The other day, in the morning,
Between a wood and an orchard,
I came upon a shepherdess
Singing to entertain herself,
And the first thing she sang was:
"I am seized with the pain of love!" 
Right away I turned towards the place 
Where I heard her holding forth,
And I said to her straight off:
"Fair maid, God grant you a good day!" 

My greeting at once
She returned, and without delay;
She was very lively and radiant,
So I was eager to get to know her:
"Fair maid, I ask you for your love,
And I will give rich finery in return." 
She replied: "These knights 
Are always so treacherous;
I prefer my shepherd Perrin
To a fast-talking rich man." 

"Fair maid, do not say that:
Knights are quite worthy.
For who knows how to keep a friend 
And serve her as she wishes
If not a knight or someone like that?
But the love of a shepherd 
Is surely not worth a button.
Leave him therefore 
And love me: I promise you 
I will give you a rich reward."

Sire, by Saint Mary!
Your words are worth nothing.
Many a lady has been deceived 
By these treacherous knights.
They are full of lies and evil thoughts,
Less worthy of trust than Ganelon.
I'm going to go back home,
For Perrin who awaits me
Loves me with a loyal heart.
Cease your pleading." 

I well understood the shepherdess,
That she wished to get away from me.
I made a long entreaty to her,
But was unable to win her over.
So I moved to grab her,
And she gave a loud cry:
"Dear Perrin, I'm being attacked!"
There came a shouting from the wood;
I immediately let go of her,
And went away on my horse.

Envoi:
When she saw me leaving 
She said mockingly:
"Knights are very brave."