Poems

Ballade franco-latine/Advice for the Groom

202 the poems of françois villon 10 Ballade franco-latine Parfont conseil eximium En ce saint livre exortatur Que l’omme in matrimonium Folement non abutatur. 4 Raison: le sens hebetatur De omni viro, quel qu’i soit. Fol non credit tant qu’i reçoit! 7 Et constat, par ceste lecçon, Pour conserver vim et robur, Prestat ne faire mot ne son, Souffrir et escouter murmur. 11 Si conjunx clamat “Ad ce mur!” Fingat que pas ne le conçoit. Fol non credit tant qu’i reçoit! 14 Fortior multo que Sanson En cest assault convincitur; Contra de Venus l’escusson Le plus fort bourdon plicatur. 18 [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] Sed quisquis pas ne conçoit. Fol non credit tant qu’i reçoit! 21 Prince tressaige, legitur Quod astucior s’i deçoit, Le mieulx nagent y mergitur. Fol non credit tant qu’i reçoit! 25 shorter poems 203 10 Advice for the Groom Advice profound and eximium [excellent] in this wise book is exortatur: [urged] that a man in matrimonium [married] not foolishly abutatur. [overindulge] 4 Why? It makes the brain hebetatur [weakened] de omni viro, no matter who. [in any man] A fool non credit until too late! [does not believe it] 7 Et constat, from this lesson, that [And it is evident] to preserve your vim et robur, [strength and vigor] prestat not to say a word [it is better] but just tolerate her murmurs. [muttering] 11 Si conjunx clamat “Mayday!” [If the spouse cries out] fingat you can’t conceive what she means. [pretend] A fool non credit until too late! [does not believe it] 14 Fortior multo than Samson [(A man) much stronger] in this battle convincitur; [is vanquished] contra the shield of Venus, [against] the strongest weapon plicatur. [is bent] 18 [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] sed quisquis does not understand. [but whoever] A fool non credit until too late! [does not believe it] 21 My Prince so wise, legitur [one reads] quod astutior can blunder, [that even a comparatively astute man] and the best swimmer can mergitur. [be sunk] A fool non credit until too late! [does not believe it] 25 ...