Helas madame, celle que j’ayme tant: souffrez que soye vostre humble servant; vostre humble servant je seray a toujours et tant que je vivray ault’ n’aymeray que vous.
English translation
Alas, madam, whom I love so much! Allow me to be your humble servant; Your humble servant I will always remain, And as long as I live, no other will I love.
Five verse version
French text
Hélas madame, celle que j’ayme tant: souffrez que soye vostre humble servant; vostre humble servant je seray a toujours et tant que je viv’ay ault’ n’aymeray que vous.
Hélas, beau sire, vous estez bel et bon, Sage et courtoys et de noble maison. Et aussi bon que l’on scairoit finer, mais cil que j’ayme, ne scairoye oublier,
Hélas, madame, pences en vostre cas: entre nous deulx ne fault point d’avocatz: certes non pas, et vous le scavez bien. Allez vous en, car vous ne faictez rien.
Mon coeur souspire et se plaint tendrement, quant il ne peult trouver allegement. Ne scay comment on me veult dechasser; s’il est ainsi, j’ayray ailleurs chasser.
Hélas, madame, et n’en seray-je point? Certes beau sire, je ne le vous dis point. Servez a point: il vous sera mery. Hélas madame, de bon coeur vous mercy
English translation
Alas, my lady, whom I love so, let me be your humble servant; your humble servant I shall always be, and for as long as I live, I will love only you.
Alas, gentle sir, you are fine and fair; wise, well-mannered, and from a noble home, and (you are) so favored that one could not find better, but I cannot forget the one I love.
(He) Alas, my lady, consider your plight: between the two of us, you need no other to speak. (She) Certainly not, as you well know. So go away, for you will accomplish nothing.
(He) My Heart sighs and moans tenderly, for it finds no relief. I know not why I am shunned. If this be so, I must search elsewhere.
[And so] Alas, my lady, am I without all hope? Indeed, good sir, I did not mean that. Serve well and you will be rewarded. Alas, my lady, with all my heart I thank you.
French text
English translation