L’Olive augmentée/1

L’Olive ~ I written by Joachim Du Bellay translated by A. S. Kline

II. 'With love, with grace and with noble value'

L’Olive - I. ‘Je ne quiers pas la fameuse couronne,’.

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I

"For the famous crown I feel no longing"
 
For that famous crown I feel no longing,
That sacred wreath, gold-haired Apollo wore;
Nor that of the god in India, they adore:
A simple hat round my head goes circling.
 
Still less do I wish for the palm they bring,
That soft branch adorning Cyprian shore:
One alone, that Athens honours more,
I wish for, which Heaven has in its granting.
 
O happy bough, that the wise Goddess
Chose to keep, to grace her sacred altar,
And honour her, the bough that she held dear!
 
Then, let mind grant me the skilfulness
To sing of you, for now I hope to render
You the equal of immortal laurel, here!