ABSTRACT
Bemart de Ventadorn loved a noble and beautiful lady and he so served and honored her that she did what he wanted in word and in deed. And their joy went on for a long time in loyalty and in pleasure. But then the lady’s desire changed and she wanted another lover. Bemart knew this and was sad and mournful and he thought of leaving her, for the company of the other lover was painful for him. Then, like a man conquered by love, he realized that it would be better to have half of her than to lose all of her. Later, when he was before her, along with the other lover and other people, it seemed to him that she looked at him more than at all the others. And often he gave up believing what he had believed, as should all fine lovers, for they should not believe what they see with their eyes if it works to the disadvantage of their lady. Thus Bemart de Ventadorn composed this song which says: Counsel me now, Lord…
Song 70, 6
Bemart de Ventadorn: “Era·m cosselhatz, senhor…”
Source: Appel, 30.
MSS: A 92, B 58, C 57, D 20, E 105, G 13,1 27, K 16, M 48, Q 26, R 57, S 48, V 62, a 96, f 63; anonymous in O 62.
Other English translations: Goldin, 141; Nichols, 56.
1. Counsel me now, Lord, You who have wisdom and good sense. A lady I have loved for some time Has granted me her love But I know for a fact 5 That she has another secret friend; And never has the companionship Of any other companion been so hard to bear. 2. There is one thing that distresses me And I think about it constantly. 10 7If I consent to this arrangement, I prolong my pain; And if I tell her what I think, I will see my losses doubled. Regardless of what I do or don’t do 15 Nothing works to my benefit. 3. If I love her in dishonor, I will be a laughingstock And they will all say I am Cuckolded and permissive. 20 But if I lose her friendship on account of this, I am truly dispossessed Of love; and may God never again allow me To make verse or song. 4. Since I am driven to madness, 25 I shall truly be mad if I do not take The lesser of these two evils. For, as I see it, it is better To have half of her Than to lose all of her through madness; 30 For I have never seen any spiteful lover Get from love what is good for him. 5. Since my lady wants Another lover, I do not forbid it. I let myself go along with it more out of fear 35 Than out of choice. If ever a man were to be thanked For involuntary service, It is I who should be given a reward For pardoning such a great wrong! 40 6. Her beautiful and treacherous eyes Which used to gaze on me so graciously Are committing a serious offense If they now gaze elsewhere in the same manner. On the other hand, they have also honored me greatly: 45 For amidst a thousand people gathered together They gaze more toward the spot where I stand Than at all the others who surround me. 7. With the water that pours from my eyes I write more than a hundred greetings 1 50 That I send to the most gracious And attractive of ladies. Many times since then have I remembered What she did to me at our parting, When I saw her cover her face 55 So that she couldn’t tell me yes or no. 8. Lady, love openly The other, and love me in secret; So that I get all the benefits And he gets the beautiful words. 2 60 9. Garsio, sing me now my song And bring it for me To my Messenger, who was there. Tell him I am asking for any advice he can give me.