Raimon de Miraval - Aissi Cum'es Genser Pascors

A translation by Margaret Louise Switten

THE CANSOS OF RAIMON DE MIRAVAL
A Study of Poems and Melodies

Aissi cum es genser pascors

1.  Just as the spring is more beautiful than any other season hot or cold, so it should be more favorable toward courting, to delight true lovers. But this year, woe unto its flowers, which have done me so much harm that in a single day they have taken from me all that I had conquered in two years by many painful  efforts.

2.  My Lady and I and Love were all three rather of one mind until now when, with the mild air, the rose and the song and the verdure have reminded her that her merit had sunk too low, because she wanted what I wanted; however, there were not so many pleasures, for never was there anything but wooing.

3.  That, for me, was joy and honor, but it no longer pleases her to grant it to me, and if my lady wants me to diminish in worth, she can certainly debase me, for she has elevated me. Alas, why is my suffering  not painful  to her since she thus finds me vanquished? For I have increased  her prestige so much that I have improved her advantages and deferred  all harm.
 
4.  Ladies adopt one procedure  that  is foolishness:  when they find a lover  who  implores mercy, for a test they inspire fear in him and oppress him until he turns elsewhere; and when they have estranged the best, false and insignificant suitors are surpassingly well received for which reason courtly song falls silent, and gossip and foolish  noise arise.

5.  I do not complain of all ladies, nor does it please me to fight with ladies, nor ever is the evil I must say of them a cause of annoyance or fear to them. But if I spoke of the worst ones, soon it would be known which should be scorned. For fault and sin are great when a lady gains merit through trickery.

6.  For I wish to seek mercy from the one who is the essence of all virtues. And not on account of the first difficulty  that causes me many sighs and tears do I despair of the noble succor that I have long awaited. And if it pleases her to aid me, above all loyal lovers I shall be blessed with joy.

7.  Lady, for whom love conquers me, whoever may have possessed me previously, for you I have reserved all deeds befitting  worthy lovers and  Miraval and my songs.
 
8.  Go quickly, song, to tell the king of Aragon that I salute him, and that I am so superior in knowledge to another lover that I make insignificant merits seem important and important ones twice as valuable.

9.  And if he has not seen me there, (it is because) my Audiart has held me back, for he (my Audiari) attracts me more than a magnet by his distinguished  words and actions.