The Greater Testament · 1878
Roundel (On My Release)
Translated by John Payne (1878; Mosher edition, 1909)
On my release from prison strait,
Where I have left my life well-nigh,
If Fate still look at me awry,
Judge if she be inveterate !
Reason meseemeth, past debate,
Her malice she should mollify
On my release.
Full of unreason is this Fate,
Which willeth but that I should die :
God grant that in His house on high
My soul be ravished from her hate,
On my release.
Cite this text
MLA
Villon, François. The Greater Testament, Roundel (On My Release). Translated by John Payne. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/work/greater-testament-payne/27/.
Chicago
Villon, François. The Greater Testament, Roundel (On My Release). Translated by John Payne. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/work/greater-testament-payne/27/.