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33. Balade: «Don de mercy ainçois que on le deprie» Amant qui est cornart et paoureux De descouvrir ou dire son penser A celle dont il est fort amoureux, Pert bien son sens. Cuide il, sans demender, Avoir se dont il a grant desirier? Certez, nennil, ne s’y actende mie. Point n’appartient a dame d’octroyer Don de mercy ainçois que on le deprie. Car son honneur n’en vauldroit de riens mieulx, Mais en pourroit durement abaissier. Pour ce dy je qu’a blasmer sont tous ceulx Qui se penent n’entremettent d’amer. Quant sy cornars sont de grace rover. Ne mettent point en amer estudie. Ilz sont musars et nissez d’esperer Don de mercy ainsois que on la deprie. Estre ne puet en amours eureux Qui, a la fois, ne s’ose aventurer Par doulx parler, courtois et gracieux, Requerir ce qui le puet alegier. Ne, pour reffus oyr, ne doit cesser De poursuir ce qui ly puit faire aye. On n’a pas sy de dame de legier Don de mercy ainsois que on la deprie.

33. Ballade: “The gift of mercy before it is requested” A lover who is stupid and cowardly About making known or telling his thoughts To the one with whom he is deeply in love Has lost his mind. Does he think he’ll have That which he greatly desires without asking? Certainly not; let him not expect it. It is just not fitting for a lady to grant The gift of mercy before it is requested. For her honor would not increase in worth But could greatly diminish because of it. Therefore I say that they are all to blame Who take pains and undertake to love When they are so stupid about asking for grace. They don’t apply themselves to loving at all. They are foolish and silly to hope For the gift of mercy before it is requested. Fortunate in love can he never be Who at the same time does not also dare, With gentle speech, courteous and gracious, To ask for that which can relieve him. Nor on hearing a refusal should he cease To pursue that which can give him aid. One does not get from a lady easily The gift of mercy before it is requested.

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