Eustache Deschamps Advice to a Friend on Marriage OPE! Who? A friend! What wouldst obtain? I wish to marry. What's your pain? Consider! Grief can you sustain? Women have tempers bold and dread; When for a dish of eggs you're fain, Broth, cheese, you'll have before you spread: Now free, you'll be a slave instead When married, you yourself have slain. Think well. My first resolve is said; You're crazy-batter out your brain! No wife will be like her you feign; With woes too hard to bear, bested: Than of such beast to bear the strain. No! The sweet fancy fills my head; You're crazy-batter out your brain! Envoy Soon you will long that you were dead When married; seek in street or lane Some love. No! Passion bids me wed; You're crazy-batter out your brain! François Villon Ballad of Proverbs GOATS Scrape so long they spoil their bed; Iron is heated till 'tis red, And hammered till it bursts in twain; Man's worth, just how the child we train; Who travel far will disappear; Ill bred will ill through life remain; We call out Christmas till 'tis here. Men jest till power to laugh has fled; One bird in hand beats chance of twain; God's love doth love of Church sustain; Much giving is to borrowing near; The wind shifts till it brings the rain; We call out Christmas till 'tis here. Dogs lick the hands by which they're fed; By clutching long you overstrain; We call out Christmas till 'tis here. · Envoy Prince, fools live on till wit they gain; Men voyage till they homeward steer; Those cheated long from rogues refrain; We call out Christmas till 'tis here. All Things Except Myself I Know I KNOW when milk does flies contain; I know the doublet by the grain; The monk beneath the hood can spy; I know the nun's veiled modesty; I know when sportsmen fables ply; Know fools who creams and dainties stow; Wine from the butt I certify; All things except myself I know. Know horse from mule by tail and mane; Bell, Beatrice, I know the twain; I know each chance of cards and die; |