Prevod

(Some books are paid too great a compliment by being criticized.) In a kitchen garden A certain curious Naturalist Saw two Lizards. He catches them both, 5 And in great haste Sets about Dissecting them. Now he has seized The plumper one; 10 Limb by limb He cuts her up, Then sets His microscope to work. Legs and tail, 15 Skin and guts, Eyes and neck, Back and belly— He lays each part aside And examines it. 20 He takes his pen, Looks once again, Writes a little, Stops to reflect. His weighty tomes 25 He then consults, And back he goes To the same butchery. Some curious fellows From his circle 30 Come in to see him; He tells them What he observes. Some marvel, Others ask questions, 35 Others ponder. The dissection Finished at last, The learned man Has had his fill of Lizards. 40 He frees the other, Who is still alive. Back she goes To her crevices, Where, in conversation 45 With her neighbors, She tells them The whole affair. “There can be no doubt, None,” she told them. 50 “With these very eyes I saw it myself. The man spent A whole long day Examining the body 55 Of our friend. And yet some people Call us vermin! How can we bear Such injustice, 60 When we have things So very worthy Of contemplation And written study? Take heart, 65 My noble company! We are worth a great deal, Whatever they may say.” And then they expect Certain authors 70 Of wretched works Not to grow conceited! Whoever criticizes them Does them great honor. Not solemnly, 75 But very lightly, Should we touch upon Their foolishness; For making much Of Lizards 80 Gives them cause To say again: “We are worth a great deal, Whatever they may say!”