The Albatross (L'Albatros)

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Often, to amuse themselves, the men of the crew Catch albatrosses, vast birds of the seas, Who follow, indolent companions of the voyage, The vessel gliding on the bitter gulfs. Scarcely have they deposited them on the planks, Than these kings of the azure, awkward and ashamed, Pitiably let their great white wings Drag like oars beside them. This winged traveller, how clumsy and weak he is! He, lately so handsome, how comic and ugly! One torments his beak with a pipe-stem, Another mimics, limping, the cripple who flew! The Poet is like the prince of the clouds, Who haunts the tempest and laughs at the archer; Exiled on the ground in the midst of hooting, His giant wings prevent him from walking.