(for Adrielle and Rustique)
Whenever I see these Queens
who ruled so well
between them—regal, royal—
and giving so completely,
laughing with joy, and working
together, with their Order, or alone,
it would take little to melt my heart!
For when, because of them, I remember
the courts they held when Crowned,
the people inspired,
the thrones secure.
These two, my kind friends,
are near. For them I rejoice so deeply
it would take little to melt my heart!
So my heart expands
with happiness.
It swells with pride
when remembering their deeds—
they who reigned so well.
They who inspire me still
it would take little to melt my heart.
Roses, I cannot keep silent
about your gracious deeds
giving all to your people—
it would take little to melt my heart.
(based on Quant je voy ces amoureux: Aultres Balades by
Christine de Pizan (ca. 1365—ca. 1430) as trans. in The Writings of
Medieval Women: An Anthology, 2nd ed., by Marcelle Thiébaux
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