The Dispute Of The Heart And Body Of François Villon

Who is this I hear?--Lo, this is I, thine heart, That holds on merely now by a slender string. Strength fails me, shape and sense are rent apart, The blood in me is turned to a bitter thing, Seeing thee skulk here like a dog shivering.-- Yea, and for what?--For that thy sense found sweet.-- What irks it thee?--I feel the sting of it.-- Leave me at peace.--Why?--Nay now, leave me at peace; I will repent when I grow ripe in wit.-- I say no more.--I care not though thou cease.--

What art thou, trow?--A man worth praise, perfay.-- This is thy thirtieth year of wayfaring.-- 'Tis a mule's age.--Art thou a boy still?--Nay.-- Is it hot lust that spurs thee with its sting, Grasping thy throat? Know'st thou not anything?-- Yea, black and white, when milk is specked with flies, I can make out.--No more?--Nay, in no wise. Shall I begin again the count of these?-- Thou art undone.--I will make shift to rise.-- I say no more.--I care not though thou cease.--

I have the sorrow of it, and thou the smart. Wert thou a poor mad fool or weak of wit, Then might'st thou plead this pretext with thine heart; But if thou know not good from evil a whit, Either thy head is hard as stone to hit, Or shame, not honour, gives thee most content. What canst thou answer to this argument?-- When I am dead I shall be well at ease.-- God! what good hope!--Thou art over eloquent.-- I say no more.--I care not though thou cease.--

Whence is this ill?--From sorrow and not from sin. When Saturn packed my wallet up for me I well believe he put these ills therein.-- Fool, wilt thou make thy servant lord of thee? Hear now the wise king's counsel; thus saith he: All power upon the stars a wise man hath; There is no planet that shall do him scathe.-- Nay, as they made me I grow and I decrease.-- What say'st thou?--Truly this is all my faith.-- I say no more.--I care not though thou cease.--

Wouldst thou live still?--God help me that I may!-- Then thou must--What? turn penitent and pray?-- Read always--What?--Grave words and good to say; Leave off the ways of fools, lest they displease.-- Good; I will do it.--Wilt thou remember?--Yea.-- Abide not till there come an evil day. I say no more.--I care not though thou cease.