I am a young glad girl

I am a young glad girl, my way
graceful, not yet in my fifteenth year.
My breasts now sway
And swell.
I should be met
by love and hear
its lovely bell.
But I am in an awful prison!
God curse the villain,
the wicked sinner who put me
in a nunnery.
I can’t stand religious life.
God, I am too young!
In my belly I feel sweetly stung,
God curse the man who saddled me
as Jesus wife.

Anonymous
12^th-13^th century

Trans. Aliki & Willis Barnstone