Social Commentaries
The Pool and the Soul
Translated by R.F. Hodgson (1888) · From Les Rayons et les ombres (1840)
Social Commentaries
As in some stagnant pool by forest-side,
In human souls two things are oft descried;
The sky,--which tints the surface of the pool
With all its rays, and all its shadows cool;
The basin next,--where gloomy, dark and deep,
Through slime and mud black reptiles vaguely creep.
✦ ✦ ✦
Codex Note
French: "Comme dans les étangs." [X., May, 1839.]
Cite this poem
MLA
Hugo, Victor. “The Pool and the Soul.” Translated by R.F. Hodgson. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/hugo/46/.
Chicago
Hugo, Victor. “The Pool and the Soul.” Translated by R.F. Hodgson. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/hugo/46/.
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