Como dize Aristótiles, cosa es verdadera,
el mundo por dos cosas trabaja:1se esfuerza la primera,
por aver mantenencia; la otra cosa era
por aver juntamiento con fenbra2hembra plazentera.
Si lo dixiese de mío,3como algo mío sería de culpar;
dízelo grand filósofo, non só4soy yo de rebtar:5reprender
de lo que dize el sabio non devemos dubdar,
ca por obra se prueva el sabio e su fablar.
Que diz verdat el sabio claramente se prueva:
omnes, aves, animalias, toda bestia de cueva
quieren segund natura conpaña sienpre nueva,
e quanto más el omne que toda cosa que s’ mueva.
Digo muy más el omne que toda creatura:
todas a tienpo cierto se juntan con natura;
el omne de mal seso todo tienpo, sin mesura,
cada6cada vez que puede, quiere fazer esta locura.
El fuego sienpre quiere estar en la ceniza,
comoquier que más arde quanto más se atiza;
el omne quando peca bien vee que desliza,
mas non se parte ende ca natura lo enriza.7azuza
E yo, como só omne como otro, pecador,
ove de las mugeres a las vezes grand amor;
provar omne las cosas non es por ende peor,
e saber bien e mal, e usar lo mejor.
English prose version: The natural desire of men and beasts. As Aristotle rightly says, all creatures work for two ends: to earn their bread and to mate with a pleasing female.8This is an adaptation of Aristotle, Politics i. 1, 3 and here may be used ironically (Erasmo Buceta, “La política de Aristóteles”, Revista de Filología Española, 12, 1925, 56-60). Had I said this on my own, I would be at fault; but it is the great Philosopher who speaks; do not blame me. You ought not question what the Philosopher says, because the Philosopher and his statements are supported by the facts. It is easy to prove that the Philosopher speaks the truth: by nature, men, birds, animals, wild beasts are always on the lookout for a new companion. Men most of all.// I repeat, men most of all, more than any other creature. According to their nature, all animals mate at certain times, but a foolish man seeks a mate at all times, beyond all measure; he is always ready and willing. The embers always try to hide in their ashes, knowing that the more they are kindled, the more quickly they are consumed; man, when he sins, can see clearly that he is falling, but still does not want to leave off, because his nature goads him on. And I, because I am a man, a sinner like everyone else, have at times had great love for women. Man is not the worse for having experimented, for having known good and evil and for having chosen the better.