To the Winds, from a Winnower

A vous troppe legere, Qui d’aele passagere Par le monde volez, Et d’un sifflant murmure L’ombrageuse verdure Doulcement esbranlez, J’offre ces violettes, Ces lis et ces fleurettes, Et ces roses icy, Ces vermeillettes roses, Tout freschement écloses, Et ces œilletz aussi. De vostre double halaine Eventez ceste plaine, Eventez ce sejour: Ce pendant que j’ahanne A mon blé, que je vanne A la chaleur du jour.

To you lighter than light Who with fugitive flight At liberty flutter, Who lovingly muffle Your whispers, and ruffle The sheltering verdure: I offer these violets, Lilies and flowerets, Roses I hold, These little red roses Newly unfurled, And pink gillyflowers. Let a breath of your breeze Come play on the plain As long as I stay, Come play as I strain At my winnowing-fan In the heat of the day.