RS 502
Vidame de Chartres
I Tant com je fusse fors de ma contree ne deüst pas a moi joie venir, car qant remir la bien fete senee 4 moi est avis nel doie reveïr; ensus de li ai fet grant demoree en une terre ou estre ne desir: melz amasse la ou ele fu nee.
II 8Liez fui qant vi de Blois ma retornee et je bien sui que m’en dui revenir a la plus tres bele riens qui soit nee, a qui je sui, se me veut retenir; 12por Dieu li pri, qui tant l’a honoree car chascuns qui la voit est a desir, qu’ele ait de moi merci sanz demoree.
III El païs sui ou cele est qui m’agree, 16mais nel puis pas a mon vouloir veïr, car tant redout la cruex gent baee que je n’i os ne aler ne venir; melz aim de li avoir dure pensee 20que d’une autre grignors biens atenir, tant aim de li la douce renonmee.
IV Si me dont Dex de la tres bele nee joie et solaz, si com je le desir, 24que nule riens fors s’amor ne m’agree, si m’a atret a son tres douz pleisir; Dex! ert ce ja que la tiengne a celee entre mes bras, nu a nu, a loisir? 28Oïl, s’Amors veut que j’aie duree.
V Dame, por qui j’ai si lïe pensee qu’autre joie ne s’i puet aatir, nus qui vos ait veüe n’esgardee 32ne se poroit de vos loer tenir, qu’avec biauté vos est bontés doublee; si m’en doi moult amer et chier tenir, qant j’ai biauté et bonté enamee.
I For as long as I remained away from my own country I was destined not to have joy, as when I thought of the lovely, wise lady it seemed to me I should not see her again. I made a long sojourn far from her in a land where I did not wish to be: I would have rather (been) in the land of her birth.
II I was happy when I saw that I should be returning from Blois and I was certain that I would return to the most beautiful creature ever born, to whom I belong, should she be willing to retain me; I pray her, for the sake of God who has so greatly honoured her that whoever sees her lives in desire, that she have mercy on me without delay.
III Now I am in the land where lives the one that pleases me, but I cannot see her as I wish, because I am so afraid of the cruel snoopers that I dare not move. I would rather have painful thoughts about her than obtain the greatest favours from anothers much do I love her sweet reputation.
IV Nevertheless may God grant me joy and pleasure from the loveliest creature, just as I desire it, since nothing delights me but her love, so much has she drawn me to her most sweet pleasure. Oh God, will it ever happen that I hold her secretly in my arms, both of us naked, at our leisure? Yes, if Love wishes me to live.
V Lady, on whose account I have such glad thoughts that no other joy can compare with them, no-one who has seen and gazed upon you can refrain from your praise, for in you kindness is joined to beauty; so I must consider myself most fortunate and privileged, since I have fallen in love with beauty and kindness.
Historical context and dating
See the corresponding paragraph to song RS 421. This song also must have been composed after the author’s return from his first stay in the East, probably between May and the end of the summer of 1203, or else after his possible (but unlikely) definitive return from the crusade.