Les Regrets/26

XXV. 'If virtue, that’s born from immortal nature'

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

Les Regrets - XXVI. ‘Celui qui de plus près atteint la déité’.

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XXVI

"He who comes closest to divinity"
 
He who comes closest to divinity,
Soars, Bouju, to the skies, on noblest wing,
Is he who, immortal virtue following,
Least feels the weight of our humanity.

He whom the gods deny such felicity,
But admires it ever, as a beauteous thing,
Honours those who have it, virtue-loving,
He deserves the second rank, surely.
 
Since for the first my flight’s too weak and base,
Among the second I hope to find a place:
And how better might I that status claim,
 
Than by praising that flower, whose great flight
Shining amongst the first, their noblest light,
Leaves none behind who might attempt the same?

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