| 755 |
Were it by destynee or aventure, |
| Were it by influence or by nature, |
| Or constellacion, that in swich estaat |
| The hevene stood, that tyme fortunaat |
| Was for to putte a bille of Venus werkes - |
| 760 | For alle thyng hath tyme, as seyn thise clerkes - |
| To any womman, for to gete hire love, |
| I kan nat seye; but grete God above, |
| That knoweth that noon act is causeless, |
| He deme of al, for I wole hole my pees. |
| 765 | But sooth is this, how that this fresshe May |
| Hath take swich impression that day |
| Of pitee of this sike Damyan, |
| That from hire herte she ne dryve kan |
| The remembrance for to doon hym ese. |
| 770 | "Certeyn," thoghte she, "whom that this thyng displese, |
| I rekke noght, for heere I hym assure |
| To love hym best of any creature, |
| Though he namoore hadde than his sherte." |
| Lo, pitee renneth soone in gentil herte! |
|
| 755 | Were it by destiny or merely chance, |
| By nature or some other circumstance, |
| Or constellation's sign, that in such state |
| The heavens stood, the time was fortunate |
| To make request concerning Venus' works |
| 760 | For there's a time for all things, say these clerks |
| To any woman, to procure her love, |
| I cannot say; but the great God above, |
| Who knows there's no effect without a cause, |
| He may judge all, for here my voice withdraws. |
| 765 | But true it is that this fair blooming May |
| Was so affected and impressed that day |
| For pity of this lovesick Damian, |
| That from her heart she could not drive or ban |
| Remembrance of her wish to give him ease. |
| 770 | "Certainly," thought she, "whom this may displease |
| I do not care, for I'd assure him now |
| Him with my love I'd willingly endow, |
| Though he'd no more of riches than his shirt." |
| Lo, pity soon wells up in gentle heart. |
|
