Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
France: Vols. IX–X. 1876–79. | | | | Liré | | Du Bellay to His Native Village | | Joachim du Bellay (1552–1560) |
| | Translated by Louisa Stuart Costello
HAPPY who like Ulysses has explored, | |
| Or he who sought afar the golden fleece, | |
| And safe returned, his mind with wisdom stored, | |
| Amidst his native vales retires in peace. | |
| When shall I hail again my village spires,— | 5 |
| The blue smoke rising from that village see, | |
| And the poor mansion of my simple sires, | |
| Its garden walks a realm, and more to me! | |
| Dearer to me the home that thought recalls | |
| Than Roman palaces and gorgeous halls, | 10 |
| Richer than marble or than sculptured stone | |
| The gray slate on my humble roof that shone, | |
| More bright than vaunted Tiber’s ancient tide | |
| My gentle Loire’s soft waves, that murmuring glide, | |
| Sweeter than ocean’s breezes fresh and fair | 15 |
| My lovely Anjon’s bright and balmy air, | |
| And greater to this longing heart of mine | |
| My little Liré than Mont Palatine! | | | | |
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