Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE OF MYSELF AND MONSIEUR RABELAIS, by LEONARD BACON (1887-1954)



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BALLADE OF MYSELF AND MONSIEUR RABELAIS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: King henry hath his amber wine
Last Line: Myself and monsieur rabelais.
Subject(s): Rabelais, Francois (1483-1553); Yale University


KING Henry hath his amber wine,
And Frank of Guise, as gossips tell,
Eats every day a capon fine
And sneers at hock and hydromel.
But as for us we'd rather dwell
A little from the world away,
Although we love its cheer right well,
Myself and Monsieur Rabelais.

Of Panurge on the restless brine
He hath a jolly tale to tell,
Of how Gargantua did dine,
Or of the great Pantagruel,
And what adventure him befell,
To make one laugh a summer's day.
We get on marvelously well,
Myself and Monsieur Rabelais.

Though churchmen rant of wrath divine
Or Saint of Sales our doom foretell,
" 'Twill all come right," as we opine,
Though Pope or Luther burn in Hell.
The mystery of the flask to spell
Brings better hope of judgment day,
Which comforts both of us full well,
Myself and Monsieur Rabelais.

ENVOI

Prince! in strict fact, although we dwell
Three merry centuries away,
We hob and nob surpassing well,
Myself and Monsieur Rabelais.





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