Ballade: Du Concours De Blois Poem by François Villon
Ballade: Du Concours De Blois
I'm dying of thirst beside the fountain,
Hot as fire, and with chattering teeth:
In my own land, I'm in a far domain:
Near the flame, I shiver beyond belief:
Bare as a worm, dressed in a furry sheathe,
I smile in tears, wait without expectation:
Taking my comfort in sad desperation:
I rejoice, without pleasures, never a one:
Strong I am, without power or persuasion,
Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone.
Nothing is sure for me but what's uncertain:
Obscure, whatever is plainly clear to see:
I've no doubt, except of everything certain:
Science is what happens accidentally:
I win it all, yet a loser I'm bound to be:
Saying: ‘God give you good even!' at dawn,
I greatly fear I'm falling, when lying down:
I've plenty, yet I've not one possession,
I wait to inherit, yet I'm no heir I own,
Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone.
I never take care, yet I've taken great pain
To acquire some goods, but have none by me:
Who's nice to me is one I hate: it's plain,
And who speaks truth deals with me most falsely:
He's my friend who can make me believe
A white swan is the blackest crow I've known:
Who thinks he's power to help me, does me harm:
Lies, truth, to me are all one under the sun:
I remember all, have the wisdom of a stone,
Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone.
Merciful Prince, may it please you that I've shown
There's much I know, yet without sense or reason:
I'm partial, yet I hold with all men, in common.
What more can I do? Redeem what I've in pawn,
Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/25/2024 1:51:03 PM # 1.0.0.1119
I thirst to death next to the fountain's spray, I burn like flame my teeth by chatt'ring rent, In my own land I am an emigré; Next to the blazing hearth by shivering spent; I am worm-naked, fine-dressed as a gent; I laugh in tears, enduring hopeless lows; Comfort obtain as sad despair does grow; Pleasures don't satisfy, or bring me fun; Strong without force of arms or power to throw, Warmly received, dismissed by everyone. I am not sure, until I'm cast away, I am unclear, where all is evident; I only doubt the certain, trust the grey; Knowledge obtain from sudden accident; I win, keep playing on, all winnings spent; At daybreak Goodnight all! I say and go, When lying prone, I fear of vertigo; I'm well to do, while chattels I have none; I am an heir unwilled, to none I know, Warmly received, dismissed by everyone. Nothing I care, painstaking on my way Much to beget, to claim it reticent; Who praises me, on him the blame I lay, Who speaks most earnest is most crooked, bent; A friend is he who brings the sentiment That the white swan is but a charcoal crow, Who to empower me offers me a blow. Truth makes no odds to me, all said and done. I retain all, mindful of nothing, though, Warmly received, dismissed by everyone. Kindly prince, let the record duly show: Though much I see, no sense do I allow.; Though I take sides, there's no side that I shun. What next to do? Claim back my keep somehow, Warmly received, dismissed by everyone. (translated by VZJP 2006)