Yea, God Most High might ease me, at His will,
If but it liked Him well,
Of him who wrought me such unright and ill;
He into pangs of hell
Cast me who stole my basil-pot, that still
Was full of such sweet smell,
Its savour did all dole from me away.
All dole its savour did from me away;
It was so redolent,
When, with the risen sun, at early day
To water it I went,
The folk would marvel all at it and say,
"Whence comes the sweetest scent?"
And I for love of it shall surely die.
Yea, I for love of it shall surely die,
For love and grief and pain.
If one would tell me where it is, I'd buy
It willingly again.
Fivescore gold crowns, that in my pouch have I,
I'd proffer him full fain,
And eke a kiss, if so it liked the swain.
[A] Quære—natal?—perhaps meaning her birthday (lo giorno della festa).
[B] Or "purchased" in the old sense of obtained, acquired (accattai).
[245] i.e. these two classes of folk.
[246] i.e. to the encouragement of good and virtuous actions and purposes.
[247] Or "lap" (seno).
[248] Lit. what meaneth this? (che vuol dire questo?)
[249] Lit. complaining, making complaint (dolendosi).