L’Olive augmentée/10

IX. 'Not Dryads running lightly through the trees'

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

XI. 'If he spoke true, then parch for me the shade '

L’Olive - X ‘S'il a dict vray, seiche pour moy l'ombrage’.

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X
’If he spoke true, then parch for me the shade'

If he spoke true, then parch for me the shade
Of the holy tree, ornament of my verse,
My name be unknown to the universe,
And Heaven’s angry rains on me cascade.
 
If he spoke true, of stormy sighs I’m made,
Their cruelty the harsh cliffs shall rehearse,
In the abyss of despair let me immerse,
And to shipwreck’s peril be conveyed.
 
If he lied, may the white hand of ivory
Crown my brow with the leaves I honour:
May the stars be the limits of my glory:
 
May skies benign, to me, reveal their trace:
May your two eyes, the flames that I adore,
Guide my ship to the harbour of your grace.