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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VILLON'S EPITAPH , by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Brother men, who after us still live
Last Line: But pray to god that he absolve us all
Alternate Author Name(s): Montcorbier, Francois De
Variant Title(s): The Ballad Of The Hange
Subject(s): Capital Punishment; Mercy; Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty






Brother men, who after us still live,
Let not your hearts towards us turn to stone,
For if to wretched us you pity give,
God's mercy will to you be sooner shown.
You see us, five or six, strung up here now;
As for our flesh which once we overfed,
It has long since been rotted or devoured,
And we, the bones, to dust and ashes fall.
Let no one mock at our unhappy fate,
But pray to God that he absolve us all.


If we dare call you brothers, you should show
No scorn for us, although we have been slain
In justice. In any case, you know
That all men are not reasonable and sane;
So intercede for us, now we are gone,
With the Blessed Virgin Mary's Son,
That his grace may not dry up its spring,
But keep us from the thunderbolt of Hell;
We are dead, let no one hound us on;
But pray to God that he absolve us all.


The rain has washed and scoured us clean,
And the sun blackened and dried us now;
Daws and crows made holes where eyes have been,
And plucked away our beards and each eyebrow.
Never at any time have we sat down;
But here and there as the wind does blow,
It carries us at will incessantly,
Pecked by birds, more nicked than any thimble.
Seek not to join with our fraternity;
But pray to God that he absolve us all.
Prince Jesus, who over all hold sway,
Keep us from Hell's dominion; we'd not pay
There any debt, or dealings have at all,
Men, there's no intent to joke or play;
But pray to God that he absolve us all.






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