Jaufre Rudel to His Far-off Lady

When May-days come, full tunefully
The birds do carol from afar,
Yet when I needs from there must be,
Where dwelleth my sweet love afar,
As drear to me as winter's snow
Are songs, or fairest flowers that blow.
So sad the heart within my breast.

No happiness I hope to see,
Fail I to win that love afar;
I know of none so fair as she
In any country near or far.
Her worth above all worth doth stand,
And captive in the Paynim's land
I'd gladly dwell at her behest

Ah me! What joy, what ecstasy
To seek of her a refuge far!
Mayhap too she will shelter me
Beneath her roof, thus come from far;
Then there will be full many a kiss,
When far-off love in perfect bliss
Doth gaily reach the long-sought rest.

The God that made all things that be,
And formed for me this love afar,
Give me ere long the power to see
With such great joy my love afar,
That the gay bower or garden sweet,
Where first my Lady I may greet,
For aye may seem a palace blest.