Bodleian quatrain nr. 107
Cadell 1899 - 122
Of the eternal past and future why
Discourse? They pass our understanding's powers;
Be sure, there's nought like wine in pleasant hours;
That every knotty tangle can untie.
Christensen 1927 - 73
How long [shall we listen to] traditions about eternity
to come and eternity past? Theory as well as practice are
beyond the measure of my ability.
In the hour of joy there is no substitute for wine.
Wine settles all difficulties.
Grolleau 1902 - 107
Où donc est la limite de l'éternité à venir ou celle de l'éternité du passé?
C'est maintenant l'heure de la joie, rien ne remplace le vin.
Théorie et pratique sont au-dessus de ma portée,
Mais le vin dénoue le noeud de toute énigme.
Heron-Allen 1898 - 107
Where is the limit to eternity to come, and where to eternity past?
now is the time of joy, there is no substitute for wine:
both theory and practice have passed beyond my ken,
but wine unties the knot of every difficulty.
De Marthold 1910 - 107
Éternité passée, éternité future,
Aujourd'hui vous sépare et le vin seul rassure.
Le verbe, l'action sont au-dessus de moi;
Le vin dit le secret de toute la nature.
Von der Porten 1927 - 107
Wo liegt die Grenze, wo das Ziel der Zeiten?
Da Wissen und Erfüllen mir entgleiten,
Laßt Frohsinn herrschen! Nichts ersetzt den Wein:
Wein löst die Knoten aller Schwierigkeiten.
Talbot 1908 - 107
Where doth the past begin, the future end?
Rejoice to-day, Wine is thy only friend!
Nor theory nor practice is of use,
But Wine unties each knot that Fate may send.
Thompson 1906 - 342
How long will prate of all eternity?
'T is past my science and my theory;
Wine has no substitute in time of joy,
'T is wine for every riddle turns the key.
Tirtha 1941 - IX.121
How long you Zealot! talk of coming day?
I’m sick of common cant and pious play;
Yea love Him, He and Love are not apart:
And every feud His love will wipe away.
Whinfield 1883 - 304
Peace! the eternal "Has been" and "To be"
Pass man's experience, and man's theory;
In joyful seasons naught can vie with wine,
To all these riddles wine supplies the key!
- HERON-ALLEN 1899 - 54b
- WHINFIELD 1882 - 160