Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
France: Vols. IX–X. 1876–79.
King Dagobert
By AnonymousTranslated by John Oxenford
K
He wore his breeches wrong side out.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Unseemly are
The hose you wear.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he;
“But now I ’ll turn them right, you ’ll see.”
King Dagobert, one day,
Put on his coat of green so gay.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “Look, mon roi,
In your best coat
A hole I note.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he;
“But yours is whole, so lend it me.”
In holes,—by maggots gnawed, I ween.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Just look below,
Your calves you show.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he,
“So please your stockings lend to me.”
In winter was not wont to shave.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
You ’ll get, I hope,
A little soap.”
Then said the king: “I will,” said he;
“Have you a penny? Lend it me.”
He wore his wig hind-part before.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Your wig ’s not right,
You look a fright.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he;
“You ’ve got a scratch, so lend it me.”
His cloak too short in winter wore.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Your cloak is scant,
New cloth you want.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he,
“So put on inches two or three.”
So ill that nothing could be worse.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Songs, if you please,
You ’ll leave to geese.”
Then said the king: “I will,” said he,
“So you shall make my songs for me.”
Near Antwerp went to hunt one day.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
You ’re out of breath
And tired to death.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he,
“A rabbit scampered after me.”
A mighty sword of iron wore.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Ain’t you afraid
Of that sharp blade?”
Then said the king: “I am,” said he,
“A wooden sword pray give to me.”
His dogs were with the mange so bad.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
To clean each hound
It must be drowned.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he,
“So drowned with you they all shall be.”
When fighting, flung his blows about.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
I fear they will
Your highness kill.”
Then said the king: “They may,” said he,
“So clap yourself in front of me.”
He thought the world he could subdue,
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
A trip so far
Is full of care.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he,
“’T is better far at home to be.”
Made war although ’t was winter cold.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Your highness’ nose
Will soon be froze.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he,
“So back again at home I ’ll be.”
The king upon the sea would sail.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
If outward bound,
You may be drowned.”
Then said the king: “That ’s true,” said he;
“Le roi boit, then, the cry will be.”
Was very fond of his dessert.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
More than enough
You cut and stuff.”
“Pooh, monsieur,” said the king, said he;
“In stuffing you ’re a match for me.”
When he had tippled, walked not straight.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
Your footsteps slide
From side to side.”
“Pooh, monsieur,” said the king, said he;
“When you get drunk, you walk like me.”
The devil came to his bedside.
Good Saint Eloi
Said: “O mon roi,
You can’t do less
Than now confess.”
Then said the king: “Alas!” said he,
“Why can’t you die instead of me.”