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65. Balade: «Je n’en congnoiz nulle si belle» Tous les biens que l’en sauroit Deviser ne de bouche dire Sont en celle pour qui reçoit Mon cuer maint martire. Ou royaume ne en l’empire, N’en a nulle de tele façon. Car je croy que Pymalion Ne l’eust sceu si bien tailler, Ne l’en pourroit recouvrer Une si douce damoiselle. Par Dieu! sanz les autres blasmer, Je n’en congnoiz nulle si belle. Car il n’est homme, s’il la voit De ces tresbeaux yeux rire, Qu’il ne faille que sien soit A tousjours maiz sanz contredire, Pour ce qu’elle a plus qu’a suffire De senz, d’onneur et de raison, Et sa noble condicion Attrairoit de cuers un millier. De bel acueil, de doulz parler, Ne s’i compare nulle a elle. Pour ce vous di qu’a tout compter Je n’en congnoiz nulle si belle. Et se le Dieu d’Amours vouloit Amer, mieulx ne pourroit eslire. Mais je croy que point ne l’auroit, Car trop est preste d’escondire. Je n’y sçay plus rien a redire Qu’elle n’ait tout le bon renom Qu’en dame trouver pourroit on. Dont c’est merveilles a penser, Quant en si jeune aage trouver On puet les biens qui sont en celle Qui ne fait qu’en .xvi. ans entrer. Je n’en congnois nulle si belle. Princes, toute m’entencion Sera de bien tost retourner Pour veoir son viaire clerr Et sa beauté fresche et nouvelle. Car, a tout bien considerer, Je n’en congnoiz nulle si belle.

65. Ballade: “I don’t know any woman as beautiful” All the virtues that one was able To imagine or to describe by mouth Reside in the one for whom my heart Receives much suffering. In the kingdom and in the empire There is no woman of such a kind. For I believe that Pygmalion Could not have fashioned her as well, Nor would one be able to find Any maiden as gentle as she. By God, without disparaging the others, I don’t know any woman as beautiful. For there is no man, if he sees her Laughing with her beautiful eyes, Who is not compelled to be hers Forever after, without denial, For she possesses more than enough Of sense, of honor, and of reason, And her noble quality Would attract a thousand hearts. In fair welcome, in gentle speech, No other woman compares to her. Therefore I tell you that, everything considered, I don’t know any woman as beautiful. And if the God of Love desired To love, he could not choose better. But I believe that she wouldn’t have him, For she is too ready to say no. I don’t know what else to say But that she has all the good renown That one could find in a lady. Thus it is a marvel to think, When in so young an age one can find The virtues that are found in her, Who has just reached sixteen years. I don’t know any woman as beautiful. Princes, all of my intention Will be very quickly to return To see her bright face And her beauty, fresh and young. For when all is taken into account, I don’t know any woman as beautiful.

(see note) (see note)