A Book
A Book
English 1A Book There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page Of prancing poetry. This traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of toll; How frugal is the chariot That bears a human sou! | Fon Wema Tɔjihun ɖaxó ɖebu ɖè wema ɖɔhun Bo na sìxú zé mǐ yí tò linlín lɛ mɛ ǎ. Sɔ́ wezun nɔ ɖebǔ ka ɖè ɖì Wexwɛ xógbelómilomí ɖɔhun ǎ. Tomɛyiyi enɛ ɔ, wamamɔnɔ lɛ sixu yì Takwɛ mɛvò ǎ; Kɛkɛví énɛ é nɔ hɛn lindɔ̌n gbɛtɔ́ tɔn ka xɔ akwɛ taun mɛ. | French Un livre Il n’est point de frégate comme un livre Pour nous porter loin des terres, Ni de coursiers pareils à une page De poésie bondissante. Ce voyage, le plus pauvre peut l’entreprendre Sans subir nul tribut ; Qu’économe est le char Qui porte une âme humaine! | Yoruba “Iwe Ko si ọkọ ogun oju omi bi iwe Ti o mu wa lọ si ilẹ ti o jina, Tabi awọn ẹṣin-kẹkẹ bi oju iwe kan Ti ewì ti n jo lọ. Irinajo yi eniyan to talaka ni le gba Lai san owo tabi owo ori kankan; Bawo ni kẹkẹ gbigbe naa ṣe rọrùn to Ti o gbe ẹmi eniyan! |
Notes
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David Achodo 