US CAVALIERS SI IAZIA ...	ONCE A GENTLEMAN WAS LYING ...
Bertran d'Alamano*	trans. James H. Donalson (from Provençal)
Us cavaliers si iazia ab la re que plus volia; soven baizan li dizia: doussa res, ieu que farai? que·l iorns ve e la nueytz vai. ay! qu'ieu aug que li gaita cria: via! sus! qu'ieu vey lo iorn venir apres l'alba. Doussa res, s'esser podia que ia mais alba ni dia no fos, grans merces seria, al meyns al luec on estai fis amicx ab so que·l plai ay! qu'ieu aug que li gaita cria: via! sus! qu'ieu vey lo iorn venir apres l'alba. Doussa res, que qu'om vos dia, no cre que tals dolors sia cum qui part amic d'amia, qu'ieu per me mezeys o sai. aylas! quan pauca nueyt fai! ay! qu'ieu aug que li gaita cria: via! sus! qu'ieu ve lo iorn venir apres l'alba. Doussa res, ieu tanc ma via; vostres suy, on que ieu sia. per Dieu, no m'oblidetz mia, que·l cor del cors reman sai ni de vos mais no·m partrai. ay! qu'ieu aug que li gaita cria: via! sus! qu'ieu ve lo iorn venir apres l'alba. Doussa res, s'ieu no·us vezia, breumens crezatz que morria, que·l gratas dezirs m'auciria; per qu'ieu tost retornarai, que ses vos vida non ai, ay! qu'ieu aug que li gaita cria: via! sus! qu'ieu vey lo iorn venir apres l'alba.	Once a gentleman was lying with the one of his desiring often kissing her and sighing: Sweet one, now what can I try? Day will come, night will die: aye! I've heard the watchman crying wake up! Up! I've seen the daylight come after dawning. Sweet one, could there only be no more dawns for you and me, what a blessing it would be: it would be, at least say I, true friend, here to please am I. aye! I've heard the watchman crying wake up! Up! I've seen the daylight come after dawning. Sweet one, you've heard from the start such a grief won't touch the heart as when boyfriend must depart: I myself would not deny. Now there's left but little night, aye! I've heard the watchman crying wake up! Up! I've seen the daylight come after dawning. Sweet one, it's my life you see; I am yours where I may be: goodness, don't abandon me for my heart of hearts stays nigh nor departs and says goodbye: aye! I've heard the watchman crying wake up! Up! I've seen the daylight come after dawning. Sweet one, if I don't see you believe me, I'll die, and soon: my desire will kill me, too, and by which I'll soon be by for without you there's no life. Aye! I've heard the watchman crying wake up! Up! I've seen the daylight come after dawning.

OR: Gaucelm Faidit (1180-1215)

Trans. Copyright © James H. Donalson 2003

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