Wouters, Liliane: In Fumes (A Fumes in English)

A Fumes, par pénitence,

Les pélerins portent croix,

Chacun selon sa vaillance:

L'un douze pieds, l'autre trois.

Chacun charge, sur l'épaule,

Ce qui'il peut. Ni moins, ni plus.

Bois de chêne ou bois de saule,

Tout devient bois de salut.

Mais, en recevant sa charge,

Chaque pélerin se dit:

Est-ce mesure assez large

Pour gagner le Paradis?

Humains, ne soyez en peine.

L'un douze pieds, l'autre trois.

Dieu donne mesure pleine

A qui vent porter sa croix.

In Fumes, out of penitence,

The pilgrims carry crosses,

Each according to his valour:

One twelve feet, the other three.

Each entrusts to his shoulder

What he can. No more, no less.

Wood of oak, wood of willow,

All will become wood of salvation.

But, while receiving his charge,

Each pilgrim asks himself:

Is my burden large enough

To gain entry into paradise?

Mankind, be not concerned.

One twelve feet, the other three.

God gives full measure

To him who carries his cross.