Ballads and Lyrics of Old France, with Other Poems

Step into the lyrical heart of France as this anthology gathers centuries‑spanning poems and ballads, lovingly rendered into English. From the courtly roundels of Charles d’Orleans, through the raw, street‑wise verses of François Villon, to the Renaissance polish of Joachim Du Bellay and Pierre Ronsard, each voice sings the longing, love, and turmoil that shaped their age. The translator’s notes illuminate the historical backdrop, helping listeners appreciate the subtle shifts in form and feeling across the ages.

Beyond the medieval masters, the collection journeys into the 19th‑century romantic surge, featuring the passionate intensity of Victor Hugo, the wistful elegance of Alfred de Musset, and the dream‑laden mysticism of Gérard de Nerval. Interspersed are folk ballads and even Greek verses, whose melodies are preserved through careful French intermediaries, offering a taste of the popular and the exotic. Whether you are drawn to the melancholy of tavern nights or the bright bloom of spring sonnets, the anthology presents a vivid, accessible portal into France’s poetic heritage.