| ANTIQUITEZ DE ROME - XII |
THE RUINS THAT WERE ROME - XII |
| Joachim Du Bellay | tr. Michael Haldane |
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| Telz que lon vid jadis les enfans de la Terre |
As formerly the children of the earth were seen |
| Plantez dessus les monts pour escheller les cieux, |
To pile mount over mount to scale the starry night, |
| Combattre main à main la puissance des Dieux, |
Engaging hand-to-hand the gods’ immortal might, |
| Et Juppiter contre eux qui ses fouldres desserre: |
And Jove among them, darting bolts with flashing mien; |
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| Puis tout soudainement renversez du tonnerre |
Then on a sudden, overset by crashing flame, |
| Tumber deça dela ces squadrons furieux, |
These raging squadrons tumble headlong to the ground, |
| La Terre gemissante, et le Ciel glorieux |
The earth in deploration, and the skies redound |
| D'avoir à son honneur achevé ceste guerre: |
With glory at their triumph and accomplished fame: |
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| Tel encor' on a veu par dessus les humains |
So was there to be seen among the human race |
| Le front audacieux des sept costaux Romains |
The seven Roman hills fronting a haughty face |
| Lever contre le ciel son orgueilleuse face: |
That raised against the Heavens its audacious brow; |
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| Et telz ores on void ces champs deshonnorez |
And so can one now see these fields of honour shorn |
| Regretter leur ruine, et les Dieux asseurez |
Lament their ruin, and the high immortal-born |
| Ne craindre plus là hault si effroyable audace. |
Such terrible audacity do not fear now. |