Mon Femme, Mon Coeur, Mon Vie

This is to the Woman of my Heart I hope she enjoys it. Written in the Troubadour mode.

"Myne companions, this troupe of Troubadours

and jongleurs to which I am joined, sing

of love, as one sings of food or wine a mere excercise    

of and longing for things of carnal nature.

They do thus to excite the hearts of women

desiring but one thing from them.

 

Aah Aphrodite, thou shouldst be grateful and gracious

unto me; for no liar, no hypocrite am I. Love for mon femme

hast kept me pure. I love her with a true and loyal heart,

I love none save her. In my travels through southern France

I have not taken another to my bed nor have I had relations with

another.

 

If she so wishes she may put my love to the test--- though

she has but to take note of mine devotion. I do not say that

she displeases me by refusing the marriage rite. All myne thoughts and desire

are solely for her. She is the light toward which I stumble in darkness.

She hast blessed myne love for her, accepted what I have to offer and not turned to another though we have had words between us. 

Love such as we share hast proved, that a true lover suffers for love.

 

Those "friends" with whom I needs must travel have called me "buffoon,

idiot, cuckold," they do so out of jealously. They know nothing of "fin Amour"

and love only when the lust is upon them. Their words do me no harm.

tis only her indifference would wound me.A wise friend has advised I be patient,

perservere in myne quest; he says "forsooth she doth love thee, yet because she hath been sorely mistreated by her late husband she is hesitant to trust again and offer her heart into thy keeping.

 

So I persevere and if forsooth my friend hast given me good counsel, I shouldst learn the worth of it soon enough.

Reviews

[Marie Harrison]

Ah... a devoted, desirous lover seeking her hand in marriage. Yet he has compassion for her turmoil too. Very sweet poem. Very intimate protrayal of what thoughts that run through this lover's head. Very lovely.