Quien de linda se enamora,
atender deve perdón
en casso que sea mora.
El amor e la ventura
me fizieron ir mirar
muy graciosa criatura
de linaje de Aguar;
quien fablare verdat pura,
bien puede dezir que non
tiene talle de pastora.
Linda rosa muy suave
vi plantada en un vergel,
puesta so secreta llave
de la linea de Ysmael:
maguer dea cossa grave,
con todo mi coraçón
la rescibo por señora.
Mahomad el atrevido
ordenó que fuese tal,
de asseo noble, complido,
alvos pechos de cristal:
de alabasto muy broñido
devié ser con grant razón
lo que cubre su alcandora.
Dióle tanto fermasura
que lo non puedo dezir;
cuantos miran su figura
todos la aman servir.
Con lindeza e apostura
vence a todos cuantos son
de alcuña, donde mora.
Non sé ombre tan guardado
que viese su resplandor,
que non fuesse conquistado
en un punto de su amor.
Por aver tal gasajado
yo pornia en condición
la mi alma pecadora.
|
He who loves a pretty girl
must seek his absolution
if she be a Moor.
It was love and happy chance
conjoined took me to see
a most delicious creature
who comes from Hagar's line;
anyone who tells the truth
would say that she is not
shaped like a shepherdess.
A lovely rose I saw
among the apple-trees,
locked away in secret
by the men of Ishmael's race.
I know the matter's grave,
but yet with all my heart
I take her for my lady.
Mohammed the fearless one
ordained that she should be
noble in beauty, perfect,
with white and crystal breasts;
of polished alabaster
most certainly must be
all that her garment hides.
He gave her so much beauty
no words of mine can tell it;
who gazes on her face
must only live to serve her.
In sweetness and in form
she is the very summit
of all the Moorish race.
No man there is so cautious
that he cannot see her splendour
and not be straightway conquered
in that moment by her charm.
To gain so fair a gift,
I confess I'd put in peril
my soul, my sinning soul.
|
