François Villon’s Ballade: A Good Lesson for Bad Men,
Ballade of Fortune & Charity

Translated by David Georgi Ballade: A Good Lesson for Bad Men from The Testament, lines 1692–1719 Say you sell indulgences or cheat at cards, or dice all day, or stamp false coins (and so get burned with others scalded for that crime, lying faithless traitors all), or burgle, pilfer, or purloin: where do you suppose your profit goes? All to the taverns and the girls. Rhyme or riff, play flute or cymbals as beguiling, shameless fools do; clown, swindle,... Read More