This absence from my own country’s
So long, it brings me to death’s door,
I languish here, beyond the sea,
Weary, in comfort and joy no more,
And I greatly fear that enemy
Who slanders me: I wronged endure,
Yet feel my heart so true and pure,
Please God, no harm will come to me.

Sweet Lady mine, don’t believe
Those who speak of me in malice.
Though you no longer look at me
With those sweet eyes that took me captive,
Me, with your true heart, you’ll still see.
But whether it urges you so to live
I know not: of all things fearing this
Alone: lest you not remember me.

For lightness in the hearts of women
Often strikes fear in the hearts of men,
Though loyalty stops me from despairing:
Without it I’d soon be dead and gone!
And you know that True Love’s coming
Causes lovers such fear, no one
Who ever loves is ever certain,
And false the love that is un-fearing.

My heart comforts me and destroys me,
But it’s right that I should think of her,
And the fear she might be lost to me,
Makes me doubly thoughtful of her.
So my solace only comes to flee,
Yet thinking always of my lover,
To my mind, as you would discover,
Is always a true delight to me.

Song, I send you to my Lady,
Before a single one has sung you,
And you must say to her from me,
(Let it not stay a hidden truth)
‘If in Faith there’s no treachery,
Of treason in Loyalty no proof,
Then I’ll have what’s owed to me,
Since with loyal heart I’ve loved you.’