The Greater Testament · 1878
The Doctrine of the Fair Helm-Maker to the Light o’ Loves
Translated by John Payne (1878; Mosher edition, 1909)
Now think on't, Nell the glover fair.
That wont my scholar once to be,
And you, Blanche Slippermaker there,
Your case in mine I'd have you see :
Look all to right and left take ye ;
Forbear no man ; for trulls that bin
Old have nor course nor currency,
No more than money that's called in.
You, Sausage-buckStress debonair,
That dance and trip it brisk and free,
And Guillemette Upholstress, there,
Look you transgress not Love's decree:
Soon must you shut up shop, per die ;
Soon old you'll grow, faded and thin,
Worth, like some old priest's visnomy,
No more than money that's called in.
Jenny the batter, have a care
Lest some false lover tamper thee ;
And Kitty Spurmaker, beware ;
Deny no man that proffers fee ;
For girls that are not bright o' blee
Men's scorn and not their service win :
Foul eld gets neither love nor gree,
No more than money that's called in.
Envoi
Wenches, give ear and list (quo' she)
Wherefore I weep and make this din ;
'Tis that there is no help for me,
No more than money that's called in.
Cite this text
MLA
Villon, François. The Greater Testament, The Doctrine of the Fair Helm-Maker to the Light o’ Loves. Translated by John Payne. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/work/greater-testament-payne/6/.
Chicago
Villon, François. The Greater Testament, The Doctrine of the Fair Helm-Maker to the Light o’ Loves. Translated by John Payne. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/work/greater-testament-payne/6/.