Very happily, I begin to love – Guilhen de Peiteu
Very happily, I begin to love
a joy from which I will have more pleasure;
and, since I want to be back to joy
I well ought to, if I can, aim for the best;
since I love the best, without doubt,
that one could see or hear.
I (you know as much) should not brag
nor dare I praise myself much;
but if ever could one joy blossom,
this one should above all take roots
and shine above all others
just as the day turns brighter.
And never could anyone portray it
for in want nor wish
nor in though nor in imagination
such a joy can’t find an equivalent;
and if one wanted to praise it properly,
he couldn’t do it in a year.
Totz jois li deu humeliar
Every joy must lower itself
and all royalty obey
my lady, because of her kindness
and of her sweet pleasant visage;
and he will live a hundred times longer
who can partake of her love.
Because of her joy can the sick turn healthy
and because of her displeasure can a healthy man die
and a wise man turn mad
and a handsome man lose his beauty
and the most corteous turn into a lout
and the most churlish turn into a courtier.
Since nobody can find a worthier woman
nor eyes see one, nor mouth describe one,
I want to keep her all for me,
to bring freshness to my heart
and to renew my flesh,
so that it cannot grow old.
If my lady wants to grant me her love,
I am ready to receive it and to reciprocate
I am ready to discretion and cajoling
and to say and do what she pleases,
and to keep her worth into account
and to further her reputation
I don’t dare communicate by proxy,
so much I am afraid to anger her;
nor I myself, so much I am afraid to fail,
dare declare my love precisely;
But she ought to choose what is best for me
because she knows that I shall be saved through her.