If I Were King — Chapter 2 — Justin Huntly McCarthy

"All French folk, whereso'er ye be,Who love your country, soil and sand,From Paris to the Breton sea,And back again to Norman strand,Forsooth ye seem a silly band,Sheep without shepherd, left to chance—Far otherwise our FatherlandIf Villon were the King of France!"

"The figure on the throne you seeIs nothing but a puppet, plannedTo wear the regal braveryOf silken coat and gilded wand.Not so we Frenchmen understandThe Lord of lion's heart and glance,And such a one would take commandIf Villon were the King of France!"

"His counsellors are rogues, Perdie!While men of honest mind are banned.To creak upon the Gallows Tree,Or squeal in prisons over-mann'd;

"God! Where the Oriflamme should standIf Villon were the King of France!"

We want a chief to bear the brand,And bid the damned Burgundians dance;God! Where the Oriflamme should standIf Villon were the King of France!"

"Louis the Little, play the grand;Buffet the foe with sword and lance;'Tis what would happen, by this hand,If Villon were the King of France!"

"Lady of Heaven, Queen of Earth,Empress of Hell, I kneel and pleadYou pity, by the holy birth,The humblest Christian of the Creed;I cannot write; I cannot read;I am a woman poor and old,But in the Church, where I beholdThe gates of Paradise, I cryWoman to woman, make me boldIn thy belief to live and die."

"Woman to woman, make me boldIn thy belief to live and die."