47
A Nun's Sermon
^ I 1
I he anonymous poem "A Nun's Sermon to Ladies Carenza, Iselda,
I and Alais on Priority of Knowledge and Light over Earthly Body"
JL. is an example of a commingling of sacred and secular poetry
among the troubadours. The poem in Provencal (langue d'oc) is anonymous,
in a woman's voice, purportedly by a nun, who with humor, satire, and deli-
cious skill advises the ladies of her concern of the perils of family, of the phys-
ical degradation of the temporal body, and of the greater satisfaction and thrill
to be gained from marrying god, who is the crown of knowledge and light.
A NUN'S SERMON
1
My lady Carenza of the lovely body,
please offer sisters your profound advice,
and since you know what's best, tell us precise-
ly what to do. You know. Your ways embody
all ways of woman. Please say: shall I wed
someone we know? Or stay a virgin? I've saidi. A Nun's Sermon: translated from the Provencal by Willis Barnstone. Originally published
as "My Lady Carenza of the lovely body" in Voices of Light, edited by Aliki Barnstone. ©1999
Aliki Barnstone. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston,
http://www.shambhala.com.