Of all whom grief in bonds of slavery
Most straitly holds, the veriest wretch am I:
Death is my heart’s desire; he that should bring
That death to me would bring a welcome thing.
O’er life’s sad remnant grief alone is spread,
Nought, nought but grief, since Azalais is dead:
Grief, sorrow, sense of loss, weigh down my head.
Then hasten, death, my willing spirit cries,
For never could’st thou seize a better, fairer prize.
Well may we weep, well sigh in spirit o’er her,
So fair a creature ne’er was form’d before her;
And who in times to come such courtesy,
Such worth, such beauty as hath been, shall see?
Ah! what avail wit, honour, sprightly guise,
Graceful address, and pleasant courtesies,
And kindest words, and actions ever wise?
Ah sad, bereaved age! for thee I mourn;
Small boast indeed is thine, such jewel from thee torn.
Well may we judge that spirits of love on high
Joy to receive her in their company;
Oft have I heard, and deem’d the witness true,
“Whom man delights in, God delights in too:”
Then well I trust that in that palace gate,
Mid lilies sweet, and roses delicate,
Blissful she dwells, while angels round her wait,
And sing her praises with loud acclaim, and tell
How fit such beauteous flower in Paradise to dwell!
Youth’s gay delights for me no charms bestow,
This busy world is nothing to me now;
Counts, dukes and barons in their ‘custom’d pride
No more are great; I turn from all aside,
And thousand ladies cannot fill the void.
E’en heaven itself seems, angry, to look down,
Its beauteous gift recalling with a frown:
With her our songs, our mirth away are sped,
And nought remains but sighs and vain desires instead.
And woe is me for thee, lost Azalais!
Henceforth no joy within my soul may stay;
Henceforth I take my leave of song, for aye;
Tears, sighs, and sorrow, henceforth ever come,
And wrap my spirit in unceasing gloom.
Thus Andrieu, then, I every hope resign,
All thoughts of love, that never shall be mine.
(Pons de Capdueil)
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Based on Topics: Love Poems, God Poems, World Poems, Sadness Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Soul Poems, Youth Poems, Fairness Poems, Sense & Perception Poems, Cry Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge PoemsBased on Keywords: straitly