Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLAD: THE THINGS OF NO ACCOUNT, by FRANCOIS VILLON Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: I know when milk does flies contain Last Line: All things except myself I know. Alternate Author Name(s): Montcorbier, Francois De Variant Title(s): All Things Except Myself I Know Subject(s): Cynicism | ||||||||
I I KNOW when milk does flies contain; I know men by their bravery; I know fair days from storm and rain; And what fruit apple trees supply; And from their gums the trees descry; I know when all things smoothly flow; I know who toil or idle lie; All things except myself I know. II I know the doublet by the grain; The monk beneath the hood can spy; Master from man can ascertain; 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. III Know horse from mule by tail and mane, I know their worth or high or low; Bell, Beatrice, I know the twain, I know each chance of cards and die; I know what visions prophesy, Bohemian heresies, I trow; I know men of each quality; All things except myself I know. ENVOY Prince, I know all things 'neath the sky, Pale cheeks from those of rosy glow, I know death whence can no man fly; All things except myself I know. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE KING OF SPAIN by MAXWELL BODENHEIM YOUTH AND ART by ROBERT BROWNING GOOD AND BAD LUCK by HEINRICH HEINE THE PESSIMIST by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KING WITHOUT AND WITHIN by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM by ROBERT SOUTHEY NORTHERN FARMER, NEW STYLE by ALFRED TENNYSON A BALLAD OF AN ANTI-PURITAN by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON A DOUBLE BALLAD OF GOOD COUNSEL by FRANCOIS VILLON BALLAD MADE AT THE REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER .. PRAY TO OUR LADY by FRANCOIS VILLON |
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