A Kiss
Hail forever - a truly remarkable, unfailing [day],
deserving of praise - to today,
which surpasses (a divine course)
4 yesterday or the day before whose way was wretched.
Yesterday's solace was unlike
today's, of French aspect.
Yesterday's song (how fickle)
8 is unlike today's, excellent reward.
Indeed, God the Father, will there ever be a day
as vividly coloured as this glorious day?
Today I received a splendid gift,
12 away with yesterday, its gift is overdue.
I received the value (it made me laugh)
of a hundred shillings and a mark, the mouth's mantle.
I got (I'm faithful)
16 fair Luned's kiss, radiant light.
A calend-gift, comely and smooth,
hear me, by Mary, a lock on the lips.
It keeps within me the fine girl's love,
20 an omen of great anguish, a knot on love.
I well remember bearing it,
great generosity, a maiden's love.
A crown all around the mouth's canon,
24 Carmarthen castle encircling my lips.
Fair pax-kiss from lips of genuine love,
fine knot between a slender poet and a girl.
Its nature no one can perceive,
28 the meeting of two breaths is a splendid thing.
I was granted (such wealth was that!)
the lip-jewel of a wise, gentle girl.
I am strong for having it on the verge of [achieving my] goal,
32 treasure of a bright, gentle, highly praised mouth.
I proclaim its praise (a marvellous tale),
I trembled with the pure breath.
A love-knot in double formation,
36 a fortress encompassing a truly exquisite mouth.
Although I had (two battles without oppression)
this on my lips (harvest of praise) -
it's a treasure to me, three tastes of honey -
40 woe betide me thrice if Turel should have it,
or if it should ever be had (feeble mind)
by some strumpet of notorious caresses.
No bad thing (she'll frown on me)
44 was to have upon me something less than Luned's fist.
She put her seal upon my praise for her
and deserved it (I was sincere).
No more will a word of praise ever come from my tongue
48 for any girl, because of love's stirring,
except what comes (seagull of wondrous form),
by my faith, to fair Luned.
Sweet breath of passion's anguish,
52 dear God, as long as I live will I ever be granted
such a day, on account of a beautiful girl,
as this glorious sunlit day?