MOTETUS :
Lady, I am he who wishes to endure
Your will, as long as I may be able to last;
But I don’t think I will endure it long
Without receiving death, so harsh are you to me
That you wish me to drag myself behind you
Without seeing any more the very great and true beauty
Of your noble form which has such virtue
That you are the best of all good women.
Alas, such is the image of my death I have.
But the grief that I’d be willing to suffer
Would be sweet, if I had such hope
That before my death by your will I should see you again.
Lady, if indeed my heart undertakes anything
From which my body gains honour or advantage,
It will come from you, however far from you I am,
For indeed without you whom I love most loyally
And without Love, I would not be able to undertake it.

TRIPLUM :
O heart most sweet, they forbid me
At your instruction from seeing any more
Your sweet and noble face
Which set me on the way to loving;
Truly, I don’t know
How I can expect
That I shouldn’t die shortly.
And if I must keep away
To do your pleasure,
Or else be false towards you,
Then I much prefer to retain
My faithfulness and at your wish
To die, if your heart approves it,
Than that, against your will,
By looking on your beauty
I should receive every joy.

TENOR :
O heart most sweet