I was a mere lad when I first experienced a great desire to become a
lover. And for that I heard it maintained that a lover is courteous
above other folk, and better esteemed amongst men, I desired to be one.
To this end I resorted thither where I might choose a lady whom I might
serve, but ne'ertheless I was longwhile without one, for, on my soul, I
had not the understanding to make choice, and although I had enough of
leisure, I ne'ertheless understood not how to discover the way to this.
And because of my desire, I frequented much fair company of dames and
maidens, and saw many very fair damsels, but youth still kept possession
of me, so that in nowise did I know how to determine whom to choose.
Thus I was longwhile happy, content with this gay and pleasing life. But
when the time dured too long for me, in this manner did I make sore
plaint to love:--
Very God of Love, who art of lovers Lord,
And Venus, thou, Love's Lady and Goddess,
Since in love only is set my happiness,
Vouchsafe to turn my heart soon thitherward.
Vouchsafe, that I be with right courage stored,
Soon to bring unto me my heart's mistress,
Very God of Love, who art of lovers Lord.
And may I choose, if thou the grace accord,
One that shall pardon me the simpleness
Of youth, and honour on my days impress;
Out of a great desire have I implored,
Very God of Love, who art of lovers Lord.
And because of the desire which I had in view, oft did I discourse thus
until that true love heard me, and gratified my longing. And I will
rehearse unto you in what manner love first took possession of my heart
and made it captive, and never after set it free.
[Illustration: _"On a day for my diversion ... we mounted on to our
horses"_]
On a day, for my diversion, with one of my kinsfolk and four others of
my gentlemen, we mounted on to our horses. A longing for the chase took
possession of me, and, to ensure success, I caused the huntsmen to take
greyhounds and ferrets. Then, without ado, we entered on a path the
which I had ofttimes followed, but not far had we gone when a wide
beaten track led us whither I knew there were many rabbits. And near by,
I assure you, there was a strong and very goodly castle, but its name I
will not make known.
At that time there was come to this place a Princess who was held of
every one as so good and beautiful, and of so great worth, that she was
had in honour of all. In nowise did we know that she was there, since we
came thither by chance. Here and there, without the castle, her
attendants amused themselves, some singing, some casting the weight, and
others, afoot, exercising with the bar. And as they remained there, we
turned our steps toward them. Then they all turned them toward us, and
when they perceived us, and recognised who we were, the chief amongst
them at once rose up. And when they had saluted us, they tarried not,
but, as it seemed to me, by twos and by threes repaired them to their
mistress. And methinks they did not hide from her that we were come
there, for as soon as we were come quite nigh unto the castle, we saw a
goodly company of ladies coming forth to meet us. And these gave us
welcome with gracious bearing.
And we straightway turned toward them, and saluted them on bended knee.
And there was amongst them both a lady and a maiden who were kinsfolk of
her who was mistress of them all. And without giving affront, and
without rebuke, I kissed the maiden with fair tresses, as well as the
lady. And my cousin and I escorted the maiden, who was high-born, and
the noble lady, and in suchwise entered the castle.
And the Lady, of whom every one spake well, had already come forth from
out her chamber, and stood there with noble mien, neither proudly, nor
haughtily, but in such manner as befitted her noble estate and royal
person. And as soon as we saw her, we duly saluted her, and, in a little
space, she came forward, and took me with ungloved hand, and kissed me,
and said, "I knew not of your coming, fair cousin. You are right
welcome, but what brings you here now?"
Then said my cousin, "Certes, my Lady, we set out for amusement, and
knew not that you were here. Chance brought us hither, but praised be
God who has so favoured us that we have found at your hands so warm a
welcome."
And the good and gracious lady laughed at this, and made answer, "Then
let us go amuse ourselves."
So we descended down into a green meadow, and then, accompanying us, she
went to a very fair place, and drew me to her right side to sit down
beside her. And without more ado, large cushions of gold and of silk
were brought to her, under the shade of a willow, where, beneath the
trees, the waters of a spring ran fair and clear along a straight
channel fashioned and cut with skill through the green and tender
herbage.
And no longer did she remain standing, but she seated herself with me
beside her, and then the others withdrew them to a distance from us, and
sat them down, here and there, beside the stream. Then she began to
question me, for I confess that I knew not at that time how to converse
with her or with others, for I was still somewhat young.
And she began her discourse by making enquiry of me concerning a journey
from the which I was newly come, and, in especial, of the demeanour and
the appearance of the ladies, and, further, in what manner the Court,
the which the King and Queen held, was ordered. And I made her answer
according to my knowledge. And I remember me that we discoursed together
there of many things.
[Illustration: _"And now it is time that I tell how the grievous malady
began ... for love's sake."_]
And now it is time that I tell of how the grievous malady began the
which has made me to suffer right cruelly for love's sake. Truly it is a
marvel to understand how it came to pass that love of her whom I had
ofttimes seen, but whom I had never before thought on, took possession
of my heart. It is like unto one who passes over the sea, exploring many
lands to discover that which he might find close at hand, but the which
he perceives not until another makes it known unto him. Thus in truth
did it befall me, for, by reason of my want of understanding, in nowise
did I perceive the grace of my precious lady until love put me in the
way, and I had but desired to see such an one in order to yield my heart
to her. For long had I seen her oft, but, until that day, no thought had
I given to her. Thus I had ready to my hand that which I went elsewhere
to seek. But, in order to allay my passion, love at length willed to
release my heart from this strife. And now, when this perfect one, who
has caused me sore trouble, spake to me, her speech and her gentle and
gracious bearing pleased me more than ever aforetime, and made me wholly
dumb. Intently did I observe her, and right well did I contemplate her
beauty, since she seemed to me to be more distinguished, and to have
much more of grace and sweetness, than I had ever before observed.
Then love, the playful archer, who saw my silent demeanour, and that I
was inclined unto love, took the arrow with the which it is his wont to
surprise lovers, and bent his bow, and drew it silently. But I heeded it
not. The arrow of a tender glance, the which is so pleasing and so
powerful, pierced me to the heart. Then was I sore bewildered. Verily
did I think myself to be lost when I felt the loving blow, but my heart
yielded itself to the amorous wound. In nowise was the wound mortal, for
it came to pass that the sting pierced me again and again.
Then her gentle, laughing eyes, all fraught with loving fetters, so
stirred my heart, that I knew not how to make answer unto her. Truly
must she have thought my look and my manner to be foolish, since I moved
neither hand nor foot, and I so ofttimes changed colour at her glance,
that it might have been thought that my heart trembled with fear. How
shall I set the matter forth briefly? If I longed to be made captive,
then in this I failed not.
Thus ended the life of my early youth. How to live otherwise, true love
now taught me. In this manner was I made captive from that hour.
Longwhiles did I remain there, and I discoursed in a simple manner, like
unto a child, and, without ceasing, I kindled the burning fire-brand in
my heart. When I gazed on her beauty, I was caught as is the moth in the
candle, or the bird in the lime, and no heed did I take of it.
And when I had tarried in this place nigh unto the third of a summer's
day, my cousin no longer remained in meditation, but said to me, "Take
your leave now, for, on my soul, methinks you have detained my Lady too
long here, and it is the time to sup."
Then the noble and courteous one, who is called fair and good, besought
me much to sup with her, but I excused me. For but a short while longer
did I linger there, and then I arose, and would have taken my leave, but
it behoved us first to take wine, and so we drank. And when we had
drunken and eaten, I besought her that of her grace it might please her
that I should escort her to her dwelling, but the fair one consented
not. So, without tarrying, I took leave of her and of them all.
Then love, the more to pierce my tender heart, caused me of a sudden to
receive a loving glance from her, the which came to me like a tender
greeting as I left the place, for, whiles I was departing, I turned
towards her, and, as I turned me away, the tender, fervent look from her
fair, loving eyes, fell upon me in such wise that never, since love
lodged there, has it faded away. And thus I departed with love's arrow.
And when we were without the walls, we straightway mounted on to our
horses, and made all haste to set forth because of the night, the which
was already come. And by the way, my cousin made great endeavour to be
merry, but as for me, certes I spake not a word, but kept silence, and
bowed my head in a very pensive way, for the burning and living flame
with the which the tender glance had pierced and wholly taken possession
of my heart, left me not, and I so thought without ceasing on the beauty
of the gentle countenance where I had left my heart in pledge, and on
her fair and faultless body and her winning eyes, that all came up
before me. Thus I rode forward in pensive mood. And my cousin conversed
much with me by the way, and spake with much good sense, but since I was
wrapped in thought, I listened not to him until he said to me, "Fair
Sir, what do you thus think on in silence, and what is the cause of
this? Have you not had great joy there from whence you come, that you
bear yourself so pensively? Certes, it seems to me, so help me God, that
whoso desires a lady, could not have one fairer and more perfect than,
without doubt, is the one from whom you but now come. What say you to
this? Do I not speak truly? Is she not courteous and kind? Have you ever
in your life seen a lady in every way more perfect? To my thinking, she
is beautiful to look on, and excels all others in discretion, in honour,
in grace, and in nobility, and, in fine, never on my soul have I seen
her like, save only the lady who is mistress of mine own heart, for her
pure heart displays such surpassing virtue that there is none other to
be compared to her, save only her of whom I have spoken, and this God
would allow."
And when I heard another praised more than her whom I thought on,
although before I had held my peace, no longer for all the gold in the
world could I remain silent, and therefore, pondering deeply, I sighed
and said, "Certes, I will say what I think, if it be only that I believe
it certain that, if God would choose an earthly mistress and friend,
none other could he desire if he would possess the one in the world the
most beyond compare, and in pledge of this I offer my body in combat. If
you take not up this gage, then you love not this same lady of yours who
is without equal in the world, and once again do I avouch that all other
ladies are, to this one, only as are the small sparks from a candle to
the brightness of the stars."
And when he heard me speak thus, he began to smile, and verily do I
believe that he perceived my heart to be already gone out to her.
And then he went on in front, and we, riding in all haste, came in a
short space to the place where I dwelt, and the night had already closed
in. And at the time, my father was looking out into the court, and he
sternly made enquiry where I had been all the day long, and I, who had
made great haste for that I feared and dreaded his anger, saw him at a
window, and much did I wish that he had been elsewhere. Howsoever I
dismounted, and then, without waiting, I knelt to greet him. Then said
he, turning his head, "Whence come you, fair Sir? Is it the time to
return home when the night is already come? But all is well with him who
returns."
And I said not a word to him, and he left me, and I departed to my
chamber. And there I supped, pensive and sad, albeit there were many
youths there who were at great pains to divert me, and who related many
tales to me, but know that without ceasing my thoughts were elsewhere,
for it ever seemed to me that I saw, face to face, her who knew not how
she had made captive my heart. And when the time to retire to rest was
come, I laid me down in a well-prepared and comfortable bed, but I
believe not that I slept one hour and a half, and if there was one thing
which disquieted me more than another, it was that I was fearful lest
perchance she for whom I felt such sweet, joyous longing, might not look
upon this as I desired, for, as it seemed to me, nowhere could I obtain
solace which could give me so much pleasure, and from the which my heart
could derive such happiness, and, in this mood, I pondered, and said:--