The Lady Poem by Christine de Pizan

The Lady



Come to me, sweetest friend, at the usual hour,
do not fail to come, for the gossip mongers want
to attack our love, which makes me tremble with fear.
Beware of them, be wise, for they are
determined to hurt us, I am sure of it. We have
to be very careful, I have heard all about their
ways. They will harm us, may hell fire burn them!

And don't make the mistake of coming too late or
too early, for I will not fall asleep. God help
me, I desire you with the loyal heart of a lover.
And if you feel the same desire put on a brown
habit and cloak to disguise yourself, I beg you,
so that you will deceive the guard they have put
around me, this is not a joke. They will harm us,
may hell fire burn them!

I am so impatient, sweet friend that I am crying.
May I be with you in an hour and a half, I know
and ask for no other good, without you I feel
dazed. Watch out for what 'they' do before you
leave, for my reputation will suffer if one sees
you, and so, though I am impatient, I am afraid
of being found out by them. They will harm us,
may hell fire burn them!

Oh, sweet friend, I would be so reassured if I
were in your arms. I am such a coward in face of
the gossip mongers and their false designs. They
will harm us, may hell fire burn them!

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