Aucassin and Nicolette

XXIII

Sung

Aucassin heard the words
of his friend with the graceful body:
they imprinted themselves inside him.
He soon left the shepherds
and plunged into the woods.
His charger cantered along
and then took him at a gallop.
Then Aucassin said these words:
"Nicolette of the graceful body,
I have come into the woods for you;
I hunt neither stag nor wild boar,
but I follow your trail.
Your lively eyes, your graceful body,
your beautiful laugh, your soft speech.
have mortally wounded my heart.
But, if it pleases God, the all-powerful father,
I will see you again,
my sister, my sweet friend."