“Come now! Old swenkin! Rise up, from thy bed, I see the signs upon the welkin spread, If thou come not, the cost be on thy head. And day comes on! “And here I am since going down of sun, And pray to God that is St. Mary’s son, To bring thee safe back, my companion. And day comes on. “And thou out here beneath the porch of stone Badest me to see that a good watch was done, And now thou’lt none of me, and wilt have none Of song of mine.” (_Bass voice from within._) “Wait, my good fellow. For such joy I take With her venust and noblest to my make To hold embraced, and will not her forsake For yammer of the cuckold, Though day break.” (_Girart Bornello._) II _Avril_ When the springtime is sweet And the birds repeat Their new song in the leaves, ’Tis meet A man go where he will. But from where my heart is set No message I get; My heart all wakes and grieves; Defeat Or luck, I must have my fill. Our love comes out Like the branch that turns about On the top of the hawthorne, With frost and hail at night Suffers despite ’Till the sun come, and the green leaf on the bough. I remember the young day When we set strife away, And she gave me such gesning, Her love and her ring: God grant I die not by any man’s stroke ’Till I have my hand ’neath her cloak. I care not for their clamour Who have come between me and my charmer, For I know how words run loose, Big talk and little use. Spoilers of pleasure, We take their measure. (_Guilhem de Peitieu._) III _Descant on a Theme by Cerclamon_ When the sweet air goes bitter, And the cold birds twitter Where the leaf falls from the twig, I sough and sing that Love goes out Leaving me no power to hold him. Of love I have naught Save troubles and sad thought, And nothing is grievous as I desirous, Wanting only what No man can get or has got. With the noblest that stands in men’s sight, If all the world be in despite I care not a glove. Where my love is, there is a glitter of sun; God give me life, and let my course run ’Till I have her I love To lie with and prove. I do not live, nor cure me, Nor feel my ache--great as it is, For love will give me no respite, Nor do I know when I turn left or right nor when I go out. For in her is all my delight And all that can save me.