I. Sir Albert, decide according to your mind about a lover who seeks in love two ladies of equal worth. One of them loves him and grants him the utmost (favors), provided only that he abandon the other lady, whom he loves twice as much or more. But the latter will not love him and deems him unworthy of her. Say to which of the two ladies it is better that he attach himself.
II. Sir Aimeric, the man who cannot choose the better side of this question has little wit. After the manner of a faithful lover, I wish to love sincerely her from whom my faithful heart never parted. But I am quite willing that you should love crookedly. I have not the heart to accept a false reward. On the contrary, I wish to serve (my lady) until I attain that great joy.
III. Sir Albert, I know well that the wise and well-informed will think your argument the worse; for I am sure that it is more fitting to be joyous with kisses and embraces over a half-love (love felt only on one side) than to sign and suffer over a whole one (unrequited). I prize more the fruit that I can reach with my hands than one high up at which I have to throw something.
IV. Sir Aimeric, it does not seem to me that you aspire to great honor, and it is not fitting that a suitor should be forever changing and shifting. And I don’t wish any such fruit to fatten me. Rather should he (the suitor) be faithful and true. I would rather always be leaner than a stick of wood than eat a fruit of which no desire comes to me.
V. Sir Albert, since both ladies are of equal beauty and repute, I act like a good debater, since I leave to you the bad (arguments) and take the good ones for myself; for it is fitting that one should incline and bow to the good and flee the bad in all haste. One should be careful about fire, —have the means of putting it out before it catch or flame up too much.
VI. Sir Aimeric, the trickeries of the false and the deceitful have troubled lady-service; and it is not at all nice of you to take such a burden on yourself. Never did faithful lover betray his lady. And I am the pupil of true love, for I bear myself loyally toward my lady.
VII. Sir Albert, since Lady Beatrice of Este is a ray of beauty whence praise is born, I wish her to judge the merits of this debate, for I well believe that she will decide in my favor.
VIII. Sir Aimeric, I leave the decision to Lady Emilia of Ravenna, who is of surpassing worth in all good deeds that pertain to a worthy lady; and may she choose what is right!
