23 aug.
„The Battle of Blenheim” de Robert Southey
| It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar’s work was done, And he before his cottage door Was sitting in the sun, And by him sported on the green His little grandchild Wilhelmine. |
Amurg de vară – sfârşise O zi istovitoare. Bătrânul Kaspar sta pe prispă Şi se-odihnea la soare; Iar nepoţica alerga Încoace,-ncolo, prin vâlcea. |
| She saw her brother Peterkin Roll something large and round, Which he beside the rivulet In playing there had found; He came to ask what he had found, That was so large, and smooth, and round. |
Ea îl văzu pe Peterkin, Ce se juca la gârlă, Că scoate din pământ un hârb Şi-apoi de-a dura-l zvârlă. Un hârb, o minge – ce să fie? Băiatul ar fi vrut să ştie; |
| Old Kaspar took it from the boy, Who stood expectant by; And then the old man shook his head, And, with a natural sigh, „‘Tis some poor fellow’s skull,” said he, „Who fell in the great victory. |
Iar când bunicului minunea I-o-ntinse Peterkin, Bătrânul clătină din cap Şi spuse cu-un suspin: „O tigvă e de om – fiinţă Căzută-n marea biruinţă… |
| „I find them in the garden, For there’s many here about; And often when I go to plough, The ploughshare turns them out! For many thousand men,” said he, „Were slain in that great victory.” |
Sunt risipite la tot pasul, Pe câmp şi în grădină; Şi deseori, când ar, le scot Cu plugul la lumină. Căci sânge-a curs cu prisosinţă Atunci, la marea biruinţă.” |
| „Now tell us what ‘twas all about,” Young Peterkin, he cries; And little Wilhelmine looks up With wonder-waiting eyes; „Now tell us all about the war, And what they fought each other for.” |
„Hai, spune tot”, se roagă-acum Al fetei frăţior, Iar Wilhelmina-n sus se uită Cu chip întrebător. „Hai, spune tot! De ce-au luptat, Cum s-au bătut şi s-au tăiat!” |
| „It was the English,” Kaspar cried, „Who put the French to rout; But what they fought each other for, I could not well make out; But everybody said,” quoth he, „That ‘twas a famous victory. |
„Să ştiţi, ai noştri pe francezi I-au izgonit degrabă; Dar, drept să spun, de ce-au luptat Şi azi lumea se-ntreabă. Dar toţi aveau atunci credinţă C-a fost o mare biruinţă. |
| „My father lived at Blenheim then, Yon little stream hard by; They burnt his dwelling to the ground, And he was forced to fly; So with his wife and child he fled, Nor had he where to rest his head. |
Pe-atuncea tatăl meu trăia La Blenheim, lângă râu; Dar casa-i s-a făcut cenuşă Înaltă pân’ la brâu Şi el cu-ai săi s-au dus în lume – N-aveau nici capul unde-l pune. |
| „With fire and sword the country round Was wasted far and wide, And many a childing mother then, And new-born baby died; But things like that, you know, must be At every famous victory. |
Întreg ţinutul a fost ars, Prădat şi pustiit; Şi multe mame ce năşteau, Şi prunci s-au prăpădit, Dar jale,-amar şi suferinţă Aduce orice biruinţă. |
| „They say it was a shocking sight After the field was won; For many thousand bodies here Lay rotting in the sun; But things like that, you know, must be After a famous victory. |
Priveliştea bătrânii spun, Era îngrozitoare, Căci mii de trupuri putrezeau pe deal şi pe ogoare. Dar jale,-amar şi suferinţă Aduce orice biruinţă. |
| „Great praise the Duke of Marlbro’ won, And our good Prince Eugene.” „Why, ‘twas a very wicked thing!” Said little Wilhelmine. „Nay… nay… my little girl,” quoth he, „It was a famous victory. |
Iar Malbro’ Ducele şi Prinţul Eugen, se ştie bine, De slavă s-au umplut”. Iar fata: „Eu cred că de ruşine!” „Ba! spune el cu chibzuinţă, A fost o mare biruinţă. |
| „And everybody praised the Duke Who this great fight did win.” „But what good came of it at last?” Quoth little Peterkin. „Why that I cannot tell,” said he, „But ‘twas a famous victory.” |
Şi toţi pe Duce-l lăudau C-a fost victorios.” Dar Peterkin voia să ştie: „Ce-i drept, e drept – nu am ştiinţă, Dar fost-a mare biruinţă!” |
| Robert Southey | traducere de Victor Frunză |