From From Songs & Sonnets of Pierre de Ronsard, Translated into English Verse with an Introductory Essay and Notes by Curtis Hidden Page; Houghton Mifflin Company; Boston and New York; 1903 and 1924; p. 37.
[1]
Pierre de Ronsard (1524-1585)
Translated from the French by Curtis Hidden Page
TO HIS VALET
I WANT three days to read the Iliad through!
So, Corydon, close fast my chamber door.
If anything should bother me before
I’ve done, I swear you’ll have somewhat to rue!
No! not the servant, nor your mate, nor you
Shall come to make the bed or clean the floor.
I must have three good quiet days — or four.
Then I’ll make merry for a week or two.
Ah! but — if any one should come from HER ,
Admit him quickly! Be no loiterer,
But come and make me brave for his receiving.
But no one else! — not friends or nearest kin!
Though an Olympian God should seek me, leaving
His Heaven, shut fast the door! Don’t let him in!