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Quant l'aura doussa s'amarzis E·l fuelha chai de sul verjan E l'auzelh chanjan lor latis, Et ieu de sai sospir e chan D'Amor que·m te lassat e pres, Qu'ieu anc no l'agui en poder. Las! qu'ieu d'Amor non ai conquis Mas cant lo trebalh e l'afan, Ni res tant greu no·s covertis Com fai so qu'ieu vau deziran! Ni tal enveja no·m fai res Cum fai so qu'ieu non posc aver. Per una joja m'esbaudis Fina, qu'anc re non amiey tan! Quan suy ab lieys si m'esbahis Qu'ieu no·ill sai dire mon talan, E quan m'en vauc, vejaire m'es Que tot perda·l sen e·l saber. Tota la genser qu'anc hom vis Encontra lieys no pretz un guan! Quan totz lo segles brunezis, Delai on ylh es si resplan. Dieu prejarai qu'ancar l'ades O que la vej'anar jazer. Totz trassalh e bran et fremis Per s'Amor, durmen o velhan. Tal paor ai qu'ieu mesfalhis No m'aus pessar cum la deman, Mas servir l'ai dos ans o tres, E pueys ben leu sabra·n lo ver. Ni muer ni viu ni no guaris, Ni mal no·m sent e si l'ai gran, Quar de s'Amor no suy devis, Non sai si ja l'aurai ni quan, Qu'en lieys es tota la merces Que·m pot sorzer o decazer. Bel m'es quant ilh m'enfolhetis E·m fai badar e·n vau muzan! De leis m'es bel si m'escarnis O·m gaba dereir'o denan, Qu'apres lo mal me venra bes Be leu, s'a lieys ven a plazer. S'elha no·m vol, volgra moris Lo dia que·m pres a coman! Ai, las! tan suavet m'aucis Quan de s'Amor me fetz semblan, Que tornat m'a en tal deves Que nuill' autra no vuelh vezer. Totz cossiros m'en esjauzis, Car s'ieu la dopti o la blan, Per lieys serai o fals o fis, O drechuriers o ples d'enjan, O totz vilas o totz cortes, O trebalhos o de lezer. Mas, cui que plass'o cui que pes, Elha·m pot, si·s vol, retener. Cercamons ditz: greu er cortes Hom qui d'Amor se desesper. |
When the sweet air turns bitter and the leaf falls from the twigs and the birds change their language, here I sigh and sing because of him, because of Love, who keeps me ensnared and caught, whereas I never had him in my power. Alas! I haven't gained, of Love, but the torment and pain, for nothing is as hard to gain as that which I am seeking, nor any longing affects me as that for what I cannot have. I rejoice because of a pearl so fine that I never loved anything as much; when I am with her, I am so astonished that I don't dare vouch my desire, and when I part, it seems to me that I lose all my sense and my learning. The fairest woman one has ever seen, compared to her, isn't worth a glove; when the entire world turns to darkness, light shines from the place she rests. I shall pray god that I may touch her one day or that I may see her go to bed. Awake or asleep, I quiver and am all startled and shaken because of my love for her. I am so afraid of dying that I don't dare think how to entreat her, but I shall serve her two or three years and then, maybe, she'll learn the truth. I don't die nor live nor heal, nor do I feel my malaise, although it's serious, for I am not parted from her love and I don't know whether I'll have it, nor when, for in her is all the grace that can raise me or cast me down. It pleases me when she drives me insane and make muse and gape in stupor; it pleases me when she abuses me and makes fun of me, behind my back or to my face, for after the ill, the good will come soon, if her fancy turns that way. If she doesn't want me, I wish I had died the day she took me in her service! Alas! She murdered me so sweetly when she seemed to love me, for she has gripped me so that I don't want to see any other woman. Although worried, I rejoice: for, although I shun or blandish her, for her sake I shall be false or faithful, or righteous or full of guile, or a complete scoundrel or a complete gentleman, or agitated or peaceful. But, whoever may like it or grieve it, she can retain me, if she wants. Cercamon says: he is hardly courteous who despairs of love. |