Quite a decent translation, to my thinking. I admire how much literal accuracy you've retained, despite the challenges of the poetic form.
"At life's beginning" may be a bit too literal though. It is hard to think of anyone speaking that way in English - about school "at life's beginning", instead of, say, "in my early years" "in my childhood" "when I was young", "early in life" etc.
Quote:
A woman very meek, in shabby dress,
who had a nonetheless majestic poise,
was there to strictly guide our early steps.
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Consider perhaps "rather" (or "somewhat") to avoid putting undue emphasis on "meek", and some adjustments to avoid the split infinitive - perhaps something like this:
"A woman rather meek, in shabby dress,
Who nonetheless possessed a stately poise,
With strictness supervised our early steps."
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