| LOYRE FAMEUX, QUI TA PETITE ..........................................SOURCE ... |
FAMED LOIRE, WHO SWELL YOUR ................................LITTLE SOURCE ... |
| Joachim du Bellay | tr. A.S.Kline |
Loyre fameux, qui ta petite source Enfles de maintz gros fleuves et ruysseaux, Et qui de loing coules tes cleres eaux En l'Ocean d'une assez vive course: Ton chef royal hardiment bien hault pousse Et apparoy entre tous les plus beaux Comme un thaureau sur les menuz troupeaux Quoy que le Pau envieux s'en courrousse. Commande doncq' aux gentiles Naiades Sortir dehors leurs beaux palais humides Avecques toy, leur fleuve paternel, Pour saluer de joyeuses aubades. Celle qui t'a, et tes filles liquides, Deifié de ce bruyt eternel. | Famed Loire, who swell your little source With a host of streams and mighty rivers, And who, from afar, send your clear waters Down to the Ocean, in your lively course, Your royal head lifts itself with force Among the finest of all the others, Like a bull among his lesser brothers, Though envious Po in his anger roars. Command then the gentlest of Naiads To leave their deep and humid quarters, With you, whom their paternal flood I name, To celebrate with joyous aubades, She, who you, and your flowing daughters, Has deified with her eternal fame. |
See translator's site at: Poetry in Translation
Trans. Copyright © A.S.Kline 2009