Jupiter had a farm to rent
And bade Mercury have people present
Themselves upon the appointed day;
To make their offers and see what may.
Things went as one might expect;
One man saying the farm was in poor condition,
While others commented in much the same fashion.
Thus they bargained until one of them,
(The most audacious but not wisest of men),
Promised Jupiter a large return
If he was given the right to farm, and
The chance to choose the seasons at will;
Whether 'twould be hot, cold, good weather or ill;
Whether it would be wet or dry,
When it came to harvest time.

  Jupiter consented, the contract was signed;
The man created his unique clime;
A climate his neighbours found as much at variance¹,
As if they had been living among the Americans.
Yet with all these advantages the man did not prosper²
While his neighbours did well and filled their hoppers.
Their own harvest that autumn was great;
Many baskets of grain, many kilos of grapes.
The sharecropper felt himself badly short changed,
But resolved that next year he would try again.
He adjusted the weather, watched it with care.
He even adjusted the sky's temperature.
His results were no better while his neighbours still prospered³.

  What was he to do? He turned toward his Lord
Confessing his sorrow for being so bold.
Jupiter forgave, as a good master should.


Accept that Providence⁴ knows what
is better for us than we do.

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Jupiter et le Métayer

  Jupiter eut jadis une ferme à donner,
Mercure en fit l'annonce ; et gens se présentèrent,
Firent des offres, écoutèrent :
Ce ne fut pas sans bien tourner.
L'un alléguait que l'héritage
Etait frayant et rude, et l'autre un autre si.
Pendant qu'ils marchandaient ainsi,
Un d'eux, le plus hardi, mais non pas le plus sage,
Promit d'en rendre tant, pourvu que Jupiter
Le laissât disposer de l'air,
Lui donnât saison à sa guise,
Qu'il eût du chaud, du froid, du beau temps, de la bise,
Enfin du sec et du mouillé,
Aussitôt qu'il aurait bâillé.
Jupiter y consent. Contrat passé ; notre homme
Tranche du Roi des airs, pleut, vente et fait en somme
Un climat pour lui seul : ses plus proches voisins
Ne s'en sentaient non plus que les Américains.
Ce fut leur avantage ; ils eurent bonne année,
Pleine moisson, pleine vinée.
Monsieur le Receveur fut très mal partagé.
L'an suivant voilà tout⁵ changé.
Il ajuste d'une autre sorte
La température des Cieux.
Son champ ne s'en trouve pas mieux,
Celui de ses voisins fructifie et rapporte.
Que fait-il ? Il recourt au Monarque des Dieux :
Il confesse son imprudence.
Jupiter en usa comme un Maître fort doux.
Concluons que la Providence
Sait ce qu'il nous faut, mieux que nous.

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