“Happy the poet who with ease can steer
From grave to gay, from lively to severe.”

—  Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

Heureux qui, dans ses vers, sait d'une voix légère
Passer du grave au doux, du plaisant au sévère.
Canto I, l. 75
As translated by John Dryden
The Art of Poetry (1674)
Variant: Happy who in his verse can gently steer
From grave to light, from pleasant to severe.

Original

Heureux qui, dans ses vers, sait d'une voix légère Passer du grave au doux, du plaisant au sévère.

The Art of Poetry (1674)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux 30
French poet and critic 1636–1711

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