| from "AUCASIN ET NICOLETE" - V |
from "AUCASSIN AND NICOLETTE" - V |
| Anon. - 13c. | tr. A.S.Kline |
|
Nicole est in prison mise En une canbre vautie Ki faite est par grant devisse, Panturee a miramie. A la fenestre marbrine La s'apoia la mescine: Ele avoit blonde la crigne Et bien faite la sorcille, La face clere et traitice; Ainc plus bele ne veïstos. Esgarda par le gaudine Et vit la rose espanie Et les oisax qui se crient, Dont se clama orphenine: Ai mi! lasse moi, caitive! Por coi sui en prison misse? Aucassins, demoisiax sire, Ja sui jou li vostre amie Et vos ne me haés mie; Por vos sui en prison misse En ceste canbre vautie U je trai molt male vie; Mais, par Diu le fil Marie Longement n'i serai mie, Se iel puis fare. |
Nicole is fast in prison in a vaulted chamber there fashioned with the greatest care marvellously painted. There the young girl leaned on the marble window-sill: she had hair of gold and eyebrows sweetly made, clear her oval face: none more lovely seen. She gazed through the garden and saw the open rose, and the birds that called, then the orphan cried: "Ah me! Alas, a captive! Why am I in prison placed? Aucassin, noble sire, I am your friend indeed, and you do not hate me: for you I’m in prison placed in this vaulted chamber where I lead so harsh a life: but, through God, Mary’s son, I shall not be here for long, if that I can achieve." |
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Trans. Copyright© A.S.Kline 2001