The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-04-24
world in winner for wolves ano wenca.


what may you be?"
Villon rose and made suitable rev.
erence II am called francis Villon,"
he said, "a poor master of arts of this
university. l know some Latin and
deal Of vice. l can make chansons.
ballads. lais. virelais and roundels. and
l am very fond Of wine. l was born
in garnet. and shall not improbably
die upon the gallows | may add. my
lord, that from this night forward l
am your lordship's very obsequious
servant to command"
mo servant of mine." said the
knight. my guest for this evening.
and no more"
"a very grateful guest" said Villon
politely, and he drank in dumb show
to his entertainer
"You are shrewd." began the old
man. tapping his forehead. Every
shrewd. You have learning. You are
clerk. and yet you take a small piece
of money Off dead woman in the
street Is 1t not kind of theft?"
ut is kind Of theft much practiced
in the wars. my lord"
1.-THE wars are the field of honor" re-
turned the old man proudly. "There
man plays his life upon the cast. He
fights in the name Of his lord the king,
his Lord God, and all their lordships
the holy saints and angels"
Put it," said villon. that were
really thief. should not play my
life also and against heavier odds?"
For gain, but not for honor"
"Gain?" repeated Villon. with a
shrug. Gain! The poor fellow wants
supper and takes it. So does the SOL
der in campaign. Why, what are
all these acquisitions we hear so much
about?"
"These things are a necessity of war
which the lowborn must endure with
constancy. Look at us two" said his
lordship. Il am old. strong and hon
ored. If were turned from my house
tomorrow hundreds would be proud to
shelter me. Poor people would 60 out
and pass the night in the streets with
their children If I merely limited that
l wished to be alone. And l find you
up. wandering homeless and picking
farthings OF dead women by the way
side! fear no man and nothing l
have seen you tremble and lose coun-
tenance at word. wait Gods sum-
mons contentedly in my own house. or.
If it please the king to call me out
again, upon the field Of battle. You
look for the gallows-a rough, swift
death, without hope or honor. Is there
no difference between these two?'
"As far as to the moon." Villon &C.
guessed. But If had been born
Lord of Brisetout and you had been
the poor scholar Francis, should not l
have been the soldier and you the
theft"
"A thief?" cried the old man. II
thief! II you understood your words
you would repent them"
Villon turned out his hands with
gesture of inimitable impudence. "If
your lordship had done me the honor
to follow my argument" he said.
II do you too much honor in submit
ting to your presence" said the knight.
Learn to curb your tongue when you
speak with old and honorable men. or
some one hastier than may reprove
you in n sharper fashion" And he
rose and paced the lower end of the
apartment, struggling with anger and
antipathy. Villon surreptitiously refill
ed his cup and settled himself more
comfortably in the chair, crossing his
knees and leaning his hend upon one
hand and the elbow against the back
Of the chair. He was now replete and
warm. and he was In nOwise frighten-
ed for his host. having gagged him as
justly as was possible between two
such different characters. The night
was far spent, and In very comfort
able fashion after all, and he felt NOR
ally certain Of a safe departure on the
morrow.
"Tell me one thing" said the old
man. pausing In his walk. Are you
really thief?''
Il claim the sacred rights Of hospi-
tally" returned the poet. my lord,
am"
"You are very young" the knight
continued.
II should never have been so DID,"
replied Villon. showing his fingers. III
I had not helped myself with these ten
talents. They have been my nursing
mothers and my nursing fathers"
"You may still repent and change"
II repent daily" said the poet.
'There are few people more given to
repentance than poor Francis. As for
change let somebody change my cir
cumstances. A man must continue to
eat. ii 1t were only that he may con-
tinue to repent"
1.-THE change must begin in the
heart" returned the old man solemnly.
my dear lord" answered villon, do
you really fancy that steal for pleas
ure? l hate stealing like any other
piece Of work or Of danger. My teeth
chatter when I see a gallows. But
must eat. must drink. 1 must mix
in society Of some sort. What the
devil: Man is not solitary animal
cut Deus faeminam tradit. Make me
kings panther, make me abbot Of st.
Denis, make me bailie of the Patatrac.
and then shall be changed indeed.
But as long as you leave me the poor
scholar Francis Villon, without a far
thing. why, OF course, remain the
same"
''The grace of God is all powerful"
| ~ ShOul1 ho n horoffc En- u,,ootiop