Pauvre Rutebeuf [English translation]

What became of my friends

who I had held so close

and loved so much?

They became too scarce,

I think the wind took them from me.

Love is undone.

Friends are what the wind brings me

and the wind was blowing in my doorstep

and took them away.

The weather shakes the trees

until every leaf from the branch

falls down to earth.

Since poverty drags me down

and overwhelms me

in winter time

I shall not tell

how I disgraced myself,

in which way.

What became of my friends

who I had held so close

and loved so much?

They became too scarce,

I think the wind took them from me.

Love is undone.

A misfortune never comes alone.

All I was fated to endure

has befallen me.

God, the king with glory crowned,

gave me little sense, little memory

and little wealth.

And when the wind blows,

it comes right at and through me.

Love is undone.

Friends are what the wind carries away

and the wind was blowing in my doorstep

and it took them away.

It took them away...