La Comtessa de Dia

A chantar m'er de so qu'ieu non volria

(translation from "Teaching Lyric with Modern Technology," an NEH project at Mount Holyoke College)

I am obliged to sing of that which I would not,
So bitter am I over the one whose love I am,
For I love him more than anything;
With him mercy and courtliness are of no avail,
Not my beauty, nor my merit nor my good sense,
For I am deceived and betrayed
Exactly as I should be, if I were ungracious.

I comfort myself because never was I at fault,
Friend, towards you on account of any behavior,
Rather I love you more than Seguin [loved] Valensa,
And it pleases me greatly that I vanquish you in love,
My friend, because you are the most valiant;
You are haughty to me in words and appearance,
And yet you are so affable towards all others. . .

My worth and my nobility,
My beauty and my faithful heart should help me;
That is why I send there to your dwelling
This song, that it may be my messenger.
I want to know, my fine and noble friend,
Why you are so cruel and harsh with me;
I don't know if it is haughtiness or ill will. . . .

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This page created by Louise M. Bishop | Last updated 12 January 2002