| MEI SIRVENTES VOLH FAR DELS REIS AMDOS ... |
I'LL MAKE A SIRVENTES OF BOTH THE KINGS ... |
| Bertrans de Born | trans. James H. Donalson (from Provençal) |
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Mei sirventes volh far dels reis amdos, Qu'en breu veirem qu'aura mais chavaliers Del valen rei de Castela, n'Anfos, Qu'aug dir que ve e volra soudadiers; Richartz metra a mois et a sestiers Aur et argen e te·s a benenansa Metr'e donar, e no vol s'afiansa, Anz vol guerra mais que qualha esparviers. S'amdui li rei son pro ni coratjos, En breu veirem champs jonchatz de quartiers D'elms e d'escutz, e de brans e d'arsos E de fendutz per bustz tro als braiers, Et arratge veirem anar destriers E per costatz e per peitz mainta lansa E gaug e plor e dol et alegransa; Lo perdr'er grans e·l guazanhs er sobriers. Trompas, tabors, senheras e penos Et entresenhz e chavaus blancs e niers Veirem en breu, que·l segles sera bos, Que om tolra l'aver als usuriers, E per chamis non anara saumiers Jorn afiatz ni borzes sens doptansa, Ni merchadiers que venga deves Fransa, Anz sera rics qui tolra volontiers. El Mas si·l reis ve, eu ai en Dieu fiansa Qu'eu serai vius o serai per quartiers; E2 E si sui vius, er mi grans benenansa, E si eu moir, er mi grans deliuriers. |
I'll make a sirventes of both the kings who soon will see that there will be more knights of Sir Alfonse, Castile's bold, valiant king. I hear that he'll want soldiers as he comes Sir Richard will bring bushels and bring kegs of gold and silver, thinking it well-done to place and give without security: he wants his war more than the hawk wants quail. If both the kings are noble and are bold, we'll soon see fields bestrewn with bits and chunks of helms and shields and swords and saddlebows, men split in half from breast down to their drawers, and we will see our horses running wild and many lances thrust through the chests and sides, and joy and tears and grief and happiness: the loss is great, regards are greater still. Drums, trumpets; pennants, banners fly, and ensigns and our mounts of black and white: we'll see them soon and this world will be good, and one will take the cash of usurers, and beasts of burden will not walk the roads, on quiet days, or burghers without fear, or merchants coming down from France to us, but he who helps himself will soon be rich. E1 But if the king comes, I have trust in God that I will live or I'll be quartered then; E2 And if I live it's my good fortune too, and if I die, it's my deliverance too! |
Trans. Copyright © James H. Donalson 2005