ŒuvresParte 4 de 18

It is truth Est vérité that I have loved que j'ay aymé

And that I would willingly love; Et que aymeroye voulentiers;

But sad heart, Mais triste cueur, hungry belly, ventre affamé,

Which is not satiated Qui n'est rassasié by a third, au tiers,

Removes me from the paths of lovers. Me oste des amoureux sentiers.

At least, someone compensates himself for it, Au fort, quelqu'un s'en recompense,

Who is filled Qui est remply on the construction sites, sur les chantiers,

For from the belly Car de la panse comes the dance. vient la danse.

XXVI.

Well I know if I had studied Bien sçay se j'eusse estudié

In the time Ou temps of my foolish youth, de ma jeunesse folle,

And to good morals dedicated myself, Et à bonnes meurs dedié,

I would have a house J'eusse maison and a soft bed! et couche molle!

But what? Mais quoy? I fled school, je fuyoye l'escolle,

As does Comme faict the bad child... le mauvays enfant...

In writing this word, En escrivant ceste parolle,

Little short of my heart A peu que le cueur breaking. ne me fend.

XXVII.

The saying of the Sage Le dict du Saige is very beautiful sayings, est très beaulx dictz,

Favorable, Favorable, and truly I can do no more, et bien n'en puis mais,

Who says: Qui dit: «Rejoice, my son, «Esjoys-toy, mon filz,

In your A ton youth; adolescence; but mais

Elsewhere Ailleurs serve well sers bien with d'ung another autre dish, mectz,

For Car youth jeunesse and et adolescence adolescence

(It is (C'est his son saying, parler, neither less ne moins nor more) ne mais)

Are but abuse Ne sont qu'abbus and et ignorance.» ignorance.»

XXVIII.

My days Mes jours have gone s'en sont allez wandering, errant,

As, Comme, says Job, dit Job, from a d'une towel touaille

Are Sont the threads, les filetz, when quant a weaver tisserant

Holds Tient in en his son hand poing burning straw: ardente paille:

Then, Lors, if s'il there is y a any end nul bout that protrudes, qui saille,

Suddenly Soudainement he il snatches it away. le ravit.

So Si I fear nothing ne crains rien that assails me more, qui plus m'assaille,

For Car in à la death mort all tout is appeased. assouvyst.

XXIX.

Where are Où sont the les gracious gratieux gallants gallans

Whom Que I followed je suyvoye in au times temps of old, jadis,

So well Si bien singing, chantans, so well si bien speaking, parlans,

So pleasing Si plaisans in deeds en faictz and et in words? en dictz?

Some Les aucuns are dead sont mortz and et stiff; roydiz;

Of them there is nothing more D'eulx n'est-il plus rien now. maintenant.

May they have rest Respit ils ayent in paradise, en paradis,

And God Et Dieu save saulve the remainder! le remenant!

XXX.

And Et some les aucuns have become, sont devenuz,

God Dieu be thanked! mercy! great grans lords seigneurs and et masters, maistres,

The others Les autres beg mendient all naked, tous nudz,

And Et bread pain they see ne voyent but through qu'aux windows; fenestres;

The others Les autres have entered sont entrez cloisters; en cloistres;

Of Celestines De Celestins and et of Carthusians, de Chartreux,

Booted, Bottez, hosed, housez, like com oyster fishers: pescheurs d'oystres:

Behold the Voilà l'estat diverse state divers among them. d'entre eulx.

XXXI.

To the Aux great grans masters may God grant to do well maistres Dieu doint bien faire

Living Vivans in peace en paix and et in quiet. en requoy.

In them En eulx there is nothing il n'y a que to redo; refaire;

So Si it is good s'en fait bon to be entirely silent. taire tout quoy.

But Mais to the poor aux pauvres who have nothing, qui n'ont de quoy,

Like me, Comme moy, may God grant patience; Dieu doint patience;

To the others Aux aultres there is no need of who or what, ne fault qui ne quoy,

For Car enough they have assez ont bread pain and et pittance. pitance.

XXXII.

Good wines Bons vins they have, ont, often souvent spitted, embrochez,

Sauces, Saulces, broths brouetz and et large fish; gros poissons;

Tarts, Tartres, flans, flans, eggs fried oeufz fritz and et poached, pochez,

Lost, Perduz, and et in all ways. en toutes façons.

Not Pas do they resemble ne ressemblent the les masons, maçons,

Whom Que one must serve servir fault with à such great si grand difficulty; peine;

They Ils want ne veulent no nulz cupbearers, eschançons,

For Car to pour de verser each one chascun takes pains. se peine.

XXXIII.

Into En this incident cest incident I have put myself, me suys mys,

Which Qui in nothing de rien serves ne sert my deed. à mon faict.

I Je am not ne suys judge, juge, nor ne commissioner, commis,

To Pour punish punyr nor absolve n'absouldre misdeed. meffaict.

Of all De tous I am suys the most le plus imperfect. imparfaict.

Praised Loué be soit the sweet le doulx Jesus Christ! Jésus-Christ!

May Que by me par moy they leur be satisfied! soit satisfaict!

What Ce que I have written j'ay escript is written. est escript.

XXXIV.

Let us leave Laissons the monastery le monstier where où it is; il est;

Let us speak Parlons of something de chose more pleasing. plus plaisante.

This Ceste matter matière to all à tous does not please: ne plaist:

Annoying Ennuyeuse it is est and et displeasing. desplaisante.

Poverty, Pauvreté, vexed chagrine and et sorrowful, dolente,

Always Tousjours spiteful despiteuse and et rebellious, rebelle,

Says Dit some stinging word; quelque parolle cuysante;

If she S'elle dares not, n'ose, so si she thinks it. le pense-elle.

XXXV.

Poor Pauvre I am je suys from my youth, de ma jeunesse,

Of poor De pauvre and et of small de petite extraction. extrace.

My father Mon pere never had n'eut oncq great wealth. grand richesse.

Nor Ne his grandfather, son ayeul, named Erace. nommé Erace.

Poverty Pauvreté all of us tous nous follows suyt and et traces. trace.

On Sur the tombs les tumbeaulx of my ancestors, de mes ancestres,

The souls Les ames of whom desquelz God Dieu embraces, embrasse,

One On sees there neither n'y voyt crowns couronnes nor ne scepters. sceptres.

XXXVI.

Of poverty De pouvreté lamenting myself, me guermentant,

Oftentimes Souventesfoys says to me me dit the heart: le cueur:

«Man, do not grieve yourself «Homme, ne te doulouse so much tant

And Et do not show ne demaine such sorrow, tel douleur,

If Se you tu have not as much n'as tant as Jacques Cueur had. qu'eust Jacques Cueur.

Better it is Myeulx vault to live vivre under soubz coarse cloth gros bureaux

Poor, Pauvre, than qu' to have been avoir esté a lord seigneur

And Et to rot pourrir under soubz rich tombs!» riches tumbeaux!»

XXXVII.

To have been Qu'avoir esté a lord!... seigneur!... What Que say I? dys?

Lord, Seigneur, alas! lasse! is he no longer! ne l'est-il mais!

According to what Selon ce que of some d'aulcun is said, en dict,

His place Son lieu he will never know. ne congnoistra jamais.

As for the surplus, Quant du surplus, I je divest myself of it. m'en desmectz.

It does not belong Il n'appartient to me, à moy, a sinner; pécheur;

To the theologians Aux théologiens I remit it, le remectz,

For Car it is the office c'est office of a preacher. de prescheur.

XXXVIII.

So Si I am not, ne suys, well bien I consider it, le considère,

Son of an angel, Filz d'ange, wearing a diadem portant dyadème

Of star D'etoille nor of other sidereal body. ne d'autre sydère.

My father Mon père is dead, est mort, God Dieu have his soul, en ayt l'ame,

As for the body, Quant est du corps, it lies il gyst beneath the stone... soubz lame...

I understand J'entends that my mother will die, que ma mère mourra,

And Et she knows it well, le sçait bien, the poor woman; la pauvre femme;

And the son Et le filz will not remain. pas ne demourra.

XXXIX.

I know Je congnoys that poor and rich, que pauvres et riches,

Wise Sages and foolish, et folz, priests prebstres and laymen, et laiz,

Noble Noble and villain, et vilain, generous larges and stingy, et chiches,

Small Petitz and great, et grans, and beautiful et beaulx and ugly, et laidz,

Ladies Dames with turned-up collars, à rebrassez colletz,

Of whatsoever condition, De quelconque condicion,

Wearing Portant headdresses and rolls, attours et bourreletz,

Death Mort seizes saisit without exception. sans exception.

XL.

And died Et mourut Paris Paris and Helen. et Hélène.

Whosoever dies, Quiconques meurt, dies meurt in pain. à douleur.

He who loses Celluy qui perd wind and breath, vent et alaine,

His gall Son fiel bursts se crève upon sur his son heart, cueur,

Then Puys sweats sue God knows Dieu sçait what sweat! quelle sueur!

And Et there is none who n'est qui from de his ses ills maulx relieves him: l'allège:

For Car children he enfans has not, n'a, nor brother frère nor ne sister, soeur,

Who Qui then would wish to be lors voulsist estre his surety. son pleige.

XLI.

Death La mort makes him le faict tremble, frémir, grow pale, pallir,

The nose Le nez to bend, courber, the veins les veines to stretch, tendre,

The neck Le col to swell, enfler, the flesh la chair to soften, mollir,

Joints Joinctes and et nerves nerfs to grow croistre and et extend. estendre.

Feminine body, Corps féminin, which qui is so tant est tender, tendre,

Polished, Polly, soft, souef, so precious, si precieulx,

Must you await these ills? Te faudra-il ces maulx attendre?

Yes, Ouy, or ou all alive tout vif go aller to the ès heavens. cieulx.

BALLADE

OF THE DES LADIES DAMES OF FORMER TIMES. DU TEMPS JADIS.

Tell me Dictes-moy where, où, nor in n'en what country, quel pays,

Is Flora, Est Flora, the la beautiful belle Roman; Romaine;

Archipiada, Archipiada, nor Thaïs, ne Thaïs,

Who was Qui fut her sa first cousin; cousine germaine;

Echo, Echo, speaking parlant when quand noise one makes bruyt on maine

Upon river Dessus rivière or ou upon pond, sus estan,

Who Qui beauty beauté had eut too trop more plus than human? qu'humaine?

But Mais where où are sont the les snows neiges of yesteryear! d'antan!

Where is Où est the la very très wise sage Heloise, Heloïs,

For whom Pour qui was castrated fut chastré and then et puis monk moyne

Peter Abelard Pierre Esbaillart at Saint-Denis? à Sainct-Denys?

For Pour her son love he amour had eut this cest trouble. essoyne.

Likewise, Semblablement, where is où est the queen la royne

Who commanded Qui commanda that Buridan que Buridan

Be thrown Fust jetté in en a ung sack sac into en the Seine? Seine?

But Mais where où are sont the les snows neiges of yesteryear! d'antan!

The La queen royne Blanche Blanche like comme a ung lily, lys,

Who sang Qui chantoit with a siren's voice; à voix de sereine;

Bertha Berthe Broadfoot, au grand pied, Beatrice, Bietris, Alix; Allys;

Harembourges, Harembourges, who held qui tint Maine, le Mayne,

And Joan, Et Jehanne, the la good bonne Lorrainer, Lorraine,

Whom Qu' the English Anglois burned bruslèrent at Rouen; à Rouen;

Where Où are they, sont-ilz, Sovereign Virgin?... Vierge souveraine?...

But Mais where où are sont the les snows neiges of yesteryear! d'antan!

ENVOI

Prince, Prince, inquire not n'enquerez of week de sepmaine

Where Où they elles are, sont, nor ne of de this cest year, an,

But let Que this ce refrain bring you back: refrain ne vous remaine:

But Mais where où are sont the snows les neiges of yesteryear! d'antan!

BALLADE

OF THE LORDS DES SEIGNEURS OF FORMER TIMES DU TEMPS JADIS

Following Suyvant the preceding subject. le propos précèdent.

Who else? Qui plus? Where is Où est the third le tiers Calixtus, Calixte,

Last Dernier deceased decedé of this name, de ce nom,

Who Qui four years quatre ans held tint the Papacy? le Papaliste?

Alphonse, Alphonse, the king le roy of Aragon, d'Aragon,

The gracious Le gracieux Duke of Bourbon, duc de Bourbon,

And Et Arthur, Artus, the Duke le duc of Brittany, de Bretaigne,

And Et Charles the Seventh, Charles septiesme, the Good?... le Bon?...

But Mais where is où est the valiant le preux Charlemagne! Charlemaigne!

Likewise, Semblablement, the Scottish king, le roy Scotiste,

Who Qui half-face demy-face had, eut, it is said, ce dit-on,

Red Vermeille like an comme une amethyst amathiste

From Depuys the forehead le front to the jusqu'au chin? menton?

The king Le roy of Cyprus, de Chypre, of renown; de renom;

Alas! Hélas! And et the good king le bon roy of Spain, d'Espaigne,

Of whom Duquel I know not je ne sçay pas the name?... le nom?...

But Mais where is où est the valiant le preux Charlemagne! Charlemaigne!

To speak more of it D'en plus parler I desist; je me désiste;

It is but Ce n'est que all delusion. toute abusion.

There is none who Il n'est qui against death contre mort resists, résiste,

Nor who Ne qui finds treuve provision. provision.

Still Encor I ask fais a question: une question:

Lancelot, Lancelot, the king le roy of Bohemia, de Behaigne,

Where is he? Où est-il? Where is Où est his ancestor?... son tayon?...

But Mais where is où est the valiant le preux Charlemagne! Charlemaigne!

ENVOI.

Where is Où est Claquin, Claquin, the good le bon Breton? Breton?

Where Où the Count Dauphin le comte Daulphin of Auvergne, d'Auvergne,

And Et the good late Duke le bon feu duc of Alençon?... d'Alençon?...

But Mais where is où est the valiant le preux Charlemagne! Charlemaigne!

BALLADE

On this subject, A ce propos, in en old French. vieil françois.

But Mais where are où sont the holy ly sainctz apostles, apostoles,

Clothed in albs, D'aulbes vestuz, coiffed with amices, d'amys coeffez,

Who Qui are girt sont ceincts with holy stoles, de sainctes estoles,

Whence Dont by the neck par le col takes prent the wicked one, ly mauffez,

With ill-will De maltalent all heated? tout eschauffez?

As well Aussi bien die meurt they tilz as que servants; servans;

Of this life De ceste vie they are puffed up: sont bouffez:

As much of it carries away the winds. Autant en emporte ly vens.

Indeed, Voire, where are où sont of Constantinople de Constantinobles

The emperor L'emperier with gilded fists, aux poings dorez,

Or Ou of France de France the king ly roy most noble, tresnobles,

Above all other Sur tous autres kings roys adorned. décorez.

Who, Qui, for pour the great Gods ly grand Dieux adored, adorez,

Built Bastist churches eglises and et convents? convens?

If in his time S'en son temps he was honored, il fut honorez,

As much of it carries away Autant en emporte the winds. ly vens.

Where Où are sont of Vienne de Vienne and et of Grenoble de Grenobles

The Dauphin, Ly Daulphin, the valiant, ly preux, the wise? ly senez?

Where, Où, of Dijon, de Dijon, Salins Sallins and et Dôle, Dolles,

The lords Ly sires and et the eldest sons? ly filz aisnez?

Where Où as many of autant de their leurs private folk, gens privez,

Heralds, Heraulx, trumpeters, trompettes, pursuivants? poursuyvans?

Have they Ont-ilz well bien pushed bouté under the nose?... soubz le nez?...

As much of it carries away Autant en emporte the winds. ly vens.

ENVOI.

Princes Princes to death à mort are destined, sont destinez,

And Et all others tous autres who qui are living; sont vivans;

If they S'ils are chased en sont coursez or ou held, tennez,

As much of it carries away Autant en emporte the winds. ly vens.

XLII.

Since Puys que popes, papes, kings, roys, sons of kings, filz de roys,

And Et conceived conceuz in wombs en ventres of queens, de roynes,

Are buried, Sont enseveliz, dead mortz and et cold, froidz,

Into En others' hands aultruy mains pass passent their reins; leurs resnes;

I, Moy, poor pauvre peddler mercerot of Rennes, de Renes,

Shall I not die? Mourray-je pas? Yes, Ouy, if se God Dieu pleases; plaist;

But that Mais que I have j'aye made faict my mes gifts, estrenes,

Honest death Honneste mort displeases me not. ne me desplaist.

XLIII.

This Ce world monde is not n'est perpetual, perpetuel,

Whatever Quoy que a rich plunderer may think; pense riche pillart;

All Tous are sommes under soubz mortal knife. coutel mortel.

This comfort Ce confort takes prent the poor pauvre old man, vieillart,

Who Lequel of being d'estre a pleasant plaisant mocker raillart

Had Eut the reputation, le bruyt, when lorsque he was young, jeune estoit,

That one Qu'on would hold him tiendrait for mad à fol and et straw-like, paillait,

If, Se, old, vieil, to mock à railler he set himself. se mettoit.

XLIV.

Now it behooves him Or luy convient-il to beg, mendier,

For Car to this à ce force force compels him. le contraint.

He regrets Regrette today huy his death, sa mort, and et yesterday; hier;

Sadness Tristesse his heart son cueur so si constrains, estrainct,

Often, Souvent, were it not se n'estoit God Dieu whom he fears, qu'il crainct,

He Il would do feroit a horrible un horrible deed. faict.

So it happens that in this Si advient qu'en ce God Dieu he transgresses, enfrainct,

And that Et que he himself luy-mesmes undoes himself. se deffaict.

XLV.

For, Car, if in youth s'en jeunesse he was il fut pleasant, plaisant,

Now Ores nothing more plus rien he says ne dit that pleases. qui plaise.

Always Tousjours an old monkey vieil synge is est displeasing: desplaisant:

No grimace he makes Moue ne faict that does not displease. qui ne desplaise.

If he S'il keeps silent, se taist, in order that he may please, affin qu'il complaise,

He is held Il est tenu for pour a worn-out fool; fol recreu;

If he S'il speaks, parle, one on tells him luy dit to be silent. qu'il se taise.

And that in Et qu'en his son plum tree prunier he has not grown. n'a pas creu.

XLVI.

Also, Aussi, these ces poor pauvres little women, femmelettes,

Who Qui are old vieilles sont and et have nothing, n'ont de quoy,

When Quand they see voyent young jeunes maidens pucellettes

Being led En admenez and et in privacy, en requoy,

Then Lors they ask God demandent à Dieu why pourquoy

So soon Si tost they were born, nasquirent, and by what right? n'a quel droit?

Our Lord Notre Seigneur keeps silent about it, s'en taist tout coy,

For, Car, in chiding, au tanser, he il would lose it. le perdroit.

THE REGRETS LES REGRETS

OF THE DE LA FAIR BELLE ARMOURER'S WIFE HEAULMIÈRE

Already Jà arrived parvenue at à old age. vieillesse.

It seems to me that Advis m'est que I hear j'oy regretting regretter

The fair one La belle who was qui fut an armourer's wife, heaulmière,

Wishing herself a young girl Soy jeune fille souhaitter

And Et speaking parler in this manner: en ceste manière:

«Ah! «Ha! Old age, vieillesse felonious felonne and et proud, fière,

Why Pourquoy have you m'as so soon si tost struck me down? abatue?

What Qui holds me me tient that que I je do not strike myself, ne me fière,

And Et that at this blow qu'à ce coup I je do not kill myself? ne me tue?

You have taken from me «Tollu m'as my ma high haulte freedom franchise

That Que beauty beauté had ordained for me m'avoit ordonné

Over Sur clerks, clercz, merchants marchans and et people of the Church: gens d'Eglise:

For Car then alors there was no n'estoit man born homme né

Who Qui all his own tout le sien would not have given me, ne m'eust donné,

Whatever might be Quoy qu'il en fust the regrets, des repentailles,

Provided that Mais que I had abandoned to him luy eusse abandonné

That which beggars Ce que refuse. reffusent truandailles.

«To many a man «A maint homme I have refused it, l'ay reffusé,

Which Qui was not n'estoit to me à moy great wisdom, grand saigesse,

For the love Pour l'amour of a d'ung cunning boy, garson rusé,

To whom Auquel I made j'en feiz great generosity. grande largesse.

To whomsoever A qui que I showed cunning, je feisse finesse,

By my soul, Par m'ame, I loved him well! je l'amoye bien!

Now Or he showed me nothing but rudeness, ne me faisoit que rudesse,

And Et loved me only ne m'amoyt que for what was mine. pour le mien.

«Never could he so much «Jà ne me sceut tant drag me down, detrayner,

Trample underfoot, Fouller au piedz, that I would not love him, que ne l'aymasse,

And had he made Et m'eust-il faict my loins drag, les rains trayner,

If he had told me S'il m'eust dit to kiss him que je le baisasse

And that Et que all my ills tous mes maux I should forget; oubliasse;

The glutton, Le glouton, tainted with evil, de mal entaché,

Embraced me... M'embrassoit... I am J'en suis much fatter for it! bien plus grasse!

What remains to me of it? Que m'en reste-il? Shame Honte and et sin. péché.

«Now «Or he is dead, il est mort, more than thirty years passed, passé trente ans,

And Et I remain je remains old vieille and et hoary. chenue.

When Quand I think, je pense, alas! lasse! of the au good time, bon temps,

What I was, Quelle fus, what I have become; quelle devenue;

When Quand I look at myself me regarde all naked, toute nue,

And Et I see myself je me voy so very changed, si très-changée,

Poor, Pauvre, dry, seiche, thin, maigre, tiny, menue,

I am Je suis almost presque entirely toute enraged. enragée.

«What has become «Qu'est devenu of this polished brow, ce front poly,

These blond hairs, Ces cheveulx blonds, arched eyebrows, sourcilz voultyz,

Large space between eyes, Grand entr'oeil, the pretty gaze, le regard joly,

With which Dont I took prenoye the most subtle; les plus subtilz;

This beautiful straight nose, Ce beau nez droit, neither large nor small; grand ne petiz;

These small Ces petites joined ears, joinctes oreilles,

Forked chin, Menton fourchu, clear well-drawn face, cler vis traictis,

And Et these ces beautiful vermilion belles lips? lèvres vermeilles?

«These «Ces graceful slender gentes shoulders, espaules menues,

These Ces long arms bras longs and et these well-formed ces hands; mains tretisses;

Small Petitz nipples, fleshy tetins, hips, hanches charnues,

Raised, Eslevées, proper, propres, made faictisses

To A hold tenir amorous amoureuses lists; lysses;

These Ces broad larges loins, reins, this ce little vulva, sadinet,

Seated Assis on sur large grosses firm fermes thighs, cuysses,

Within Dedans its son pretty joly little garden? jardinet?

«The «Le forehead front wrinkled, ridé, the les hair cheveulx gray, gris,

The Les eyebrows sourcilz fallen, cheuz, the les eyes yeulx extinguished, estainctz,

Which Qui made faisoient gazes regars and et laughs, ris,

By which Dont many maintz merchants marchans were furent affected; attaincts;

Nose Nez curved, courbé, far from beauty; de beaulté loingtains;

Ears Oreilles hanging pendans and et mossy; moussues;

The Le face vis pale, pally, dead mort and et faded; destaincts;

Chin Menton sunken, foncé, lips lèvres like skin: peaussues:

«This is the end «C'est of human d'humaine beauty! beauté l'yssues!

The Les arms bras short courts and et the les hands mains contracted, contraictes,

The Les shoulders espaulles all toutes hunched; bossues;

Breasts, Mammelles, what! quoy! all toutes shrunken; retraictes;

Such are the Telles les hips hanches as que the les teats. tettes.

Of the Du little vulva, sadinet, fie! fy! As for the Quant des thighs, cuysses,

Thighs Cuysses are no more, ne sont plus, but mais little thighs cuyssettes

Speckled Grivelées like comme sausages. saulcisses.

«Thus «Ainsi we regret the good time le bon temps regretons

Among Entre us, nous, poor pauvres old vieilles fools, sottes,

Seated Assises low, bas, squatting, à croppetons,

All Tout in en a ung heap tas like comme balls of yarn, pelottes,

By a A small petit fire feu of de hemp stalks, chenevottes,

Soon Tost lit, allumées, soon tost extinguished; estainctes;

And Et once jadis we were fusmes so si pretty!... mignottes!...

Thus Ainsi it happens en prend to à many men and women.» maintz et maintes.»

BALLADE BALLADE OF THE DE LA FAIR BELLE HEAULMIÈRE HEAULMIÈRE

TO THE AUX DAUGHTERS FILLES OF JOY. DE JOIE.

«Now «Or think about it, y pensez, fair belle Glove-maker, Gantière,

Who Qui my student m'escolière used to be, souliez estre,

And Et you, vous, Blanche Blanche the la Cobbler, Savetière,

Now Ores is est the time temps to de know yourselves. vous congnoistre.

Take Prenez to à right dextre and et to à left; senestre;

Spare N'espargnez no man, homme, I je beg you: vous prie:

For Car old women vieilles have n'ont neither ne currency cours nor ne being, estre,

No more than Ne que money monnoye that is qu'on decried. descrie.

«And «Et you, vous, the la gentle gente Sausage-maker, Saulcissière,

Who Qui at dancing de dancer are estes adept; adextre;

Guillemette Guillemette the la Tapestry-maker, Tapissière,

Do not err Ne mesprenez towards vers your vostre master; maistre;

All Tous of you vous will have to close your fauldra clorre window, fenestre,

When Quand you become deviendrez old, vieille, withered; flestrie;

No more will Plus ne you serve servirez but an qu'un old vieil priest, prebstre,

No more than Ne que money monnoye that is qu'on decried. descrie.

«Jehanneton «Jehanneton the la Hood-maker, Chaperonnière,

Beware Gardez that trouble qu'ennuy does not entangle you; ne vous empestre;

Katherine Katherine the la Butcher, Bouchière,

Send N'envoyez men no more plus les hommes to pasture: paistre:

For Car she who qui is not beautiful, belle n'est, does not ne perpetrate perpetre

Their Leur good bonne grace, grace, but mais laughs at them. leur rie.

Ugly old age Laide vieillesse does not obtain love, amour n'impetre,

No more than Ne que money monnoye that is qu'on decried. descrie.

ENVOI.

«Daughters, «Filles, please veuillez interpose yourselves vous entremettre

To listen D'escouter why she weeps and cries pourquoy pleure et crie

It is that C'est que I cannot put remedy to it, ne puys remède y mettre,

No more than Ne que money monnoye that is qu'on decried.» descrie.»

XLVII.

This lesson here Ceste leçon icy gives to them leur baille

The La beautiful belle and et good bonne one of yore; de jadis;

Well Bien said dit or ou ill, mal, come what may, vaille que vaille,

To record Enregistrer I have caused j'ay faict these ces sayings ditz

By Par my mon clerk clerc Fremin Fremin the scatterbrain, l'estourdys,

As Aussi settled rassis as que I je think pense to be... estre...

If S'il he disproves me, me desment, I je curse him: le mauldys:

According Selon to the le clerk clerc is est due deu the le master. maistre.

XLVIII.

So Si I perceive apercoy the le great grand danger danger

There where Là où the man in love l'homme amoureux throws himself... se boute...

Hey! Hé! who qui would want to harm me me vouldroit laidanger

With this word, De ce mot, by saying: en disant: «Listen! «Escoute!

If Se from loving d'aymer estranges t'estrange and et repulses you reboute

The deceit Le barat of those named, de celles nommées,

You make Tu fais a very foolish doubt, une bien folle doubte,

For these are Car ce sont defamed women. femmes diffamées.

XLIX.

«If they love «S'ils n'ayment only for fors que pour money, l'argent,

One loves them On ne les ayme only for que pour the hour. l'heure.

Roundly Rondement they love ayment all people, toute gent,

And laugh Et rient then when lors quant purse weeps. bourse pleure.

Of those there is none who does not recover; De celles n'est qui ne recoeuvre;

But in women Mais en femmes of honor and name d'honneur et nom

A free man, Franc homme, if God succors me, se Dieu me sequeure,

Should employ himself; Se doit employer; elsewhere, ailleurs, no.» non.»

L.

I take that someone says this, Je prens qu'aucun dye cecy,

Yet it contents me in nothing. Si ne me contente-il en rien.

In effect, En effect, I conclude thus, je concludz ainsy,

And so Et sy I think le cuyde to understand it well, entendre bien,

That one Qu'on must love doit aymer in place of en lieu de good. bien.

To know-my Asçavoir-mon if se these young girls, ces fillettes,

Whom Qu'en in words parolles all day toute jour I hold, tien,

Were not Ne furent pas honest women? femmes honnestes?

LI.

Honest, Honnestes, yes si they were truly, furent vrayement,

Without having Sans avoir reproaches reproches nor ne blames. blasmes.

If it is true that, S'il est vray que, at the beginning, au commencement,

Each one Une chascune of these women de ces femmes

Then took, Lors prindrent, before they had ains qu'eussent infamy, diffames,

One L'une a clerk, ung clerc, a layman, ung lay, the other l'autre a monk, ung moine,

To extinguish Pour estaindre of loves d'amours the flames, les flammes,

Hotter Plus chauldes than que Saint Anthony's fire. feu Sainct-Antoine.

LII.

Now Or they acted firent according to the decree selon le decret

Of their friends, Leurs amys, and et well it appears; bien y appert;

They loved Elles aymoient in a secret place, en lieu secret,

For Car other than them autre qu'eulx had no part there. n'y avoit part.

Nevertheless, Toutesfois, this love ceste amour departs: se part:

For Car she who celle qui had but one n'en avoit qu'un

From him D'icelluy distances and separates herself, s'eslongne et despart,

And loves better Et ayme myeulx to love aymer everyone. chascun.

LIII.

Who Qui moves les meut them to this? à ce? I imagine, J'imagine,

Without blaming the honor of ladies Sans l'honneur des dames blasmer

That it is Que c'est feminine nature, nature feminine,

Who Qui all vividly tout vivement wants veult to love. aymer.

Other thing Autre chose I know not n'y sçay to rhyme there; rymer;

Except that one says, Fors qu'on dit, at Reims and at Troyes, à Reims et à Troys,

Indeed Voire at Lille à l'Isle and et at Saint-Omer, à Sainct-Omer,

That Que six workers six ouvriers do font more than plus que three. troys.

LIV.

Now Or have ont the foolish lovers les folz amans the leap, le bond,

And Et the ladies les dames taken flight; prins la vollée;

It is C'est the le just droit reward loyer that qu' loves amours have; ont;

All faith Toute foy there y is est violated, violée,

Whatever Quelque sweet kiss doulx baiser nor embrace. n'acollée.

Of dogs, De chiens, of birds, d'oyseaulx, of arms, d'armes, of loves, d'amours,

Everyone Chascun says it le dit on the fly: à la vollée:

«For «Pour one ung pleasure a plaisir thousand mille sorrows.» doulours.»

DOUBLE BALLADE

ON SUR THE LE SAME MÊME SUBJECT. PROPOS.

For this, Pour ce, love aymez as much as tant que you wish, vouldrez,

Follow Suyvez gatherings and feasts, assemblées et festes,

In the end En la fin already jà better mieulx you will not be worth, n'en vauldrez,

And so Et sy you will only break n'y romprez que your heads there: vos testes:

Foolish loves Folles amours make people beasts: font les gens bestes:

Solomon Salmon in en it idolized; idolatrya;

Samson Samson in it en lost perdit his spectacles... ses lunettes...

Very happy is Bien heureux est he who nothing in it has! qui rien n'y a!

Orpheus, Orpheus, the le sweet doux minstrel, menestrier,

Playing flutes Jouant de flustes and bagpipes, et musettes,

In En it was fut in danger en dangier of the du murderous meurtrier

Good Bon dog chien Cerberus Cerberus with à three troys heads; testes;

And Narcissus, Et Narcissus, the le beautiful bel honest one, honnestes,

In a En ung deep profond well puys he drowned, se noya,

For Pour the love l'amour of de his ses amours... amourettes...

Truly happy Bien heureux is he est who has nothing there! qui rien n'y a!

Sardana, Sardana, the le valiant preux knight, chevalier,

Who Qui conquered conquist the le kingdom regne of de Crete, Crètes,

Wished En to voult become devenir a woman moulier

And Et spin filer among entre maidens. pucellettes.

David David the ly king, roy, wise saige prophet, prophètes,

The fear Craincte of de God Dieu he en forgot, oublya,

Seeing Voyant well-made thighs being washed laver cuisses bien ... faictes...

Truly Bien happy heureux is he est who has nothing there! qui rien n'y a!

Ammon Ammon wished en to voult dishonor, deshonnorer,

Feigning Feignant to de eat manger tarts, tartelettes,

His Sa sister soeur Tamar, Thamar, and et deflower, deflorer,

Who Qui did fist things choses most moult dishonest; deshonnestes;

Herod Herodes (these are no trifles) (pas ne sont sornettes)

Saint Sainct John the Baptist Jean-Baptiste he en beheaded for it, décolla,

For Pour dances, dances, leaps saultz and et little songs... chansonnettes...

Truly Bien happy heureux is he est who has nothing there! qui rien n'y a!

Of De me, moy, poor, pauvre, I je wish veuil to speak; parler;

I J'en was fuz beaten for it, batu, as comme in à such ru streets, telles,

All Tout naked, nud, I jà do not ne wish le to quiers hide it. celer.

Who Qui made me me feit chew mascher these ces gooseberries, groiselles,

Except Fors Katherine Katherine de de Vauselles? Vauselles?

Noah Noé had le the tiers third, ot, who qui was fut there. là.

Mittens Mitaines at à such ces weddings, nopces telles,

Truly Bien happy heureux is he est who has nothing there! qui rien n'y a!

But Mais that que this ce young jeune bachelor bachelier

Should leave Laissast these ces young jeunes maidens, bachelettes,

No! Non! and, et, should le one burn deust-on him alive, vif brusler,

Like Comme a ung broom-rider. chevaucheur d'escovettes.

Sweeter Plus to doulces him luy are they sont than que civets; civettes;

But Mais nevertheless toutesfoys a fool fol trusted s'y in it: fia:

Be Soient they white, blanches, be soient they brunettes, brunettes,

Truly Bien happy heureux is he est who has nothing there! qui rien n'y a!

LV.

If Si she celle whom que I jadis formerly served servoye

With De such si good bon heart cueur and et loyally, loyaument,

From Dont whom tant so de many ills maulx and et grievances griefz I had, j'avoye,

And Et suffered souffroye so tant much de torment, torment,

Had Se told dit me, m'eust, at au the beginning, commencement,

Her Sa will voulenté (but no, alas!), (mais nenny, las!),

I J'eusse would mys have peine taken pains somehow, aucunement,

To De withdraw moy myself retraire from de her ses snares. las.

LVI.

Whatever Quoy que I wished to tell je her, luy voulsisse dire,

She Elle was ready estoit preste to listen, d'escouter,

Without Sans agreeing with me m'accorder or contradicting me; ne contredire;

What's more, Qui plus, she allowed me me souffroit to stop, arrester,

Joining Joignant her elle to lean close; près s'accouter;

And thus Et ainsi she went on amusing me, m'alloit amusant,

And Et allowed me me souffroit to recount everything, tout racompter,

But Mais it was ce n'estoit only by qu'en deceiving me. m'abusant.

LVII.

She has deceived Abusé me, m'a, and made me understand et faict entendre

Always Tousjours of one thing d'ung that que it was ce fust another; ung aultre;

Of De flour, farine, that que it was ce fust ashes; cendre;

Of a D'ung mortar, mortier, a felt ung hat; chapeau de feautre;

Of De old viel slag, machefer, that que it was fust pewter; peaultre;

Of ambs-ace, D'ambesas, that que it was ce fussent two threes... ternes...

Always Toujours deceiving trompant either me ou moy or another, ou aultre,

And Et sold bladders for lanterns. vendoit vessies pour lanternes.

LVIII.

Of the sky, Du ciel, a brass une pan; poisle d'arain;

Of the clouds, Des nues, a calfskin; une peau de veau;

Of the morning, Du matin, that it was qu'estoit the evening dew; le serain;

Of a cabbage D'un stump, trongnon de chou, a turnip; ung naveau;

Of D' foul orde beer, cervoise, new wine; vin nouveau;

Of a D'une sow, truie, a windmill; ung molin à vent;

And Et of a d'une rope, hart, a skein; ung escheveau;

Of a D'un fat gras abbot, abbé, a pursuivant. ung poursuyvant.

LIX.

Thus Ainsi have m'ont loves amours deceived me, abusé,

And Et led me pourmené from the door de l'uys to the stove. au pesle.

I believe Je croy that no man is so cunning, qu'homme n'est si rusé,

Were he as subtle Fust fin as comme silver argent from the mint, de crepelle,