Se par force de merci (Gauthier d'Espinal (1230-1270?))
Se par force de merci ne descent Amors coraux en la moillour de loiaus, ja ne m’en verrai saisi de bien qui ne me soit maus; mais se pities avec aux par lor douz comandement un petit desforcement meïssent en lor pooir, alors porroie joie avoir. Beau Deus, que ne fu ensi l’amors fine comunaus, que haut et has fust igaus! Mais ce qu’ennors est en li tiennent a honte li faus, Deus, qui les orroit entr’aus conter et dire sovent lor faus adevinement de faire mençonge voir por fins amanz decevoir. Ne tieng pais a fin amin ki s’esmaie riens por eaus, por teils felons deloiaus. Tant on jangleit et menti ke j’ai n’en serait uns saus. Franche riens esperitaus, ce celestïaus present sont vostre amerous samblant, ke nuls ne vos puet veoir, ki jai s’en kesist movoir. De vos remirer ensi c’es m’uevre chascun jornal; et la colors naturaus de la face que je vi c’est fins rubiz et cristaux; li sorciz semblent esmaus en or assis finement par devin comandement; et li huil me font, por voir, l’estoile jornal paroir.
If the property of mercy Does not make true love descend Upon the most fair of all I will never be endowed With any property [good] that is not loss [harm] to me. But if pity with them By their sweet command Should place a little expropriation Into their power, Then I could have joy! Fair God, why was noble love Never so universal That high and low were equal? But what is honorable in it The false ones hold to be shame. God, you should hear them talking Among themselves, often relating Their false conjectures To spread lies To deceive noble lovers. I do not consider a noble lover One who is at all daunted By such treacherous villains. They have gossiped and lied so much That no one is safe from them. Noble spiritual creature, Your lovely looks Are like heaven, For no one who can see you ever wished to leave you. Daily I gaze upon you, And the natural tint Of the face that I see Is fine ruby and crystal; Your brows seem enamel Set finely into gold By divine command, And truly your eyes make The day star appear to me.