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Original Work

Le Serpent et L’Homme: Fable

Autre fois un serpent, se traînant sur le ventre,

Sur un roc élevé parvint à se loger,

Tandis que, cheminant sur ses pieds, dans un antre

Un homme fut contraint d'emménager.

Le reptile, enflé de gloire

De se trouver voisin des cieux,

A son compétiteur osait chanter victoire,

Le raillant d'habiter en si sombre lieux.

L'homme lui répondit d'une voix douce et fière,

Mais sans chagrin ni colère : "Je serais parvenu sur ce mont escarpé,

Si, comme toi, j'avais rampé”.

Poem by Jules-Solime Milscent

Anthologized in Morpeau, 35

Translated Work

The Serpent and the Man: A Fable

There once was a snake, slithering on its belly,

To the high rock it managed to reach,

Meanwhile, traveling by foot through a cave

A man was obliged to settle down.

The reptile, puffed up with glory

For being closest to heaven,

Dared declare victory to his competitor,

Mocking him for living in such a dark place.

The man responded with a voice gentle and confident,

Devoid of anger or resentment:

“I, too, would have reached this steep mountain,

If, like you, I had groveled.”

Translation by Clara Signorin, 2023