| PER MANTAS GUIZAS M'ES DATZ ... | IN MANY WAYS I HAVE RECEIVED ... |
| Alphonse II, King of Aragon | trans. James H.Donalson |
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Per mantas guizas m'es datz jois e deportz e solatz; que per vergiers e per pratz e per foilhas e per flors, e pel temps qu'es refrescatz aug alegrar chantadors: mas al meu chan neus ni glatz no·m notz ni m'aiuda estatz ni res for Deus et amors. E pero ges no-m desplatz lo bels temps ni la clartatz ni·l dous chans qu'aug pels plaissatz dels auzels ni la verdors; qu'aissi·m sui al joi lassatz ab una de las meilhors: en leis es sens e beutatz, per qu'eu li don tot quan fatz, e jois e pretz et honors. En trop ricas voluntatz s'es mos cors ab joi mesclatz; mas no sai si s'es foudatz o ardimens o paors o grans sens amezuratz o si s'es astre d'amors, qu'anc de l'ora qu'eu fui natz mais no'm destreis amistatz ni·m senti mals ni dolors. Tant mi destreing sa bontatz, sa proez' e sa beutatz, qu'eu n'am mais sofrir en patz penas e daps e dolors, que d'autra jauzens amatz grans bes faitz e grans socors. Sos homs plevitz e juratz serai ades, s'a leis pratz, davan totz autres seignors. Quan mi membra dels comjatz que pris de leis totz forsatz, alegres sui et iratz; qu'ab sospirs mesclatz de plors me dis: "Bels amics, tornatz per merce vas me de cors." Per qu'eu tornarai viatz vas leis, quar autr' embaissatz no m'es deleits ni sabors. |
In many ways I have received amusement, joy and sport: it comes from gardens or from leas, it comes from leaves, it comes from flowers, it comes from weather, which, renewed hears singers' happiness and glee; but for my song, the snow and ice are not required, nor an I helped by any state or thing save God and love. In any case I'm not displeased by weather that is good or bright, or when the hedgerows put forth song of birds and greening is in sight: then I give all myself to joy and always with one of the best. Beauty and sense I find it her so all I do I give to her, along with honor, praise and joy. My heart has mixed its will, it seems, and with a joy that's very rich; but I don't know if gladness reigns or eagerness or even fright or some unmeasurable sense, or if a fated love's afoot as from the time when I was born: Still, this love doesn't bother me nor do I feel a grief or pain. Her goodness moves me much, as do her beauty and accomplishments, so I no longer wish to bear in quiet, pain and harm and grief, while loves of others can enjoy great benefits and great relief. I'd be hers, sworn and warranted, immediately, if she wants, before all other lords on earth. When I remember taking leave of her when forced by circumstance, I'm fondly happy, yet I'm grieved, for with her sighs all mixed with tears she said: "Fair friend, be good enough to turn your heart to me alone." So I'd return to her straightway because no other matter could present such savor or delight. |
Trans. Copyright © James H.Donalson 2006