第1章

LISTOFPOETSTRANSLATED

I。CHARLESD’ORLEANS,whohassometimes,fornoveryobviousreason,beenstyledthefatherofFrenchlyricpoetry,wasborninMay,1391。HewasthesonofLouisD’Orleans,thegrandsonofCharlesV。,andthefatherofLouisXII。CapturedatAgincourt,hewaskeptinEnglandasaprisonerfrom1415to1440,whenhereturnedtoFrance,wherehediedin1465。Hisverses,forthemostpartroundelsontworhymes,aresongsofloveandspring,andretaintheallegoricalformsoftheRomandelaRose。

II。FRANCOISVILLON,1431—14—?NothingisknownofVillon’sbirthordeath,andonlytoomuchofhislife。InhispoemstheancientformsofFrenchverseareanimatedwiththekeenestsenseofpersonalemotion,oflove,ofmelancholy,ofmockingdespair,andofrepentanceforalifepassedintavernsandprisons。

III。JOACHIMDUBELLAY,1525—1560。TheexactdateofDuBellay’sbirthisunknown。HewascertainlyalittleyoungerthanRonsard,whowasborninSeptember,1524,althoughanattempthasbeenmadetoprovethathisbirthtookplacein1525,asacompensationfromNaturetoFranceforthebattleofPavia。AsapoetDuBellayhadthestart,byafewmouths,ofRonsard;hisRECUEILwaspublishedin1549。Thequestionofpriorityinthenewstyleofpoetrycausedaquarrel,whichdidnotlongseparatethetwosingers。DuBellayisperhapsthemostinterestingofthePleiad,thatcompanyofSeven,whoattemptedtoreformFrenchverse,byinspiringitwiththeenthusiasmoftheRenaissance。HisbookL’ILLUSTRATIONDE

LALANGUEFRANCAISEisapleaforthestudyofancientmodelsandfortheimprovementofthevernacular。InthiseffortDuBellayandRonsardarethepredecessorsofMalherbe,andofAndreChenier,moresuccessfulthroughtheirfrankeagernessthantheformer,lessfortunateinthepossessionofcriticallearningandappreciativetastethanthelatter。ThereissomethinginDuBellay’slife,intheartisticnaturecheckedbyoccupationinaffairs—hewasthesecretaryofCardinalDuBellay—intheregretandaffectionwithwhichRomedepressedandalluredhim,whichremindstheEnglishreaderofthethwartedcareerofClough。

IV。REMYBELLEAU,1528—1577。DuBelleau’slifewasspentinthehouseholdofCharlesdeLorraine,Marquisd’Elboeuf,andwasmarkedbynothingmoreeventfulthantheusualpilgrimagetoItaly,thesacredlandandsepulchreofart。

V。PIERRERONSARD,1524—1585。Ronsard’searlyyearsgavelittlesignofhisvocation。Hewasforsometimeapageofthecourt,wasintheserviceofJamesV。ofScotland,andhadhisshareofshipwrecks,battles,andamorousadventures。Anillnesswhichproducedtotaldeafnessmadehimascholarandpoet,asinanotherageandcountryitmighthavemadehimasaintandanascetic。

Withallhisindustry,andalmostreligiouszealforart,heisoneofthepoetswhomakethemselves,ratherthanarebornsingers。

Hisepic,theFranciade,isastediousasotherartificialepics,andhisodesarealmostunreadable。WeareneverallowedtoforgetthatheisthepoetwhoreadtheIliadthroughinthreedays。Heis,ashasbeensaidofLeBrun,moremythologicalthanPindar。

Hisconstantallusiontohisgreyhair,anaffectationwhichmaybenoticedinShelley,isborrowedfromAnacreon。Manyofthesonnetsinwhichhe’petrarquizes,’retainthefadedodouroftherosesheloved;andhissongshavefireandmelancholyandasenseasofperfumefrom’aclosetlongtoquietvowed,withmothedanddroppingarrashung。’Ronsard’sgreatfamedeclinedwhenisMalherbecameto’bindthesweetinfluencesofthePleiad,’buthehasbeendulyhonouredbythenewestschoolofFrenchpoetry。

VI。JACQUESTAHUREAU,1527—1555。TheamorouspoetryofJacquesTahureauhasthemerit,rareinhis,orinanyage,ofbeingtherealexpressionofpassion。Hisbrieflifeburneditselfawaybeforehehadexhaustedthelyriceffusionofhisyouth。’Leplusbeaugentilhommedesonsiecle,etleplusdextreetoutessortesdegentillesses,’diedattheageoftwenty—eight,fulfillingthepresentimentwhichtinges,butscarcelysaddenshispoetry。

VII。JEANPASSERAT,1534—1602。Betterknownasapoliticalsatiristthanasapoet。

POETSOFTHENINETEENTHCENTURY。

VICTORHUGO。

ALFREDDEMUSSET,1810—1857。

GERARDDENERVAL,1801—1855。

HENRIMURGER,1822—1861。

BALLADS。

TheoriginalsoftheFrenchfolk—songsheretranslatedaretobefoundinthecollectionsofMM。DePuymaigreandGerarddeNerval,andinthereportofM。Ampere。

Theversescalleda’LadyofHighDegree’areimitatedfromaveryearlyCHANSONinBartsch’scollection。

TheGreekballadshavebeentranslatedwiththeaidoftheFrenchversionsbyM。Fauriel。

SPRING。

CHARLESD’ORLEANS,1391—1465。

[Thenew—liveriedyear。—SIRHENRYWOTTON。]

THEyearhaschangedhismantlecoldOfwind,ofrain,ofbitterair;

Andhegoescladinclothofgold,Oflaughingsunsandseasonfair;

NobirdorbeastofwoodorwoldButdothwithcryorsongdeclareTheyearlaysdownhismantlecold。

Allfounts,allrivers,seawardrolled,Thepleasantsummerliverywear,Withsilverstudsonbroideredvair;

Theworldputsoffitsraimentold,Theyearlaysdownhismantlecold。

RONDEL。

CHARLESD’ORLEANS,1391—1465。

[TohisMistress,tosuccourhisheartthatisbeleagueredbyjealousy。]

STRENGTHEN,myLove,thiscastleofmyheart,Andwithsomestoreofpleasuregivemeaid,ForJealousy,withallthemofhispart,Strongsiegeaboutthewearytowerhaslaid。

Nay,iftobreakhisbandsthouartafraid,Tooweaktomakehiscruelforcedepart,Strengthenatleastthiscastleofmyheart,Andwithsomestoreofpleasuregivemeaid。

Nay,letnotJealousy,forallhisartBemaster,andthetowerinruinlaid,Thatstill,ahLove!thygraciousruleobeyed。

Advance,andgivemesuccourofthypart;

Strengthen,myLove,thiscastleofmyheart。

RONDEL。

FRANCOISVILLON,1460

GOODBYE!thetearsareinmyeyes;

Farewell,farewell,myprettiest;

Farewell,ofwomenbornthebest;

Good—bye!thesaddestofgood—byes。

Farewell!withmanyvowsandsighsMysadheartleavesyoutoyourrest;

Farewell!thetearsareinmyeyes;

Farewell!fromyoumymiseriesAremorethannowmaybeconfessed,AndmostbytheehaveIbeenblessed,Yea,andfortheehavewastedsighs;

Goodbye!thelastofmygoodbyes。

ARBORAMORIS。

FRANCOISVILLON,1460

IHAVEatree,agraftofLove,Thatinmyhearthastakenroot;

Sadarethebudsandbloomsthereof,Andbittersorrowisitsfruit;

Yet,sinceitwasatendershoot,Sogreatlyhathitsshadowspread,Thatunderneathalljoyisdead,Andallmypleasantdaysareflown,NorcanIslayit,norinsteadPlantanytree,savethisalone。

Ah,yet,forlongandlongenoughMytearswererainaboutitsroot,Andthoughthefruitbeharshthereof,IscarcelylookedforbetterfruitThanthis,thatcarefullyIputIngarner,forthebitterbreadWhereonmywearylifeisfed:

Ah,betterwerethesoilunsownThatbearssuchgrowths;butLoveinsteadWillplantnotree,butthisalone。

Ah,wouldthatthisnewspring,whereofTheleavesandflowersflushintoshoot,ImighthavesuccourandaidofLove,Toprunethesebranchesattheroot,Thatlonghavebornesuchbitterfruit,Andgraftanewbough,comfortedWithhappyblossomswhiteandred;

Sopleasureshouldforpainatone,NorLoveslaythistree,norinsteadPlantanytree,butthisalone。

L’ENVOY。

Princess,bywhommyhopeisfed,MyhearttheepraysinlowliheadToprunetheillboughsovergrown,NorslayLove’stree,norplantinsteadAnothertree,savethisalone。

BALLADOFTHEGIBBET。

[AnepitaphintheformofaballadthatFrancoisVillonwroteofhimselfandhiscompany,theyexpectingshortlytobehanged。]

BROTHERSandmenthatshallafterusbe,Letnotyourheartsbehardtous:

ForpityingthisourmiseryYeshallfindGodthemorepiteous。

Lookonussixthatarehangingthus,AndforthefleshthatsomuchwecherishedHowitiseatenofbirdsandperished,Andashesanddustfillourbones’place,Mocknotatusthatsofeeblebe,ButprayGodpardonusoutofHisgrace。

Listen,weprayyou,andlooknotinscorn,Thoughjustly,insooth,wearecasttodie;

YewotnomansowiseisbornThatkeepshiswisdomconstantly。

Beyethenmerciful,andcryToMary’sSonthatispiteous,ThatHismercytakenostainfromus,Savingusoutofthefieryplace。

Wearebutdead,letnosouldenyToprayGodsuccourusofHisgrace。

Therainoutofheavenhaswashedusclean,Thesunhasscorchedusblackandbare,Ravensandrookshavepeckedatoureyne,Andfeatheredtheirnestswithourbeardsandhair。

Roundarewetossed,andhereandthere,Thiswayandthat,atthewildwind’swill,Neveramomentmybodyisstill;

Birdstheyarebusyaboutmyface。

Livenotaswe,norfareaswefare;

PrayGodpardonusoutofHisgrace。

L’ENVOY。

PrinceJesus,Masterofall,totheeWeprayHellgainnomastery,Thatwecomeneveranearthatplace;

Andyemen,makenomockery,PrayGodpardonusoutofHisgrace。

HYMNTOTHEWINDS。

DUBELLAY,1550。

[Thewindsareinvokedbythewinnowersofcorn。]

Toyou,troopsofleet,Thatwithwingedwanderingfeet,Throughthewideworldpass,AndwithsoftmurmuringTossthegreenshadesofspringInwoodsandgrass,LilyandvioletIgive,andblossomswet,Rosesanddew;

Thisbranchofblushingroses,Whosefreshbuduncloses,Wind—flowerstoo。

Ah,winnowwithsweetbreath,Winnowtheholtandheath,Roundthisretreat;

WhereallthegoldenmornWefanthegoldo’thecorn,Inthesun’sheat。

AVOWTOHEAVENLYVENUS。

DUBELLAY,1500

WEthatwithlikeheartslove,weloverstwain,Newweddedinthevillagebythyfane,Ladyofallchastelove,totheeitisWebringtheseamaranths,thesewhitelilies,Asign,andsacrifice;mayLove,wepray,Likeamaranthineflowers,feelnodecay;

Likethesecoolliliesmayourlovesremain,Perfectandpure,andknownotanystain;

Andbeourhearts,fromthisthyholyhour,Boundeachtoeach,likeflowertoweddedflower。

TOHISFRIENDINELYSIUM。

DUBELLAY,1550。

SOlongyouwanderedontheduskyplain,Whereflittheshadowswiththeirendlesscry,Youreachtheshorewherealltheworldgoesby,Youleavethestrife,theslavery,thepain;

Butwe,butwe,themortalsthatremainInvainstretchhands;forCharonsullenlyDrivesusafar,wemaynotcomeanighTillthatlastmysticoboluswegain。

Butyouarehappyinthequietplace,Andwiththelearnedloversofolddays,Andwithyourlove,youwanderever—moreInthedimwoods,anddrinkforgetfulnessOfusyourfriends,awearycrowdthatpressAboutthegate,orlabourattheoar。

ASONNETTOHEAVENLYBEAUTY。

DUBELLAY,1550。

IFthisourlittlelifeisbutadayIntheEternal,—iftheyearsinvainToilafterhoursthatnevercomeagain,—

Ifeverythingthathathbeenmustdecay,Whydreamestthouofjoysthatpassaway,Mysoul,thatmysadbodydothrestrain?

Whyofthemoment’spleasureartthoufain?

Nay,thouhastwings,—nay,seekanotherstay。

Thereisthejoywheretoeachsoulaspires,Andtheretherestthatalltheworlddesires,Andthereislove,andpeace,andgraciousmirth;

AndthereinthemosthighestheavensshaltthouBeholdtheVeryBeauty,whereofnowThouworshippesttheshadowuponearth。

APRIL。

REMYBELLEAU,1560。

APRIL,prideofwoodlandways,Ofgladdays,April,bringinghopeofprime,TotheyoungflowersthatbeneathTheirbudsheathAreguardedintheirtendertime;

April,prideoffieldsthatbeGreenandfree,Thatinfashiongladandgay,Studwithflowersredandblue,Everyhue,Theirjewelledspringarray;

April,prideofmurmuringWindsofspring,Thatbeneaththewinnowedair,TrapwithsubtlenetsandsweetFlora’sfeet,Flora’sfeet,thefleetandfair;

April,bythyhandcaressed,FromherbreastNaturescatterseverywhereHandfulsofallsweetperfumes,Budsandblooms,Makingfainttheearthandair。

April,joyofthegreenhours,ClotheswithflowersOverallherlocksofgoldMysweetLady;andherbreastWiththeblestBirdsofsummermanifold。

April,withthygraciouswiles,Likethesmiles,SmilesofVenus;andthybreathLikeherbreath,theGods’delight,(FromtheirheightTheytakethehappyairbeneath;)

Itisthouthat,ofthygrace,FromtheirplaceInthefar—oftislesdostbringSwallowsoverearthandsea,GladtobeMessengersofthee,andSpring。

Daffodilandeglantine,Andwoodbine,Lily,violet,androsePlentifulinAprilfair,Totheair,Theirprettypetalsdounclose。

Nightingalesyenowmayhear,Piercingclear,Singinginthedeepestshade;

ManyandmanyababblednoteChimeandfloat,Woodlandmusicthroughtheglade。

April,alltowelcomethee,SpringsetsfreeAncientflames,andwithlowbreathWakestheashesgreyandoldThatthecoldChilledwithinourheartstodeath。

ThoubeholdestinthewarmHours,theswarmOfthethievishbees,thatfliesEvermorefrombloomtobloomForperfume,Hidawayintinythighs。

HercoolshadowsMaycanboast,FruitsalmostRipe,andgiftsoffertiledew,Manna—sweetandhoney—sweet,ThatcompleteHerflowergarlandfreshandnew。

Nay,butIwillgivemypraise,Tothesedays,NamedwiththegladnameofHer(1)

Thatfromoutthefoamo’theseaCametobeSuddenlightonearthandair。

ROSES。

RONSARD,1550。

ISENDyouhereawreathofblossomsblown,Andwovenflowersatsunsetgathered,Anotherdawnhadseenthemruined,andshedLooseleavesuponthegrassatrandomstrown。

Bythis,theirsureexample,beitknown,Thatallyourbeauties,nowinperfectflower,Shallfadeasthese,andwitherinanhour,Flowerlike,andbriefofdays,astheflowersown。

Ah,timeisflying,lady—timeisflying;

Nay,’tisnottimethatfliesbutwethatgo,Whoinshortspaceshallbeinchurchyardlying,Andofourlovingparleynoneshallknow,Noranymanconsiderwhatwewere;

Bethereforekind,mylove,whilesthouartfair。

THEROSE。

RONSARD,1550。

SEE,Mignonne,hathnottheRose,ThatthismorningdiduncloseHerpurplemantletothelight,Lost,beforethedaybedead,Thegloryofherraimentred,Hercolour,brightasyoursisbright?

Ah,Mignonne,inhowfewhours,ThepetalsofherpurpleflowersAllhavefaded,fallen,died;

SadNature,motherruinous,Thatseestthyfairchildperishthus’Twixtmatinsongandeventide。

Hearme,mydarling,speakingsooth,Gatherthefleetflowerofyouryouth,Takeyeyourpleasureatthebest;

Bemerryereyourbeautyflit,ForlengthofdayswilltarnishitLikerosesthatwereloveliest。

TOTHEMOON。

RONSARD,1550。

HIDEthisonenightthycrescent,kindlyMoon;

SoshallEndymionfaithfulprove,andrestLovingandunawakenedonthybreast;

SoshallnofoulenchanterimportuneThyquietcourse;fornowthenightisboon,AndthroughthefriendlynightunseenIfare,Whodreadthefaceoffoemenunaware,Andwatchofhostilespiesinthebrightnoon。

Thouknowest,Moon,thebitterpowerofLove;

’TistoldhowshepherdPanfoundwaystomove,Forlittleprice,thyheart;andofyourgrace,Sweetstars,bekindtothisnotalienfire,Becauseonearthyedidnotscorndesire,Bethinkye,nowyeholdyourheavenlyplace。

TOHISYOUNGMISTRESS。

RONSARD,1550。

FAIRfloweroffifteensprings,thatstillArtscarcelyblossomedfromthebud,Yethastsuchstoreofevilwill,Aheartsofullofhardihood,SeekingtohideinfriendlywiseThemischiefofyourmockingeyes。

Ifyouhavepity,child,giveo’er;

Givebacktheheartyoustolefromme,Pirate,settingsolittlestoreOnthisyourcaptivefromLove’ssea,Holdinghismiseryforgain,Andmakingpleasureofhispain。

Another,notsofairofface,Butfarmorepitifulthanyou,Wouldtakemyheart,ifofhisgrace,MyheartwouldgiveherofLove’sdue;

Andsheshallhaveit,sinceIfindThatyouarecruelandunkind。

Nay,Iwouldratherthatitdied,Withinyourwhitehandsprisoning,WouldratherthatitstillabideInyourungentlecomforting。

Thanchangeitsfaith,andseektoherThatismorekind,butnotsofair。

DEADLYKISSES。

RONSARD,1550。

Alltaketheselipsaway;nomore,Nomoresuchkissesgivetome。

Myspiritfaintsforjoy;IseeThroughmistsofdeaththedreamyshore,Andmeadowsbythewater—side,WhereallabouttheHollowLandFarethesweetsingersthathavedied,Withtheirlostladies,handinhand;

Ah,Love,howfirelessaretheireyes,Howpaletheirlipsthatkissandsmile!

SominemustbeinlittlewhileIfthouwiltkissmeinsuchwise。

OFHISLADY’SOLDAGE。

RONSARD,1550

WHENyouareveryold,ateveningYou’llsitandspinbesidethefire,andsay,Hummingmysongs,’Ahwell,ahwell—a—day!

WhenIwasyoung,ofmedidRonsardsing。’

Noneofyourmaidensthatdothhearthething,Albeitwithherwearytaskforedone,Butwakensatmyname,andcallsyouoneBlest,tobeheldinlongremembering。

Ishallbelowbeneaththeearth,andlaidOnsleep,aphantominthemyrtleshade,Whileyoubesidethefire,agrandamegrey,Mylove,yourpride,rememberandregret;

Ah,loveme,love!wemaybehappyyet,Andgatherroses,while’tiscalledto—day。

ONHISLADY’SWAKING。

RONSARD,1550

MYladywokeuponamorningfair,WhattimeApollo’schariottakestheskies,And,faintofillwitharrowsfromhereyesHisemptyquiver,Lovewasstandingthere:

IsawtwoapplesthatherbreastdothbearNonesuchthecloseoftheHesperidesYields;norhathVenusanysuchasthese,NorshethathadofnurslingMarsthecare。

Evensuchabosom,andsofairitwas,PureastheperfectworkofPhidias,ThatsadAndromeda’sdiscomfitureLeftbare,whenPerseuspassedheronaday,AndpaleasDeathforfearofDeathshelay,Withbreastasmarblecold,asmarblepure。

HISLADY’SDEATH。

RONSARD,1550。

TWAINthatwerefoes,whileMarylived,arefled;

Onelaurel—crownedabidesinheaven,andoneBeneaththeearthhasfared,afallensun,Alightofloveamongthelovelessdead。

ThefirstisChastity,thatvanquishedThearcherLove,thatheldjointemperyWiththesweetbeautythatmadewaronme,Whenlaughteroflipswithlaughingeyeswaswed。

TheirstrifetheFateshaveclosed,withsterncontrol,Theearthholdsherfairbody,andhersoulAnangelwithgladangelstriumpheth;

Lovehasnomorethathecando;desireIsburied,andmyheartafadedfire,AndforDeath’ssake,IaminlovewithDeath。

LADY’STOMB。

RONSARD,1550。

ASinthegardens,allthroughMay,therose,Lovely,andyoung,andfairapparelled,Makessunrisejealousofherrosyred,Whendawnuponthedewofdawningglows;

GracesandLoveswithinherbreastrepose,Thewoodsarefaintwiththesweetodourshed,TillrainsandheavysunshavesmittendeadThelanguidflower,andthelooseleavesunclose,—

Sothis,theperfectbeautyofourdays,Whenearthandheavenwerevocalofherpraise,Thefateshaveslain,andhersweetsoulreposes;

AndtearsIbring,andsighs,andonhertombPourmilk,andscatterbudsofmanyabloom,Thatdead,asliving,shemaybewithroses。

SHADOWSOFHISLADY。

JACQUESTAHUREAU,1527—1555。

WITHINthesandofwhatfarriverliesThegoldthatgleamsintressesofmyLove?

WhathighestcircleoftheHeavensaboveIsjewelledwithsuchstarsasarehereyes?

AndwhereistherichseawhosecoralviesWithherredlips,thatcannotkissenough?

Whatdawn—litgardenknewtherose,whereofThefledsoullivesinhercheeks’rosyguise?

WhatParianmarblethatisloveliest,Canmatchthewhitenessofherbrowandbreast?

WhendrewshebreathfromtheSabaeanglade?

Ohhappyrockandriver,skyandsea,Gardens,andgladesSabaean,allthatbeThefar—offsplendidsemblanceofmymaid!

MOONLIGHT。

JACQUESTAHUREAU,1527—1555。

THEhighMidnightwasgarlandingherheadWithmanyashiningstarinshiningskies,And,ofhergrace,aslumberonmineeyes,And,aftersorrow,quietnesswasshed。

FarindimfieldscicalasjargonedAthinshrillclamourofcomplaintsandcries;

Andallthewoodswerepallid,instrangewise,Withpallorofthesadmoonoverspread。

Thencamemyladytothatlonelyplace,And,fromherpalfreystooping,didembraceAndhanguponmyneck,andkissedmeover;

Whereforethedayisfarlessdearthannight,Andsweeteristheshadowthanthelight,Sincenighthasmademesuchahappylover。

LOVEINMAY。

PASSERAT,1580。

OFFwithsleep,love,upfrombed,Thisfairmorn;

See,foroureyestherosyredNewdawnisborn;

NowthatskiesaregladandgayInthisgraciousmonthofMay,Loveme,sweet,Fillmyjoyinbrimmingmeasure,Inthisworldhehathnopleasure,Thatwillnoneofit。

Come,love,throughthewoodsofspring,Comewalkwithme;

Listen,thesweetbirdsjargoningFromtreetotree。

Listandlisten,overallNightingalemostmusicalThatceasesnever;

Griefbegone,andletusbeForaspaceasgladashe;

Time’sflittingever。

OldTime,thatlovesnotlovers,wearsWingsswiftinflight;

AllourhappylifehebearsFarinthenight。

Oldandwrinkledonaday,Sadandwearyshallyousay,’Ah,foolwasI,ThattooknopleasureinthegraceOftheflowerthatfrommyfaceTimehasseendie。’

Leavethensorrow,teen,andtearsTillwebeold;

Youngweare,andofouryearsTillyouthbecoldPlucktheflower;whilespringisgayInthishappymonthofMay,Loveme,love;

Fillourjoyinbrimmingmeasure;

InthisworldhehathnopleasureThatwillnonethereof。

THEGRAVEANDTHEROSE。

VICTORHUGO。

THEGravesaidtotheRose,’Whatofthedewsofdawn,Love’sflower,whatendistheirs?’

’Andwhatofspiritsflown,ThesoulswhereondothcloseThetomb’smouthunawares?’

TheRosesaidtotheGrave。

TheRosesaid,’IntheshadeFromthedawn’stearsismadeAperfumefaintandstrange,Amberandhoneysweet。’

’AndallthespiritsfleetDosufferasky—change,Morestrangelythanthedew,ToGod’sownangelsnew,’

TheGravesaidtotheRose。

THEGENESISOFBUTTERFLIES。

VICTORHUGO。

THEdawnissmilingonthedewthatcoversThetearfulroses;lo,thelittleloversThatkissthebuds,andalltheflutteringsInjasminebloom,andprivet,ofwhitewings,Thatgoandcome,andfly,andpeepandhide,Withmuffledmusic,murmuredfarandwide!

Ah,Springtime,whenwethinkofallthelaysThatdreamyloverssendtodreamymays,Ofthefondheartswithinabilletbound,Ofallthesoftsilkpaperthatpenswound,ThemessagesoflovethatmortalswriteFilledwithintoxicationofdelight,WritteninApril,andbeforetheMaytimeShreddedandflown,playthingsforthewind’splay—time,Wedreamthatallwhitebutterfliesabove,Whoseekthroughcloudsorwaterssoulstolove,Andleavetheirladymistressindespair,Toflittoflowers,askinderandmorefair,Arebuttornlove—letters,thatthroughtheskiesFlutter,andfloat,andchangetoButterflies。

MORESTRONGTHANTIME。

VICTORHUGO。

SINCEIhavesetmylipstoyourfullcup,mysweet,SinceImypallidfacebetweenyourhandshavelaid,SinceIhaveknownyoursoul,andallthebloomofit,Andalltheperfumerare,nowburiedintheshade;

Sinceitwasgiventometohearonehappywhile,Thewordswhereinyourheartspokeallitsmysteries,SinceIhaveseenyouweep,andsinceIhaveseenyousmile,Yourlipsuponmylips,andyoureyesuponmyeyes;

SinceIhaveknownabovemyforeheadglanceandgleam,Aray,asingleray,ofyourstar,veiledalways,SinceIhavefeltthefall,uponmylifetime’sstream,Ofonerosepetalpluckedfromtherosesofyourdays;

Inowamboldtosaytotheswiftchanginghours,Pass,passuponyourway,forIgrowneverold,Fleettothedarkabysmwithallyourfadingflowers,Onerosethatnonemaypluck,withinmyheartIhold。

Yourflyingwingsmaysmite,buttheycanneverspillThecupfulfilledoflove,fromwhichmylipsarewet;

Myhearthasfarmorefirethanyouhavefrosttochill,Mysoulmorelovethanyoucanmakemysoulforget。

ANOLDTUNE。

GERARDDENERVAL。

THEREisanairforwhichIwoulddisownMozart’s,Rossini’s,Weber’smelodies,—

Asweetsadairthatlanguishesandsighs,Andkeepsitssecretcharmformealone。

Whene’erIhearthatmusicvagueandold,Twohundredyearsaremistthatrollsaway;

ThethirteenthLouisreigns,andIbeholdAgreenlandgoldeninthedyingday。

Anoldredcastle,strongwithstonytowers,Thewindowsgaywithmanycolouredglass;

Wideplains,andriversflowingamongflowers,Thatbathethecastlebasementastheypass。

Inantiqueweed,withdarkeyesandgoldhair,Aladylooksforthfromherwindowhigh;

ItmaybethatIknewandfoundherfair,Insomeforgottenlife,longtimegoneby。

JUANA。

ALFREDDEMUSSET。

AGAINIseeyou,ahmyqueen,Ofallmyoldlovesthathavebeen,Thefirstlove,andthetenderest;

Doyourememberorforget—

Ahme,forIrememberyet—

Howthelastsummerdayswereblest?

Ahlady,whenwethinkofthis,Thefoolishhoursofyouthandbliss,Howfleet,howsweet,howhardtohold!

Howoldweare,erespringbegreen!

YoutouchthelimitofeighteenAndIamtwentywintersold。

Myrose,thatmidtheredroses,Wasbrightest,ah,howpalesheis!

Yetkeepsthebeautyofherprime;

Child,neverSpanishlady’sfaceWaslovelywithsowildagrace;

Rememberthedeadsummertime。

Thinkofourloves,ourfeudsofold,AndhowyougaveyourchainofgoldTomeforapeaceoffering;

AndhowallnightIlayawakeTotouchandkissitforyoursake,—

Totouchandkissthelifelessthing。

Lady,beware,forallwesay,ThisLoveshallliveanotherday,Awakenedfromhisdeathlysleep;

TheheartthatoncehasbeenyourshrineForotherlovesistoodivine;

Ahome,mydear,toowideanddeep。

WhatdidIsay—whydoIdream?

WhyshouldIstrugglewiththestreamWhosewavesreturnnotanyday?

Closeheart,andeyes,andarmsfromme;

Farewell,farewell!somustitbe,Soruns,soruns,theworldaway,TheseasonbearsuponitswingTheswallowsandthesongsofspring,Anddaysthatwere,anddaysthatflit;

Thelovedlosthoursarefaraway;

AndhopeandfamearescatteredsprayForme,thatgaveyouloveadayForyouthatnotrememberit。

SPRINGINTHESTUDENT’SQUARTER。

HENRIMURGER。

WINTERispassing,andthebellsForeverwiththeirsilverlayMurmuramelodythattellsOfAprilandofEasterday。

Highinsweetairthelightvanesets,Theweathercocksallsouthwardtwirl;

AsouwillbuyhervioletsAndmakeNiniahappygirl。

Thewintertothepoorwassore,Countingthewearywinterdays,Watchinghislittlefire—woodstore,Thebittersnow—flakesfellalways;

Andnowhislastlogdimlygleamed,Lightingtheroomwithfeebleglare,HalfcinderandhalfsmokeitseemedThatthewindwaftedintoair。

PilgrimsfromoceanandfarislesSeewheretheeastisreddening,TheflocksthatflyathousandmilesFromsunsettingtosunsetting;

Lookup,lookout,beholdtheswallows,Thethroatsthattwitter,thewingsthatbeat;

Andontheirsongthesummerfollows,Andinthesummerlifeissweet。

******

WiththegreentenderbudsthatknowTheshootandsapoflustyspringMyneighbourofayearagoHercasement,see,isopening;

Throughallthebittermonthsthatwere,Forthfromhernestshedarednotflee,ShewasastudyforBoucher,ShenowmightsittoGavarni。

OLDLOVES。

HENRIMURGER。

LOUISE,haveyouforgottenyetThecornerofthefloweryland,Theancientgardenwherewemet,Myhandthattrembledinyourhand?

Ourlipsfoundwordsscarcesweetenough,Aslowbeneaththewillow—treesWesat;haveyouforgotten,love?

Doyouremember,loveLouise?

Marie,haveyouforgottenyetThelovingbarterthatwemade?

Theringswechanged,thesunsthatset,Thewoodsfulfilledwithsunandshade?

ThefountainsthatweremusicalBymanyanancienttrystingtree—

Marie,haveyouforgottenall?

Doyouremember,loveMarie?

Christine,doyourememberyetYourroomwithscentsandrosesgay?

Mygarret—nearthesky’twasset—

TheAprilhours,thenightsofMay?

Theclearcalmnights—thestarsaboveThatwhisperedtheywerefairestseenThroughnocloud—veil?Remember,love!

Doyouremember,loveChristine?

Louiseisdead,and,well—a—day!

Marieasadderpathhasta’en;

AndpaleChristinehaspassedawayInsouthernsunstobloomagain。

Alas!foroneandallofus—

Marie,Louise,Christineforget;

Ourbowerofloveisruinous,AndIalonerememberyet。

MUSETTE。

HENRIMURGER。1850

YESTERDAY,watchingtheswallows’flightThatbringthespringandtheseasonfair,AmomentIthoughtofthebeautybrightWholovedme,whenshehadtimetospare;

Anddreamily,dreamilyalltheday,Imusedonthecalendaroftheyear,Theyearsonearandsofaraway,Whenyouwerelief,andwhenIwasdear。

Yourmemoryhasnothadtimetopass;

Myyouthhasdaysofitslifetimeyet;

Ifyouonlyknockedatthedoor,alas,Myheartwouldopenthedoor,Musette!

Stillatyournamemustmysadheartbeat;

AhMuse,ahmaidenoffaithlessness!

Returnforamoment,anddeigntoeatThebreadthatpleasurewaswonttobless。

Thetablesandcurtains,thechairsandall,Friendsofourpleasurethatlookedonourpain,Aregladwiththegladnessoffestival,Hopingtoseeyouathomeagain;

Come,letthedaysoftheirmourningpass,Thesilentfriendsthataresadforyouyet;

Thelittlesofa,thegreatwineglass—

Forknowyouhadoftenmyshare,Musette。

Come,youshallweartheraimentwhiteYouworeofold,whentheworldwasgay,Wewillwanderinwoodsoftheheart’sdelightThewholeoftheSundayholiday。

Come,wewillsitbythewaysideinn,Come,andyoursongwillgainforcetofly,DippingitswingintheclearandthinWine,asofold,ereitscalethesky。

Musette,whohadscarcelyforgottenwithalOnebeautifuldawnofthenewyear’sbest,Returnedattheendofthecarnival,Aflownbird,toaforsakennest。

Ahfaithlessandfair!Iembraceheryet,Withnoheart—beat,andwithneverasigh;

AndMusette,nolongertheoldMusette,DeclaresthatIamnolongerI。

Farewell,mydearthatwasoncesodear,Deadwiththedeathofourlatestlove;

Ouryouthislaidinitssepulchre,Thecalendarstandsforastoneabove。

’Tisonlyinsearchingthedustofthedays,Theashesofalloldmemories,ThatwefindthekeyofthewoodlandwaysThatleadtotheplaceofourparadise。

BALLADS。

THETHREECAPTAINS。

ALLbeneaththewhite—rosetreeWalksaladyfairtosee,Sheisaswhiteasthesnows,Sheisasfairastheday:

Fromherfather’sgardencloseThreeknightshaveta’enheraway。

Hehasta’enherbythehand,Theyoungestofthethree—

’Mountandride,mybonniebride,Onmywhitehorsewithme。’

Andevertheyrode,andbetterrode,TilltheycametoSenlistown,ThehostessshelookedhardatthemAstheywerelightingdown。

’Andareyeherebyforce,’shesaid,’Orareyehereforplay?

Fromoutmyfather’sgardencloseThreeknightsmestoleaway。

’AndfainwouldIwinback,’shesaid,’ThewearywayIcome;

Andfainwouldseemyfatherdear,Andfaingomaidenhome。’

’Oh,weepnot,ladyfair,’saidshe,’Youshallwinback,’shesaid,’ForyoushalltakethisdraughtfrommeWillmakeyouliefordead。’

’Comeinandsup,fairlady,’theysaid,’Comebuskyeandbebright;

ItiswiththreeboldcaptainsThatyemustbethisnight。’

Whentheyhadeatenwellanddrunk,Shefelldownlikeoneslain:

’Now,outandalas!formybonnymayShalllivenomoreagain。’

’Withinherfather’sgardensteadTherearethreewhitelilies;

Withherbodytothelilybed,WithhersoultoParadise。’

Theyborehertoherfather’shouse,Theyboreherallthethree,Theylaidherinherfather’sclose,Beneaththewhite—rosetree。

Shehadnotlainaday,aday,Adaybutbarelythree,Whenthemayawakes,’Oh,open,father,Oh,openthedoorforme。

’’TisIhavelainfordead,father,Havelainthelongdaysthree,ThatImightmaidencomeagainTomymotherandtothee。’

THEBRIDGEOFDEATH。

’THEdanceisontheBridgeofDeathAndwhowilldancewithme?’

’There’sneveramanoflivingmenWilldaretodancewiththee。’

NowMargaret’sgonewithinherbowerPutashesinherhair,Andsackclothonherbonnybreast,Andonhershouldersbare。

Therecameaknocktoherbowerdoor,Andblitheshelethimin;

Itwasherbrotherfromthewars,Thedearestofherkin。

’Setgoldwithinyourhair,Margaret,Setgoldwithinyourhair,Andgolduponyourgirdleband,Andonyourbreastsofair。

’Forwearebiddentodanceto—night,Wemaynotbideaway;

Thisonegoodnight,thisonefairnight,Beforetherednewday。’

’Nay,nogoldformyheadbrother,Nay,nogoldformyhair;

ItistheashesanddustofearthThatyouandImustwear。

’Nogoldworkformygirdleband,Nogoldworkonmyfeet;

Butashesofthefire,mylove,Butdustthattheserpentseat。’

******

TheydancedacrossthebridgeofDeath,Abovetheblackwater,Andthemarriage—bellwastolledinhellForthesoulsofhimandher。

LEPERESEVERE。

KINGLOUIS’DAUGHTER。

BALLADOFTHEISLEOFFRANCE。

KINGLouisonhisbridgeishe,Heholdshisdaughteronhisknee。

SheasksahusbandathishandThatisnotwortharoodofland。

’Giveupyourloverspeedily,Oryouwithinthetowermustlie。’

’AlthoughImusttheprisondree,Iwillnotchangemyloveforthee。

’IwillnotchangemyloverfairNotforthemotherthatmebare。

’IwillnotchangemytrueloverForfriends,orformyfatherdear。’

’Nowwhereareallmypageskeen,Andwhereareallmyservingmen?

’Mydaughtermustlieinthetoweralway,Wheresheshallneverseetheday。’

******

SevenlongyearsarepastandgoneAndtherehasseenherneverone。

AtendingoftheseventhyearHerfathergoestovisither。

’Mychild,mychild,howmayyoube?’

’Ofather,itfaresillwithme。

’Myfeetarewastedinthemould,Thewormstheygnawmysidesocold。’

’Mychild,changeyourlovespeedilyOryoumuststillinprisonlie。’

’’TisbetterfarthecoldtodreeThangivemytrueloveupforthee。’

THEMILKWHITEDOE。

ITwasamotherandamaidThatwalkedthewoodsamong,Andstillthemaidwentslowandsad,Andstillthemothersung。

’Whatailsyou,daughterMargaret?

Whygoyoupaleandwan?

Isitforacastofbitterlove,Orforafalseleman?’

’ItisnotforafalseloverThatIgosadtosee;

ButitisforawearylifeBeneaththegreenwoodtree。

’ForeverinthegooddaylightAmaidenmayIgo,ButalwaysontheninthmidnightIchangetoamilkwhitedoe。

’TheyhuntmethroughthegreenforestWithhoundsandhuntingmen;

AndeveritismyfairbrotherThatissofierceandkeen。’

*****

’Good—morrow,mother。’’Good—morrow,son;

Whereareyourhoundssogood?’

Oh,theyarehuntingawhitedoeWithinthegladgreenwood。

’Andthreetimeshavetheyhuntedher,Andthriceshe’swonaway;

ThefourthtimethattheyfollowherThatwhitedoetheyshallslay。’

******

Thenoutandspoketheforester,Ashecamefromthewood,’NowneversawImaid’sgoldhairAmongthewilddeer’sblood。

’AndIhavehuntedthewilddeerIneastlandsandinwest;

AndneversawIwhitedoeyetThathadamaiden’sbreast。’

Thenupandspakeherfairbrother,Betweenthewineandbread,’Behold,Ihadbutonesister,AndIhavebeenherdead。’

’ButyemustburymysweetsisterWithastoneatherfootandherhead,AndyemustcoverherfairbodyWiththewhiterosesandred。’

AndImustouttothegreenwood,Theroofshallnevershelterme;

AndIshalllieforsevenlongyearsOnthegrassbelowthehawthorntree。

ALADYOFHIGHDEGREE。

[Ibepareldmostofprise,Irideafterthewildfee。]

WILLyethatIshouldsingOftheloveofagoodlything,Wasnovilein’smay?

’Tissungofaknightsofree,Undertheolivetree,Singingthislay。

Herweedwasofsamitefine,Hermantleofwhiteermine,Greensilkherhose;

Hershoonwithsilvergay,HersandalsflowersofMay,Lacedsmallandclose。

Herbeltwasoffreshspringbuds,Setwithgoldclaspsandstuds,Finelinenhershift;

Herpurseitwasoflove,Herchainwastheflowerthereof,AndLove’sgift。

Uponamulesherode,Thesellewasofbrentgold,Thebitsofsilvermade;

ThreeredrosetreestherewereThatovershadowedher,Forasunshade。

Sheridingonaday,Knightsmetherbytheway,Theydidhergrace;

’Fairlady,whencebeye?’

’Franceitismycountrie,Icomeofahighrace。