De la virge Katerine chantera
chascun qui en Jhesuchrist fiance a;
quant la virge en Dié si grant grace trouva
que nus mas, ne loing ne pres, cele ne l’avra.
Tant I’ama
que les trois corones a
que li destina
par desus le comun bien qu’a chaün douna
que sauvez sera:
car la foi Dieu preescha,
son cors de pechié garda,
en martyre devia.
Pour ce qu’elle sermona
et vie d’angle mena,
l’enporta
Nostres Sires par ses angles ou mont ou il bailla
la sainte loi qu’il dona
a ceus ou tant de bien a.
Tant m’otroi!
Et se vous me demandez pour quoi
je ai si grant foi,
a mon cuer le demandez, ne mie a moi.

Quant froidure trait a fin
encontre la seson
que chantent en leur latin
par bois cil oiseillon,
et verdissent cil gardin,
lors est bien raison
que je chant de cuer tres fin,
quar j’ai bone achoison,
quant cele por qui je chant
m’a donee s’amor.
Bouche o grant savour
plaine de douçour,
euz verz, face vermeilleite
de fresche colour;
souz ses mamelettes
duretes,
blanches comme flour,
sa crine a sorete:
c’ain ne fu paintour,
nule chose n’est portraite
com cele est por qui je chant.
Diex! je I’aim tant,
n’i puis durer:
bien sai que m’ocirra.
Diex! qui li dira?
Ne puis endurer
les maus que soufferz ai ja:
trop m’i fait comparer.
J’ai beu du boivre amer
dont Tristrans morut ja.
Je ne sai combien vivrai,
fors tant sanz plus com li plera.

Agmina milicie
celestis omnia
martyris victorie
occurrunt obvia.
Virginis eximie
laudant preconia,
rosam patiencie
pudoris lilia,
donum sapiencie,
legis eloquia.
Virgo regia
regis filia
Christum regem hodie
in celi regia
revelata facie
videt in gloria.
Christi hostie
patent ostia;
sapientum Grecie
facundie
sophismatum
et dogmatum
argucie
silent et studia.
Post hec stadia
gaudet requie.
Carnis habet spolia
apex Arabie;
Caro caret carie,
Mens immundicia.
Oleum hec gracie
dat et precum suffragia.

Philippe the Chancellor (c1160/80-1236)

Let all who believe in Jesus Christ
sing of the virgin Catherine;
since this virgin found such great grace in God
that she will suffer no evil, near or far.
He loved her so much
that she received the three crowns
which he destined for her,
in addition to the common gift
which he granted
to all who are destined for salvation:
for she preached the word of God,
kept her body from sin,
and died a martyr.
Because she preached and led an angelic life,
Our Lord had her taken up by his angels
to the mountain where he delivered the holy law
which he vouchsafed
to those who are full of goodness.
May he grant me the same!
And if you ask me
why I have such great faith,
ask my heart, not me.

As the cold weather
comes to an end
and the season approaches
when the little birds
sing in their language in the woods,
and the gardens grow green,
then it is fitting that I should sing
most sincerely, for I have good cause
to do so since she of whom I sing
has granted me her love.
Delightful mouth full of sweetness,
green eyes,
rosy face
fresh of hue;
below her breasts,
firm,
white as flowers,
her fair hair hangs down;
never was there an artist,
never was anything painted
like her of whom I sing.
God! I love her so much
that I cannot last any longer;
I am sure it will kill me.
God! who will tell her?
I cannot bear the pains
which I have suffered already:
I pay too dearly for my love.
I have tasted the bitter drink
of which Tristran died long ago.
I do not know how long I may live:
just as long as it pleases her.

All the troops
of the heavenly army
run forth to celebrate
the victory of the martyr.
They shout aloud
the praises of the peerless virgin,
the rose of patience,
the lily of modesty,
the gift of wisdom,
eloquent advocate of the Law.
The royal virgin,
the daughter of the king,
sees Christ the king
in the realm of heaven in glory
with his face revealed.
The gates stand open
to the victim for Christ;
the fluencies
of the Greek sages
and the arguments
of sophistries
and dogmas
and all their lucubrations
are silent.
After these contests
she rejoices at rest.
The summit of Arabia [Mount Sinai]
has the spoils of her flesh;
her flesh is not decaying,
nor her mind impure.
She gives this oil of grace
and the intercession of prayers.