“Et puis, quant je oyoye les verrières
De la maison qui cliquetoient,
Lors me sembloit que mes prières
Exaussées d’elle sy estoient.”[1]
“Were you quite sure that she noticed you?” asks the Prior.
“Se m’aist Dieu, j’estoye tant ravis,
Que ne savoye mon sens ne estre,
Car, sans parler, m’estoit advis
Que le vent ventoit sa fenestre
Et que m’avoit bien peu cognoistre,
En disant bas: ‘Doint bonne nuyt,’
Et Dieu scet se j’estoye grant maistre
Après cela toute la nuyt.”[2]
Then he slept in glory.
“Tellement estoie restauré
Que, sans tourner ne travailler,
Je faisoie un somme doré,
Sans point la nuyt me resveiller,
Et puis, avant que m’abiller,
Pour en rendre à Amours louanges,
Baisoie troys fois mon orillier,
En riant à par moy aux anges.”[3]
When he is solemnly received into the order, the lady who had despised him faints and a little gold heart enamelled with tears, which he had given her, falls from her dress.
“Les aultres, pour leur mal couvrir
A force leurs cueurs retenoient,
Passans temps a clorre et rouvrir
Les heures qu’en leurs mains tenoient,
Dont souvent les feuillès tournoient
En signe de devocion;
Mais les deulz et pleurs que menoient
Monstroient bien leur affection.”[4]
- ↑ And then, when I heard the window Of the house which clattered, Then it seemed to me that my prayers Had been heard by her.
- ↑ So help me God, I was so ravished That I was scarcely conscious, For, without being told, it seemed to me That the wind moved her window And she could well have recognized me, Perhaps saying softly: “Good night, then,” and God knows I felt like a prince After this all night.
- ↑ I felt so refreshed That without turning about or tossing, I enjoyed golden slumber, Without waking up all night, And then, before dressing To praise Love for it, I kissed my pillow thrice, While laughing silently at the angels.
- ↑ The others, to hide their affliction Controlled their hearts by force, Passing the time in closing and opening again The breviaries they held in their hands,
