Classic Poem

(Ballade que Villon donna a un gentilhomme nouvellement marie)

At dawn of day the hawk claps wing,
Moved by his life's nobility
Before the day his song to fling,
Returns, and to the lure sweeps he,
Over you thus desire leads me,
Joyous, and, striking towards you, fleet,
Swiftly to take love's food from thee.
Espoused for this do we two meet.

Dear one, my heart to thee shall cling
Ever till Death makes his decree.
Laurel all victory to bring!
Olive to make the shadows flee!
Reason has written it that we
Ever shall find our life complete,
Devoted thus eternally.
Espoused for this do we two meet.

More — when to me comes suffering —
Fortune brings such fatality —
Before thy gaze all-conquering,
Driven like smoke by wind 'twill be.
And I will loose no husbandry,
Nor seed sown in thy garden, sweet;
Its fruit shall hold my imagry.
Espoused for this do we two meet.

ENVOI

Princess, behold my fealty.
Turn eyes; my heart lies at thy feet.
Thy heart is mine, mine yours, now see.
Espoused for this do we two meet.