The divine comedy — Page 4

English → Fr CANTO III Level 9/10

thyself torment not: so 't is will'd,

ne te tourmente pas : ainsi l'a-t-on voulu,

Where will and power are one: ask thou no more."

Là où vouloir et pouvoir ne font qu'un : n'en demande pas davantage. »

Straightway in silence fell the shaggy cheeks

Aussitôt retombèrent en silence les joues velues

Of him the boatman o'er the livid lake,

Du nocher sur le lac livide,

Around whose eyes glar'd wheeling flames. Meanwhile

Autour de ses yeux tournoyaient des flammes ardentes. Cependant

Those spirits, faint and naked, color chang'd,

Ces âmes, défaillantes et nues, changèrent de couleur,

And gnash'd their teeth, soon as the cruel words

Et grincèrent des dents, dès que les cruelles paroles

They heard. God and their parents they blasphem'd,

Ils les entendirent. Ils blasphémèrent Dieu et leurs parents,

The human kind, the place, the time, and seed

Le genre humain, le lieu, le temps, et la semence

That did engender them and give them birth.

Qui les avait engendrés et mis au monde.

Then all together sorely wailing drew

Puis tous ensemble, se lamentant amèrement, s'avancèrent

To the curs'd strand, that every man must pass

Vers le rivage maudit, que tout homme doit franchir

Who fears not God. Charon, demoniac form,

Qui ne craint pas Dieu. Charon, forme démoniaque,

With eyes of burning coal, collects them all,

Aux yeux de braise ardente, les rassemble tous,

Beck'ning, and each, that lingers, with his oar

Les faisant signe, et chacun qui s'attarde, de sa rame

Strikes. As fall off the light autumnal leaves,

Il frappe. Comme tombent les légères feuilles d'automne,

One still another following, till the bough

L'une après l'autre se succédant, jusqu'à ce que la branche

Strews all its honours on the earth beneath;

Ait répandu toutes ses parures sur la terre en dessous ;

E'en in like manner Adam's evil brood

De même la mauvaise engeance d'Adam

Cast themselves one by one down from the shore,

Se jette l'une après l'autre depuis le rivage,

Each at a beck, as falcon at his call.

Chacune au signal, comme le faucon à son appel.

Thus go they over through the umber'd wave,

Ainsi traversent-ils l'onde sombre,

And ever they on the opposing bank

Et toujours sur la rive opposée

Be landed, on this side another throng

Ils débarquent, tandis que de ce côté une autre foule

Still gathers. "Son," thus spake the courteous guide,

Se rassemble encore. « Mon fils, » dit ainsi le courtois guide,

"Those, who die subject to the wrath of God,

« Ceux qui meurent sous l'emprise de la colère de Dieu,

All here together come from every clime,

Viennent tous ici ensemble de toute contrée,

And to o'erpass the river are not loth:

Et ne répugnent point à traverser le fleuve :

For so heaven's justice goads them on, that fear

Car ainsi la justice du ciel les aiguillonne, si bien que la peur

Is turn'd into desire. Hence ne'er hath past

Se change en désir. Aussi jamais n'a passé

Good spirit.

Une bonne âme.

Vocabulary

ne: nə — Negation particle used with 'pas' to negate verbs.
te: tə — Second person singular object pronoun meaning 'you'.
tourmente: tuʁmɑ̃t — Torments or troubles someone greatly.
pas: pɑ — Negation word meaning 'not' in French.
ainsi: ɛ̃si — Means 'thus' or 'in this way'.
l: l — Contracted definite article before a vowel sound.
a-t-on: a t ɔ̃ — Inverted form of 'on a', meaning 'one has'.
voulu: vuly — Past participle of 'vouloir', meaning 'wanted' or 'wished'.
Là: la — Adverb meaning 'there' indicating a place or point.
où: u — Relative or interrogative pronoun meaning 'where'.
vouloir: vulwaʁ — Infinitive verb meaning 'to want' or 'to wish'.
et: e — Conjunction meaning 'and' connecting words or clauses.
pouvoir: puvwaʁ — Infinitive verb meaning 'to be able to'.
font: fɔ̃ — Third person plural of 'faire', meaning 'make' or 'do'.
qu: k — Contracted form of 'que', meaning 'that' or 'which'.
un: œ̃ — Indefinite article or number meaning 'a' or 'one'.
n: n — Contracted negation particle before a vowel.
en: ɑ̃ — Preposition or pronoun meaning 'in', 'on', or 'some'.
demande: dəmɑ̃d — Asks for or requests something from someone.
davantage: davɑ̃taʒ — Adverb meaning 'more' or 'further' in quantity.
Aussitôt: osito — Adverb meaning 'immediately' or 'right away'.
retombèrent: ʁətɔ̃bɛʁ — Fell back down again into a previous state.
silence: silɑ̃s — Noun meaning 'silence', complete absence of sound.
les: le — Definite article or pronoun meaning 'the' or 'them'.
joues: ʒu — Noun meaning 'cheeks', the sides of the face.
velues: vəly — Adjective meaning 'hairy' or 'covered with hair'.
Du: dy — Contracted form of 'de le', meaning 'of the'.
nocher: nɔʃe — Archaic noun for 'ferryman' or 'helmsman' of a boat.
sur: syʁ — Preposition meaning 'on' or 'upon' something.
le: lə — Definite masculine singular article meaning 'the'.
lac: lak — Noun meaning 'lake', a body of still water.
livide: livid — Adjective meaning 'livid' or 'pale', deathly in color.
Autour: otuʁ — Preposition meaning 'around' something or someone.
de: də — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'about'.
ses: se — Possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
yeux: jø — Noun meaning 'eyes', plural of 'œil'.
tournoyaient: tuʁnwajɛ — Were spinning or whirling around in circles.
des: de — Indefinite plural article meaning 'some' or 'of the'.
flammes: flam — Noun meaning 'flames', burning tongues of fire.
ardentes: aʁdɑ̃t — Adjective meaning 'burning', 'blazing', or 'fervent'.
Cependant: səpɑ̃dɑ̃ — Conjunction meaning 'however' or 'nevertheless'.
Ces: se — Demonstrative adjective meaning 'these' or 'those'.
âmes: ɑm — Noun meaning 'souls', the spiritual part of beings.
défaillantes: defajɑ̃t — Adjective meaning 'failing', 'weakening', or 'fainting'.
nues: ny — Adjective meaning 'naked' or 'bare', without clothing.
changèrent: ʃɑ̃ʒɛʁ — Changed or altered their appearance or state.
couleur: kulœʁ — Noun meaning 'color' or 'hue' of something.
Et: e — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting clauses or words.
grincèrent: ɡʁɛ̃sɛʁ — Ground or gnashed their teeth in anger or pain.
dents: dɑ̃ — Noun meaning 'teeth', hard structures in the mouth.
dès: dɛ — Preposition meaning 'from' or 'as soon as'.
que: kə — Conjunction or pronoun meaning 'that', 'which', or 'than'.
cruelles: kʁyɛl — Adjective meaning 'cruel' or 'harsh', causing suffering.
paroles: paʁɔl — Noun meaning 'words' or 'speech' uttered by someone.
Ils: il — Third person masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they'.
entendirent: ɑ̃tɑ̃diʁ — Heard something, past historic of 'entendre'.
blasphémèrent: blasfemɛʁ — Blasphemed or spoke irreverently against something sacred.
Dieu: djø — Noun meaning 'God', the supreme divine being.
leurs: lœʁ — Possessive adjective meaning 'their' referring to them.
parents: paʁɑ̃ — Noun meaning 'parents', one's father and mother.
Le: lə — Definite masculine singular article meaning 'the'.
genre: ʒɑ̃ʁ — Noun meaning 'kind', 'type', or 'genre' of something.
humain: ymɛ̃ — Adjective or noun meaning 'human', relating to humanity.
lieu: ljø — Noun meaning 'place' or 'location' where something occurs.
temps: tɑ̃ — Noun meaning 'time' or 'weather' depending on context.
la: la — Definite feminine singular article meaning 'the'.
semence: səmɑ̃s — Noun meaning 'seed' or 'origin' of life.
Qui: ki — Relative or interrogative pronoun meaning 'who' or 'which'.
avait: avɛ — Third person singular imperfect of 'avoir', meaning 'had'.
engendrés: ɑ̃ʒɑ̃dʁe — Past participle meaning 'begotten' or 'generated'.
mis: mi — Past participle of 'mettre', meaning 'put' or 'placed'.
au: o — Contracted form of 'à le', meaning 'to the' or 'at the'.
monde: mɔ̃d — Noun meaning 'world' or 'people' in general.
Puis: pɥi — Adverb meaning 'then' or 'next' in a sequence.
tous: Pronoun or adjective meaning 'all' or 'everyone'.
ensemble: ɑ̃sɑ̃bl — Adverb meaning 'together' as a group.
se: sə — Reflexive pronoun meaning 'himself', 'herself', or 'themselves'.
lamentant: lamɑ̃tɑ̃ — Lamenting or expressing grief and sorrow aloud.
amèrement: amɛʁmɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'bitterly', in a bitter or sorrowful manner.
s: s — Contracted reflexive pronoun before a vowel sound.
avancèrent: avɑ̃sɛʁ — Advanced or moved forward toward something.
Vers: vɛʁ — Preposition meaning 'toward' or 'in the direction of'.
rivage: ʁivaʒ — Noun meaning 'shore' or 'bank' of a body of water.
maudit: modi — Adjective meaning 'cursed' or 'accursed'.
tout: tu — Adjective or pronoun meaning 'all', 'every', or 'whole'.
homme: ɔm — Noun meaning 'man' or 'human being' in general.
doit: dwa — Third person singular of 'devoir', meaning 'must' or 'owes'.
franchir: fʁɑ̃ʃiʁ — To cross over or pass beyond a boundary or obstacle.
craint: kʁɛ̃ — Fears or dreads someone or something.
forme: fɔʁm — Noun meaning 'form', 'shape', or 'appearance' of something.
démoniaque: demɔnjak — Adjective meaning 'demonic' or 'fiendish' in appearance.
Aux: o — Contracted form of 'à les', meaning 'to the' plural.
braise: bʁɛz — Noun meaning 'embers' or 'glowing coals' of a fire.
rassemble: ʁasɑ̃bl — Gathers or assembles people or things together.
Les: le — Definite plural article or pronoun meaning 'the' or 'them'.
faisant: fəzɑ̃ — Present participle of 'faire', meaning 'making' or 'doing'.
signe: siɲ — Noun meaning 'sign' or 'signal' made to someone.
chacun: ʃakœ̃ — Pronoun meaning 'each one' or 'everyone' individually.
qui: ki — Relative pronoun meaning 'who', 'which', or 'that'.
attarde: ataʁd — Lingers or delays, staying behind longer than expected.
sa: sa — Possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
rame: ʁam — Noun meaning 'oar' used to row a boat.
Il: il — Third person masculine singular pronoun meaning 'he'.
frappe: fʁap — Strikes or hits someone or something.
Comme: kɔm — Conjunction or adverb meaning 'like', 'as', or 'how'.
tombent: tɔ̃b — Fall down, third person plural present of 'tomber'.
légères: leʒɛʁ — Adjective meaning 'light' or 'lightweight' in mass.
feuilles: fœj — Noun meaning 'leaves' of a tree or plant.
d: d — Contracted form of 'de' before a vowel sound.
automne: otɔn — Noun meaning 'autumn' or 'fall', the third season.
L: l — Contracted definite article before a vowel sound.
une: yn — Indefinite feminine singular article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
après: apʁɛ — Preposition or adverb meaning 'after' or 'afterwards'.
autre: otʁ — Adjective or pronoun meaning 'other' or 'another'.
succédant: syksedɑ̃ — Succeeding or following one after another in sequence.
jusqu: ʒysk — Contracted form of 'jusqu'à', meaning 'until' or 'up to'.
à: a — Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in'.
ce: sə — Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning 'this' or 'that'.
branche: bʁɑ̃ʃ — Noun meaning 'branch' of a tree or organization.
Ait: ɛ — Subjunctive form of 'avoir', meaning 'has' in subordinate clauses.
répandu: ʁepɑ̃dy — Past participle meaning 'spread' or 'scattered' something.
toutes: tut — Feminine plural of 'tout', meaning 'all' or 'every'.
parures: paʁyʁ — Noun meaning 'adornments' or 'ornaments', decorative accessories.
terre: tɛʁ — Noun meaning 'earth', 'ground', or 'land'.
dessous: dəsu — Adverb or preposition meaning 'underneath' or 'below'.
De: də — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'about'.
même: mɛm — Adjective or adverb meaning 'same' or 'even'.
mauvaise: movɛz — Adjective meaning 'bad' or 'evil', feminine form.
engeance: ɑ̃ʒɑ̃s — Noun meaning 'breed' or 'wretched group' of people.
Se: sə — Reflexive pronoun meaning 'himself', 'herself', or 'themselves'.
jette: ʒɛt — Throws or hurls oneself or something forcefully.
depuis: dəpɥi — Preposition meaning 'since' or 'from' a point in time.
Chacune: ʃakyn — Feminine pronoun meaning 'each one' individually.
signal: siɲal — Noun meaning 'signal' or 'cue' prompting an action.
comme: kɔm — Conjunction meaning 'like', 'as', or 'as soon as'.
faucon: fokɔ̃ — Noun meaning 'falcon', a swift bird of prey.
son: sɔ̃ — Possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
appel: apɛl — Noun meaning 'call' or 'summons' to action.
Ainsi: ɛ̃si — Adverb meaning 'thus' or 'in this manner'.
traversent-ils: tʁavɛʁs til — Inverted form meaning 'do they cross' or 'they cross'.
onde: ɔ̃d — Noun meaning 'wave' or 'waters', poetic for water.
sombre: sɔ̃bʁ — Adjective meaning 'dark' or 'gloomy' in appearance.
toujours: tuʒuʁ — Adverb meaning 'always' or 'still' in time.
rive: ʁiv — Noun meaning 'bank' or 'shore' of a river or lake.
opposée: ɔpoze — Adjective meaning 'opposite' or 'facing', across from something.
débarquent: debaʁk — Disembark or land from a boat on a shore.
tandis: tɑ̃di — Conjunction meaning 'while' or 'whereas' in comparison.
côté: kote — Noun meaning 'side' or 'direction' of something.
foule: ful — Noun meaning 'crowd' or 'throng' of many people.
encore: ɑ̃kɔʁ — Adverb meaning 'still', 'yet', or 'again'.
Mon: mɔ̃ — Possessive adjective meaning 'my', masculine singular.
fils: fis — Noun meaning 'son', a male child.
dit: di — Said, third person singular past of 'dire'.
courtois: kuʁtwa — Adjective meaning 'courteous' or 'polite' in manner.
guide: ɡid — Noun meaning 'guide', one who leads or directs others.
Ceux: sø — Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'those' referring to people.
meurent: mœʁ — Die, third person plural present of 'mourir'.
sous: su — Preposition meaning 'under' or 'beneath' something.
emprise: ɑ̃pʁiz — Noun meaning 'grip', 'hold', or 'control' over someone.
colère: kɔlɛʁ — Noun meaning 'anger' or 'wrath', a strong emotion.
Viennent: vjɛn — Come, third person plural present of 'venir'.
ici: isi — Adverb meaning 'here', indicating the present location.
toute: tut — Feminine adjective meaning 'all' or 'every', singular form.
contrée: kɔ̃tʁe — Noun meaning 'land' or 'region', a geographic area.
répugnent: ʁepyɲ — Find repugnant or feel reluctant to do something.
point: pwɛ̃ — Adverb meaning 'not at all', a strong negation.
traverser: tʁavɛʁse — To cross or go across a space or boundary.
fleuve: flœv — Noun meaning 'river', especially one flowing to the sea.
Car: kaʁ — Conjunction meaning 'because' or 'for', giving a reason.
justice: ʒystis — Noun meaning 'justice', fairness administered by authority.
du: dy — Contracted form of 'de le', meaning 'of the'.
ciel: sjɛl — Noun meaning 'sky' or 'heaven', the space above earth.
aiguillonne: ɛɡɥijɔn — Spurs or goads someone into action or movement.
si: si — Conjunction meaning 'if' or adverb meaning 'so' or 'yes'.
bien: bjɛ̃ — Adverb meaning 'well' or 'very', expressing quality or degree.
peur: pœʁ — Noun meaning 'fear', an unpleasant emotion caused by danger.
change: ʃɑ̃ʒ — Changes or transforms something into something else.
désir: deziʁ — Noun meaning 'desire' or 'wish' for something.
Aussi: osi — Adverb meaning 'also', 'therefore', or 'as well'.
jamais: ʒamɛ — Adverb meaning 'never' or 'ever' depending on context.
a: a — Third person singular present of 'avoir', meaning 'has'.
passé: pase — Past participle of 'passer', meaning 'crossed' or 'passed'.
Une: yn — Indefinite feminine article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
bonne: bɔn — Adjective meaning 'good', feminine form of 'bon'.
âme: ɑm — Noun meaning 'soul', the spiritual essence of a person.

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