|
I |
1 |
When the days are long in May |
|
|
|
I love the sweet song of distant birds, |
|
|
|
And when I have left that place |
|
|
|
I remember a distant love: |
|
|
5 |
I am burdened and bowed down with desire, |
|
|
|
So that neither song nor hawthorn flower |
|
|
|
Pleases me more than icy winter. |
|
|
|
|
|
II |
|
I consider true the Lord |
|
|
|
By whom I shall see this distant love; |
|
|
10 |
But for one good thing that happens to me |
|
|
|
I get two misfortunes, for she is so distant; |
|
|
|
Ah! how I wish I were a pilgrim there, |
|
|
|
So that my staff and my cloak |
|
|
|
Might be seen by her beautiful eyes! |
|
|
|
|
|
III |
15 |
It will be a joy for me when I seek it, |
|
|
|
For the love of God, that distant shelter; |
|
|
|
And if it please her, I shall lodge |
|
|
|
Near her, though I am from a distance; |
|
|
|
Then the meeting will seem excellent, |
|
|
20 |
When this distant lover is so near |
|
|
|
That in lovely talk he will enjoy her company. |
|
|
|
|
|
IV |
|
Sad and happy I shall leave, |
|
|
|
After I see this distant love; |
|
|
|
But I do not know when I shall ever see her, |
|
|
25 |
For our lands are too distant. |
|
|
|
There are plenty of ports and roads, |
|
|
|
Yet I cannot guess about the future . . . |
|
|
|
But let things be as God pleases! |
|
|
|
|
|
V |
|
I shall never enjoy love |
|
|
30 |
If I do not enjoy this distant love, |
|
|
|
For I know none better or more noble |
|
|
|
Anywhere, either near or far; |
|
|
|
Her distinction is so true and fine |
|
|
|
That there in the Saracens’ kingdom |
|
|
35 |
I would be proclaimed a captive for her. |
|
|
|
|
|
VI |
|
God who made all that comes and goes, |
|
|
|
And created this distant love, |
|
|
|
Give me the strength, for I have the courage, |
|
|
|
Soon to see the distant love, |
|
|
40 |
Truly, in convenient places, |
|
|
|
So that the room and the garden |
|
|
|
May always seem a palace to me. |
|
|
|
|
|
VII |
|
Whoever calls me greedy and desirous |
|
|
|
Of a distant love speaks the truth, |
|
|
45 |
For no other enjoyment pleases me as much |
|
|
|
As does the enjoyment of a distant love; |
|
|
|
But what I want is so kept from me, |
|
|
|
For so my godfather fixed my fate |
|
|
|
That I should love and not be loved. |
|
|
|
|
|
VIII |
50 |
But what I want is so kept from me; |
|
|
|
Cursed be the godfather |
|
|
|
Who fixed my fate so that I should not be loved! |
