| LONC TENS A QUE NE VI M’AMIE ... | IT’S SO LONG SINCE I SAW MY LOVE ... |
| Anon. Trouveres (early 13c.) | tr. Peter Dean |
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Lonc tens a que ne vi m’amie; trop me greva quant m’en couvint partir, car je l’aim et desir. Trop m’air, quant por lui servir m’estuet languir et si ne m’en puis tenir. Quant la remir, de cuer soupir, si que tout me fait fremir car je l’aim de fin cuer sans mentir. N’en puis joir, Dieus, ne repentir, si m’estuet souffrir les maus dont ne puis guerir. Cele m’a tolu la vie, qui lonc tens m’a fet tormens souffrir; quant por s’amor plor, de cuer soupir. C’est la rien du mont que plus desir, n’ainc n’en puis joir: si me couvendra languir et doulor souffrir et nuit et jor. Et tout son plaisir ferai tout jors, que que m’en doie avenir; si la servirai, n’autre amie n’a vrai. Ades l’amerai, ne ja ne m’en partirai. |
It’s so long since I saw my love: much did it grieve me when I had to go, so much I love, desire her so. Greatly I’m troubled when to serve her though she’ll make me languish and aside me throw. When I see her, I sigh my woe, I shiver and shake, my fear I show and yet my love for her will ever flow. Thus, if I cannot, God, enjoy, I’ll not forgo the suffering she makes me know nor heal me of love’s blow. My life’s been taken by my love, she who so long has given me pain; I who for her must both weep and complain - the one she in the world I’d entertain - yet of her none, no joy, can gain. On my distress no comfort does she deign to drop and I must suffer night and day. But still to do her bidding I will stay, whatever comes to pass: her I will serve, naught less than love does she deserve. I’ll hold my nerve, from her I’ll never swerve. |
Trans. Copyright © Peter Dean 2003