transemacabre | Sensual Medieval Poem of the Day: Bertran de Born

Bertran is another of my favorite troubadours: man's man, warrior-poet, a lover and a fighter. This is one of my favorite songs: cultivated, witty, with a touch of humor and a touch of anguish.

Lady, since you do not love me
and have sent me away with no good cause,
I do not know where to give my love,
for never will I find such noble joy again.
And if in the look of her I find not
the lady I desire, the equal of you,
who is lost to me,
I do not wish to love anyone again.

And since I can find no one so good as you,
None so beautiful and spirited,
None with such a worshipful, noble body,
So graceful,
So courtly,
I shall go everwhere collecting the most
beautiful images of other ladies; and so
assemble one perfect woman,
until you are restored to me

The pristine, natural color,
Lovely Cembelis, I take from you
and the soft look full of love;
and I am guilty of extravagance,
leaving anything untaken
for you were never fond wanting of any good thing
Of my lady Aelis, I ask for
her adroit and witty speech.
Let them lend my lady liveliness,
so she will not be mute and foolish.

I ask the Vicomtesse of Chalais
to donate at once the throat and both hands
Then, holding my course, not digressing,
I rush to the hair of the lady Agnes de Rochachoart,
she will lend that for me.
For though Isolde, the lady of Tristan,
was celebrated everywhere,
we know even she did not have such beautiful hair.

Audiart, though she hate me,
I want of her a touch of her whole demeanor.
For it sits like a noble crown on her,
it is perfect,
her love never dies,
or twists cruelly.
Of my Mielhs-de-be I request
her adroit and glorious young body,
so that eyes beholding my perfect woman
would know what a pleasure it would be to hold her nude.

Lady Faydida could gift me
her beautiful teeth and
the goodness and gentleness she is so generous with.
I ask my beautiful Miralhs to donate
her gladness and shapely figure,
for, without fail, she knows what fits her best
and is renowned for this.

Beautiful lady, of you I ask nothing,
longing for my perfect woman is like
longing for you;
let one sensual
love be born,
my body is alive with lust,
for I prefer longing for you,
to kissing and holding another.
Why does my lady, knowing of my love,
refuse me yet?