Kind and fair Saint,
My heart's repose,
Whose sweet constraint
Doth all enclose
That the world knows
Of graciousness,
Vouchsafe me grace!
Fresh without taint
As the new rose,
This my heart's plaint
That overflows,
Ere my breath goes,
Pity and bless.
Vouchsafe me grace!
Ah, sweet dove pent,
Shy dove, for whose
Dear grace I faint,
So my heart glows
It dares disclose
Love, Love, nought less.
Vouchsafe me grace!
Save thy heart close
To longing's throes,
O Loveliness,
Vouchsafe me grace!
And I despatched my letter by my cousin, and thus sent forth on his way
him whom I loved, imploring him to entreat of my lady that it might
please her that ere long I might have speech of her, else my wretched
and weary life would soon be ended.
And he tarried not until he was come to her dwelling. And there he was
in nowise denied, but was made very welcome. And he wisely restrained
him until he saw the fitting time to report his errand. Then he spake
well and wisely in my behalf, praying her that, for God's sake, she
would no longer suffer me, who was dying of love, so to languish that
such hurt would ensue to me that I could not recover. Then he gave her
the letter, and she read it, and scanned it quite leisurely. To be
brief, she made answer that she well believed that I spake from the
bottom of my heart when I made request for her love, since dissimulation
was not usual in one so young, and she thought it certain, and without
doubt, that the jealous one would depart within three days, and would go
far away. And it seemed that at the same time all danger would be at an
end, and then we should be able to hold converse together without
hindrance, and, when she perceived it to be the fitting time, she would
that I should come secretly with my cousin in the evening, dressed as a
varlet, although she would have me to be concealed when I was come
there, so that neither stranger, nor kinsfolk, nor any save her
secretary, should know of it. And touching this, she would not fail to
make known by this one what she would that I should do, provided he
failed not to warn me to demean me so modestly towards her as not to do
aught to provoke her displeasure or reproach.
And he gave her full assurance of this, saying that she might be certain
of it, for rather would I die than venture to do aught contrary to her
will.
Thus he returned with this news, the which was so good and pleasing unto
me, that I seemed to myself to be in a very happy dream.
And I thought on this without ceasing, but the delay seemed long to me.
And she who held my heart in bondage forgot me not on the day on which
she had made promise to send to me. Therefore it behoved me to give
hearty welcome to the very distinguished messenger who brought to me the
pleasing news for the which I was longing, the which was that I should
go at nightfall to her to whom my heart went out, and who made known to
me by this one what she would have me do, and that I should speak of it
to no one save only to him who knew of it, and that he, and I, and her
secretary, should set out, and should take none other thither.
Then we set out quickly, and parted from our followers, discreetly
telling them not to be uneasy about it, but to be of good cheer, for it
was needful for us to arrange some business between us three, the which
would occupy us the whole day, and that we should return on the morrow.
And right joyously did we ride without drawing rein, and exactly at the
hour named, we arrived at the place where my dear lady sometimes
sojourned. And we dismounted without a torch, and then I divested me of
my tunic, and put on another one.
And my kind and prudent cousin went up undisguised, and I took charge of
the horses, and was careful not to be recognised. And on the instant he
invented the excuse that he was come there at that hour upon a pressing
matter the which had just arisen, and upon which he must without fail
speak unto the lord as soon as possible, for very great need made this
urgent. And he was told that he was not there, and would not return for
some months. And he said that great hurt would happen to him in
consequence.
Then my very sweet lady made haste, and came on a sudden to a lattice
window the which overlooked the courtyard. And she said, "What chance
brings my cousin here? Go and let down the bridge quickly. Thus shall I
learn what he wants. I know not but that some one sends me urgent news
by him."
Then was my cousin escorted to her by two damsels. And when he was come,
she asked of him, after that he had saluted her, "Is any one dead, or
what brings you here so late? I have not seen you for a week. Tell me
what you want."
Then he said that it was of no avail for him to remain since he had not
met with the lord and master, the which grieved him. Thus it was meet
that he return.
And she made answer that he must not do so, but must without fail make
all his affair known unto her.
Then he said, "My varlet, who holds my horses at the gate, must bring me
a letter the which I gave into his charge, and some one must tell him to
come without delay."
And my lady, in a haughty manner, gave command to her secretary to do
this, and he, with much haste, put the horses into a stable, and then
escorted me up. And my cousin, who took great precautions, came to the
door of the chamber, and he turned him to me, saying, "Give me that
letter quickly." Then he said to the secretary, "Let him be gone at
once, for there is naught beside for him to do here, and it is not
convenient for a varlet to remain in the chamber at this present."
My cousin said all this for that a light was shining in the chamber, by
the which I might be recognised, and thus I should be found out.
And he took a long letter the which I had placed in my bosom, and then
he drew my lady aside, and, reading it, showed how weighty a matter was
set forth in it. Meanwhiles the secretary, as my lady had commanded him,
made me to withdraw without a light into the chamber, the which
communicated with that of my sweet and fair lady, of a lady who was
prudent, reserved, and without reproach, and who was acquainted with
everything.
And as soon as the letter had been read in the presence of all, my
cousin was bent on departing, and made semblance of great regret, but
she forbade him to go, and said that without fail he must remain there,
or she would make complaint of it to her lord, and thus she made him
tarry.
And she held long converse with him, and at length, so that this might
not create wonderment, she said that it was time to rest, and that there
was no cause for any one to keep watch in her chamber. And to the end
that there might be no suspicion or doubt wherefore he was come there at
that hour, his bed was made ready in a distant chamber, to the which he
was escorted to rest, and thither was he accompanied by the most trusted
of the esquires who had the charge of her within the castle, since they
no longer waited on her because of the hour.
Then without delay she disrobed her, and laid her down in the presence
of her gentlewomen, but not long did she remain there, but arose and
apparelled her, and made complaint that she suffered somewhat, and
because of this she would that a fire were prepared in the chamber where
I was. So I was hidden until that the serving-woman had made a fire in
the chamber.
Then my lady came wrapped in a long mantle, and she brought not with her
any of her waiting-women save one, the whom was the lady before
mentioned, whom she had chosen above all, and on whose breast she
leaned, and she dismissed the serving-woman to bed, for she said she
would not that she remained up, so that she might not be wearied. And
after she was gone, the door was bolted.
Then the lady came to fetch me, and led me to my lady. And scarce did I
salute her, for so perturbed did I feel, that I knew not where I was.
Ne'ertheless I said, "Sweet Lady, may God preserve you, both body and
soul."
"Friend," made she answer, "you are very welcome."
Then she made me to sit down beside her, and as soon as I looked on her,
I became like one beside himself. And well did my lady perceive this,
and she received me with a kiss, for the which I many times humbly gave
her thanks.
And my lady, revered of my fearful and doubting heart, commenced to
speak after this manner. "Have I, who have caused you to come hither
thus secretly, done your will, fair Sir? Is this the deed of a friend?
In nowise deceive me now, but I earnestly entreat of you to tell me, if
you can, and whiles that you have opportunity, all your desire."
Then all trembling with joy, sighing, I said, "Ah, sweet Lady! by my
troth I know not how to utter that which I would. Therefore, very dear
Lady, take it in good part, and recognise how that I am wholly yours,
both body and soul, and more I cannot say."
And she drew nearer, and put her arm around my neck, and, laughing, she
spake thus. "It behoves me, then, to speak for us both, since you cannot
call to mind aught to say, and yet I verily believe that love bestows on
me so goodly a portion of his favours, that I trust I could in nowise
utter a single word concerning that which I presume you speak of, beyond
what it is meet for me to say."
Then the other lady who was there began to smile, and she said aloud,
"Since I see you thus already in friendly accord in this matter, truly
do I perceive and know that love makes fools of the wisest."
And my lady said to me, "My friend, since love has made us of one mind,
no longer is it needful to enquire if we love one another, and I well
believe that love claims us, or can claim us both, as his servants, the
which grieves me not. Ne'ertheless, dear friend, however much I trust
you in this matter, I would, notwithstanding, make known to you all my
will without concealing aught, and I know not what is your purport, but
I tell you that, whatever love you perceive in me, and whatever
semblance I may make, in word or look, of being trusting, pleased, or
mirthful, and although I may kiss or embrace you, never for a moment
must you imagine that I have the mind or the desire to do aught that is
dishonouring, or in the which I may not be in every way free from
reproach. Dear friend, I give you this warning, since never would I have
you to say that in the smallest degree I had surrendered myself to you,
for I swear that never will I do aught the which may tarnish mine
honour. And so, once for all, I swear to you, of a truth, that as soon
as I perceive, either from your demeanour or your look, that you cherish
other desires, never again shall you see me. I know not whether I err in
this, but I seek not to refuse you any other pleasure by the which it is
permitted to a lady to enslave her lover, and but that I should be
acting foolishly, and doing wrong to myself, I would surrender my heart
altogether to you, and would give up all that I possess for you to use
as you will, but I make promise unto you of loyalty and true friendship,
and am willing to prefer you above all others if that this will content
you, and this do I say truly. So tell me what you desire whiles that you
have time and the opportunity, for I would understand your purpose."
And when she whom I revered had ceased speaking, I made answer, "Ah, my
Lady! Almost does it kill me to hear you speak thus. The love, the
goodness, and the favour which you extend to me, should well content me,
and I trust that you will never imagine that I am not willing to agree
to all that you command. And believe me truly that, as I wrote in answer
to your letter, I make promise unto you on my oath--and in this I
perjure myself not--I would that I should never be had in honour, but
should always be held disgraced, if that ever, for a single day, in
deed, word, or thought, I should do or think aught, either in secret or
openly, the which could displease you, and you may put me to the proof
in such manner as you will, for never will aught that your heart desires
be unwelcome to me, nor will it befall that aught which may be your wish
can grieve me, and thus it behoves me not to distress me concerning
this, for are you not my loved one? Is it not meet that I demean me
according to your will? When I shall be moved to do otherwise, may I be
destroyed, body and soul, and brought to ruin! Good God! how satisfied I
ought to be since I perceive that you love me, and call me your dear
friend! I possess that which I coveted, and naught beside do I strive
after, and I think myself well recompensed. And as you are disposed
alway to love me thus, I indeed perceive that there is no guile or
malice in your heart, and I bethink me, moreover, that I shall do such
service, that I shall be yet more loved by you. Therefore command me
even now, for I am your liegeman, and my heart is wholly pledged to you,
fair one. Declare now your pleasure, or send me whither you will, and I
will go, and will obey in all things, without opposing your humour. Thus
you can do as you will with me more than I know how to tell, and may God
watch over you, and reward you abundantly for that you thus make promise
wholly to love me. I ought not to speak ill of love, the which puts me
in the way of attaining to such great joy. Therefore, fair and kind one,
I give you humble thanks, for henceforth I shall wear the lover's crown,
and I shall put away from me every evil habit, and take virtue into my
service, the which I would seek above all things, in order to be like
unto the valiant. Thus will you make me a wise and prudent man. In fine,
sweet Lady, I could not be more happy, however much I might say
concerning it."
Then my lady, in whom dwells every grace, very tenderly embraced me, and
kissed me more than an hundred times. And I remained thus happy all the
night, and be assured, you lovers who hear this, that I was very
contented. Many tender words full of delight were spoken that night, and
she, in whom is all goodness, showed me how and where, in spite of every
one, I might see her very often. Thus I asked for naught beside, for I
had all that I desired. Ne'ertheless she earnestly charged me to be very
mindful of her honour, even if at any time I had to defer seeing her,
although the delay might cause annoyance, for I should put her in peril
if that I took not careful heed beforehand of the proper time to come,
and to depart when she admonished me.
Thus we passed the time, but shortwhile dured the night for me. And when
the day was come, the which grieved me, embracing and kissing me an
hundred times, and giving me sweet loving glances, she said, "Farewell,
dear love." And she bolted me in there all alone, and retired to her
room. And, later, dressed as a page, I was released by the astute
secretary, who was in the secret, and albeit I was not versed in the
business, I resumed my former office, for, as he well said, it was meet
for one who received so sweet a recompense, to take charge of the horses
at the gate, and doubtless I would not wish to busy myself in any other
office, and ofttimes did I take upon myself this pleasing service. Thus
you see how it is sometimes needful for a master to turn varlet, and
perchance in this manner he ofttimes comes by that which he desires.
And my cousin no longer remained dreaming, but arose betimes
noiselessly, for he would not that any who slept should be awakened, and
he had taken his leave of my lady yesternight. And he went out. And I
awaited him, and led the horses to and fro like a good and trained
varlet, and he said, "Come hither, fellow. How an-angered I could be
with you when you lean on the saddle-bow!" Thus did he speak before
those present, for some knights and men-at-arms would fain escort him to
his dwelling, and they blamed him in that he had not more of his own men
with him, but he assured them that, for a certain reason, he had done it
quite designedly. He had thought to find the lord there, for never in
his life had he had greater need or desire to speak with him. And then
he desired that none should accompany him. And he set out on his way.
And so we departed, and as we rode, we held much friendly and gracious
converse together, for the pleasing remembrance which I had on my return
of the sweet joy which had comforted me, gave me so great solace, that
no one could have had greater joy of aught. And we were quickly come to
our journey's end, so much did we spur our horses, but I had put on my
tunic again. Then, as soon as they perceived us, my retainers, who loved
me and held me in esteem, received us with great delight, and we also
were glad, and with great joy sang, in cheerful refrain, this quite new
virelay:--