| RASSA, MES SI SON PREMIER ... |
RASSA, FOR ME YOU COME FIRST ... |
| Bertrans de Born | trans. James H. Donalson (from Provençal) |
|
Rassa, mes si son premier En la fi que an parada Li senhor e·lh maisnadier E·lh baro de l'encontrada. S'il an fait ves vos passada, E eu qual mal vos en mier Que terra non ai cobrada? Nos fom tal trenta guerrier, Chascus ab chapa trauchada, Tuit senhor e parsonier Per cor de guerra mesclada Qu'anc no cobrem denairada, Anz a·ls colps, quant ac mestire, An lor coralha prestada. Chadan mi laisson derier Quan m'an mes en la mesclada Li gentil e li lanier. Pois qu'an ma terra adermada E arsa e abrasada, Dizon cil del Colombier Qu'en prenda dreit, si m'agrada. Oimais seran ric portier Que tenran porta serada, E sabran arcbalestier Qu'es la patz en l'encontrada, Qu'om no lor dara soudada, Anz auran chan e lebrier Del comte s'amor privada. Austor e falco gruier, Corn e tabor en cuirada E brachet e liamier, Ar e sajeta barbada, Garnacha e chapa folrada E osas de Salabier Seran mais de lor maisnada. Cerchat ai da Monpeslier Tro lai part la mar salada, Que no trob baro entier Qu'aia proeza achabada Qu'el mei loc no sia oschada O fraita en l'un quartier, Ni mais us no mi agrada. Bela domna, adieu vos quier, Que tan vos ai desirada Que mort m'an li desirier, Avinens domna prezada. Na Tempres genser m'agrada Que m'a per son messagier Del mon la razo celada. E Papiols, te dreit semtier, No temas ven ni gelada: Dijas mi a mon Rainier Que sa proeza m'agrada. |
Rassa, for me you come first in the peace they have prepared: by the lord who leads them on and the barons of the place, if they'd passed over to you. What have I done that is bad? What land have I not charged for? We were thirty warriors each with perforated cape, each a lord proprietor, each with his whole heart engaged; though we charge no money here, yet when needed, we have lent each his breast to take the blows. Every year I'm left behind when they set me in the fight, both the noble and the base. Then they've ravaged all my land, they have left it burnt and charred; then the men of Colombier say they'll take it, if I like. Now the gate-men are well off if they keep the entry closed, and crossbowmen well may know what the country's peace is like, for they won't receive their pay save they have a pack of hounds for the count's especial love: Goshawk and crane-falcon and horn and drum in leather too, bloodhound and retreiving dogs, arrows that are barbed and bows, tunic and a well-lined cape, boots from Salisbury-town as well, will be all their household wants. l have searched from Montpellier all the way to salty sea and I found no knight complete with his prowess polished well. Do not let my place be rutted or be broken in its parts: nothing else would please me now. My fair lady, goodbye now, you whom I've so much desired, my desires have killed me off. Gracious, worthy damosel, Lady Tempres pleases me, having me for messenger to the world of hidden thoughts. E Papiol, go straightaway; do not fear the wind and ice: tell the news to my Rainier, since his prowess pleases me. |
Trans. Copyright © James H. Donalson 2005