French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay

By Camille Chevalier-Karfis - updated on Jun 17, 2020

Ulysses and the Sirens, 1909 (oil on canvas) by Draper, Herbert James (1864-1920)

Created in the 16th century, this classic French poem is written in Middle French; it is not modern, but easily understandable. Once the construction and vocabulary has been explained, it is an easy poem, even for a French beginner.

Table of Contents

1 – French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay – French

2 – French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay – English Translation

1 – French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay – French

Heureux qui, comme Ulysse, a fait un beau voyage,
Ou comme cestuy-là qui conquit la toison,
Et puis est retourné, plein d’usage et raison,
Vivre entre ses parents le reste de son âge !

Quand reverrai-je, hélas, de mon petit village
Fumer la cheminée, et en quelle saison
Reverrai-je le clos de ma pauvre maison,
Qui m’est une province, et beaucoup davantage ?

Plus me plaît le séjour qu’ont bâti mes aïeux,
Que des palais Romains le front audacieux,
Plus que le marbre dur me plaît l’ardoise fine :

Plus mon Loir gaulois, que le Tibre latin,
Plus mon petit Liré, que le mont Palatin,
Et plus que l’air marin la doulceur angevine.

Joachim du Bellay, Les Regrets, sonnet XXXI, 1558.

This very famous French poem is read twice (enunciated and natural recordings) + detailed explanation of the vocabulary in easy French + analysis of the poem + author’s life + transcript with the English translation in my audiobook “Easy French Poetry”.

2 – French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay – English Translation

Happy he who like Ulysses has returned ?successful from his travels,
Or like he ?who sought the Golden Fleece,
Then returned, ?wise to the world
Live amongst his family to the end of his age!

When shall I see again, alas, of my dear village,
Its chimney smoke, and in which season, ?
Will I see again that little, modest, plot of earth
That is a province to me, and far more than I draw here?

I’m drawn far more to my forefathers home,
Than to a Roman palace fine and proud,
More than hard marble I prefer fine slate:

My gaul Loir I prefer to latin Tiber,
My little Liré I prefer to Palatine,
And to sea air, soft climate Angevine.?

Joachim du Bellay, Les Regrets, sonnet XXXI, 1558.

Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 23+ years in the US and France. Based on my students' goals and needs, I've created unique downloadable French audiobooks focussing on French like it's spoken today, for all levels. Most of my audiobooks are recorded at several speeds to help you conquer the modern French language. Good luck with your studies and remember, repetition is the key!

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French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay

1 – French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay – French

2 – French Poem “Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse” de Joachim du Bellay – English Translation

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Camille Chevalier-Karfis

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