I
I thought I heard the song, the cry, and the twittering
that birds make, when the hedgerows are green.
I do likewise: but through her good will
my lady told me that I have changed towards her,
since once I obeyed the wife of her neighbor.
May God never save the stepson of Lord Rainier
if ever I lied, since I did it for love of her.
Rather I love her more than fish in rosemary.

II
Sir, I wish you had cut off the nose of the one
who told you that I had dishonored you
so that I might be pure and free of sin
as I am, and he is washed clean
even though he carries a bow and barbarian's knife.
I brood and I ponder, and when I have thought
I might know what she is most knowledgeable in;
his whore with the complexion of a Saracen.

III
Lady, I have always chastized you:
you should not say such foolish, vulgar things.
That lady is rich and of good parentage,
and she married a good, fierce knight.
I saw his horse from over the sea,
and he is known at the fair and in the market.
No-one winds thread better than her,
and I stake you Cavaillon and Venaissin on it.

IV
Sir, thank God, my heart is very upset
since her lineage has been compared to mine,
for I am nobler and of higher rank
and I have a lot more wool and cloth;
and also I have a good knight as a godfather.
Thus you have no reason to feel neglected
for I have covered you with a laundered sheet
made entirely of linen.

V
Lady, I well know that he will be indebted to you
who is no longer in a bag full of holes.
Yet some of Maugio's coins might have helped me;
you would have a mirror and good elegant merchandise,
and a hairband, so that you might tie back your hair.
Then all the most happy would say:
"What is this?" when you come with honor;
Indeed, I pledge myself to you, beautiful lady.

VI
Sir, l have always prayed
that you might come when the bowl is empty,
for I was pregnant and had conceived
when I climbed upon the rampart furnished with battlements,
and from there fell sick on a pillow.
I indeed knew that you had sinned,
and I was angry with you. Through friendship
this matter has ended well for you.

VII
Lady, it was very well understood and obvious
on the Monday morning when you did your charitable works,
when you wore gloves and carried a silk purse,
you lowered the prestige of the best people,
and for a whole day they were in prayer.
If you were there, where you were meant to be,
you would he at the boxwood beyond Saint-Trinidad,
at the port of Sorgues, in the land of blood.

(Nappholz, Unsung women)