ABSTRACT
During the period after the Young King had made peace with his brother Richard and, as per the wishes of his father, had ceased making demands on his lands as he had been doing, the father sent him regular shipments of money for his food and needs. He had no land of his own nor did he govern any land, and no one came to him for support or aid in war. Sir Bertran and all the other barons who had supported him against Sir Richard were deeply saddened. The Young King went off to Lombardy to participate in tournaments and amuse himself and abandoned all those barons to their war with Sir Richard. The latter seized towns and castles, and took over lands which he then devastated, burned, and set on fire. Meantime the Young King was jousting and sleeping and enjoying himself. This is why Sir Bertran composed this sirventes which begins: I don’t feel like putting off a sirventes any longer…
84Song 80, 13
Bertran de Bom: “D’un sirventes no·m cal far loignor ganda…”
Source: Paden et al., 184.
MSS: A 195, C 138, D 123, F 78,1 181, K 166, N 247, R 7, M 240 (Attributed to Raimon de Miraval)
Other English translations: Paden et al., 184; Smythe, 78.
1. I don’t feel like putting off a sirventes any longer; Such desire I have to tell it and spread it! For I have a great new story about the Young King Who has given up his claim On his brother Richard because his father ordered him to. 5 That’s how much he is controlled by others! 1 Since Sir Henry neither owns nor governs any land, Let him be the king of the bums! 2. He’s acting like a bum, for that’s how he lives,– Off an allowance that is counted out and rationed to him. 10 A crowned king who lives off another Doesn’t much resemble Amaut, the marquis of Bellande, Or that valiant Guillaume who conquered the tower of Miranda; How greatly he was esteemed! 2 Since he lies to them in Poitou and treats them like dirt 15 He will never be much loved there. 3. Never by sleeping will he be king Of the English at Cumberland or conquer Ireland; Nor will he have Angers or Montsoreau or Candes, Or control the watchtower of Poitiers. 20 He will never be the duke of the Norman lands Or the count palatine Of either Bordeaux or of the Gascons beyond the Landes, Or even lord of Bazas. 4. I want to send some advice over there to Sir Richard, 25 To the tune of Lady Alamanda, even though he hasn’t asked for it. 3 May he never pay court to his men out of fear of his brother; 85Not that he even pretends to; rather, he attacks and assails them, Takes their castles, destroys and bums what they have All around them 30 While the king is off tourneying with the men from Guarlanda And that other one, his brother-in-law. 4 5. I wish that Count Geoffrey, who has Brocéliande, 5 Had been the first bom, 6. For he is courtly; and that the kingdom and the duchy 35 Were under his command.