Ronsard, if your good, gentle-natured heart
Deceives you for some sustenance at court,
Which you received when young from a king's hand
In harmony with the royal command,

No stain of greed nor cowardice shall I proclaim
But that you merit a brave prince's name.
Alas! Tell not of the heights to which he rose
But that he'd fain be succoured in his woes.