ABSTRACT
After Gui, the Viscount of Limoges, had had Giraut de Bomeil robbed of the books from his house and of all his equipment, Giraut realized that merit had fled, sociability had gone to rest, gallantry had died, prowess had faltered, courtesy was lost, good upbringing had fallen into decadence, and trickery had permeated everywhere among lovers of both sexes. This incited Guiraut to take it upon himself to revive gracious conversation, joy and merit and so he composed this song which says: To revive courtly pleasure…
Song 242, 55
Guiraut de Bomeill: “Per solatz revelhar…”
Source: Sharman, 467.
MSS: A 12, B 8, C 6, D 6,1 19, K 9, N 167, P (attributed to Blacasset), Q 103, R 35, Sg 81, U 21, V 75, c 5.
Other English translations: Bonner, 126; Goldin, 196; Press, 144; Sharman, 470.
1. To revive courtly pleasure Which has been asleep for too long And to bring back and give welcome to Good reputation, which has been in exile, 36I decided to put myself to work. 5 But now I’ve given up on all that. This is the reason I failed at my task: Because it cannot be accomplished. For just when my will and desire are strongest There comes from there increasing disarray and damage. 10 2. It is hard to put up with. I am only telling you for you heard How joy was rewarded With all its fine accompaniments. But now you can’t swear 15 That you haven’t seen splindly mares And broken-down, old, riff-raff 1 Charging about on horseback against their will. It’s a dirty business, cruel and inappropriate, In which man loses God and is left in misery. 20 3. You saw tournaments proclaimed And well-equipped men attend them And how people would talk for a long time About those who struck the best blows. Now it is considered glorious to take sheep from the flock 25 And run off with them. May he be disgraced, any knight Who turns to courting ladies After having laid a hand on bleating sheep Or robbed churches and travelers. 30 4. Where have they fled to, those entertainers You saw so nobly welcomed? For he who used to serve as a guide Now needs one himself. And yet nowadays, without casting any blame, 35 Ever since a good reputation has lost its appeal, They go about in a state of penury, Those who used to lead I don’t know how many companions about, All beautiful, noble, well-bred and well-equipped. 40 375. You saw well-accomplished joglars Going from court to court, Finely shod and dressed Just to give praise to ladies. Now we don’t even dare talk about them, 45 So far have their fortunes declined! Where did the evil practice start Of speaking badly of ladies? I don’t know.–Who is to blame, the ladies or the lovers? I say both, for deceitfulness robbed them of their great renown. 50 6. I, myself, whom every noble And distinguished man used to seek out, Am so bewildered That I don’t know where to turn; For instead of refined conversation 5 5 I now hear in the courts such a low level of talk That the story of Bretmar’s goose Would be just as well received By them as a well-made song About the noble deeds of our times and of the past. 60 7. But in order to soften a heart That has grown too hard Shouldn’t a man commemorate The forgotten and ancient deeds? It is wrong to give up on 65 A code of behavior after it has been sworn to And I don’t need to take any medicine For the sickness of which I’ve been cured. But what a man sees, let him turn and twist and weigh it, Take it up and let it go and penetrate it from both sides! 2 70 8. Of this much I can boast: That never was my little house Invaded by them; For I see it is feared by them all. They have never done me anything but honor, 75 the cowardly and the brave. Thus should My-Lord in his mercy Give some thought to the fact 38That it brings him no glory, praise or pomp That I, who am praising others, should be complaining about him. 80 9. No more now. Why? Don’t ask me; For there will be mourning if this is how my song ends. 10. So says the Dauphin, who recognizes good songs. 3