His best-known poems are his _ballades_. See R.L. Stevenson's essay.
[97] The name _Heaulmiere_ is said to be derived from a headdress (helm)
worn as a mark by courtesans. In Villon's ballad, a poor old creature of
this class laments her days of youth and beauty. The last stanza of the
ballad runs thus:
"Ainsi le bon temps regretons
Entre nous, pauvres vieilles sottes,
Assises bas, a croppetons,
Tout en ung tas comme pelottes;
A petit feu de chenevottes
Tost allumees, tost estainctes.
Et jadis fusmes si mignottes!
Ainsi en prend a maintz et maintes."
"Thus amongst ourselves we regret the good time, poor silly old things,
low-seated on our heels, all in a heap like so many balls; by a little
fire of hemp-stalks, soon lighted, soon spent. And once we were such
darlings! So fares it with many and many a one."[Arnold.]
PAGE 74
[98] From _An Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, 1688.
[99] A statement to this effect is made by Dryden in the _Preface to the
Fables_.
[100] From _Preface to the Fables_.
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