Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
France: Vols. IX–X. 1876–79. | | | | Miscellaneous | | Friar Lubin | | Clément Marot (1496–1544) |
| | Translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
|
TO gallop off to town post-haste, | |
| So oft, the times I cannot tell; | |
| To do vile deed, nor feel disgraced,— | |
| Friar Lubin will do it well. | |
| But a sober life to lead, | 5 |
| To honor virtue, and pursue it, | |
| That ’s a pious, Christian deed,— | |
| Friar Lubin cannot do it. | |
| |
| To mingle, with a knowing smile, | |
| The goods of others with his own, | 10 |
| And leave you without a cross or pile, | |
| Friar Lubin stands alone. | |
| To say ’t is yours is all in vain, | |
| If once he lays his finger to it; | |
| For as to giving back again | 15 |
| Friar Lubin cannot do it. | |
| |
| With flattering words and gentle tone, | |
| To woo and win some guileless maid, | |
| Cunning pander need you none,— | |
| Friar Lubin knows the trade. | 20 |
| Loud preacheth he sobriety, | |
| But as for water, doth eschew it; | |
| Your dog may drink it,—but not he; | |
| Friar Lubin cannot do it. | | | |
|
|
|
