A Noel Christmas

A NoĂŤl Christmas

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Translated by Joseph Markenstein For Arlette Szymanski

When the astral zones of season Shone, boned in heaven’s region, Six Dafffy Duuucks, and everyone ripped, Sang joyfully in Winter’s grip, “Friends though you be, Go to the home of Agassiz!”

These Arcadian Wines Over-seas plastered and fine, Donning the airs of a priest, Vanity’s ambience their feast “Friends though you be, Of Jean Rudolphe Agassiz!”

In the heart of a Pelican, an Aart of Farci, Without reproach and without ignominy, In the linguistic Paté of Bourgognese, Slurred “theirr worrds” like drunken bees, “Friends though you be, I have too tarantella’d in the home of Agassiz!”

Verzaine the Champgne, Good French, at port of New-Yorkaine, But such atmosphere of the Avize, Humming the mantra of the reprise, “French though you be, I have so sang in the home of Agassiz!”

At my side, walks an old Gentleman, but not Musca”told” (muscatel “tell”); Within the age of Charlemagne Made his father Great Spain!

“Friends though you be, I have so dined in the home of Agassiz!”

Behind them is one from Bordeaux, Haughty, if not forever in the know, Perfumed by Poetry Receipted, chanted, open for flattery, “Friends though you be, I have so supped at the home of Agassiz!”

With this red line of beaus, Arm in arm and nose to nose, High mean and color patterned, Came the Sire known as Saturn; “Friends though you be, I have so reclined in the home of Agassiz!”

But behind these antediluvians Was a poor viscount Carthusian, Who said, of a tone robust, “Blessings over the just!“

“Friends though you be, Bless the Father Agassiz!”

They arrived three by three, Mounting the escalator of the tree In a hobgoblin! What men to arms Would permit such alarm, “Friends though you be, In the tree of Agassiz!”

Open then, my good Senior, Open quick and do not labor; Open, open, cause we are Men urbane and of gentile gar, “Friends though you be, Of the family Agassiz!”

Hush, cream puff! Tase your mutton!

You’re in too deep on grains “glutton”; Save in those philosophies Your abominable little ditties!

“Friends though you be, Respect you mine Agassiz!”

Translated by Joseph Markenstein June 2011

Envoye à M. Agassiz, la Veille de Noël 1864, Avec un Panier de Vins Divers The basket of wine which Mr. Longfellow sent to his friend with these verses was accompanied by the following note: “A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the house of Agassiz! I send also six good wishes in the shape of bottles. Or is it wine? It is both; good wine and good wishes and kind memories of you on this Christmas Eve.” A translation of the verses was printed by Mr. John E. Norcross of Philadelphia in a brochure, 1867.

L’ Académie en respect, Nonobstant l’incorrection A la faveur du sujet, Ture-lure, N’y fera point de rature; Noël! ture-lure-lure.

GUI BARÔZAI. QUAND les astres de Noël Brillaient, palpitaient au ciel, Six gaillards, et chacun ivre, Chantaient gaîment dans le givre, “Bons amis, Allons done chez Agassiz!”

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Ces illustres Pèlerins D’Outre-Mer adroits et fins, Se donnant des airs de prêtre, A l’envi se vantaient d’être

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“Bons amis De Jean Rudolphe Agassiz!” Œil-de-Perdrix, grand farceur, Sans reproche et sans pudeur, Dans son patois de Bourgogne,

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Bredouillait comme un ivrogne, “Bons amis, J’ai dansé chez Agassiz!”

Verzenay le Champenois, Bon Français, point New-Yorquois,

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Mais des environs d’Avize, Fredonne à mainte reprise, “Bons amis, J’ai chanté chez Agassiz!” À côté marchait un vieux

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Hidalgo, mais non mousseux; Dans le temps de Charlemagne Fut son père Grand d’Espagne!

“Bons amis, J’ai diné chez Agassiz!”

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Derrière eux un Bordelais, Gascon, s’il en fut jamais, Parfumé de poésie Riait, chantait, plein de vie, “Bons amis,

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J’ai soupé chez Agassiz!”

Avec ce beau cadet roux, Bras dessus et bras dessous, Mine altière et couleur terne, Vint le Sire de Sauterne; “Bons amis, J’ai couché chez Agassiz!”

Mais le dernier de ces preux, Etait un pauvre Chartreux,

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Qui disait, d’un ton robuste,

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“Bénédictions sur le Juste!

Bons amis, Bénissons Père Agassiz!”

Ils arrivent trois à trois, Montent l’escalier de bois

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Clopin-clopant! quel gendarme Peut permettre ce vacarme, Bons amis, À la porte d’Agassiz!

“Ouvrez donc, mon bon Seigneur,

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Ouvrez vite et n’ayez peur; Ouvrez, ouvrez, car nous sommes Gens de bien et gentilshommes, Bons amis De la famille Agassiz!”

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Chut, ganaches! taisez-vous!

C’en est trop de vos glouglous; Epargnez aux Philosophes Vos abominables strophes!

Bons amis, Respectez mon Agassiz!

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