I know flies in milk <br />I know the man by his clothes <br />I know fair weather from foul <br />I know the apple by the tree <br />I know the tree when I see the sap <br />I know when all is one <br />I know who labors and who loafs <br />I know everything but myself. <br /> <br />I know the coat by the collar <br />I know the monk by the cowl <br />I know the master by the servant <br />I know the nun by the veil <br />I know when a hustler rattles on <br />I know fools raised on whipped cream <br />I know the wine by the barrel <br />I know everything but myself. <br /> <br />I know the horse and the mule <br />I know their loads and their limits <br />I know Beatrice and Belle <br />I know the beads that count and add <br />I know nightmare and sleep <br />I know the Bohemians' error <br />I know the power of Rome <br />I know everything but myself. <br /> <br />Prince I know all things <br />I know the rosy-cheeked and the pale <br />I know death who devours all <br />I know everything but myself. <br /> <br /> <br />Trans. by Galway Kinnell<br /><br />François Villon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballade/
