30 dec.
„The Diverting History of John Gilpin” de William Cowper
| John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London town. |
Era John Gilpin de ispravă Al Londrei cetăţean Şi cunoscut în Cheapside, başca De poteri căpitan. |
| John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear, ‘Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen. |
„Bărbate, spuse soaţa, uite, Sunt douăzeci de veri De când ne-am luat; şi nu m-ai dus, De-atuncea, nicăieri. |
| ‘To-morrow is our wedding-day, And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair. |
Cum mâine-i ziua nunţii noastre, Ce-ar fi să mergem toţi La Edmonton într-o caleaşcă – Doi cai şi patru roţi? |
| ‘My sister, and my sister’s child, Myself, and children three, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we.’ |
Eu, sora mea şi fiul dânsei, Copiii-trei; încap Atâţia-ntr-o trăsură – tu, Pe cal, teleap-teleap.” |
| He soon replied, ‘I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done. |
John Gilpin spuse: „Ntre femei Doar una-i mai presus Şi-aceea, pot să jur, eşti tu. Va fi precum ai spus. |
| ‘I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go.’ |
Că sunt un postăvar cinstit O ştie tot cvartalul; De-l rog pe croitor, îndată Îmi împrumută calul.” |
| Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, ‘That’s well said; And for that wine is dear, We will be furnished with our own, Which is both bright and clear.’ |
„Prea bine, zise doamna Gilpin. Cum vinul s-a scumpit, Mă socotesc să luăm de-al nostru, Că-i roş şi limpezit.” |
| John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; O’erjoyed was he to find, That though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. |
Îşi sărută John scumpa soaţă, Prea mulţumit, bag seamă, Că doamna lui, petrecăreaţă, E-atât de econoamă. |
| The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. |
În zori, caleaşca fu adusă Dar nu chiar la intrare, Să nu se spună cum că doamna Trage spre lumea mare. |
| So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Where they did all get in; Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. |
Deci, şase suflete iubite La trei uşi mai departe Urcând, se lepădară-n voia Atotputinţei soartei. |
| Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad, The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. |
Plesni biciuşca, patru roţi Porniră să se-ntoarcă, Scrâşni pietrişul – Cheapside tot Înnebunise parcă. |
| John Gilpin at his horse’s side Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride, But soon came down again; |
De coama calului John Gilpin Se apucă vânjos, Se aruncă în şea şi-ndată Se pomeni pe jos. |
| For saddle-tree scarce reached had be, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in. |
Urcă apoi pe scara şelei, Dar când să strige „dii!” Întoarse capul şi văzu Că-i vin trei muşterii. |
| So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more. |
Descălecă; întrâzierea Îl necăji câtva, Dar pierderea de bani, vezi bine, În cumpănă trăgea. |
| ’Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down stairs, ‘The wine is left behind!’ |
Pân’ să-şi aleagă cei trei marfa Nu a trecut puţin, Când Betty coborî, strigând: – „Vaaai! Au uitat de vin!” |
| ‘Good lack,’ quoth he—‘yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword, When I do exercise.’ |
– „Hait, zise el, adă-l încoace, Şi adă-mi şi-o curea – Pe cea în care-mi pun eu spada Când zic că lupt cu ea”. |
| Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she loved, And keep it safe and sound. |
(Mult grijulia doamnă Gilpin În două mari ulcioare Pusese, pentru zile negre, Plăcuta ei licoare). |
| Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each side, To make his balance true. |
Cureaua John şi-o petrecu Prin cele două toarte Şi-ncins, de cumpăt păstrător, Le puse-n câte-o parte. |
| Then over all, that he might be Equipped from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brushed and neat; He manfully did throw. |
Apoi, spre-a fi el dichisit Din creştet până jos, ’ Şi luă manta roşie, periată Cu grijă şi prisos. |
| Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o’er the stones, With caution and good heed. |
Deci, iată-l cocoţat din nou Pe falnicul său cal, Plimbat la pas printre pietroaie La vale şi la deal. |
| But finding soon a smoother road Beneath his well-shod feet, The snorting beast began to trot, Which galled him in his seat. |
Nou potcovitul dobitoc Scăpând de drumul slut, Porni la trap şi John simţi Că-l arde la şezut. |
| So, ‘Fair and softly,’ John he cried, But John he called in vain; That trot became a gallop soon, In spite of curb and rein. |
Strigă John: „Murgule, domol!” Dar John striga-n zadar; Şi trapul se făcu galop Căci frâul n-avea har. |
| So stooping down as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasped the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might. |
Plecându-se cum şade bine Când să stai drept ţi-e teamă, Cu mâinile-amândouă John Se apucă de coamă. |
| His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got Did wonder more and more. |
Şi cum nu mai umblase nimeni Într-acest fel cu dânsul, Vru calul sarcina să-şi afle Tot mai cu dinadinsul. |
| Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig; He little dreamt, when he set out, Of running such a rig. |
Zbura! zbură şi pălăria, Zbură şi cea perucă. John nu ştiuse-aceasta când Prinsese dor de ducă. |
| The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay, Till, loop and button failing both, At last it flew away. |
În vânt, mantaua flutura Ca steagul, neîntrerupt, Până ce bumbii, câţi erau, Din chiotori s-au rupt; |
| Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; A bottle swinging at each side. As hath been said or sung. |
Şi a putut vedea tot natul Ulcioarele-atârnând Lui John de-a dreapta şi de-a stânga, Cum spus-am de curând. |
| The dogs did bark, the children screamed, Up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out, ‘Well done!’ As loud as he could bawl. |
Dulăii hămăiau, copiii Zbierau, după putinţă, Şi, din ferestre, mulţi răcneau: „Să-ţi fie de priinţă”! |
| Away went Gilpin—who but he? His fame soon spread around; ‘He carries weight! He rides a race!’ ‘’Tis for a thousand pound!’ |
Zbura, dar, Gilpin – cine altul? Şi-i merse-ndată buhul: „Este jocheu! Pe mii de lire Şi-a zălogit el duhul”! |
| And still, as fast as he drew near, ’Twas wonderful to view, How in a trice the turnpike-men Their gates wide open threw. |
Şi cum venea, nu-i de mirare Că, încă de departe, Străjerii de la barieră Au dat poarta-ntr-o parte. |
| And now, as he went bowing down His reeking head full low, The bottles twain behind his back Were shattered at a blow. |
Şi cum zbura, cu capul abur Şi pântecul chircit, Ulcioarele, – ajungând în spate S-au spart şi s-au ciobit. |
| Down ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be seen, Which made his horse’s flanks to smoke As they had basted been. |
S-a scurs vinaţul tot pe drum – O, ceas grozav şi crunt! – Şi calul fumega de parcă Plutea pe plită-n unt. |
| But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all might see the bottle-necks Still dangling at his waist. |
Dar, cu cureaua-ncins, John Gilpin Avea samar, fiindcă Mai atârnau de la ulcioare Ce gâturi erau încă. |
| Thus all through merry Islington These gambols he did play, Until he came unto the Wash Of Edmonton so gay; |
Prin Islington cu-asemenea şotii Trecu fără să-i pese Şi-n Edmonton, prin locul unde Spălau spălătorese. |
| And there he threw the Wash about On both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild goose at play. |
Acolo-n rufe dete iama Năprasnic şi de-o dată, Ca măturoiul furios Sau gâsca mâniată. |
| At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride. |
La Edmonton iubita-i soaţă, Suită pe balcon Grozav se minună văzând Cum călăreşte John. |
| ‘Stop, stop, John Gilpin!—Here’s the house!’ They all at once did cry; ‘The dinner waits, and we are tired;’— Said Gilpin—‘So am I!’ |
„Opreşte, John! Aici ţi-e casa!” Strigau toţi cu dârzie – „E gata masa – ne e foame!” Răspunse John: „Şi mie!” |
| But yet his horse was not a whit Inclined to tarry there! For why?—his owner had a house Full ten miles off at Ware. |
Dar calul nu se îmbia Să zăbovească-acolo – Stăpânul mai avea o casă Opt mile mai încolo – |
| So like an arrow swift he flew, Shot by an archer strong; So did he fly—which brings me to The middle of my song. |
Spre Ware zbura, deci, ca săgeata Ce-o trage-un braţ cumplit – Şi cu acestea, jumătate De cântec am sfârşit. |
| Away went Gilpin, out of breath, And sore against his will, Till at his friend the calender’s His horse at last stood still. |
Zbură şi John, cu scârbă multă Şi-osirdie puţină, Până ce calul poposi La casa cu pricina. |
| The calender, amazed to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him: |
Uimit de-acestea, croitorul Uită de-aprinsa-i pipă Fugi spre poartă într-un suflet Şi-l întrebă cu pripă: |
| ‘What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shall— Say why bareheaded you are come, Or why you come at all?’ |
„Ce s-a-ntâmplat? Doresc să aflu Întregul adevăr! În capul gol? De ce-ai venit? Zi-mi tot, de-a fir a păr!” |
| Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And loved a timely joke; And thus unto the calender In merry guise he spoke: |
Era John Gilpin om duh Şi-i cam ardea de glume; Deci, croitorului, şăgalnic, Aşa-i vorbi anume: |
| ‘I came because your horse would come, And, if I well forebode, My hat and wig will soon be here,— They are upon the road.’ |
„De ce-am venit? Întreabă-ţi calul! Eu – pot atât prezice: Că pălăria şi peruca Vor fi curând aice!” |
| The calender, right glad to find His friend in merry pin, Returned him not a single word, But to the house went in; |
Iar croitorul, bucuros Că John e-n toane bune, Se duse-n casă-n graba mare O vorbă făr-a spune; |
| Whence straight he came with hat and wig; A wig that flowed behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, Each comely in its kind. |
De-aici i-aduse o perucă Nu tocmai de temei Şi-o pălărie – fiecare Urâtă-n felul ei. |
| He held them up, and in his turn Thus showed his ready wit, ‘My head is twice as big as yours, They therefore needs must fit. |
I le-arătă şi şugui La rându-i: „Am un cap Ca-al tău de două ori mai mare – Eu zic că te încap. |
| ‘But let me scrape the dirt away That hangs upon your face; And stop and eat, for well you may Be in a hungry case.’ |
Dar mai întâi dă-mi voie faţa Să-ţi şterg de murdărie Şi… să mănânci ceva, căci foame S-ar cam putea să-ţi fie.” |
| Said John, ‘It is my wedding day, And all the world would stare, If wife should dine at Edmonton, And I should dine at Ware.’ |
Dar John: „E ziua mea de nuntă. Ce-ar zice toţi de asta: Eu să prânzesc aici, în Ware, Şi-n Edmonton nevasta?” |
| So turning to his horse, he said, ‘I am in haste to dine; ’Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine.’ |
Se-ntoarse-apoi spre cal şi-i spuse: „De foame, zău, sunt stors! Plăcerea ţi-ai făcut venind, Fă-mi-o pe-a mea la-ntors!” |
| Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! For which he paid full dear; For, while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear; |
O, vorbe grele, pentru care Avea John să plătească! Pe când vorbea, trase-un măgar Cântare măgărească; |
| Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar, And galloped off with all his might, As he had done before. |
Şi calul sforăi, de parcă Un leu ar fi răcnit Şi iar o luă-n galop, precum Era obişnuit. |
| Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin’s hat and wig; He lost them sooner than at first; For why?—they were too big. |
Zbura; zbură şi pălăria, Zbură şi cea perucă; Fiind mai mari, se pricepură Mai iute să se ducă. |
| Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pulled out half a crown; |
Când doamna Gilpin îl văzu Gonind pe-a zării geană Umblă la teşcherea şi scoase Dintr-însa o coroană |
| And thus unto the youth she said That drove them to the Bell, ‘This shall be yours, when you bring back My husband safe and well.’ |
Şi vizitiului de grabă Îi răspică aşa: „Dacă-mi aduci bărbatul viu Şi teafăr – e a ta.” |
| The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back again: Whom in a trice he tried to stop, By catching at his rein; |
Săltând de sârg acesta-n şea, Pe John îl întâlni Şi apucând de frâu, cercă Din cale a-l opri; |
| But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, The frighted steed he frighted more, And made him faster run. |
Dar ne-mplinind el ce-ar fi vrut, Alesul dintre cai Se spăimântă şi socoti Să fugă mai dihai. |
| Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy’s horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels. |
Zbura şi John şi vizitul, Iar calul de la spate Se bucura că nu aude Huruituri de roate. |
| Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, They raised the hue and cry: |
În drum, cinci gentlemeni văzând Cum fuge John călare Şi-l urmăreşte celălalt, Strigară-n gura mare: |
| ‘Stop thief! stop thief!—a highwayman!’ Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit. |
„Opriţi tâlharul! Puneţi mâna!” Mut nu era nici unul; Şi muţi n-au fost nici alţii care Pe-acolo-şi aveau drumul. |
| And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking, as before, That Gilpin rode a race. |
A barierei poartă grea S-a dat iar la o parte, Crezând străjerii iar de John La curse că ia parte. |
| And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town; Nor stopped till where he had got up He did again get down. |
Şi-a câştigat, căci el dintâiul A Londrei mândre case Le-a-ntâmpinat şi-a coborât Chiar unde-ncălescase. |
| Now let us sing, Long live the King! And Gilpin, long live he! And when he next doth ride abroad May I be there to see! |
Trăiască regele – şi Gilpin, Le deie domnul viaţă! Iar John, de-o să mai urce-n şea, Să fim şi noi de faţă! |
| William Cowper | traducere de Leon Leviţchi |