A Chantar M'er (Late 12th century, French Provencal) - 'Portals of Grace' (2002)
A chantar m’er de so qu’ieu non volria Tant me rancur de lui cui sui amia, Car ieu l’am mais que nuilla ren que sia; Vas lui no.m val merces ni cortesia Ni ma beltatz ni mos pretz ni mos sens, C’atressi.m sui enganad’e trah¨ıa Com degr’esser, s’ieu fos desavinens. Meravill me com vostre cors s’orguoilla Amics, vas me, per qu’ai razon qu’ieu.m duoilla Non es ges dreitz c’autr’amors vos mi tuoilla Per nuilla ren qe.us diga ni acuoilla; E membre vos cals fo.l comenssamens De nostr’amor! ja Dompnedieus non vuoilla Qu’en ma colpa sia.l departimens. Valer mi deu mos pretz e mos paratges E ma beltatz e plus mos fis coratges, Per qu’ieu vos man lai on es vostr’estatges Esta chansson que me sia messatges: Ieu vuoill saber, lo mieus bels amics gens, Per que vos m’etz tant fers ni tant salvatges, Non sai, si s’es orguoills o maltalens. Mas aitan plus voill qe.us diga.l messatges Qu’en trop d’orguoill ant gran dan maintas gens.
I am obliged to sing of that which I would not, So bitter am I over the one whose love I am, For I love him more than anything; With him mercy and courtliness are of no avail Not my beauty, nor my merit nor my good sense, For I am deceived and betrayed Exactly as I should be, if I were ungracious. I am amazed at how you become haughty, Friend, towards me, and thus I have reason to grieve; It is hardly right that another love take you from me On account of anything said or granted to you. And remember how it was at the beginning Of our love! May the Lord God never wish That my guilt be the cause of separation. My worth and my nobility, My beauty and my faithful heart should help me; That is why I send there to your dwelling This song, that it may be my messenger. I want to know, my fine and noble friend, Why you are so cruel and harsh with me; I don’t know if it is haughtiness or ill will. But I especially want the messenger to tell you That many people are harmed by excess pride.