Translation of the song lyrics Dufay: Secular Music (1433-35) - Se la face ay pale - The Medieval Ensemble Of London, Peter, Timothy Davies

Dufay: Secular Music (1433-35) - Se la face ay pale (original)

Se la face ay pale
La cause est amer
C’est la principale
Et tant m’est amer
Amer, qu’en la mer
Me voudroye voir;
Or, scet bien de voir
La belle a qui suis
Que nul bien avoir
Sans elle ne puis
II
Se ay pesante malle
De dueil a porter
Ceste amour est male
Pour moy de porter;
Car soy deporter
Ne veult devouloir
Fors qu’a son vouloir
Obeisse, et puis
Qu’elle a tel pooir
Sans elle ne puis
III
C’est la plus reale
Qu’on puist regarder
De s’amour leiale
Ne me puis guarder
Fol sui de agarder
Ne faire devoir
D’amour recevoir
Fors d’elle, je cuis;
Se ne veil douloir
Sans elle ne puis

(translation)

Have a pale face
The cause is bitter
This is the main
And so bitter am I
Bitter, than in the sea
Will see me;
Well it's good to see
The beautiful a who am
What no good to have
Without her cannot
II
Getting heavy trunk
Of mourning to wear
This love is wrong
For me to wear;
Because be deported
Don't wanna have to
Fors que has his will
Obey, and then
That she has such power
Without her cannot
III
It's the most real
that we can watch
Of his leial love
Can't keep me
Fool sui to watch
Don't do homework
Of love to receive
For her, I cook;
Don't feel pain
Without her cannot