| SONNET 20 | SONNET 20 |
| Louise Labé | tr. Peter Low |
|
Prédit me fut que devait fermement Un jour aimer celui dont la figure Me fut décrite; et sans autre peinture Le reconnus quand vis premièrement. Puis le voyant aimer fatalement Pitié je pris de sa triste aventure, Et tellement je forçais ma nature, Qu'autant que lui aimai ardentement. Qui n'eût pensé qu'en faveur devait croître Ce que le ciel et destins firent naître? Mais quand je vois si nubileux apprêts, Vents si cruels et tant horrible orage, Je crois qu'étaient les infernaux arrêts Que de si loin m'ourdissaient ce naufrage. |
A fortune-teller made me the prediction that one day I would love the man whose stance and features she described: from her depiction. I later recognized him at first glance. Then love struck him with fire and turbulence and, pitying his sad infatuation, I went so far against my natural sense that soon I felt an equal burning passion. One might have thought the high celestial fates would bless it since they’d caused it to be born. But seeing sombre clouds move closer and faster with cruel winds and terrifying storm, I fear it was the infernal potentates who in their caverns wove me this disaster. |
Trans. Copyright © Peter Low 2005