir Mes en dormant sans point mentir 3175 En un tel songe me ravi Que ma dame proprement vi Et liement la simple et douce Par trop biaus parlers de sa bouce Me reconfortoit doucement 3180 Et fui asses et longement En grant joie par son parler Et si tost que len vi raier Je mesvillai lors tresalli Car la vision me falli 3185 Apries la joie fui en painne Non pour quant en celle semainne Fis un virelay tout nouvel Velechi de ce mest moult bel 227She examined me on the subject rather thoroughly And guessed enough to know 3135 That I was deeply in love. Then she said: "You will go away, So that you can quickly have News from your lady, which will be good. From this time forward I give you leave, 3140 But I wish, and thus command, That you come back to us again." And I, who was on my knees, Said to her, "My lady, wherever I am I will do what you command." 3145 And then, at my departure, She generously gave me gifts, If you wish to know so much: Horses and jewels and riches, Which afterwards did me much good. 3150 I went back to my own country In good shape and fine fettle; Thank God, nothing was lacking. And when I had gotten back, I had barely disembarked, 3155 When I drew near to the lady Who knew the attraction of our hearts, And she welcomed me heartily— My coming gladdened her— And asked me, bless her, 3160 How I was doing, And also how I had been. "Certainly," said I, "I have sent many a wish From there to here since the day When I left and last saw you. 3165 And during all this time, how has my lady been?" —"Very well"—"As I wished, truly, by my soul, For my health depends entirely on her; And so I have had many concerns About her and many apprehensions, 3170 And I will tell you what kind: I had gone to bed one night, With the mirror you had given me At my parting under my head, But as I slept, and this is no lie, 3175 I was overcome by such a dream That I actually saw my lady; And happily the sweet and gentle lady, With beautiful words from her mouth, Sweetly brought me comfort; 3180 And I was completely and for a long time In great joy because of her words. And as soon as I saw her go away, I woke up. Then I shuddered, For my vision had come to an end. 3185 After the joy, I was in pain; Nonetheless, during that week I wrote a new virelay. Here it is."—"This is very pleasing to me," 228Ce respondí la damoiselle 3190 Ce sera cose moult nouvelle Dou virelay je le donrai 129b Et croi bien que de li arai Une response pouveue De tout bien a vo revenue 3195 Car depuis vostre departie Avons en yceste partie Parle de vous par pluiseurs fois Plus que ne faisions anchois Que vous vos partistes de chi 3200 Encor pores avoir merchi Pas ne vous deves esbahir Amours ne voelt nullui trahir Serves loyaument sans séjour Car longe deb te vient a jour 3205 Le tamps passoie ensi avint Des jours ne demora pas .xx. Que de ma dame oy nouvelle Qui lors me fu plaisans et belle 3210 Car elle devoit une nuit Estre en solas et en déduit Chies une sienne grande amie On me dist or ni fales mie Et son puet par nulle raison Vous enteres en le maison Pas ni falli anchois y vins 3215 Mes par dehos lostel me tins Nosai noient touchier al huis Ains regardai par un pertruis En solas et en esbanoi 3220 Avoec aultres ma dame voi Dun biel corset estoit paree Lors dansoit hemi com magree Sa maniere et sa contenance 129c A grant dur fis la abstenance 3225 Et toutes fois nosai emprendre Dentrer pour doubte de mesprendre Car il se fait bon abstenir De cose dont mauls poet venir En ceste nuit se diex me gart 3230 Je nen euch el que le regart Par le pertruis dune fenestre Di je en moi qui te fait chi estre On se trufe mouít bien de toi Cest commencemens de castoi 3235 Jusques au jour droit chi seroies Aultres nouvelles tu noroies Mes cuides tu quii leur souviegne Que chi tu ies et quon te viegne Querre pour la dedens entrer 3240 On y scet bien sans toi ouvrer Encor te tien je pour kokart Quant tu te tiens ychi si tart Va toi couchier lors me parti 229Answered the young lady; 3190 "This will be something quite new In a virelay; I will give it to her, And I believe firmly that I will have from her A response that is full of Pleasure because you have returned; 3195 For since your departure We have spoken of you Here numerous times, More than we used to before You departed from here. 3200 You will still be able to have her mercy; You should not worry at all. Love never wishes to betray anyone; Serve loyally without stopping, For a debt long owed will come due." 3205 I passed the time; and thus it happened, Before twenty days had passed, That I heard news of my lady That was pleasing and beautiful to me; For one night she was going to 3210 Amuse and entertain herself At the house of one of her close friends. I was told: "Now don't fail to be there, And if it can be arranged by any means You will come into the house." 3215 I did not fail, but rather I came; But I stayed outside the house, I dared not touch the door, But looked in through a window. I saw my lady taking pleasure and 3220 Amusement with others; She was dressed up in a pretty bodice. Then she danced. Ah me! How her Bearing and countenance please me! With great difficulty I restrained myself, 3225 But at the same time I dared not undertake An entrance, for fear of making a blunder; For it is good to avoid things From which bad results can come. On this night, may God help me, 3230 I had nothing from her but the view- Through the opening of a window. I said to myself: "Why are you here? You are certainly being made to look a fool! This is the beginning of a warning: 3235 You will be right here until day comes, And you will not hear another word. But do you believe they remember That you are here and that someone is going To come looking for you to bring you in? 3240 They know how to get along without you! Therefore I consider you an idiot To be staying here so late. Go home to bed!" And then I left. 230Peu de repos la nuit senti 3245 Et encores mains lendemain Car on me dist pour saint germain Ou aves vous anuk este Vous euissies moult conqueste Son vous euist trouve a point 3250 De ce neuissies falli point De parler a la bonne et belle Qui nest pas ores trop rebelle De vous ains vous voit volentiers Trop plus que ses cousins en tiers 3255 Je respondí soie merci I29d Vraiement je passai par chi Et fui grant tamps ens ou regart Mes je nosai se diex me gart Faire signes que hors estoie 3260 Pour celles que laiens veoie On me dist che fu trop bien fet Ensi avint depuis ce fet Que j estoie en celle maison Ou ma dame avoit grant raison 3265 Daler car ycelle et la rente Estoit une sienne parente En une cambre bien paree Et tres joliement arree Tant dorilliers com de tapis 3270 De courtines et de biaus lis Et ensi com illuec estoie Et quau parler je mesbatoie Ma dame daventure y vint Contre li lever me couvint 3275 Quant je le vi je fui tous pris Toutes fois asses bien compris Qun petit couleur canga elle Et la estoit la damoiselle Dont je mai a loer moult fort 3280 Qui nous fist seoir par acort Et nous dist encor nous estant Par foi vous estes tout dun grant Ce seroit une belle paire Et diex doinst quamours vous apaire 3285 Lors nous commencha a galer Et je cuidai trop bien parler Et li remonstrer mon désir 130a Ou samour me faisoit jesir Jen avoie bien tamps et lieu 3290 Mes par la foi que je doi dieu Je fili plus souspris en peu deure Que tel que pour mort on keurt seure En parlant ma dame regarde Mon coer dist parle qui te tarde 3295 De quoi ne scai et ossi nose Dient me oel cest fiere cose Tu le vois et nas hardement De Ii monstrer ton sentement Un grant tamps euisse este la 3300 231I did not get much rest that night 3245 And even less on the next, For someone asked me, "By Saint Germain, Where were you last night? You would have had much to gain Had you been found where you were expected; 3250 You would not have failed to get to speak To your good and beautiful lady, Who is not very much against You, but rather would be much gladder to see you Than she is to see her third cousins." 3255 I answered: "Have mercy! Honestly, I came by there And spent a great while looking at her; But I dared not, God help me, Make any sign that I was out there 3260 Because of those I saw inside." And I was told: "That was well done." Thus it happened after this event That I was at this house— Where my lady had good reason 3265 To go, for the lady who was the tenant Was a relative of hers— In a room that was beautifully decorated And very prettily furnished with As many pillows as rugs, 3270 Hangings and beautiful couches. And thus as I was in that place And I was amusing myself in conversation, By chance my lady came there; I had to rise and greet her. 3275 When I saw her, I was overcome. At the same time, I noticed That she changed color a bit. And there was the young lady Whose praises I must loudly sing, 3280 Who had us, by our leave, sit down And said to us, while we still were standing: "My word, you are both the same height; This would be a good match, And may God grant that love makes you a couple." 3285 Then we began to amuse ourselves; And I fully intended to speak And show her die desire In which love for her had made me lie. I had plenty of time and space; 3290 But, by the faith I owe God, I was more taken aback in a short time Than one who runs for his life to safety. In speaking, I look at my lady; My heart says: "Speak, who is stopping you?" 3295 —"From what? I don't know, but I dare not." And my eyes say, "This is something to be proud of! You see her and don't have the bravery To show her your feelings?" I would have been there a long time 3300 232Sans parler mes elle parla Soie merci moult doucement Et si me demanda comment Javoie fet en ce voiage Et je li di ma dame sai je 3305 Pour vous eu maint souvenir Pour moi voire et dont puet venir De ce dame que tant vous ains Quii nest heure ne soirs ne mains Que je ne pense a vous toutdis 3310 Mes je ne sui pas bien hardis De vous remonstrer dame chiere Par quel art ne par quel maniere Jai eu che commencement Del amoureus atoucement 3315 Et ma dame lors me regarde Un petit rit et puis me tarde Son regart et ailleurs le met Dautres parolles sentremet De parler a la damoiselle 130b 3320 Qui dales moi estoit dist elle Chils jones homs qui siet ychi Nest pas empires dieu mierchi Ens ou voiage quii a fet Et la damoiselle a ce fet 3325 Li respont diex en soit loes Dist elle il faut que vous oes Un virelai plaisant et bel Quii a fet de la tout nouvel Dont vous estes matere et cause 3330 Lors me requisì sans mettre y pause Que je li vosisse otriier Je ne men fis gaires priier Car javoie plaisance au dire Je le dis et baillai pour lire 3335 Et elle men sceut trop grant gre Tant sacies bien de mon secre. Nous fumes en esbatement Droit la non pas si longement Que je vosisse bien sacies 3340 Car mon coer qui estoit lacies Et est damours certainne et ferme Ne peuist avoir trop long terme Destre tous jours avoec ma dame Pluiseurs fois fumes la par mame 3345 Et ensi nous esbations Vraiement je croi quii nest homs Se bien aimme quii ne soit tous Une heure amers et lautre douls Pour moi le di lors tels estoie 3350 Que moult liement mesbatoie Alefois et quant jalousie 130c Me batoit de sen escorgie Jestoie mournes et pensieus Et clinoie en terre les yeus 3355 233Without speaking, but she spoke, Thank God, very sweetly, And she asked me how I had fared on my voyage. And I said to her; "My lady, I had 3305 Many thoughts of you." —"Of me?"—"Truly"— "And where could they come from?" —"From this, my lady, that I love you so much That there is no hour, evening or morning, That I am not always thinking of you; 3310 But I am not brave enough To reveal to you, dear lady, By what means or in what manner I experienced the beginnings Of this amorous state." 3315 And then my lady looked at me, Gave a little laugh, and then Averted her eyes and gazed elsewhere; She busied herself in speaking other Words to the young lady 3320 Who was near me. She said: "This young man who is sitting here Became none the worse, thank God, During this trip he took." And the young lady responded to 3325 This remark: "God be praised," Said she; "You must hear A pleasing and beautiful virelay That he composed over there, all new, Of which you are the subject and cause." 3330 Then she asked me, without waiting a bit, If I might be willing to offer it to her. I hardly needed to be asked to do it, For I took pleasure in saying it. I recited it to her and gave it to her to read, 3335 And she offered her thanks to me— Know this much well—for my secret thoughts. We were there enjoying ourselves For not nearly as long As I would have hoped, you understand, 3340 For my heart, which was thoroughly captured And is constant and sure in its love, Could never have too much time Even were it forever with my lady. A number of times we were there, by my soul, 3345 And in the same way we enjoyed ourselves. "Truly I believe that there is no man, If he loves well, who is not completely Bitter one hour and happy the next. I say this about myself: I was then in such a state 3350 That I amused myself very happily At times; and when Jealousy Attacked me with his scourge, I was mournful and heavy with thought And let my eyes drop to the ground, 3355 234Cest li estas cest li ardure Que vrais amans par droit endure Et non pour quant les contencons Les assaus et les souspecons En sont si gaies a souffrir 3360 Quon si doit liement offrir Et tout prendre en plaisance lie Car tant en plest la maladie Nourie damoureus désir 3365 Que nul aultre estât ne desir Ne ne ferai ne ne fis onques Javoie grant solas adonques Ne scai se james revenra Li tamps ossi quii mavenra Non pour quant au coer et au corps 3370 Men font moult de biens li recors Ja asses parle nen aroie En lostel ou je repairoie Un lieu y avoit pourveu Ou un tapis longement fu 3375 Coussins et orilliers ossi Y avoit on mis et ensi Que la venoit pour soi esbatre Ma dame si aloit embatre Et seoit dessus le tapis 3380 La estoit ses mains sus son pis Et son cief sus les orilliers Ni eut roses ne violiers Mes jappelloie che par mame 130d Le vregier de ma droite dame 3385 Je hantoie la tempre et tart Dont firois dont chaus navres dou dart Damours et lors de flours petites Violettes et margerites Semoie dessus le tapis 3390 Qui dedens le cambre estoit mis La me seoie et reposoie Et as deus fames exposoie Quel joie li lieus me faisoit Et quon grandement mi plaisoit 3395 Elles en avoient bon ris Pour nous fu laiies h tapis En cel estât et en ce point Tant comme il avint un dur point Contre moi hemi las dolens 3400 Celle qui estoit tout mon sens Mon bien ma joie et mon confort La tres dure et cruele mort Qui nespargne roi ne bregier Le fist en terre herbregier 3405 Pour samour plorai mainte larme Vraiement ossi fist ma dame Ceste mort li toucha forment Car elle dist moult tenrement Hemi or sont bien derompues 3410 Nos amours et en doel cheues 235This is the state and this is the passion That a true lover must by rights endure. Yet nonetheless the battles, The assaults, and the suspicions Of love make for such a lively experience 3360 That one must offer himself up gladly And take everything in happy pleasure: For the sickness that is nourished by Amorous desire pleases him so much That he desires no other condition, 3365 Nor will he or does ever create one. I felt great happiness then. I do not know if such a time will ever Return for me, in the days to come; Nonetheless the memories of it bring much good 3370 To my heart and to my body: I will never have said enough about it. At the manor house where I often went To visit, a place was prepared Where a carpet was laid out on the floor. 3375 Cushions and pillows also Had been placed there. And thus When she came there to pass the time, My lady hurried to that spot And sat upon the rug; 3380 There she was, her hands on her feet And her head on the pillows. There were no roses or violets there, But, by my soul, I called it "The Garden of my True Lady." 3385 I hung around there early and late, Now cold, now hot, wounded by the arrow Of love; and then I scattered little Flowers, violets and daisies, On the carpet that had been 3390 Placed in the room. There I sat and rested And revealed to the two women What joy the place brought me And how greatly it pleased me; 3395 They had a good laugh at this. The rug was laid out for us In this condition and manner, Until the moment when a cruel blow Befell me. Alas! sad weary me! 3400 She who was all my judgment, My well-being, my joy and my comfort— Hard and cruel death, Who spares neither king nor shepherd, Made her dwell in the earth. 3405 I cried many a tear for love of her; And truly, so did my lady. This death touched her deeply, For she said to me tenderly: "Ah me! Now our rites of love 3410 Are broken off and become sorrow!" 236Li regres de ma dame ossi Me fist avoir tamaint soussi Nest doels ne couviegne oubliier Riens ne vault merancoliier 3415 Tout passe coers et tout endure 131a Ceste mort qui nous fu moult dure Passames nous en la saison Encor aloie en la m aison Ou ma dame avoit son retour 3420 Gi fis mainte voie et maint tour Maint aler et tamainte faille Ensi quamours ses servans baille Mes tout en bon gre rechevoie Le bien et le mal de me voie. 3425 Le tamps si se passoit ensi Ma droite dame dieu merci Estoit lie gaie et hetie Or me dist on une nuitie Dont il fu lendemain dimence 3430 Ce nest pas raisons quon vous menee A demain est no voie prise En un gardin que moult on prise Nous y devons aler esbatre Vous vous y pores bien embatre 3435 Et je respondí tous délivrés Je nen faurroie pour .xx. livres Lendemain droit apries disner Sans leur pensee decliner Esbatre en un gardin en vinrent 3440 Celles qui compagnie tinrent A ma dame et la membatd Point on ne le me debatí Ma dame sestoit aseulee Dales rosiers pries dune alee 3445 Qui se tournoit sus la riviere Qui bien lenclooit par deriere Quant jen vi le donoiement 131b Je me trais viers li coiement Et doucement le saluai 3450 Mes la coulour rouge muai Elle mon salu me rendi Moult biel noient ni atendi Liement et en souriant Et je qui fui merci criant 3455 A loer moult grandement pris Le gardin et tout le pourpris Et ossi la belle journee Qui nous estoit la ajournée Et li di ma dame je croi 3460 Que diex a mis ou tamps arroi Pour ce que vrai ainoureus sons Et celle dont douls ert li sons Respondí avoec bonne amour Faut que loyauté ait demour 3465 Ou aultrement amours sans faille 237The lamenting of my lady also Brought me many cares. Though it is not fitting to neglect mourning, Living in sadness has no value, 3415 The heart experiences and endures all things. We spent the season getting over This death, which was very hard for us. I still went to the house Where my lady had come back once again. 3420 I made many a pass and many a turn, Many goings and as many failures, Just as Love demands of its servants; But I took it all in good spirits, The good and the bad of my chosen way. 3425 And so time passed. My rightful lady, may God be blessed, Was happy, merry, and gay. Now someone said to me one night, When the next day was a Sunday: 3430 "It is not right for you to be hidden away; Tomorrow we have plans to go To a garden that is highly admired; We ought to go there to amuse ourselves; You can certainly make your way there." 3435 And I answered quickly: "I wouldn't miss it for twenty pounds." The next day, right after dinner, Without changing their mind, Those who kept company with my lady 3440 Came to a garden to amuse themselves, And there I joined them: No one tried to stop me. My lady was off by herself By some rose bushes, near a path 3445 That turned along die river, Which closed it off from behind. When I saw the chance to speak of love, I drew near her quietly, And greeted her gently; 3450 But I turned die color red. She returned my greeting to me Graciously, with no hesitation, Happily and with a smile; And I, who was crying for mercy, 3455 Began to greatly praise the garden And the whole place, And also the beautiful day That had dawned for us there, And I said to her: "My lady, I believe 3460 That God has arranged this perfect day Because we are true lovers." And she, whose voice was sweet, Answered: "With True Love It is necessary that loyalty have its place, 3465 Or otherwise, assuredly, love 238Ne puet venir a riens qui vaille Ensi le voel je dame entendre Et se plus haut puis ores tendre Que de valoir dignes ne soie 3470 Sai je coer se dire losoie Que pour vous loyaument servir Et mon petit corps asservir Dou tout a la vostre ordenance Ma dame adont un peu savance 3475 Sa coelliet jusqua .v. flourettes Je croi ce furent violettes Trois men donna et je les pris Et adont ma dame de pris Sen vint seoir desous un ombre 131c 3480 Dun noisier ou vert fist et sombre Et je par le bon gre de li Je massis dont moult mabelli Car alefois le regardoie Mais en regardant tous ardoie 3485 Dedens le coer car si regart Me perchoient se diex me gart Et se ne li osoie dire Le dolour et le grant martire Que javoie lors a sentir 3490 Mon coer si vrai et si entir Avoie toutdis en samour Car ce mestoit droite doucour Et grans confers a mes anois Quant un peu de ses esbanois 3495 Je pooie avoir en me part Il ne mestoient pas espart Mes les tenoie a bons voisins Trop plus que mes germains cousins Pour ce le di car a ceste heure 3500 Ma dame qui jhesus honneure Me regardoit ce mestoit vis Si liement que tous ravis Estoie en soi seul regardant Mes tous maloie acouardant 3505 Non que ce fust faute ou faintise Mes amours qui les coers atise Me tenoit le coer si serre Que quanq que javoie enserre Et que bien cuidoie avant mettre 3510 Je ne men Savoie entremettre Ains me tenoie mu et quoi 131d En ce gardin en ce requoi Y voit lors .ii. pucelettes Auques dun eage jonettes 3515 Gestes aloient flours coellier De violier en violier Et puis si les nous aportoient Et dessus nos draps les jettoient Ma dame si les recoelloit 3520 Qui bellement les enfiloit En espincons de grouselier 239Cannot come to anything worthwhile." —"That is how I wish to understand it, lady; And if I can now aim higher Than I am worthy of doing, 3470 I have the heart, should I dare say it, To serve you loyally And to make myself subject to All your wishes." My lady then came forward a little, 3475 Having gathered about five tiny flowers (I believe that they were violets); She offered me three and I took them. And then my worthy lady Went off to sit in the shade 3480 Of a walnut tree where it was green and dark. And I, with her kind permission, Sat down, which was most pleasing to me, For I was looking at her all the time; But as I looked, I was burning up 3485 In my heart, for her looks Pierced through me, so help me God, And so I did not dare to tell her The sadness and the great suffering That I had then been feeling. 3490 I kept my heart so truly and So completely dedicated to her love, For this was pure sweetness And a great comfort to my pains, When I could have a little 3495 Of her pleasures for myself. They were not mere flashes of lightning to me, But I considered them good neighbors, Much more than my first cousins. I say this for this reason, that at this time 3500 My lady, may Jesus honor her, Was looking at me, it seemed to me, So happily that I was completely Overcome just with gazing at her. But all this made me lose my courage; 3505 Not that it was false or pretended; But love, which sets hearts on fire, Held my heart in such a tight grip That although I had it firmly in my heart And fully intended to put forward my case, 3510 I did not know how to go about it, But rather remained speechless and mute. In this garden, in this retreat, There then appeared two little girls, Both of the same young age. 3515 They went about gathering flowers From one violet plant to another; And then they brought them to us And tossed them onto our clothes. My lady then gathered them up, 3520 And threaded them beautifully Onto thorns from a currant bush, 240Et puis le mes faisoit baisier Dont en baisant ma vint .ii. fois Que li espincon de ce bois 3525 Me poindirent moult aigrement Et ma dame qui liement Sesbatoit adont avoec moi Me dist en riant asses croi Plus tost aves ce congneu 3530 Gui matin le jour percheu Et je li répons il est voir Lors me dist porions avoir Une balade et je respons Oil dame car en lieu sons 3535 Ou jai moult bien matere et cause Dou dire ent une vechi clause. .Balade. Dun douls regart amoureusement tret Se doit amans en coer moult resjoir Car quant il voit dame ou desirs latret 3540 Qui bellement le daigne conjoir Et sur li ses yeux ouvrir Liement par maniere dacointance 132a Gais et jolis et lies sen doit tenir Rices despoir wis de toute ignorance 3545 Car li regars que sa dame li fet Li acroist sa plaisance et son désir Et grandement le nourist et le met En volente de son fet poursievir De congnoistre et de sentir 3550 Que cest de bien donneur ensi savance Uns vrais amans et si voelt devenir Rices etc. Pour ce ne poet amans par droit souhet Pour son pourfit mieulz prendre ne cuesir 3555 Que dun regart mes que telement let Quon doit tels biens donner et departir A point sans outrage y vir Car quant il sont pese a le balance Dame saquite et amans voelt servir 3560 Rices etc. Lors que jai la balade dit Ma dame saris nul contredit Y replika .ii. mos ou trois Et me dist par parlers estrois 3565 A quel pois les doit on peser Ces regars sans lui abuser Je le saroie volentiers Il ne vous est mie mestiers Dame di je que le vous die 3570 Car sans mettre y vostre estudie 241And then had me kiss them. Thus in kissing them it happened twice That the thorns of this wood 3525 Pricked me quite painfully. And my lady, who was happily Playing with me then, Said to me, laughing, "I rather believe That you knew this earlier 3530 Than when you saw the daylight this morning." And I answered, "It is true." Then she said: "Can we have A ballade?"—And I responded: "Yes, my lady, for we are in a place 3535 Where I have plenty of subject matter And reason to recite one. Here are the lines": Ballade For a sweet look given out of love A lover must rejoice in his heart; For when he sees the lady to whom desire attracts him, 3540 Who graciously deigns to greet him kindly And cast her eyes on him Pleasantly, in a way suggesting welcome, He must consider himself gay and merry and happy, Rich in hope, free from foolish error. 3545 For the look his lady offers him Increases his pleasure and desire, And offers him great nourishment and gives him The will to pursue his goal, To know and to feel 3550 The well-being of honor. Thus a true lover Makes progress and thus he wishes to become Rich [in hope, free from foolish error.] Therefore a lover cannot rightfully hope To receive or take anything more to his benefit 3555 Than a look, provided he has it in the way That one must give and deal out such favors: Perfectly, without any offense being seen. For, when they are weighed in the balance, The lady does her duty, and the lover wishes to serve 3560 Rich [in hope, free from foolish error.] When I had recited the ballade, My lady, without refuting it, Replied to it in two or three words, And said to me in carefully chosen language: 3565 "What weight must one assign to These looks, without misusing them? I would very much like to know." —"It is hardly necessary, Lady," said I, "that I tell you, 3570 For without pursuing further study, 242Vous en saves la et avant Jen parolie par couvenant Sicorn chils qui en vos regars Preng grans solas quant les regars 132b 3575 Mes ce nest mie si souvent Que je vorroie par couvent Toutes fois il me fet grant bien Quant par vo grasce et par vo bien Mon coer qui est si mehagnies 3580 Un petit conforter dagnies Et me dame tout en riant Me dist tels va merci criant Qui nest mie si dolereus Com il se montre langereus 3585 De tels mos et dautres ossi Qui natouchoient nul soussi Ains estoient plain desbanois De chiens doisiaus de près derbois Damourettes tant que sans compte 3590 Fesins nous adont grant acompte En grant joie et en grant revel Il nous estoit tout de nouvel Li tamps les foelles les fleurettes Et otant bien les amourettes 3595 Moult me plaisoit ce quen avoie Et quant elle se mist a voie Li congies y fu si bel pris Quencor je che lieu aimme et pris Et le gardin et le maison 3600 Tous jours lamerai par raison. Maint solas et maint esbanoi Avoec ma dame en ce temps oi Tant que de venir et daler De veoir et doir parler 3605 Autrement naloit ma querelle Mes il me sambloit quelle ert belle 132c Puis que par le gre de ma dame Je pooie tant qua mon esme Avoir par sa discretion 3610 Un peu de recreation De parolles et de regars Mes cestoit asses a escars Car je ne mosoie avancier Ne ou ma dame estoit lancier 3615 Se ce nestoit tout en emblant Paoureus et de coer tramblant Pluiseurs de mes esbas faisoie Car pour ma dame je nosoie Se leure navoie et le point 3620 Et on le mavoit bien enjoint Ossi que tout ensi fesisse Siques sautre estât je presisse Que cesti quon mavoit apris Jeuisse este trop dur repris 3625 Si me couvenoit ce porter 243You know about it from A to Z. I speak of it certainly As one who takes great comfort In your looks when I observe them, 3575 But it does not happen at all as often As I would like, assuredly. Still it always does me a great deal of good When, through your grace and goodness, You deign to give my heart, which is 3580 So tormented, a little comfort." And my lady, laughing, Said to me: "A sort of man goes around crying for mercy Who is not at all as unhappy As he shows himself in his languishing." 3585 With such words and others as well— Which had nothing to do with our cares But rather were full of banter Of dogs, birds, meadows, lawns, Flirtations not amounting to much— 3590 We had a lively discussion, In great joy and great amusement. It was all new to us: The weather, the leaves, the flowers, And the love affairs as well. 3595 What I got out of it pleased me greatly. And when she started to leave, Our goodbyes were so well taken That I still love and cherish this place, Both the garden and the house; 3600 I will always love it for good reason. I had many comforts and pleasures With my lady at that time, As much in coming as in going, In seeing and in hearing her speak. 3605 Otherwise, my suit went nowhere, Yet I thought that it went well, Since by the permission of my lady I could, by my estimation, Have at her discretion 3610 A little recreation In the form of conversation and looks. But this was a little on the stingy side For I did not dare to advance my case Or throw myself into the company of my lady, 3615 Except in a furtive sort of way; I took many of my pleasures Apprehensively and with a trembling heart, For I dared not appear because of my lady, If I did not have the right time and circumstance. 3620 And I had been charged to do this Just as I was doing it, So that, if I adopted any other role Than the one I had been taught, I would have been harshly reprimanded. 3625 Thus I was held to this behavior 244Et moi bellement conforter Et le plaisir ma dame atendre Ou par bien je pooie tendre Et aultrement ne le fis onques 3630 Elle le savoit bien adonques Ossi je li monstroie aumains Mes par dieu cestoit sus le mains Par parolles ne li pooie Monstrer lamour qua li avoie 3635 Fors que par signes et par plains De quoi jestoie lors moult plains. Alentree dou joli may Ceste que par amours amay 132d Un jour esbatre sen ala 3640 De sen alee on me parla Et de celles qui o li furent Je seuch bien leu re quelles murent Moi et .i. mien ami tres grant Pour faire mon plaisir en grant 3645 Nous mesins en cesti voiage Et par ordenance moult sage Mon compagnon nous fist acointe De celles dont joi le coer cointe Car sans ce quon sen perchuist 3650 Et q ue nulle dell es sceuist Aumains celles que je doubtoie Avoec elles fumes en voie Diex que li tamps estoit jolis Li airs quois et clers et seris 3655 Et chil rossegnol haut chantoient Qui forment nous resjoissoient La matinee ert clere et nette Nous venins a une espinette Qui florie estoit toute blance 3660 Haute bien le long dune lance Desous faisoit joli et vert Bien fu qui dist chils lieus chi sert Droitement pour li reposer Le desjun nous faut destourser 3665 A la parolle sacordan Et le desjun la destoursan Pastes jambons vins et viandes Et venison bersee en landes La ert ma dame souverainne 3670 Nestoit pas la fois premerainne 133a Que je ne losoie approchier Trop doubtoie le reprochier Et encores tant qua ceste heure Se jhesus me saut et honneure 3675 Je le regardoie en grant doubte Cest drois que tels perils on doubte Car pour faire le soursalli A on moult tost souvent falli A renom et a bonne grasce 3680 Tous quois me tins en celle espasce 245And to taking good comfort And awaiting the pleasure of my lady, To whom, through virtue, I could aspire. And I never did anything else. 3630 She knew this perfectly well, And too, I showed it to her at least, But, by God, this amounted to very little: Through words I was not able To show the love I had for her, 3635 Except by gestures and sighs, Of which I was at that time very full. At the beginning of merry May, This woman whom I loved passionately One day went out to amuse herself. 3640 I was told of her going out, And from those with her I knew Exactly the hour when they were starting off. I and one of my very good friends, In order to increase my pleasure, 3645 Undertook this trip; And, through a very wise plan, My companion had us introduced To those who had gladdened my heart; For without our being noticed 3650 And without any of them knowing about it— At least she whom I feared— We were on the road with them. God! How pretty it was, The air so still and clear and sweet! 3655 And the nightingales sang loudly, Which cheered us immensely; The morning was bright and crisp. We came to a hawthorn bush Which was blooming all white, 3660 Fully as high as the length of a lance; Beneath, it was pretty and green. Whoever said it was right: "This spot Will serve perfectly for a resting place; We should get out our lunch." 3665 These words were agreed to, And the meal was unpacked: Pasties, hams, wines, and meats, And venison that had been hunted down in the woods. There was my sovereign lady; 3670 It was not the first time That I dared not approach her: I feared her reproach very much, And even to such a degree that at this hour, May Jesus save and honor me, 3675 I looked upon her in great doubt. It is right that one fear such dangers, For in undertaking audacious action Men have often very quickly lost out In reputation and good grace. 3680 I remained perfectly quiet in this interval 246Et parfis le pellerinage Avoecques celle dou linage En grant solas et en grant joie Encor tous li coers men resjoie 3685 A toute heure quii men souvient Nest aventure qui navient A un ainoureus qui poursieut Sa besongne trop bien sensieut Que quant il ne sen donne garde 3690 Amours en pite le regarde Vechi le confort que je pris De ma droite dame de pris Avoec joie et esbatemens Et grascieus contenemens 3695 A ma dame pleut lors a dire Pour un peu garir mon martire Quelle me retenoit pour sien Onques li quens de porsiien Ne li viscontes de nerbonne 3700 Noirent parolle si bonne Ne si belle que je fis lors Car de coer desperit de corps 133b Fui tres grandement resjois Quant jai si tres douls mos ois 3705 Quant celle qui me soloit pestre De durte ne me voelt mes estre Fors que grascieuse et courtoise Mon coer seslargi tuie toise Quant je li fis ceste requeste 3710 Dame en nom damour soiies ceste Qun petit voellies alegier Les mauls qui ne me sont legier Et me retenes vo servant Loyal secre a vous servant 3715 Et ma dame respondí lors De legier coer et de gai corps Voles vous dont quii soit ensi Oil et je le voel ossi Je pris ceste parolle a joie 3720 Cest moult bien raisons quon men croie Mes la joie trop longement Ne me dura vechi comment En ce voiage dont vous touce Estoit avoec nous maie bouce 3725 Qui tout no bon tamps descouvri Che trop grandement mapovri Dou bien dou tamps et dou confort Que je cuidoie avoir moult fort Car celle qui onques ne targe 3730 Maie bouce que mauls feus arge Parla a mon contraire tant Et en séant et en estant Que ma dame simple et douchette Et deage forment jonette 133c 3735 En fu trop griefment aparlee Ha! dist on estes vous alee 247And finished the trip With a member of her family In great pleasure and great joy; My whole heart still rejoices 3685 Whenever I remember it. It is not mere luck that comes To a lover who stays diligently at His task. He carries out his work so well That, when he is not paying attention, 3690 Love looks on him with pity; Here is the comfort that I took From my right worthy lady: With joy and pleasure And gracious contentment 3695 It pleased my lady then to say, To ease my martyrdom a bit, That she considered me her man. Never did the count of Porcien Or the viscount of Narbonne 3700 Hear words so good Or beautiful as I did then; For in my heart, spirit, and body I was completely filled with joy When I heard such very sweet words, 3705 When she who was in the habit of Plaguing me with harshness now wished Ίο be nothing but gracious and courteous to me. My heart grew one size bigger, When I made this request to her: 3710 "Lady, in the name of love, be one Who wishes to lessen a little My pains, which are not easy for me, And retain me as your servant, Loyal and discreet, to serve you." 3715 And my lady then answered Lightheartedly and gaily: "Do you thus wish it to be so?" —"Yes!"—"And I wish it too." I received this speech with joy, 3720 As should rightly be believed. But the joy did not last 'loo long. Here is why: During this trip I am describing to you, Wicked Rumor was with us, 3725 Who revealed all our good times. This greatly impoverished me Of the happiness, the time, and the comfort That I so strongly believed I would have; For she who is never slow, 3730 Wicked Rumor, to bum bad fires, Spoke against me so much, Both sitting and standing, That my lady, simple and sweet And very young in age, 3735 Was painfully slandered as a result: "Ha!" they said, "did you go 248En un voiage avoec cesti Qui vous a maint anoi basti Par foi ce fu uns grans outrages 3740 Et uns abandonnes ouvrages Il faut que vous le fourjugies La fui je mortelment jugies De celles qui point ne mamoient Ains leur anemi me clamoient 3745 Et leur jura ma dame chiere Paoureuse et a simple chiere Que plus a moi ne parroit elle Ensi le me compta la belle Qui me dist par parolle douce 3750 Il couvient car li besoins touce Qun peu darest ait nostre vie Car on y a trop grant envie Et jen sui trop grieftnent menee Et par parolles fourmenee 3755 Astenir vous faut toutes voies De devant nous passer les voies Tant que la cose soit estainte Dame di je de la destrainte Sui je en coer grandement ires 3760 Je ferai ce que vous dires Car ensi le vous ai proumis Et elle me dist grans mercis. Depuis me uns une saison Au mieuls que peus parmi raison 3765 De passer par devant lostel De ma dame et ossi ou tel 133d Qui estoit ordonnes pour nous Dont jestoie tous anoious Et sil avenoit que passoie 3770 En terre mon regart baissoie Viers li nosoie regarder Et tout seul pour sa pais garder Mes sus un vespre en un requoi Me tenoie illueques tout quoi 3775 Asses pries de lostel ma dame Or avint a ce dont par mame Quelle vint illuec daventure Je qui pour li maint mal endure Di en passant nen falli mie 3780 Les moi venes chi douce amie Et elle sicom par courous Dist point damie chi pour vous Dautre part sen ala seoir Et quant je peus tout ce veoir 3785 Je me tins en mon lieu tout quoi Que fist elle vous sares quoi Par devant moi rapassa elle Mes en passant me prist la belle Par mon toupet si tres destrois 3790 Que des cheviaus eut plus de trois El ne fist ne del ne parla 249On a trip with this man Who created so many troubles for you! In fact, this was a great outrage, 3740 And an act of foolishness; You must banish him." I was dealt mortal punishment there By those who had no love for me, But rather proclaimed me their enemy; 3745 And my dear lady swore to them, Timidly and with humble countenance, That she would no longer speak to me. Thus the pretty one told me, Who said with sweet words: 3750 "It is fitting, because necessity enters in, That our life be brought to a stop for a while, For we are too greatly envied, And I am too painfully ruled And disturbed by talk. 3755 You must in any case abstain from Going anywhere where you would cross our path, Until this thing dies down." —"Lady," said I, "I am greatly vexed In my heart by this prohibition; 3760 I will do as you say, For this is what I have promised you." And she said to me: "Many thanks." Afterwards I kept myself for several months, As well as I could, within reason, 3765 From passing before my lady's Residence, and also such other places as were Agreed upon between us, For which reason I was very unhappy. And if it happened that I passed by, 3770 I lowered my eyes to the ground; I dared not look in her direction And kept to myself to protect her peace. But one evening, in an out-of-the-way spot, I was sitting very quietly 3775 Radier near my lady's residence. Now it happened, by my soul, that She came past there by chance. I, who endured so much suffering for her, Said as she passed, not missing my chance: 3780 "Come here, by my side, sweet friend." And she, as if in anger, Said: "No friend here for you!" She went away to sit elsewhere; And since I could see all this, 3785 I remained in my place silently. What was she doing? You will know what: She passed before me again, But, in passing, die pretty one grabbed Me by my hair, so tightly 3790 That she pulled out some hairs, more than three; She did nothing else, nor did she say anything else. 250Ensi a lostel sen rala Et je remes forment pensi eus Contre terre clinans mes yeus 3795 Et disoie veschi grant dur Je prise petit mon eur Car jaimme et point ne sui ames Ne amans ne servans clames 134a A painnes que ne me repens 3800 Car en folour mon temps despens Le despens je dont en folour Oil onques ne vi grignour Lors me repris de ma folie Et di se je merancolie 3805 Ensi se voellent amourettes Rampronner une heure durettes Lautre moles et debonnaires Plus nuist parler souvent que taires Je navoie pas grant raison 3810 De li dire en celle maison Quelle venist les moi seoir A sa maniere peus veoir Quelle nen fu mie trop lie Et pour ce tantost consillie 3815 Me respondí tout au revers Non pour quant quant le fet revers De ce que la belle en taisant "Tout en riant et en baissant Elle par le toupet me prist 3820 Mon coer dist qui tous sen esprist Que liement a son retour Fist elle cel amoureus tour Et ja ne se fust esbatue A moi qui la ert embatue 3825 Selle ne mamast je lentens Ensi et men tieng pour contens De quanq quelle a fait et a faire Lors mesjoi en cel afaire Et fis une balade adont 3830 Sur le fourme que mi mal ont 134b Daliegement tant quau penser Sicom vous ores recenser. .Balade. Quel mal quel grief ne quel painne Que me facies rechevoir 3835 Ma dame tres souverainne Sai je corps coer et voloir Selonc mon petit pooir De vous loyaument servir Et si poes asservir 3840 En moi tout ce quii vous plest Car quanq que jai vostres est Et afin que plus certainne Sofies que je die voir 251Thus she returned to the house, And I remained deep in thought, Turning my eyes to the ground, 3795 And saying: "Here is a very painful thing! I don't think much of my fortune, For I love and am not at all beloved, Nor am I called lover or servant. I find it hard not to repent, 3800 For I waste my time in foolishness— Is it in foolishness I waste it?— Yes, I will never see any greater." Then I blamed myself for my folly And said: "If I am sad, 3805 It is thus that love affairs like to Play themselves out, one hour painful, The next sweet and pleasant. Speaking often displeases more than being quiet. I had no good reason 3810 To say to her in this house That she should come sit by me. By her manner I could see That she was not at all happy about it; And for this reason, quickly resolved 3815 To give me a completely backhanded response. Nonetheless, when I think about it again, That the beauty without speaking a word, All the while laughing and bending down, Took me by the hair, 3820 My heart says, sparkling with the thought, That merrily on her return She performed this amorous act. And she never would have amused herself With me, having come in where I was, 3825 If she didn't love me. I understand it This way and consider myself happy For whatever she has done and will do." Then I rejoiced in this event And composed a ballade 3830 On the manner in which my ills are Relieved with regard to this thought, Just as I rehearse it for you now. Ballade Whatever ills, whatever grief, and whatever pain You make me receive, 3835 My most sovereign lady, I will still have body, heart, and will, According to my small ability, "To serve you loyally. And so you can enthrall 3840 In me every part that pleases you, For whatever I have is yours. And in order that you might be More certain that I speak the truth, 252Il na heure en le sernainne 3845 Nuit ne jour ne main ne soir Que je puisse bien avoir Se ne lai dun souvenir Qui de vous me poet venir De noient pas ne me nest 3850 Car quanq que jai vostres est En ce douls penser marnai nne Amours et me donne espoir Quencor me seres humainne Sans ce ne puis riens valoir 3855 Et sil vous plest asavoir Quels biens me puet resjoir Cest qua vostre douls plaisir Commandes vemechi prest 3860 Car quanq que jai vostres est. Ne vous poroie pas retraire Tout le bien et tout le contraire 134c Que jai par amours recheu Pas ne men tieng a decheu Mes pour euwireus et vaillant 3865 On ne sen voist esmervillant Car amours et ma dame ossi Mont pluiseurs fois conforte si Que jen ai et sui en lesquoel De tout le bien que je requoel 3870 Ne ja neuisse riens valu Se neuisse eu ce salu Cest uns moult grans avancemens A jouene homme et commencemens Biaus et bons et moult pourfitables 3875 Il sen troeve courtois et ables Et en met visees en vretus Onques li tamps ni fu perdus Ains en sont avanciet maint homme Dont je ne scai compte ne somme. 3880 Pour vous ma dame souverainne Ai recheu tamainte painne Et sui encor dou rechevoir Bien taillies je di de che voir 3885 Car com plus vif et plus menflame De vous li amoureuse flame En mon coer sart et estincelle La vive et ardans estincelle Qui ne prendera ja séjour Heure ne de nuit ne de jour 3890 Et venus bien le me proumist Quant laventure me tramisi De vous premièrement veoir Je ne pooie mieuls cheoir 134d Ne se toutes celles dou mont 3895 Estoient mises en un mont 253There is no hour in the week, 3845 Night or day, morning or evening, That I can feel contentment, If I do not get it from a memory Of you that might come to me. Nothing means anything to me, 3850 For whatever I have is yours. Love is my guide in this sweet Thought, and gives me hope That you will still be kind to me; Without this, I can be worth nothing. 3855 And if it pleases you to know What favor could bring me joy, It is for you to command me at your sweet Pleasure: here I am, ready, For whatever I have is yours. 3860 I would not be able to recount to you All the good and all the adversity That I have received through love. I do not consider myself disappointed But happy and worthy of esteem. 3865 One should not be amazed by this, For love, and my lady also, Have many times comforted me in such a way That I owe them all the good that I have And am likely to have; 3870 Nor would I ever have been worth anything Had I not received this benefit; It is a very great step forward For a young man, a beginning that is Fine and good and most advantageous. 3875 He finds himself courteous and accomplished And he changes vices to virtues. Time is never wasted this way, But rather many men are advanced by it; Of these I do not know the count or sum. 3880 For you, my sovereign lady, I have received much suffering And am cut out to receive It still. I tell the truth about this, For the longer I live, the more 3885 The amorous fire enflames me for you. In my heart there burns and sparkles The lively and ardent spark Which will never rest For an hour by night or by day. 3890 And Venus indeed promised me this When she sent me the fortune of seeing you For the first time. I could not choose anything better; Not if everyone in the world 3895 Were put into a pile 254En grant estat en grant arroi Et fuissent pour mieuls plaire a roi Si ne men poroit nulle esprendre En ce point ou me poes prendre 3900 Conquis maves sans nul esmai Onques plus nulle nen amai Ne namerai quoi quii aviegne Nest heure quii ne men souviegne Vous aves este premerainne Ossi seres la daarainne Et pour ce quen bon estât soie Dame se dire je losoie Jai fait en fin de mon tretier Un lay ou quel je voel tretier Une grant part de tous mes fes Or doinst diex quii soit si bien fes Et par si tres bonne maniere Quii vous plaise ma dame chiere. 3900 3905 3910 .Lai. Pour che quon scet miex de li 3915 Parler que dautrui afaire Ai je voloir de retraire Comment il mest dieu merci Jai ja un long tamps servi Amours en espoir de plaire 3920 Mes dun trop petit solaire Ma mon service meri Non pour quant sai je obéi A ce quii a volut faire Or ni a que dou parfaire 135a 3925 Dou tout a li je motri Et a ma dame suppli Quelle me soit debonnaire En ce qui mest necessaire Et prende en gre che lai chi 3930 Que jai de bon senteinent Presentement Ordonne certainnement A mon pooir Selonc ce que mon coer sent 3935 Non autrement Et saucun amendement Y poet avoir A vostre commandement Dame uses ent 3940 Car mon coer dou tout se rent En vo voloir Mes je scai trop mieuls comment Il mest souvent Que nuls ne fet ce maprent 3945 A dire voir 255In great estate, in great array, And were such as best to please a king, Yet none of them could enamor me To this point where you can take me: 3900 You have conquered me, without any trouble. Never have I loved anyone more, Nor will I love, whatever may happen; There is no hour when this memory escapes me. You have been the first, 3905 And also you will be the last; And because I am in good standing, Lady, I dare to say this, I have composed at the end of my treatise A lay, in which I wish to treat 3910 A great part of all my doings. Now may it please God that it be so well made And in such a fine manner, That it pleases you, my dear lady! Lay I Because a man knows better how to 3915 Speak of himself than of other people's business, I have decided to record How it is with me, God have mercy. I have already served love for a Long time, in hope of pleasing; 3920 But my service has earned me Only a very small reward. Nonetheless I have been obedient About what he wished me to do. Now there is no alternative but to pursue it to the end; 3925 I yield myself to him in every way, And I beg my lady "To be kind to me With regard to what I require And to receive graciously this lay, 3930 II That I have with good intention Just now Put in order to the best Of my skill, According to what my heart feels, 3935 Not otherwise. And if any improvement Can be made in it, At your command, Lady, make it; 3940 For my heart gives itself over Completely to your will. But I know only too well how It often is with me, When no one does anything. This teaches me 3945 To speak the truth. 256Car quant je pense ne scai Se diex me gart Comment osai Onques emprendre le quart 3950 De la painne ou mon coer art Mes gi entrai Liet et gaillart Se mi tenrai Comment que jen sentirai 3955 Seul et a part Maint grant esmai 135b Mes se ma dame y regart Et de sa douchour me part Confort arai 3960 En quel que part Que me trairai Mes trop fort esprouve ai De son regart Comment li rai 3965 Sont trenchant que fers de dart Et pas ne sont trop espart Mes dim attrai Simple et couart Plaisant et gai 3970 Quant premiers les avisai Moult me fu tart Quen eel assai Fuisse entres par aucun art Or en ai si bien ma part 3975 Que jen assai Quanq quen depart Amours pour vrai Et sui encor tous certains Que li tains 3980 Dont mon coer fu trais et tains En un regart prist lentame Dont jamais ne sera sains Car prochains Est si li cops premerains 3985 Que de nul aultre par mame Ne poet cangier nestre estains Car attains Fu lors duns douls yeux humains 135c Plus biaus ne puet porter fame 3990 En ce penser tous jours mains Nen voel mains Car sur toutes je vous ains Ma tres souverainne dame Et sempris ai plus grant labour 3995 Que dou porter nai la vigour Sen pardonne je la folour <target id="page_257" target-type="page">257</target>III For when I think of it, I do not know, So help me God, How I dared Ever to take on a quarter 3950 Of the pain with which my heart burns, But I came into it Bound and determined, And so I will persist Even though I will feel because of it, 3955 Alone and apart, Many great troubles. But if my lady looks on And accords me some of her sweetness, I will have comfort 3960 No matter where I wander. But I have felt too strongly How the rays Of her glance 3965 Are as piercing as the head of an arrow. And they are not too frightening, But of a simple and Timid attractiveness, Pleasing and gay. 3970 When I first looked at them, I delayed for a long while Entering into this trial In any way. Now I have so fully my part, 3975 That I experience Everything that love deals out, Truly. IV And I am still completely sure That the colors 3980 In which my heart was drawn and tinted, Found their beginnings in a look, From which I will never be healthy, For more present Is the first blow 3985 Than any other, by my soul, Nor can it change or be extinguished; For I was struck Then by a sweet kindly eye, More beautiful than a woman can have. 3990 In this thought I always remain, Nor do I wish less; For above all I love you, My most sovereign lady. V And if I have undertaken a greater labor 3995 Than I have the strength to complete, Still I will pardon the folly 258Mon coer quel fin ne quel retour Quen doie prendre Car pour quoi vo fresce coulour 4000 Vo gent maintien vo simple atour Vo bel parler piain de doucour Me font a tres parfaite honnour Penser et tendre Sai bien cuesi pour le millour 4005 Quant je vous sers ains et aour Ma droite dame de valour A mon pooir sans nul faus tour Tels me voel rendre Or aiies en recort le jour 4010 Que pour alegier ma dolour "Tous disseteus plains de paour Je vous priai de vostre amour Sans riens mesprendre Et vous ma dame jolie 4015 Comme noient avoiie De moi faire a ceste fie Une si grant courtoisie Respondistes tos Que pas nesties consillie 4020 Ne trop bien apparillie 135d Que lors me fust otroiie Lamour de quoi je vous prie Hemi! com durs mos Bien voi vous ne sentes mie 4025 Comment désirs me mestrie Pour vostre amour et me lie Si que heure ne demie Je nai nul repos Ou jour ne en le nuitie 4030 Ains souspir pleur et larmie Et fui toute compagnie Dotel et plus que ne die Mest cargies li cols Et sadont fui entrepris 4035 Et souspris Quant je pris De vous ma dame de pris Une response si dure Je nen doi estre repris 4040 Ne despris Car jespris Mon coer lors que je compris La biaute de vo figure Puis men sui tenus toutdis 4045 Mains hardis Davoir mis Pour paour destre escondis Ma priiere en aventure 259Of my heart, whatever end or outcome I must accept. Why? Your lively color, 4000 Your noble bearing, your simple attire, Your eloquent speech, full of sweetness, Make me think and aspire to Perfect honor. And so I have chosen for the best, 4005 When I serve you, love and adore you, My right honorable lady, As best I can, with no false turns; This is what I wish to convey. Now keep in your mind the day 4010 When, to relieve my sadness, Full of misery and fear, I beseeched you for your love, Blamelessly. VI And you, my pretty lady, 4015 In no way well disposed To offer me, at this time, Such a great courtesy, Responded quickly 4020 That you were not of a mind, Nor were you well prepared, That the love I ask for Should be granted to me. Ah me! What harsh words! I see clearly that you do not feel 4025 At all how I am ruled by Desire For your love, and how it binds me, So that at no hour or half hour Am I at rest In the day or in the night, But rather sigh, cry, and weep, 4030 And flee all company. Likewise, and more than I say, My neck is on the block. VII And if, then, I was overcome 4035 And taken by surprise When I received From you, my worthy lady, Such a harsh response, I must not be reproached for it 4040 Or blamed; For I lost My heart, when I took in The beauty of your face. Then I remained always Too deficient in bravery 4045 To put at risk, Out of fear of rejection, My prayer; 260Car Savoie mal sur pis 4050 Il mest vis Li peris Seroit si grans jen sui fis 136a Que de moi naroie cure Mes en lamentant 4055 Et en languissant Jai boute avant Le tamps qui noiant Ma tenu de joie Fors seul tant 4060 Que quant esbatant Jeuant et parlant Vous veoie errant Ensi quen emblant Les vous me mettoie 4065 Regardant Vostre douls samblant Cler simple et riant Lors ymaginant Et en coer pensant 4070 Aparmoi disoie Hemi quant Verai mon vivant Un peu plus joiant Ne lai maintenant Mestier en ai grant 4075 Et lors me partoie Tous tramblant Et cerquoie aucun refui Ou de nullui 4080 Je ne fuisse apercheus Ne congneus La ploroie mon anui Jusquau jour dui Ai bien este pouveus 136b 4085 Dotant et plus Ensi ma dame atains fui Et encor sui Par vos douls regars agus Dont la vertus De confort et de refui 4090 Non en aultrui Gist en vous or mettes jus Vos griefs refus Car tant me font a souffrir 4095 Que je ne mose enhardir Ne de monstrer nai loisir Par quel maniere 261For if I received bad upon worse, 4050 It seems to me, The peril Would be so great, I am sure, That I could not be cured. VIII But in lamenting 4055 And in languishing I pushed forward Past the time that Held no joy for me, Except only that Which I had when I was out walking, 4060 Playing and speaking, And saw you, suddenly, As well as when secretly I placed myself near you, 4065 Looking At your sweet face, Bright, simple, and laughing; Then imagining And thinking in my heart 4070 I said to myself: "Ah me! When Will I see my life Become a little more joyful? I don't have it now; I find it very hard." 4075 And then I would leave Trembling IX And I would seek out some refuge Where I would not Be seen by anyone 4080 Or recognized; There I bemoaned my unhappiness. Until this very day I have been provided with 4085 This much and more. Thus, my lady, I have been wounded And still am, By your sweet piercing eyes, From which the power 4090 To provide comfort and safety Lies in no one else, But in you. Now put aside Your painful refusals. X For they make me sutter so much 4095 That I dare not take courage, Nor do I have ail opportunity to show In what manner 262Tout ce mestuet soustenir Dont souvent me faut fremir 4100 Mes quant vo gent corps rernir Tout mech arriere Soussi esmai dur oir Je nen voel nul souvenir Car tant me fait de plaisir 4105 Vo lie chiere Quespoir penser et desir Me font souvent resjoir Et penser a quoi je tir 4110 Ma dame chiere Tout ensi me tient plaisance En balance Dont maniere et contenance Cange en moi 4115 Sans ordenance Car sus heure elle me lance Puis sestance 136c Apries reprent sa poissance Mes trop poi Ai daligance Se ce nestoit esperance 4120 Qui mavance A son plaisir souffissance Petit voi De recouvrance Mes jai tant de congnissance 4125 Quelle sance En partie ma souffrance Si mi doi Traire en fiance 4130 A cui dont hemi hemi Fors a la tres volentaire Qui en parler et en taire Poet bien aidier son ami Et ma droite dame ossi 4135 A cui tout mon coer sapaire Poet bien planer ce contraire Aultrement mors je me di Et riens ne ma garandi Fors son simple et douls viaire 4140 Et ce quelle est blonde et vaire De maintien gai et joli Nature pas ne falli De li sagement pourtraire Car un regart a pour traire 4145 Un coer et perchier par mi. 263All this was endured, For which I often have to shudder. 4100 But when I see your gende person again, I put everything behind me, Cares, pain, harsh words I have heard, I want no memory of them; For your pretty face brings me 4105 Such pleasure That hope, thought, and desire Often make me feel joy again And think of what I am aiming for, My dear lady. 4110 XI In just this way Pleasure holds me In balance, And so my behavior and appearance Change Unpredictably; For within an hour she pierces me, 4115 Then stops, And afterwards regains her power. But I would have Too little comfort, 4120 Were it not for Hope, Who gladly Grants me contentment. I see little Improvement, But I have sufficient understanding 4125 That it stops A bit of my suffering, And so I must draw Near her in confidence. 4130 XII To whom then, Ah me! Ah me! Except to this most willing one, Who in speaking and in silence Can be so helpful to her friend? And my worthy lady also, 4135 'Io whom my whole heart is joined, Can certainly remove this difficulty. Otherwise I would say that I am dead, And nothing would cure me, Except her honest and sweet face 4140 Arid the fact that she is blonde and bright, Gay and merry in her bearing. Nature lacked nothing In planning her wisely, For she has a look to shoot into 4145 A heart and pierce through me. 264De tant mest plaisance crissue Que je voei faire ains ma rissue Mention comment on pora 136d Trouver qui bien querre y vorra 4150 Le nom de ma dame et de mi Non pour quant li sans me fremi Quant la plaisance me sourvint De ce quenceir me couvint A nommer le nom de la belle 4155 Je men tins un grant tamps rebelle Mes quant jeus bien examine Mon avis et determine Je mescusai par une voie Cest drois que mescusance on voie. 4160 Quant plaisance et désir sassamblent Le feu par example il ressamblent i jui bruist tout ce quii ataint Plaisance ensi le coer destraint Et désirs le fait desirer 4165 Qui ne sen voelt pas consirer Jusqua tant que la fin il sace Enviers quoi plaisance le sace Et adont si fort le mestrie Que de trestous pourpos le trie 4170 Fors de celi a quoi il tent Et pour ce que désirs estent Sa vertu en tous coers humains Je le remonstre ensi aumains Quon men tiegne pour escuse 4175 Car plaisance ma acuse De dire tout ce que je di Aultrement ne men escondi Mes telement vous pense mettre Sans nommer nom sournom ne lettre 4180 Que qui assener y sara 137a Asses bon sentement ara Non pour quant les lettres sont dittes En quatre lignes moult petites Entre. nous fumes et. le tamps 4185 Se venir y poes atans La trouveres nen doubtes mie Pour congnoistre amant et amie Or doinst diex que vos pourpos faille Et que ma priiere me vaille Car nuls plus povres de merci 4190 Que je sui ne demeure ychi Et quant il plaira a ma dame Que jaie ossi grant qune dragme De confort adont resjois 4195 Serai de ce dont ne jois Ains languis en vie ewireuse Dedens lespinete amoureuse. Explicit le dittier del espinette amoureuse. 265My pleasure has grown so great That I wish to make mention, in conclusion, How one can find If one wishes to seek it out carefully, 4150 Both the name of my lady and my own. Nonetheless, my blood trembles within me, When I remember the pleasure Of engaging myself in the business Of naming the name of my beautiful lady. 4155 I hesitated for a long time, But when I had examined my thoughts Well, and made up my mind, I found a way to excuse myself; It is right that my justification be seen. 4160 When Pleasure and Desire come together, They are like a fire, Which burns everything it touches. Thus Pleasure constrains the heart And Desire makes it filli of desiring, 4165 Which it does not wish to renounce, Until the point where in the end it knows What Pleasure is drawing it towards, And then it controls him so much That it snatches him away from every intention, 4170 Except from that to which it is drawn. And because Desire accords Its virtue to all human hearts, I will show it—that is, at least, If I am considered excused for it; 4175 For Pleasure charged me With saying everything that I say; Otherwise I would have refused. But I intend to put it down in such a way, Without naming a name, surname or letter, 4180 That whoever knows where to look Will get the meaning well enough. Nonetheless, the letters are written down In four very little lines Between "NOUS FUMES" and "LE TEMPS." 4185 If you can manage this, There you will find out, without a doubt, How to know both lover and beloved. Now may it please God to fulfill your desires And to make me worthy of my prayer, 4190 For no one more lacking in mercy Than I am lives in this world. And when it pleases my lady That I should have as much as a dram Of comfort, then I will be 4195 Filled with joy at what I do not now enjoy, But instead languish in the happy life Within the hawthorn bush of love. Here ends the tale of The Hawthorne Bush of Love. Figure 4 <target id="page_266" target-type="page">266</target>Five Ages of Man (mid-14th c.).

From Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De proprietatibus rerum..

Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, MS CLM 19414, folio 180r.

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