Detested by both men and gods, br like nobles who have bitterly decayed, br the Verlaines wither; wealth remains br to them, of rich and silvery rhyme. br With 'Les Chatiments' the Hugos are intoxicated br by their terrible Olympian revenge. br But I shall write a sorrowful br ballade to the forgotten poets. br br Though the Poes have lived in misery, br and though the Baudelaires have suffered living deaths, br they ve all been granted Immortality. br Yet no-one now remembers, br and the deepest darkness has completely buried, br every poetaster who produced limp poetry. br But I make as an offering this reverent br ballade to the forgotten poets. br br The world's disdain is heaped on them, br but they pass by, unyielding, pallid, br sacrifices to the tragic fraud that br out there somewhere Glory waits for them, br that wise and merry virgin. br But knowing that they re all due for oblivion, br I weep nostalgically this sorrowful br ballade to the forgotten poets.