Balade

Balade

Original Text

"Eustache Deschamps," Representative French Poetry, ed. Victor E. Graham, 2nd edn. (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1965): 4-5.

4Un grant corbaut qui tenoit un frommage.
5Lors dist Renars par doulz humble langaige:
8On se deçoit par legierement croire.
12Renart la prist et mist a son usaige.
14Sanz recouvrer perdit par vaine gloire;
16On se déçoit par legierement croire.
18Qui parlent bel pour querir adventaige;
22Souviengne vous de la corneille noire
24On se deçoit par legierement croire.

Notes

1] destraignoit: was tormenting. Back to Line
2] le boscage: le bois. Back to Line
3] en tracent: while following a trail. Back to Line
6] Thiesselin is the name given to the crow in the mediaeval Roman de Renart.
clere et voire: claire et vraie. Back to Line
7] ramage: dense. Back to Line
9] le barat: the ruse. Back to Line
10] po: peu.
vassellage: valour, prowess. Back to Line
11] jus cheoit: fell down. Back to Line
13] dommaige: loss. Back to Line
15] A ce mirer: To look at themselves. Back to Line
17] orendroit: right now. Back to Line
19] fait: affair. Back to Line
20] faint: hide.
couraige: state of mind, intention. Back to Line
21] "One must meet cunning with cunning." Back to Line
23] pasturage: food. Back to Line
Publication Notes

<i>Œuvres compl&egrave;tes de Eustache Deschamps.</i> Ed. Auguste Queux de Saint-Hilaire. Soci&eacute;t&eacute;  
des anciens textes Fran&ccedil;ais. Vol. 9, part 2.
Paris: Firmin Didot, 1880. CCXXXII. 61-62. Internet Archive
 

RPO poem Editors
Victor E. Graham
Data entry: Sharine Leung
RPO Edition
2012
Rhyme
Form
Special Copyright

Second edition copyright © 1965 University of Toronto Press. Reprinted with permission of the publisher, from which written permission must be obtained for any other edition or other means of reproduction.