I. Ah, how well the one who allows himself to be conquered by mercy conquers, and with how little effort! For in this way a man conquers [both] another and himself, and has conquered twice without harm; but you, Love, never do so this way, for mercy has never been of any avail to me with you; instead you have so shown me your power that now I have you not, nor do you have me.

II. A man seems foolish to me if he is unable to retain what he has conquered, and I esteem just as much the one who retains what he has previously conquered through his [own] effort as I do the act of conquering; but you would hold me back as the fool restrains the wild sparrowhawk when he fears it will free itself, and grips it so hard in his fist that he kills it; but since I have escaped you, I can well stay alive.

III. All that is of worth can also be harmful, so if I can do you good I will be able to do you harm, and it will be a mercy if, with the very wisdom you have imparted to me, [but] from which I have never benefitted, I start a quarrel with you and speak ill of you as I sing! But this will not be done, since discretion restrains me: I would rather always suffer my harm than legitimise the wrongs you have done me by complaining.

IV. Where will you ever find so much good faith? Never did a man so wittingly betray himself as I who have served you so long without ever having the slightest joy from this. Shall I now beg for mercy? I will make this apparent, for anyone who grumbles too much about service seems to be asking for the reward [for it]; but in my case do not imagine that I expect it.

V. But if anyone has blamed the good king Richard, who wants me to sing, for not immediately making the passage [to the Holy Land], he now gives the lie to him so that all can see it; for he takes a step back in order the better to leap forward: for he was count and is now a powerful king without limits, for God grants good assistance to good will; and if I spoke well when he took the cross, I spoke the truth, and now I see it for myself, for he did not then lie.

VI. Never will Sir Aziman or Sir Tostemps believe I have ever turned my bridle towards Love; but a man can well believe what he sees, and it will be known from now on and henceforth.