O Fortuna, imperatrix mundi
- amolosh
- 6 hours ago
- 1 min read
The thirteenth-century Goliardic poem "O Fortuna" in the Carmina Burana manuscript. Bavarian State Library.
Oh, what a pity she had only one titty
To give her poor baby to suck;
The poor little bugger will never play rugger
Or give a young lady a fuck!
—British military traditional
It's said that poets should convey the truth,
But that I think's a bridge of sighs.
My own aim (Hope you don’t think it uncouth!)
Is crafting the most convenient lies,
For truth is never simple, and a lie is plain,
Bald-faced, relieving, can be used again,
As many times as needed to explain
Why you are screwed and I am not; defies
The premises of fortune and men's eyes.
My stocks rise, yours slide down the drain,
The beautiful in love feel scant strain!
Fortune, the Goliards knew, rules the world.
Hang on to that. And keep your bust umbrella furled.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025