THE LAST DAYS OF VILLON (A Soliloquy)

Note: Francois Villon was a French poet banished from Paris on January 5, 1463 for his "bad character." Afterward nothing was heard of his fate. Here he falls back on his love of Paris to help him in his hiding.

hobbling beggar  butt for jokers to seek

victim of twilights too bright for my soul

like salt thrown on a wound of one sick and weak

still my beloved paris before me unscrolls

its quaint passages wind blown coquettes its river

o seine the beauty of you is

the city of paris and you flowing through it forever

what need then for balm of strangers pity

come night

hide me neath bushes green and lush

let no bell toll a requiem hush