by Franois Villon

    Translated by Galway Kinnell

    I die of thirst beside the fountain

    I'm hot as fire， I'm shaking tooth on tooth

    In my own country I'm in a distant land

    Beside the blaze I'm shivering in flames

    Naked as a worm， dressed like a president

    I laugh in tears and hope in despair

    I cheer up in sad hopelessness

    I'm joyful¹ and no pleasure's anywhere

    I'm powerful and lack all force and strength

    Warmly welcomed， always turned away.

    I'm sure of nothing but what is uncertain

    Find nothing obscure but the obvious

    Doubt nothing but the certainties

    Knowledge to me is mere² accident

    I keep winning and remain the loser

    At dawn I say "I bid you good night"

    Lying down I'm afraid of falling

    I'm so rich I haven't a penny

    I await an inheritance and am no one's heir

    Warmly welcomed， always turned away.

    I never work and yet I labor³

    To acquire goods I don't even want

    Kind words irritate me most

    He who speaks true deceives me worst

    A friend is someone who makes me think

    A white swan is a black crow

    The people who harm me think they help

    Lies and truth today I see they're one

    I remember everything， my mind's a blank

    Warmly welcomed， always turned away.

    Merciful Prince may it please you to know

    I understand much and have no wit or learning

    I'm biased⁴ against all laws impartially⁵

    What's next to do？ Redeem⁶ my pawned⁷ goods again！

    Warmly welcomed， always turned away.