Ballad Xxii Poem by Christine de Pizan

When I see these lovers true
Exchanging looks so sweetly
Between themselves, and a few
Sweet glances, soft and gently,
Stealing aside, with light feet,
Laughing, such vows they make,
My heart is ready to break.

For then they recall to view
The one whom my heart’s not free
To leave, but rather, so true,
Longs to draw closer to me:
But the debonair and sweet
Is far, and for my grief’s sake
My heart is ready to break.

My heart will languish anew
In this sorrow that I see,
Full of sighs, through and through,
Until he returns from sea,
Whom Love has made sweet to me:
Yes, with pain to which I wake
My heart is ready to break.

Princes, no silence for me:
When pairs of lovers I see
That joy in each other take,
My heart is ready to break.