Classic Poem

(Ballade des seigneurs du temps jadis)

And more—that Pope the third Calixte
Last of his name, where is he gone,
Who four years held the Papalist?
Where's Alphonse, King of Aragon.
The gracious lord Duke of Bourbon,
And Artus, Duke of broad Bretagne,
And Charles the seventh named “Le Bon”?
But where is now brave Charlemagne!

Also that Scottish king of mist
And rain, with half his face, saith one,
Vermillion like an amethyst,
Painted from chin right up to crown.
The Cyprian king of old renown,
Alas! and that good king of Spain,
Whose name hath from my memory flown?
But where is now brave Charlemagne!

I say no more, let me desist
In useless quest of things undone,
For none may pallid Death resist
Or find in law evasion.
One question more and I have done:
Where's Launcelot, ruler of Behaigne,
With Sigismund, beneath what sun?
But where is now brave Charlemagne!

ENVOI

Where's Claquin now, the good Breton?
Where's the Count Dauphin D'Auvergne.
The last good Duke D'Alençon?
But where is now brave Charlemagne!