I. Whenever Love so desires I sing, for I gaze on no other flower or leaf (to gain inspiration for my song). Rightly does it cause me grief, loving as I do, since she to whom I commend myself grows haughty towards me. I have lost but I shall regain and I do not, moreover, renounce my hopes, for the world is ever fickle.
II. May God aid and avail me, for last year did I have love without fail, but this year have I none; for now she sets up such great strife within my heart and torments me sleeping and waking. Why does she do so? I serve her and pay court to her as well as I know how; and therein, I see, lies my hurt.
III. Often does my heart leap and tremble, but my lady steals it from me so that I do not feel it. For she loves me, so it seems. How so? Because she makes her words correspond to my thoughts. Therefore will I say that greatly does it please me to suffer that torment from which I await such supreme joy.
IV. No man loves well or courteously who complains of love, although misfortune may come upon him because of it; the more grievously it enthralls me and burns and consumes me, the better disposed am I to it. Thus my desire leads me there into foolish behaviour which is often apparent to me.
V. Worth would indeed fall low, and pleasure and joyfulness likewise, if it were not for Love which upholds nobility always and acts courteously because it selects the most worthy. It does not happen in the case of a wicked man that so much honour may come to him that he may feel the pangs of love.
VI. Now I seek aid of you, lady, for rather would I die than seek it elsewhere. I would find many witnesses; you are without doubt the best of all. My heart remains in great distress amid sighs and tears, but everything to me is joy and sweetness.
VII. Peirol composes this song sincerely and truly through love whereon his heart is set always.
