A poem from Baudri

Translated letter:

Past fame would have exalted you enough with us
but now the grace of conversation exalts,
envious fame indeed hid many things about you,
which were also to be recited in the trivium.
I drank in with my eyes and my ears what
fame, carping about you, had taken away,
O how your words are covered with honeyed delight.
O how sweet your voice sounds while you recite!
The songs as you recite would be pleasing to a harsh parent,
the words suggest a man, the voice was womanly.
The suitable placing of words and disciplined sequence 
have fixed your place now among illustrious poets.
At the height of merit, though your age is young,
as the form suitable to you would be pleasing for men;
nor do you lack nobility of birth or wealth,
things which usually hasten to the marriage bed,
[but] having scorned the filth of the flesh with your sturdy breast,
you love the intention of holy virginity.
Letters are supposed to soften strong girls,
[but] much learning  strengthens your breast,
O if only it would come --  that that time would come
that I might gain the profits of another conversation.
That you, responding, might give the spirit asking many things,
and that I, being asked, would respond many things.
Meanwhile, let our mutual songs commend us to us,
let unspoken faith be the leader and companion,
may you be the first to know my secrets,
and let me also know your secret.
You are already strong, virgin, do what you do, guided by Christ,
And now give your greeting back to my greeting.
Harsh, I preserve a harsh tone in composing,
and the harshness of my wit also gives birth to this.
Yet the full meaning diverts my mind,
the reading which rich words enrich pleases.
But one thing dulls the point of my pen,
that it does not know how to enter the homes of girls.
No virgin but you has so far received my songs.
This paper of ours has greeted noone.
We have written to comrades, we have played much among friends,
any girl is [more] experienced in playing than I.
But you compel me to proceed on the path,
and I do not disdain to aim at what you advise.
A rich supply of rich wit abounds in you,
by which you might lessen my errors.
Lessen [them] therefore, do not spare me,
and I shall lessen yours, sparing you. 

Original letter:

Olim fama satis te magnificarat apud nos
Quam modo magnificat gratia colloquii,
Fama quidem de te velut invida multa tegebat,
Quae recitanda forent in triviis etiam.
Ipse meis oculis necnon simul auribus hausi   5
De te tricando fama quod abstulerat,
O quam mellito tua sunt lita verba lepore!
O quam dulce sonat vox tua dum recitas!
Carmina dum recitas, duro placitura parenti,
Dicta sonant hominem, vox muliebris erat.     10
Verborum positura decens, seriesque modesta,
Te jam praeclaris vatibus inseruit.
Ad meriti cumulum cum sit tibi junior aetas,
Cum placitura viris sit tibi forma decens,
Nec tibi nobilitas genialis opesve deessent,   15
Singula quae thalamos accelerare solent,
Carnis spurcitia robusto pectore spreta,
Propositum sanctae virginitatis amas.
Littera multa solet duras mollire puellas,
Praedurat pectus littera multa tuum,      20
O utinam veniat ! Veniat, rogo, terminus ille,
Lucrer ut alterius commoda colloquii.
Ipsa dares animum respondens plura roganti,
Et responderem plura rogatus ego.
Interea nobis nos mutua carmina mandent,   25
Duxque comesque  suus sit taciturna fides,
Tu secretorum sis conscia prima meorum,
Sim quoque secreti conscius ipse tui.
Jam valeas virgo, fac quod facis, auspice Christo,
Moxque valeto meo redde valeto tuum.    30
Durus ego durum dictandi servo tenorem,
Hoc quoque durities ingenii peperit.  
Attamen oblectat mentem sententia plena,
Lectio quam ditant ditia dicta placet.
Porro mei calami res una retundit acumen,  35
Quippe puellarum nescit adire domos.
Nulla recepit adhuc nisi tu mea carmina virgo.
Nulli dixit adhuc cartula nostra vale.
Scripsimus ad socios, sat lusimus inter amicos,
Expers ludendi quaeque puella mihi.                 4o
Sed tu me coges ignotum pergere callem,
Nec dedignor ego tendere qua moneas.
Divitis ingenii tibi copia dives abundat,
Quo potes erratus attenuare meos.
Attenues igitur, necnon mihi compatiaris,        45
Et tenuabo tuos compatiendo tibi.

Historical context:

Baudri corresponded with Muriel in poetry, as he did with several other nun-poets, though he claims that he writes only to her.   He seems to have met her and heard her recite her poetry which he praises lavishly.   He also encourages her in her religious vocation, though her noble birth and wealth might have destined her for marriage

Printed source:

Les OEuvres Poétiques de Baudri de Bourgueil, ed. Phyllis Abrahams, (Paris:  Honoré Champion, 1926, repr. Geneva:  Slatkine, 1974) #CXCIX p.256-57.

Date: