Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE OF DEAD LADIES, by FRANCOIS VILLON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE OF DEAD LADIES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Nay, tell me now in what strange air
Last Line: "nay, but where is the last year's snow?"
Alternate Author Name(s): Montcorbier, Francois De
Variant Title(s): Ballade Of The Ladies Of Time Pas
Subject(s): Death; Snow; Women; Dead, The


NAY, tell me now in what strange air
The Roman Flora dwells to-day;
Where Archippiada hides, and where
Beautiful Thais has passed away?
Whence answers Echo, afield, astray,
By mere or stream,—around, below?
Lovelier she than a woman of clay;
Nay, but where is the last year's snow?

Where is wise Héloise, that care
Brought on Abeilard, and dismay?
All for her love he found a snare,
A maimed poor monk in orders grey;
And where's the Queen who willed to slay
Buridan, that in a sack must go
Afloat down Seine,—a perilous way—
Nay, but where is the last year's snow?

Where's that White Queen, a lily rare,
With her sweet song, the Siren's lay?
Where's Bertha Broad-foot, Beatrice fair?
Alys and Ermengarde, where are they?
Good Joan, whom English did betray
In Rouen town, and burned her? No,
Maiden and Queen, no man may say;
Nay, but where is the last year's snow?

ENVOY

Prince, all this week thou need'st not pray,
Nor yet this year the thing to know.
One burden answers, ever and aye,
"Nay, but where is the last year's snow?"





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