Ignacy Krasicki

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Ignacy Krasicki Biography

Ignacy Blazej Franciszek Krasicki 3 February 1735 – 14 March 1801, from 1766 Prince-Bishop of Warmia in German, Ermland and from 1795 Archbishop of Gniezno thus, Primate of Poland, was Poland's leading Enlightenment poet " the Prince of Poets" , a critic of the clergy, Poland's La Fontaine, author of the first Polish novel, playwright, journalist, encyclopedist, and translator from French and Greek. His most notable literary works were his Fables and Parables 1779, Satires 1779, and poetic letters and religious lyrics, in which the artistry of his poetic language reached its summit.)

The Best Poem Of Ignacy Krasicki

Wine And Water

(An argosy of fables 1921/Polish fables)

A party of pleasure their sandwiches took,
In the shade of a willow, that hung o'er a brook;
A bottle of Wine, that stood ready for drinking,
Thus spoke to the Water (I think, without thinking) : ―

"How much more than you to be envied am I!
The drink of the titled and rich I supply, —
While you (I could never endure it, I'm sure) .
Are stood in by cattle and drunk by the poor."

"I own, " said the Water, with modest reply,
"Your grandness, —I never aspire so high.
I know the rich think me their notice below.
Except just for washing their faces, or so.

If to boasting inclined, I have reason, —for see
Yon group of young swimmers, delighting in me.
To give pleasure and health to them, only is mine;
For who ever bathed in a river of Wine?

Then look at the strength of the lads in this place;
Who, contented with me, have such health in their face;
They work for your master and frugally dine.
And give him the money to pay for his Wine.

They envy him not, nor do I envy you;
The rich are but mortals, — the poor are so too, —
The rich may be happy with Wine and the gout;
But pray let the poor man be happy without."

(Translated from the Polish of Ignace Krasicki.)

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