ABSTRACT
When Sir Richard was a count, he fell in love with a lady from Gascony who was the wife of the lord of Blancfort whose name was Guillem and her name was my lady Biatrix, the sister of Sir Amaut of Marsan. The lady was beautiful and courtly and learned; she was glad to listen to the beseechments of the count, for she considered his attentions an honor. For a long… 1
Song 80, 39
Bertran de Bom: “Seigner en corns, a blasmar…”
Source: Paden et al., 224.
MSS: A 194, D 121,1 175, K 160.
Other English translations: Paden et al., 226.
941. My lord, the count, it makes one Criticize you, there’s no doubt about it, That you didn’t dare go Talk to the lady When she wanted you to. 5 And in the manner of Catalogne, I am ashamed of you on your behalf That you made her wait in vain. 2. A fine lover shouldn’t delay If a message comes to him; 10 He should get ready to leave And hit the road Since he doesn’t know his lady’s Concern or need. Maybe she wants him to go away; 15 That’s why he’d better not delay. 3. And when you saw your joglar Coming back from having seen her You shouldn’t have waited, Even if you were given Normandy! 20 If you had truly wanted to go Into the area between Beira and Dordogne You wouldn’t have been overcome with fear, And you shouldn’t have thought about it. 4. But now you can prove 25 Whether what I’ve been saying is true: That it’s not good to love A rich man and expect to share love’s pleasures. They have so much to worry about; That’s why the joy of love keeps its distance. 30 I don’t want to have Burgundy If it means not fearing and hiding it. 1 5. I don’t ever want to be a baron Or a man of great wealth So that some man 35 Could accuse me of villainy. I’d rather laugh and joke With My-Lord, who invites me to be with her, 95Than rule over Gascony Or Brittany. 40 6. My song turns to Sir Azemar 2 Who should recognize in it his honor/land. May our lord cut it into quarters! 3 He knows how to court That little Lombardy so nobly 4 45 That he doesn’t change his course or take up arms Over threats; rather, he doubles his attentions And tightens his grip on Limousin. 7. If Count Geoffrey doesn’t go away, He’ll have Poitou and Gascony 5 50 Even if he doesn’t know how to court ladies. 6