My fair and courteous knight, may it please you to know that I
have received your tender and loving letter and ballads in the
which you make known to me that, unless you have speedy succour,
you will die. So I write you this letter in reply. If you feel
assured that it is on account of me that you are so ill at ease,
I am heartily sorry for it, for I would not be the cause of
sorrow to any one, and it grieves me the more in your case than
in that of any other, since so long time have I known you. But
when, dear friend, you ask of me to give you solace, I
understand not the meaning of your request, but so that you may
know my determination, be well assured that if you asked of me,
or I discovered that you meant, aught that would be dishonouring
or shameful, never would you obtain your desire, and wholly
would I banish you from me. Of this you can be certain, for
rather would I die than that, for aught in the world, I should
consent to soil mine honour. But if so it be that the love of a
lady, given honourably and without evil intent, can suffice you,
you may know that I am the one whom love has made disposed to
hold you in esteem, both now and for aye. And once again I make
confession unto you that, when I know of a surety that your
desire is satisfied with that which I am willing to grant, I
shall think on you as my one dearly loved friend, if I see your
loving purpose and goodwill continue. And if it be, as you have
declared in your aforesaid letter, that I can be the means of
your advancement in valour, I would ask of God no greater
favour. Therefore be pleased to write to me all your wishes in
the matter, but have a care, ne'ertheless, that no desire make
you false in aught which may hereafter prove to be anyways
contrary to that which you avouch, or wholly shall I banish you
from me. So I would that you put away from you all melancholy
and sadness, and be merry and contented and cheerful, but above
all I charge and enjoin you to be discreet, and, as far as in me
lies, I forbid you to concern yourself with the habit common to
many of your age, the which is, not to know how to keep aught
secret, and to make boast of being even more favoured than
others. And have a care that you reveal naught to friend or
companion, however intimate you may be, save what, for your aid,
it is needful that your best friend should know. And if you do
thus, and hold to it, you may be sure that love will in nowise
fail to bestow its favour on you in large measure. My dear and
good friend, I pray God to give you all that you can wish for,
for methinks not that this is beyond what is seemly.--Written in
gladsome mood,
Your friend.
When this letter was finished, my lady arose, and returned to my cousin.
And she gave it to him, and told him that, despite its contents, I must
no longer be sad, and that she would take pains to heal me of my
sickness, and ere long would appoint a day, hour, and place, when I
could without fail have speech with her, and that she sent the letter to
me with the message that she trusted herself in my hands, and charged me
to be no longer ill at ease.
Then he gave her thanks, and departed, and on his return he related unto
me how gracious and good he had found my lady to be. And I, who awaited
him with the fierceness and fervour of a great longing, held out my
hands with joy, saying, "I thank Thee, my God, for Thy mercy to me."
And he delivered the letter to me, and I, whom this filled with great
joy, straightway took it. And as soon as I had read it, I kissed it, I
think, an hundred times, and I read it, I assure you, not once only, but
more than twenty times, for never did I tire of this when I understood
its contents, the which cheered me. Wherefore I made merry, and ceased
to grieve, for I would be joyous, since my sweet lady so ordained. Thus
was hope wholly restored to me, and no longer had I fear of refusal as
had been my wont, but I desired to make answer to her letter. So I took
pen and paper, and pounce and ink, and withdrew me. Then gladly, and
without hindrance, I wrote in suchwise as I here set forth.
_To the Fairest of All_