France, Anon. 12th c.: Chevalier mult estes guariz

Source: “Jerusalem City of the two peaces: Heavenly peace and Earthly peace“ La Capella Reial de Catalunya - Hespèrion XXI - Jordi Savall, dir. CD info: Crusader’s Song - 2nd Crusade, 12th century. Chevalier, mult estes guariz, Quant Deu a vus fait sa clamur Des Turs e des Amoraviz Ki li unt fait tels deshenors; Cher a tort unt cez fieuz saiziz; Bien en devums aveir dolur, Cher la fud Deu primes servi E reconuu pur segnuur. Ki ore irat ad Loovis Ja mar d’enfern avral pouur, Char s’aime en ier! en pareis Od les angles nastre Segnar. Pris est Rohais, ben le savez, Dunt crestiens sunt esmaiez, Les mustiers ars e desertez: Deus n’i est mais sacrifiez. Chivalers, cher vus purpensez, Vus ki d’armes estes preisez; A celui voz cors presentez Ki pur vus fut en cruiz drecez. Ki ore irat ad Loovis... Pemez essample a Lodevis, Ki plus ad que vus nen avez: Riches reis est e poesteïz, Sur tuz altres est curunez: Deguerpit ad e vair e gris, Chastels e viles e citez: Il est tumez a icelui Ki pur nus fut en croiz penez. Ki ore irat ad Loovis... Deus Iivrat sun cors a Judeus Pur metre nus fors de prisun; Plaies li firent en cinc lieus, Que mort suffrit e passïun. Or vus mande que Chaneleus E la gent Sanguin le felun, Mult li unt fait des vilains jeus: Or lur rendez lur guerredum! Ki ore irat ad Loovis... Char le fiz Deu al Creatur Ad Rohais estre ad un jorn mis: La serunt salf li pecceuf Ki bien ferrunt pur s’amur lrunt en cel besoin servir Pur la vengance Deu furnir. Ki ore irat ad Loovis... Alurn conquere Moïsès, Ki gist el munt de Sinaï; A Saragins nel laisum mais, Ne la verge duot il partid La Roge mer tut ad uo fais, Quant le grant pople le seguit; E Pharaon revint après: 11 e li suon furent perit. Ki ore irat ad Loovis... ------------------------- Salvation, good knights, you are assured, since thanks to you the Almoravids and Turks will answer to God in battle, whom they have greatly offended by wrongfully seizing His lands. We have good cause to be dismayed, for there it was that God was served and first avowed as Lord. Whoever marches with good King Louis need have no fear of hell; his soul will go to heaven with the angels of the Lord Edessa has fallen, as well you know, which grieves all Christians to the core; our churches are burned and ruined, and God’s Mass is said no more. Good knights, consider this: you, who are skilled in the use of arms, offer your bodies and your lives to Him who for your sake was crucified! Whoever marches with good King Louis ... Follow the example of good King Louis. Far more wealth has he than you; he is powerful, prosperous and rich, and reigns above all other kings. Forsaking all his fur-lined robes, his castles, villages and towns, he goes in service of Him who suffered for our sake upon the cross. Whoever marches with good King Louis ... Delivering Him into the hands of Jews God ransomed us from prison. His living body was pierced five times, and He suffered death and Passion. Now you have heard how pagan hordes under Zenghi’s cruel command have vilely marched against Him. so rally now and challenge them in war! Whoever marches with good King Louis ... God the Creator’s Son will come to Edessa on the appointed day. There those sinners will be spared who bravely join the fray and serve the cause of Him they love; for now is when He needs them most God’s vengeance to fulfil. Whoever marches with good King Louis ... Let us go and reclaim Moses who camped on Mount Sinai; Let Saracen hands not grasp the rod that smote and parted the Red Sea’s waves, as he led his people clean away. Pursuing them, the Pharaoh and his host all perished in a watery grave. Whoever marches with good King Louis ...
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