| ODE À CASSANDRE | ODE TO CASSANDRA |
| Pierre de Ronsard | tr. Elsie Callander |
|
Mignonne, allons voir si la rose Qui ce matin avait déclose Sa robe de pourpre au soleil, A point perdu cette vesprée Les plis de sa robe pourprée, Et son teint au votre pareil. Las! Voyez comme en peu d’espace, Mignonne, elle a dessus la place, Las, las ses beautéz laissé cheoir! O vrayment marastre Nature, Puisqu’une telle fleur ne dure Que du matin jusques au soir! Donc, si vous me croyez, mignonne, Tandis que vostre âge fleuronne En sa plus verte nouveauté, Cueillez, cueillez vostre jeunesse: Comme à ceste fleur, la vieillesse Fera ternir vostre beauté. |
Sweetheart let us together go and see If this morning's rose which opened up Her crimson robe to Father Sun, Has not this even shed the folds Of her crimson dress and her damask cheek With its colour so like your own. Alas! Look - in how short a space Sweetheart she has upon this place Alas! Alas! let drop her beauty! Oh Mother Nature harsh and strong Since such a flower lasts scarce so long As from the dawn to eventide. So hear my words my own sweetheart While your young days are in full bloom, Gather the rosebuds of youth today - Its fresh green newness will not stay - As with this flower will come old age To tarnish all your beauty. |
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Trans. Copyright © Elsie Callander 2007