Villon’s Epitaph
You fellow humans still among the living,
If you can look at us with hearts unhardened,
Can see us wretches, and can be forgiving,
Then trust in God that you too will be pardoned.
You see us strung up, five, six in a line,
With all that flesh we plumped with food and wine
Now pecked by birds or dried hard by the wind,
Until our disconnected bones drop off.
When you stare at our ugliness, don't scoff,
But pray to God to pardon all mankind.
If we call you brothers, please don’t take offence.
Though justice wisely thinks us better dead.
You know enough to know that common sense
Can sometimes take its flight from any head,
So feel for foolish sinners who in dread
Shiver and pray that grace from Mary’s Son,
Grace plentiful enough for everyone,
Might save even us from Hell’s eternal grind.
We’re dead and done. Stop jeering. Don’t make fun,
But pray to God to pardon all mankind.
Here comes the driving rain to soak and souse
Our bodies; soon the sun will dry us black.
Crows snatch the hairs out from our beards and brows
And peck at sockets where the eyes now lack.
Blown this way that way as the rough wind chances,
Forever we must do our dangling dances;
Our eyes jabbed oftener than an addict's arm
By rooks who are voracious and unkind.
Make sure your lives don’t lead you to such harm,
But pray to God to pardon all mankind.
Prince Jesus, mighty Lord of earth and air;
Mortals are fragile, and we’re not designed
To waste in hell; we have no business there.
And men – don't mock like those whose souls are blind,
But pray to God to pardon all mankind.
