Sunday 28 December 2014

Ever-topical poem by Ludvig Holberg (1684-1754)


Til borgmesteren, der netop havde
Overstaaet en alvorlig sygdom

Vi gratulerer dig til din genvundne Helse!
Da du for Døden laa bad alle for din Frelse.
Grund havde vi dertil. Vi alle bange var,
din Efterfølger blev en endnu større Nar.


To the mayor, who had just
got through a serious illness

On your recovered health we would congratulate you!
When at death’s door we prayed that life might reinstate you.
For this we had good reason. All of us did dread
we’d get an even greater ninny in your stead.

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