The Journey

With your good favour, lords and kinsmen, forth I wander.
This land and people, may they prosper well!
Ye need not ask me wherefore I am travelling yonder;
The reason of my journey I will tell.
Love captured me, then on my oath of fealty set me free;
Now hath she bid me, as I truly love her, forth to fare.
'Tis past recall, and I must even journey there;
To break my oath and troth would be right hard for me.

Full many vaunt what feats they would do, if Love would teach them.
I hear their words full well: where are their deeds?
Right fain were I that Love should hearken and beseech them
To serve her, even as I shall serve her needs.
Who knows true Love for Love's sake fares to strange lands oversea.
Now mark ye, how she draws me from my home to far-off coasts!
Lord Saladin, if yet he lived, and all his hosts
Had never made me stir a foot from Germany.

Ye bards of Love, ye oft must suffer sore contrition;
This harm is wrought by hopes that are not sure.
My boast is this: well may I sing of Love's condition,
Since Love holds me and I hold her secure.
Lo, I incline to that which doth no less to me incline,
While ye must often find the hopes ye cherished wholly vain.
Ye strive for love, which for your service is not fain.
Oh, would ye luckless men might love a Love like mine!