Les Regrets/18

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

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

XIX. 'It’s the Carnival, let each do as he may'

Les Regrets - XVIII. ‘Que dirons-nous, Melin, de cette cour romaine’.

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XVIII

"What shall we say, Melin, of this court"
 
What shall we say, Melin, of this court,
Where each takes a different road to gain,
And highest honours here the least attain,
With vice, virtue, work, no pain, reach port?
 
One finds advancement cannot be bought,
Another’s that same means must explain,
One by severity does himself maintain,
Another wins hearts by sweetness unsought:

One’s seen to be advanced to no advantage,
Another gains from seeming disadvantage,
One man’s darkness is another man’s light:
 
Who knows if wisdom leads us to success,
Who knows if ignorance wins happiness:
Which of the two, Melin, is the more right?

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