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VILLANELLE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In this month so fresh and gay
Last Line: Tis from thee my sorrows flow.
Alternate Author Name(s): Du Bellay, Joachim


IN this month so fresh and gay,
When all hearts for love prepare,
And all folk, as best they may,
Do the season's softness share;
Me alone despiteful care
Makes lament and fills with woe;
Peerless Margaret, frank and fair,
I to thee my sorrows owe.

True, your eyes a gracious ray
Full of gentle pity wear,
Yet the softness they display
Proves to me a subtle snare;
Often thus the serpent's lair
Hidden lies, some flower below;
Peerless Margaret, frank and fair,
'Tis from thee my sorrows flow.

Now since I grow old and grey,
And am haunted by despair,
I will (sorrow's weary prey)
To a hermit's cell repair--
To a hermit's cell repair,
Better to lament my woe;
Peerless Margaret, frank and fair,
'Tis from thee my sorrows flow.

But if Heaven's benignant sway
Guide thy steps to wander where
I, to hapless grief a prey,
To a hermit's cell repair,
And my sorrow thus declare,
You might change, and pity show;
Peerless Margaret, frank and fair,
'Tis from thee my sorrows flow.





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