I. I find in Love somewhat of solace, for at least I lack not ill or good from Love; nor do I, for ill, depart or take myself away from Love. The more he maltreats me, the more I humble myself before him. But I do not see that Love humbles himself before me, and yet I have not the power to depart from him. I lack nought, if I lack not Love, for without Love I know not in what to seek solace.
II. I may not part from Love, since Love seizes me; and when I think to steal away from him, the firmer he seizes me again, by means of a look which fires my heart and which he sends upon me from her who snares me. But think not that I am snared to her hurt, nor that my faithful heart will ever be snared by another woman, for which one might blame me as a false lover. In her, if she will, is all power to take me or to leave me.
III. I am so mindful of her behests that I gainsay nought which she commands me. However, I beg her in her turn not to gainsay a favor she promised me about a question I put to her at the beginning. Hence she commits a sin now in that she does not question
me, and at the same time she is very merciful in that she does not gainsay me. I hold it nevertheless to be a gainsaying if she does not send for me. Yet it is evident that whoever does not gainsay commands.
IV. In her are all the good qualities that are told of men, save that she is slow to promise and quick to retract. Therefore I cannot endure the woe I suffer, unless Love bring me some good from it. But whatever of good or ill I may bring upon myself I shall endure all, for never for ill that I endure shall I cease loving, whosoever may cease; nor do I wish that one should ever accuse me of that.
V. Lady, my heart is so faithful and true to you that I have no power in me of taking it from you. Nay, I swear by the saints and I affirm that the more I think to part from you the more I abide. Yet if Pity who heals all divisions abide not in you by your grace, all my cause is ruined and overthrown, since I will not that any other lady in the world save you be constant to me.
VI. The upright William Malaspina abounds in largess and lady-service, so that every one asserts that he does not cease nor desist from seeking good fame. One should find in him therefore a faithful witness.
VII. Lady Beatrice of Este, you are so faithful and constant that your mind wavers not nor is shaken, wherefore your glory grows and abides. My song and my words affirm that ever.
