Laudator Temporis Acti

Joachim du Bellay (1522-1560), Les Regrets, sonnet 5, tr. Richard Helgerson:

Those who are in love will sing their loves. Those who love honor will sing of glory. Those who are near the king will publicize his victory. Those who are courtiers will boast of their favors.

Those who love the arts will speak of learning. Those who are virtuous will make themselves known for it. Those who love wine will talk of drinking. Those who have leisure will write tales.

Those who speak ill of others will take pleasure in slander. Those who are less irksome will tell jokes for a laugh. Those who are more valiant will boast of their valor.

Those who are overly pleased with themselves will sing their own praises. Those who wish to flatter will make an angel of a devil. I, who am unhappy, will complain of my unhappiness.

Ceulx qui sont amoureux, leurs amours chanteront,
Ceulx qui ayment l'honneur, chanteront de la gloire,
Ceulx qui sont pres du Roy, publiront sa victoire,
Ceulx qui sont courtisans, leurs faveurs vanteront,

Ceulx qui ayment les arts, les sciences diront,
Ceulx qui sont vertueux, pour tels se feront croire,
Ceulx qui ayment le vin, deviseront de boire,
Ceulx qui sont de loisir, de fables escriront,

Ceulx qui sont mesdisans, se plairont à mesdire,
Ceulx qui sont moins fascheux, diront des mots pour rire,
Ceulx qui sont plus vaillans, vanteront leur valeur,

Ceulx qui se plaisent trop, chanteront leur louange,
Ceulx qui veulent flater, feront d'un diable un ange:
Moy, qui suis malheureux, je plaindray mon malheur.