The Heath–cock

	You are loved together with hens,

	the brave cock with the black cloak,

	coral–browed caroller

4	whose coat is coloured like the magpie's cowl,

	mate of the hens of the hillside woods,

	totally devoted, negro chick;

	castellan, entertainer of a maiden,

8	bird with white armpits and shining cassock;

	kite mustering a host,

	swift one of the sky, abbot's form;

	black helmet on the tip of an oak branch,

12	shape of a bishop in a scapular;

	image of a churchman [amongst] green leaves,

	leaf–dweller, preaching friar of the hillside.

	Your livery is made of thin murrey

16	with two thick sleeves of linen.

	You have a doublet, they are made of feathers,

	the two sides of your black mantles.

	Your are clad in the robes

20	of the religion of love, you are a devotee.

	Champion jouster, you want no food

	but birch and water all day long,

	food from the tips of the hillside birchwoods,

24	hens' food in green birch groves.

	It is your job twice a day

	for their sake, the mountain hens,

	to hold battles on the woods' edge

28	with hosts of men, it was great valour.

	In a glade you know a good portion

	of all the tunes and measures of love.

	Battle defier, be my love–messenger

32	now to the one coloured like the wave.

	Make your way there tomorrow

	eastwards beneath a black cloak

	until you come to the meadows

36	of a lovely bright valley and trees,

	and a great river, mighty course,

	which divides the hay–meadow in two,

	and spreading leaves interwoven,

40	and mating birds in pairs.

	Descend, bird, go my messenger,

	from the leafy grove to the water's edge.

	Look from the trees (take care, fine man),

44	noble brave one, for the eastern sun.

	Come closer, give to her the colour of snow

	ten greetings from me.

	Following yesterday's sign, a blessing to the girl,

48	ask for permission, this is my command,

	for me to woo her secretly in church

	and to hope to win her in the end.

	Tell the splendid–coloured girl

52	to come to a tryst, radiance of daylight.

	If she comes up here (bid her good night to her face)

	no one will know.