I am like the unicorn 
That is dazed at the sight,
When it looks upon a maiden.
It is so enraptured in its affliction 
That it falls fainting into her lap:
Then it is treacherously slain.
And I am killed in similar wise
By Love and my lady, it is true:
They have my heart; I cannot get it back.

Lady, when I was in your presence 
And I saw you for the first time,
My heart was moved to such trembling 
That it was still yours when I went away.
Then it was led without ransom
Into the sweet captivity of a prison
Whose pillars are of desire
And whose gates are of beautiful sight 
And whose chains are of good hope.

Love holds the key to the prison 
And has posted there three gatekeepers:
The first is called Fair Appearance,
And he makes Beauty its master;
He has posted Rejection at the front gate,
A vile, cruel, stinking brute,
Who is quite wicked and villainous.
These three are both nimble and bold:
They can very quickly capture a man.

Who could withstand the torments 
And the attacks of these guards?
Never did Roland or Olivier
Defeat such great assaults;
They conquered by fighting,
But these are defeated by humility.
Suffering is their standard-bearer;
In this assault of which I speak 
There is no relief except through mercy.

Lady, I fear nothing more
Than failing in my love for you.
So much have I learned to endure
That I am yours entirely by habit;
And even if it weighed heavily upon you,
I could renounce it only
If I could hold on to the memory 
And my heart remain forever 
In prison and near to me.

Lady, since I cannot deceive,
Mercy would be most fitting 
For carrying such a heavy burden.