Classic Poem

" Since every day I see love,
Enjoyment, and amusement decline,
And since the clergy does not help me,
I cannot help consoling myself
As does the swan when he knows he is dying,
Who shrieks and cries
And must send forth his song,
For it is time for his life to end,
And there is no further hope. "

" Master, God help me,
What you say is indeed appropriate;
But do not worry about the fact
That the clerks are of no help,
For I believe the good season is coming
When you will have an engagement
Which will give you a saddle horse,
Or even more valuable revenue:
For the Count of Poitiers is coming. "

" Guilhalmi, by my faith, I don't care
A cent for what you tell me;
I'd rather hold a quail
Tightly in my lap
Than a chicken
That might be under someone else's lock —
That's how I'd wait for their kindness;
For he who expects another's generosity
Often waits in vain, I think. "

" Master, you can have
Great benefit if you are patient. "
" Guilhalmi, I don't believe
Your vain boasting as you tell it. "
" Master, why don't you believe me?
Great benefit will come to you from France
If you want to wait for it. "
" Guilhalmi, may God give you
The kind of hope you are offering me. "

" Master, don't have the heart
Of a child or a frivolous man. "
" Guilhalmi, on good collateral
I would gladly believe you. "
" Master, men of nobility
Have many a good horse
For being patient to the end. "
" Guilhalmi, strong and fierce
. . . . . . . . . "

" Master, near the foliage
May your new roof appear. "
" Guilhalmi, my castle lodging
Costs you very little. "
" Master, we shall have
A new count at Pentecost
Who will pay you well and handsomely. "
" Guilhalmi, he is a fool who listens to you:
You pay out of another's purse. "