Noggs Back Issues

The Snail

from the Italian of Giuseppe Giusti (1809-50)

Long live the snail,
may it live forever,
beast blending merit
and modesty together,
prompting astronomers,
inspring architects,
with eyes that telescope
and shell, one suspects,
whose shape is the basis
of spiral staircases:
long live the snail,
beast full of graces.

Content with the comforts
provided by God,
you could call it Diogenes
reborn gastropod.
Remaining indoors
to take the fresh air,
it is set in its ways;
prefers to stay there
snug and safe in its shell,
where no bad humours dwell:
long live the snail,
beast that keeps well.

Let exotic foods
with their piquant bite
stimulate stomachs
without appetite:
the snail's in good shape,
and happy to nibble
its native green grass;
stays fit as a fiddle
on slow mastication
of home vegetation:
          long live the snail
          in its moderation.

From kindness alone
none can prosper, alas,
so we all act the lion,
and never the ass.
The snail, by contrast,
will draw in its horns
at just the right moment;
bold gestures it scorns;
one splutter released,
all protest is ceased:
         long live the snail,
         non-violent beast.

All creatures in some way
by Nature are blessed,
but surely the snail
is the one she loves best,
because (executioners,
hear this – mind you do!)
she'll make even its head
grow back good as new;
this is God's truth, extreme
fantasy though it seem:
         long live the snail
        whose lot is a dream.

Most erudite owls
who presume to preach
and school your neighbour
though you've nothing to teach,
and you, you scavengers,
gluttons and dunces,
rabid masters
and brokendown flunkeys,
join in, I implore, as
I sing out this chorus:
        long live the snail,
        an example for us.