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The World’s Wit and Humor: An Encyclopedia in 15 Volumes. 1906.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux (1636–1711)

To Perrault

HOW comes it, Perrault, I would gladly know,

That authors of two thousand years ago,

Whom in their native dress all times revere,

In your translations should so flat appear?

’Tis you divest them of their own sublime,

By your vile crudities and odious rime.

They’re thine when suffering thy wretched phrase,

And then no wonder if they meet no praise.