Ballade [i Die Of Thirst Beside The Fountain] Poem by François Villon

Ballade [i Die Of Thirst Beside The Fountain]



I die of thirst beside the fountain
I'm hot as fire, I'm shaking tooth on tooth
In my own country I'm in a distant land
Beside the blaze I'm shivering in flames
Naked as a worm, dressed like a president
I laugh in tears and hope in despair
I cheer up in sad hopelessness
I'm joyful and no pleasure's anywhere
I'm powerful and lack all force and strength
Warmly welcomed, always turned away.

I'm sure of nothing but what is uncertain
Find nothing obscure but the obvious
Doubt nothing but the certainties
Knowledge to me is mere accident
I keep winning and remain the loser
At dawn I say "I bid you good night"
Lying down I'm afraid of falling
I'm so rich I haven't a penny
I await an inheritance and am no one's heir
Warmly welcomed, always turned away.

I never work and yet I labor
To acquire goods I don't even want
Kind words irritate me most
He who speaks true deceives me worst
A friend is someone who makes me think
A white swan is a black crow
The people who harm me think they help
Lies and truth today I see they're one
I remember everything, my mind's a blank
Warmly welcomed, always turned away.

Merciful Prince may it please you to know
I understand much and have no wit or learning
I'm biased against all laws impartially
What's next to do? Redeem my pawned goods again!
Warmly welcomed, always turned away.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Topic(s) of this poem: death
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Susan Williams 18 March 2018

I would give this a 10 if PoemHunter would fix my account and allow me full access to it.

0 0 Reply
Susan Williams 18 March 2018

I'm sure of nothing but what is uncertain Find nothing obscure but the obvious Doubt nothing but the certainties Knowledge to me is mere accident I keep winning and remain the loser - - - - - - -I think this is true of all mankind sooner or later

0 1 Reply
Michael Morgan 28 January 2015

pretty witty, thank Frank

0 1 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success