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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DISPUTE OF THE HEART AND BODY OF FRANCOIS VILLON, by FRANCOIS VILLON Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Who is this I hear? Lo, this is I, thine heart Last Line: I say no more. -- I care not though thou cease. -- Alternate Author Name(s): Montcorbier, Francois De Subject(s): Bodies; Hearts; Villon, Francois (1431-1463) | |||
WHO is this I hear? -- Lo, this is I, thine heart, That holds on merely now by a slender string. Strength fails me, shape and sense are rent apart, The blood in me is turned to a bitter thing, Seeing thee skulk here like a dog shivering. -- Yea, and for what? -- For that thy sense found sweet. -- What irks it thee? -- I feel the sting of it. -- Leave me at peace. -- Why? -- Nay now, leave } me at peace; I will repent when I grow ripe in wit. -- I say no more. -- I care not though thou cease. -- What art thou, trow? -- A man worth praise, perfay. -- This is thy thirtieth year of wayfaring. -- 'Tis a mule's age. -- Art thou a boy still? -- Nay. -- Is it hot lust that spurs thee with its sting, Grasping thy throat? Know'st thou not anything? -- Yea, black and white, when milk is specked with flies, I can make out. -- No more? -- Nay, in no wise. Shall I begin again the count of these? -- Thou art undone. -- I will make shift to rise. -- I say no more. -- I care not though thou cease. -- I have the sorrow of it, and thou the smart. Wert thou a poor mad fool or weak of wit, Then might'st thou plead this pretext with thine heart; But if thou know not good from evil a whit, Either thy head is hard as stone to hit, Or shame, not honor, gives thee most content. What canst thou answer to this argument? -- When I am dead I shall be well at ease. -- God! what good luck? -- Thou art over eloquent. -- I say no more. -- I care not though thou cease. -- Whence is this ill? -- From sorrow and not from sin. When Saturn packed my wallet up for me I well believe he put these ills therein. -- Fool, wilt thou make thy servant lord of thee? Hear now the wise King's counsel; thus saith he; All power upon the stars a wise man hath; There is no planet that shall do him scathe. -- Nay, as they made me I grow and I decrease. -- What say'st thou? -- Truly this is all my faith. -- I say no more. -- I care not though thou cease. -- Would'st thou live still? -- God help me that I may! -- Then thou must -- What? turn pentitent and pray? -- Read always -- What? -- Grave words and good to say; Leave off the ways of fools, lest they displease. -- Good; I will do it. -- Wilt thou remember? -- Yea. -- Abide not till there come an evil day. I say no more. -- I care not though thou cease. -- | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAST BALLADE; MASTER FRANCOIS VILLON LOQUITUR by THOMAS BEER VILLON'S STRAIGHT TIP TO ALL CROSS COVES by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY FRANCOIS VILLON by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL A BALLADE OF BALLADE-MONGERS; AFTER THE MANNER OF VILLON OF PARIS by AUGUSTUS M. MOORE VILLON IN PRISON by HOWARD CHANDLER ROBBINS ON RUE SAINT-JACQUES by ANDRE SALMON A BALLAD OF FRANCOIS VILLON by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE A DOUBLE BALLAD OF GOOD COUNSEL by FRANCOIS VILLON BALLAD MADE AT THE REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER .. PRAY TO OUR LADY by FRANCOIS VILLON |
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