Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BALLAD OF LOVELY LADYES OF LONG AGOE, by FRANCOIS VILLON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BALLAD OF LOVELY LADYES OF LONG AGOE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O tell me where and in what lande
Last Line: But where are the white snowes borne awaye?
Alternate Author Name(s): Montcorbier, Francois De
Subject(s): Past; Women


O TELL me where and in what lande
Is Flora and the Roman lass?
Where's Thaïs or the Ladye grande
That was her equal in all grace?
Saye where doth Echo hyde her face
Whose voice bye streame and pool doth straye,
Whose beauty more than mortal was?—
But where are the white snowes borne awaye?

Where nowe is learnéd Heloïse
For whom poor Abelard lost all
Quick fuel of love's agonies,
And answered toe the holye call?
Likewyse I aske what doth befall
The Queene that Buridan did slaye,
Flung to the Seine for burial?—
But where are the white snowes borne awaye?

Queene Blanche as anye lily wan,
Whose voice was sweet as syrens fayne;
Berte, Bicé, Alice loved of man,
Or Ermengarde that ruled in Mayne?
Or Jean the goode lass from Lorrayne
Burnt by the Englysh rabble? Saye
Where are they Virgin Sovereigne?—
But where are the white snowes borne awaye?

Prince, not thys weeke, thys year shall deigne
To thee their hidynge to betraye;
The onlye answer thou shalt gaine—
But where are the white snowes borne awaye?





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