Elfinspell: François Villon, Seemly Lesson of Villon to the Good-for-Noughts, translated by John Payne, from Ballades by François Villon, from The Bibelot, Volume I, Number II, a reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, edited by Thomas B. Mosher Literary criticism, rare poetry, rare prose, free online text, e-book, 15th century French poetry, English translation, online text, free e-book, on www.elfinspell.com (Bibelot1VillonLesson)

From The Bibelot, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Volume I, Number II, Testimonial Edition, Edited and Originally Published by Thomas B. Mosher, Portland, Maine; Wm. Wise & Co.; New York; 1895; pp. 49-50.

SEEMLY LESSON OF VILLON TO THE GOOD-FOR-NOUGHTS.

I.

FAIR sons, you’re wasting, ere you’re old,
The fairest rose to you that fell
You, that the birdlime take and hold,
    When to Montpippeau or Ruel
    (My clerks) you wander, keep you well:
For of the tricks that there he played,
    Thinking to ’scape a second spell,
Colin of Cayeulx lost his head.

II.

No trifling game is this to play,
    Where one stakes soul ad body too:
If losers, no remorse can stay
    A shameful death from ending you;
    And even the winner, for his due,
Hath not a Dido to his wife.
    Foolish and lewd I hold him who
Doth for so little risk his life.

III.

Now all of you to me attend:
    Even a load of wine, folk say,
With drinking at last comes to an end,
    By fire in winter, in woods in May.
50     If you have money, it doth not stay,
But this way and that it wastes amain:
    What does it profit you, any way?
Ill-gotten good is nobody’s gain.

II. BALLADES FROM FRANÇOIS VILLON

SEEMLY LESSON OF VILLON TO THE GOOD-FOR-NOUGHTS.

I.

II.

III.

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