I'm dying of thirst beside the fountain, <br />Hot as fire, and with chattering teeth: <br />In my own land, I'm in a far domain: <br />Near the flame, I shiver beyond belief: <br />Bare as a worm, dressed in a furry sheathe, <br />I smile in tears, wait without expectation: <br />Taking my comfort in sad desperation: <br />I rejoice, without pleasures, never a one: <br />Strong I am, without power or persuasion, <br />Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone. <br /> <br />Nothing is sure for me but what's uncertain: <br />Obscure, whatever is plainly clear to see: <br />I've no doubt, except of everything certain: <br />Science is what happens accidentally: <br />I win it all, yet a loser I'm bound to be: <br />Saying: ‘God give you good even!' at dawn, <br />I greatly fear I'm falling, when lying down: <br />I've plenty, yet I've not one possession, <br />I wait to inherit, yet I'm no heir I own, <br />Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone. <br /> <br />I never take care, yet I've taken great pain <br />To acquire some goods, but have none by me: <br />Who's nice to me is one I hate: it's plain, <br />And who speaks truth deals with me most falsely: <br />He's my friend who can make me believe <br />A white swan is the blackest crow I've known: <br />Who thinks he's power to help me, does me harm: <br />Lies, truth, to me are all one under the sun: <br />I remember all, have the wisdom of a stone, <br />Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone. <br /> <br /> <br />Merciful Prince, may it please you that I've shown <br />There's much I know, yet without sense or reason: <br />I'm partial, yet I hold with all men, in common. <br />What more can I do? Redeem what I've in pawn, <br />Welcomed gladly, and spurned by everyone.<br /><br />François Villon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballade-du-concours-de-blois/
