Dressing Up
Some of the girls of the regions
when at a fair, delightful day,
put pearls and gleaming rubies
4 on their foreheads, golden and glistening,
and wear red, which is advantageous for a girl,
and green, woe to him who has no lover!
No arm, that would be a burden in an embrace,
8 or neck of a slender-eyebrowed girl is seen
that is not encompased, heat burnishes them fiercely,
by beads, wondrous life.
Does the sun on its laborious journey
12 from where it is need to seek more colour?
It is no more necessary for my beautiful sweetheart
to put a frontlet on her fair forehead
or to look over to the mirror;
16 the pretty girl's appearance is exquisite.
The yew bow that is in no condition
(consider it as nearly in two halves)
for battle, weapon that will not slay,
20 its back is coloured in gold;
and this bow is sold for a high price -
I know full well.
No one suspects, that's the truth,
24 that there could be fault or treachery in something beautiful.
Mary! Is it worse that the white wall
be under whitewash, a fortunate covering,
than if a pound were given, man's false price,
28 to the painter to come
and beautifully paint elegant divisions [of a coat of arms],
the bare space with a lustrous golden colour
and other splendid colours,
32 and pictures of handsome shields?
It is true that my body, wherever I go,
one who is as bright as the stars, aches.
You who destroy your lover,
36 little girl with white teeth who deserves praise,
you are better in a comely light-grey dress
than a countess in a golden gown.