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23. Balade: «Vous n’en povez tousdiz que miex valoir» Amis, pensez de loyaument amer Se vous voulez mener joieuse vie. Soiez secret, atrempé en parler. Ne vous praigne de mesdire Envie. Fuiez orgueil et amez courtoisie. Amez honneur de tout vostre povoir. Prisiez les bons, suivez leur compaignie. Vous n’en povez tousdiz que miex valoir. Encor vous vueil d’aucuns poins enorter, Et je vous pry, ne les oubliez mie. C’est, foy porter, apres honnour garder De la dame ou vostre cuer s’otrie. Ce doit faire qui tent avoir amie. Autre ne doit desirer ne vouloir. S’ainsi faites, je vous acertefie, Vous n’en povez tousdiz que miex valoir. A voir dire et droit considerer, Qui autrement le fait, c’est grant folie. Point ne dessert qu’on li doie donner Des biens d’amours ne petit ne partie. Aux vrais amans est grace departie. Or en faites si bien vostre devoir Que Bonne Amour avecques vous s’alie. Vous n’en povez tousdiz que miex valoir.

23. Ballade: “From this you can only come to greater worth” Friend, consider loving loyally If you want to lead a joyous life. Be discreet and moderate in speech. Let not Envy cause you to speak ill. Flee pride and love courtesy. Love honor with all your might. Esteem the good, pursue their company. From this you can only come to greater worth. I wish to advise you further on several points, And I beseech you, do not ever forget them. That is, to bear faith, after protecting the honor Of the lady to whom your heart is given. This must he do who aspires to have a lover. He must not desire or wish for any other. He must not desire or wish for any other. From this you can only come to greater worth. To tell the truth and consider what is right, Whoever does otherwise, it is great folly. He does not deserve that one should give to him Either a bit or a share of the rewards of love. Grace is bestowed upon true lovers. So do your duty there so well That Good Love attach itself to you. From this you can only come to greater worth.