Clément Marot

1496–1544

Clément Marot (1496–1544) was a French poet of the Renaissance, born in Cahors, who served at the court of Marguerite of Navarre and King Francis I. His sympathy for the Reformation led to imprisonment and exile, and he died in Turin.

Marot wrote elegant epistles, epigrams and rondeaux, introduced the sonnet into French and translated fifty Psalms into French verse; they were sung in Protestant churches for centuries. His witty “Épître au Roi, pour avoir été dérobé” is one of his best-known poems.

Best-known poems

All poems (65)

A 14

B 2

C 3

D 25

E 2

J 6

L 1

M 1

P 3

Q 2

R 1

S 3

T 1

In English 1