Je vivroie liement

This is a 14th. century French song written by Guillaume de Machaut. The translation follows the liner notes to The Mirror of Narcissus, Songs by Guillaume de Machaut available from Hyperion (CDA66087).

(first three stanzas played in a loop)

Je vivroie liement, Douce creature, Se vous saviés vraiement ma cure. Dame de meintieng joli, Plaisant, nette et pure, Souvent me fait dire 'ai mi!' Li maus que j'endure Pur vous servir loyaument. Et soié seüre Que je ne puis nullement Vivre einssi, se longuement Me dure. Car vous m'estes sans mercy Et sans pité dure. et s'avés le cuer de mi Mis en tel ardure Qu'il morra certeinnement De mort trop obscure, Se pour son aligement Merci n'est procheinnement Meüre.		I should lead a happy life, sweet creature, if only you truly realized that you where the cause of all my concern. Lady of cheerful bearing, pleasing, bright and pure, often the woe I suffer to serve you loyally makes me say 'alas!' And you may be sure that I can in no wise go on living like this, if it lasts any longer For you are merciless to me and pitilessly obdurate, and have put such longing into my heart that it will certainly die a most dismal death, unless for its relief your mercy is soon ready.