Ce fu en mai Au douz tens gai, Que la seson est bele ; Main me levai, joër rn'alai Lez une fontenele. En un vergier Clos d'esgientier Oï une vïele ; La vi dancier Un chevalier Et une damoisele. Cors orent gent Et avenant, Et Deus ! tant biau dançoient ! En acolant Et en besant, Mult biau se deduisoient. En un destour, Au chief du tor, Dui et dui s'en aloient ; Desor la flor, Le gieu d'amor A lor plesir fesoient. Et disirant D’avoir autretel joie Lors vi lever Un de lor per, De si loin con g’estoie, A apeler, A demander Qui sui et que queroie. J'alai vers aus, Dis lor mes maus, Que une dame amoie, A cui loiaus Sanz estre faus Tot mon vivant seroie, Por qui plus trai Paine et esmai Que dire ne porroie. Las, or morrai, Car bien le sai, S'ele ne mi ravoie. Cortoisement Et gentement Chascun d'aus me ravoie. Et dïent tant Que Dieus briément M'envoit de celi joie Por qui je sent Grant marrement ; Et je lor en rendoie Merciz mult grant Et, en plorant, A Deu lez commandoie.
It was in May in that sweet time of joy when the weather is fine I rose early, and went to seek pleasure near a spring. In an orchard enclosed by wild rose bushes, 1 heard a fiddle; there I saw a knight and a damsel dancing, They had gracious and pleasing bodies, and, goodness! how well they danced! Embracing and kissing each other, they took very sweet pleasure. To a hidden spot, at the end, they went off, hand in hand; on a bed of flowers they played the game of love, as they pleased. I went on, greatly fearing that one of them might see me, downcast and pensive and desirous to know such joy. Then I saw one or the pair arise and, although was far off, he called me and asked me who I was and what I sought. I went to them and told them my troubles: that I loved a lady to whom I would remain loyal and faithful all my life. For her I suffer more pain and torment than I could say. Alas! now I shall die, I know it we if she does not console me. Courteously and kindly, each one of them consoles me and wish that God may soon send me of that joy because of which I feel great sorrow; and I gave them o thousand thanks and, weeping, commended them to God.