| LE RAT QUI S'EST RETIRÉ DU MONDE - VII.3 | THE RAT WHO WAS AWEARY OF THE WORLD |
| Jean de la Fontaine | trans. Gordon Pirie |
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Les Levantins en leur légende Disent qu'un certain rat, las des soins d'ici-bas, Dans un fromage de Hollande Se retira loin du tracas. La solitude était profonde, S’étendant partout à la ronde. Notre ermite nouveau subsistait là dedans. Il fit tant, de pieds et de dents, Qu’en peu de jours il eut au fond de l'ermitage Le vivre et le couvert; que faut-il davantage? Il devint gros et gras; Dieu prodigue ses biens À ceux qui font voeu d'être siens. Un jour au dévot personnage Des députés du peuple rat S’en vinrent demander quelque aumône légère: Ils allaient en terre étrangère Chercher quelque secours contre le peuple chat; Ratopolis était bloquée: On les avait contraints de partir sans argent, Attendu l'état indigent De la république attaquée. Ils demandaient fort peu, certains que le secours Serait prêt dans quatre ou cinq jours. "Mes amis," dit le solitaire, "Les choses d'ici-bas ne me regardent plus: En quoi peut un pauvre reclus Vous assister? que peut-il faire, Que de prier le Ciel qu'il vous aide en ceci? J'espère qu'il aura de vous quelque souci." Ayant parlé de cette sorte, Le nouveau saint ferma sa porte. Qui désignai-je, à votre avis, Par ce rat si peu secourable? Un moine? Non, mais un dervis: Je suppose qu'un moine est toujours charitable. |
A rat whom worldly cares oppressed, And worldly pleasures failed to please, Withdrew, for peace of mind and rest, Into the middle of a cheese. It was a big one,and he found, Once he was properly inside, A perfect solitude all round - Nothing but cheese on every side. A few days’ work with teeth and claws Soon cleared a little living space; And all the necessary stores Were in the fabric of the place. The hermit prospered, and grew fat; And who could doubt that he deserved it? God is gracious to a rat Devoted wholly to his service. One day, a rodent delegation Knocked at his door with eager paws, And asked him for a small donation To help them in a worthy cause: Their city was besieged by cats, And they were off to seek for aid Abroad, hoping that foreign rats Would help them raise the dread blockade. . It was a desperate affair, And funds being short, they’d come away Without a penny. Could he spare Something to help them on their way? "My friends," he answered, "What a pity You’ve wasted time to make this call. Things like the fortunes of your city, These days, concern me not at all. There’s nothing I can do, being poor, But pray that Heaven be on your side." At that the hermit closed his door And shut them out, their suit denied. * * * Who was the author aiming at, Describing this unhelpful beast? A monk? What gave you that Idea? This story’s from the East, And I’ve no doubt he had in mind Some Oriental Pharisee. A Christian monk, I trust you’ll find, Is always full of charity. |
Trans. Copyright © Estate of Gordon Pirie 2002