Letter of Pieter Baes to Guido Gezelle
Pieter Baes sends Gezelle some remarks concerning the poem Gouden roozen (Golden Roses) which he wrote in memory of Baron Joseph de Pélichy. The poem was to be read in Izegem at the prize distribution at the Institue of Saint-Joseph on August 23rd, 1882.
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Golden Roses
Guido Gezelle wrote the poem Golden Roses in memory of Baron de Pelichy who died on July 28th, 1882. The intention was to read the poem at the award ceremony at the College of Saint Joseph on August 23rd, 1882. The golden roses refer to the coat of arms of de Pelichy.
Baron Joseph de Pélichy
Baron Joseph de Pélichy belonged to a noble family in Izegem. He was ordained a priest in Bruges on June 9th, 1838. In 1839 he became director of the sisters of Maria in Izegem and remained so until his death. Hence the image of Jesus and Mary in verse 2 of the poem Golden Roses. Despite Pieter Baes' criticism, Guido Gezelle retained this image:
Jesus volgende en Maria,
gouden rooze na den geest,
was hij Edeling, was hij Christen,
was hij Priester
aldermeest.
[nonpoetic translation]
Following Jesus and Mary,
a golden rose in spirit,
he was a Nobleman, he was a Christian,
he was a Priest,
above all
Golden Roses
Strofe 5
Beeld van priesterlijke deugden,
van geleerdheid, hooge en klaar;
in de kunst die alle kunsten
overtreft, kunstoefenaar.
Stanza 5
[nonpoetic translation]
Image of priestly virtues,
of erudition, high and bright;
in the art surpassing all arts,
adept of the art’s delight
Golden roses
Strofe 7
Kinderzielen, opgegaderd
langs den weg en in het dal,
schoon niet altijd even prachtig,
even kostlijk immers al.
Stanza 7
[nonpoetic translation]
Souls of children gathered
at the road side, in the valley,
though not always equally gorgeous,
equally precious after all.
Guido Gezelle crafted stanza 9 into this final version:
Golden Roses
Strofe 9
Zegt, wie zal elks lesse wezen,
elks goê voorbeeld ? Zegt, wie zal,
onder zoo veel edele perelen,
de eêlste perele zijn van al ?
Stanza 9
[nonpoetic translation]
Say, who will be the lesson
and example to us al. Say, who will,
among so many noble pearls,
be the noblest pearl of all?
