Guillaume de Machaut “Je vivroie liement/Liement me deport“

This is a 14th. century French virelai written by Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377). I should lead a happy life, sweet creature, if only you truly realized that you where the cause of all my concern. Lady of cheerful bearing, pleasing, bright and pure, often the woe I suffer to serve you loyally makes me say ’alas!’ And you may be sure that I can in no wise go on living like this, if it lasts any longer For you are merciless to me and pitilessly obdurate, and have put such longing