On the Seven Ages of Man

Translations © by Grant Hicks

Song Cycle by Jack Ledru (1922 - 2013)

View original-language texts alone: Sur les Sept Âges de l'homme

1. L'Enfance  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: Middle French 
L'Age premier de l'homme Enfance est appellé ;
Son cours est de quatre ans, maistrisé par la lune ;
Auquel il s'agrandit, desja serf de fortune,
Humide, delicat, d'ignorance voilé.

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Confirmed with Œuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard, Tome VI, Paris: Librairie A. Franck, 1866, page 419.


by Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585)
1. Infancy
Language: English 
The first age of man is called Infancy;
Its course is four years long, ruled by the moon;
During which he grows, already a slave to fortune, 
Wet, frail, veiled in ignorance.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Middle French to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 32

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. La Puérilité  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: Middle French 
La Puérilité est nostre âge second ;
Son regne est de dix ans, gouverné par Mercure.
Vollage, sans arrest, est lors nostre nature,
Et l'esprit au sçavoir se veut rendre facond.

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Confirmed with M. Prosper Blanchemain, ed., Œuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard, Tome VI, Paris: Librairie A. Franck, 1866, page 419.


by Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585)
2. Childhood
Language: English 
Childhood is our second age;
Its reign is ten years long, governed by Mercury. 
Our nature then is flighty and restless,
And our spirit strives to make itself fluent in learning.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Middle French to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 31

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. Adolescence  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: Middle French 
Le tiers est de huict ans, par Venus gouverné,
Qui rend homme amoureux en son Adolescence,
Son naturel enclin aux jeux et à la dance,
De flammes et de feux son cœur environné.

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Confirmed with M. Prosper Blanchemain, ed., Œuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard, Tome VI, Paris: Librairie A. Franck, 1866, page 420.


by Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585)
3. Adolescence
Language: English 
The third is eight years long, governed by Venus, 
Who makes man amorous in his Adolescence, 
His nature inclined towards games and dancing, 
His heart enveloped in fires and flames.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Middle French to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 30

Translation © by Grant Hicks
4. La Jeunesse  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: Middle French 
La Jeunesse est le quart, guidé par le soleil,
Regnant dix et neuf ans, poussant au mariage
L'homme qui veult (vivant) colloquer son mesnage,
Desireux de richesse, en force sans pareil.

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Confirmed with Œuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard, Tome VI, Paris: Librairie A. Franck, 1866, page 420.


by Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585)
4. Youth
Language: English 
Youth is the fourth, guided by the sun,
Reigning nineteen years, prodding to marriage
The man who wishes (living) to establish his household,
Desirous of wealth, unequalled in strength.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Middle French to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 29

Translation © by Grant Hicks
5. Le Viril  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: Middle French 
Le quint est le Viril, suivant l'aspect de Mars;
Son cours est de quinze ans, sa nature fascheuse,
Magnanime, constante, avare, dangereuse,
Rendant l'homme guerrier suivant ses estendars.

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Confirmed with M. Prosper Blanchemain, ed., Œuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard, Tome VI, Paris: Librairie A. Franck, 1866, page 420.


by Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585)
5. Manhood
Language: English 
The fifth is Manhood, following the aspect of Mars;
Its course is fifteen years long, its nature disagreeable,
Magnanimous, constant, miserly, haughty,
Turning man into a warrior following its banners.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Middle French to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 30

Translation © by Grant Hicks
6. La Vieillesse  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: Middle French 
Le six, soubs Jupiter, dans douze ans faict son cours,
Jusqu'en l'an soixante-huit, âge nommé Vieillesse.
L'homme alors vers le ciel tout repentant s'adresse,
Soigneux de son salut, des humbles le secours.

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Confirmed with M. Prosper Blanchemain, ed., Œuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard, Tome VI, Paris: Librairie A. Franck, 1866, page 420.


by Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585)
6. Old Age
Language: English 
The sixth, under Jupiter, runs its course in twelve years,
Until the sixty-eighth year, the time of Old Age.
Man, repenting everything, then addresses himself to heaven,
Concerned with his salvation, the consolation of the humble.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Middle French to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 36

Translation © by Grant Hicks
7. Le Caduc  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: Middle French 
Le Caduc est le sept des âges le dernier,
Où Saturne commande, arrestant sa carriere
En l'an quatre-vingt-huit. Nature à sa premiere
Foiblesse le conduit, retournant au premier.

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Confirmed with M. Prosper Blanchemain, ed., Œuvres complètes de P. de Ronsard, Tome VI, Paris: Librairie A. Franck, 1866, page 420.


by Pierre de Ronsard (1524 - 1585)
7. Dotage
Language: English 
Dotage is the seventh and last of the ages,
Wherein Saturn rules, arresting its career
In the eighty-eighth year. Nature to his original 
Weakness restores him, returning to the beginning.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Middle French to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
    Contact: 

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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 30

Translation © by Grant Hicks