Les Regrets/16

XV. 'How is it, Mauny, that the more one tries '

Les Regrets ~ XVI written by Joachim Du Bellay translated by A. S. Kline

XVII. 'The hair frizzed, a thousand curls in place'

Les Regrets - XVI. ‘Qui choisira pour moi la racine d’Ulysse?’.

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XVI

"Who’ll search out Odysseus’ root for me?"
 
Who’ll search out Odysseus’ root for me?
Who’ll guard me from the present danger,
Of Circe altering me to her creature,
A slave to vice for all eternity?

With Mélisande’s ring, who’ll encircle me,
And disenchant me like a second Roger?
What Mercury shall my poor self deliver,
So my life’s not lost to love’s slavery?
 
Who’ll let me pass by in perfect silence,
Deaf to the feigned sweetness of the Sirens?
Who’ll chase away those voracious Harpies?
 
Who’ll steal for me some power from the skies,
To recall my senses, and restore my eyes?
Who’ll guarantee I’ll eat my bread in peace?

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