[Translation of Ode 'Away; let nought to love displeasing']
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[Translation of Ode 'Away; let nought to love displeasing']
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Title/Paratext] "[Prose translation by J. R. [...]" H.W. Starr/J.R. Hendrickson, 1966.
"[Prose translation by J. R. Hendrickson:]
"Translation of Ode"
Ah, let whatever has power to stand in the way of tender love be banished from your mind, beloved Delia. Let no ill-omened fear, no misguided pride, postpone the joys of the sacred marriage-bed, beloved Delia.
What does it matter if no ancestral offices of state have adorned our houses with statues and wealth? At least we shall shine with our own honourable light and shall have a name
made noble by worthy deeds.
As long as we pursue virtue with all our might, our glory will fly with a sweet sound through the mouths of men; Arrogance, meanwhile, amazed at our fame, will groan because such as we have achieved so much eminence.
What does it matter if the goddess who controls coins of wealth-bestowing gold has sent no bountiful shower to drench our Lares? At
least we shall have generous abundance in accordance with our humble wealth and a life which, though it may not be sumptuous by the standards of luxury, will none the less be filled with joy. Thus each year, as it rolls through its
seasons, will give all we need to fulfil our vows and grant our prayers. For we will lead our life, Delia, with nature as our guide: such a life alone can be called a real life.
We shall abound in love just as much when we are old as when we are young, and together we shall complete the journey of life with lively zest; as we journey on through life, fostering peace will bless our Penates, sons (beloved tokens) our joyful bed.
While the loving throng plays at the father's knee, with how much sweet delight would I behold the charming brood as they picture the mother's features in their own laughing faces and as they echo the sounds of the mother's voice with lisping mouths.
And when at last, as we begin to grow old, age has cast its evil eye upon us and thinks it has stolen our blessings, you will be loved once again in the person of your daughters, and I, my Delia, will love once more in the person of my sons."
Works cited
- The Complete Poems of Thomas Gray: English, Latin and Greek. Edited by Herbert W. Starr and J. R. Hendrickson. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1966.
Contractions, italics and initial capitalization have been largely eliminated, except where of real import. Initial letters of sentences have been capitalized, all accents have been removed. The editor would like to express his gratitude to library staff at Pembroke College, Cambridge, at the British Library, and at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, for their invaluable assistance.