Technique
Ubi Sunt
From the Latin interrogative ubi sunt: 'where are they?' A pervasive theme in Old English ('The Wanderer'), medieval Latin, and Renaissance poetry; the elegy's fundamental question.
Definition
A Latin theme ('where are…?') lamenting the passing of people, pleasures, or eras that once were but are no more.
Example
François Villon: 'Where are the snows of yesteryear?' (Ballade des dames du temps jadis)