To showcase why this translation is excellent, take one line:
Original
Et pour répondre un mot, un quart d'heure y songer :
Crib
And to answer a word, a quarter of an hour to think about it
Translation
To weigh up for ages each subject you mention
The translator has provided an excellent crib from which to work. Now consider how another writer may have thought to include “a quarter hour to think” (just like the French) from this crib to the translation in verse.
For example, To answer someone, a quarter hour to think.
This line won’t do but look at what our translator did:
To weigh up for ages each subject you mention
It beautifully paraphrases the French while remaining true to it. One of the dangers of translating French is that it fairly closely follows English syntax enough to want to make things easier and match the items up. But our translator chose the more difficult path of coming up with an English that does not parallel the French by making the best use of English. Sounds easy. But it’s hard.
The choice of meter is inspired and deftly executed.
Can’t praise enough. Bravo or Brava!
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