The Fool and his Shadow
I love in the same way (it was futility,
pain's dejection)
as the fool on roads chasing
4 his shadow through green-attired trees.
A young man's speech is very proud:
though he be quicker than the wind or a hawk
(angry disposition), it won't be that he comes closer
8 (it was an old judgement) in the afternoon
(an intoxicated mind, fittingly stout,
short of fame) than in the grey morning.
His shadow, that stays silent, will not go
12 from his side, suspecting him.
I have the same traits (a haughty age)
as him (my visitation of longing):
I am (I was a thin lad;
16 this is, by Mary, great magic)
wasting away narrowly and thinly
because of the love of the modest slender maid.
Love for the best girl has taken root,
20 it has stuck constantly in my right breast
(the colour of fine snow above the mountain,
a fair moon) since many a day.
She squeezes my pale withered cheek;
24 tonight [I am] no nearer (fine mark of languishing)
to winning the mind of a tall slender maid
than [I was] the first day of the long summer,
any more than the fool, after snow,
28 from his sleep trying to catch his shadow.
She has made me impatient,
it's wicked to me how chaste she is.
The girl's demeanour does not change,
32 nor does her smile, for falsehood or truth
(noble appearance, she is gentle and good)
any more than a statue (the colour of fine snow).
My maiden will not take me,
36 my slender darling will not refuse me.
The slender and refined girl won't stop me loving her,
a host's gem won't kill me at once.
Yet if the girl with fine language sees me
40 (Tegau's movement) getting angry indeed,
I shall have, despite hiding passion,
a kiss whenever I seek one.
And half a laugh (the appearance of fair weather,
44 an easy smile) I would get from her.
If the Sages (pure appearance)
of Rome (there's a strange thing!)
were to try ([girl] with the appearance of a water lily,
48 I am languishing), not one of them would
recognize (a vain aim)
in a true fashion [the] girl's disposition.
I don't know which (slender and tall girl)
52 this is (white-coloured) indeed:
either mockery (received early)
for true pain, or great love.
[Girl with] Tegau's conversation, I am angered;
56 [it's of] little value to me (sinless passion)
to bear a long [period of] languishing (girl of splendid
appearance)
for two lifetimes, and to die at last.