The Collected Poems of Paul Valery

COLLECTEDPOEMSOFPAULVALERY PREFACE

The mere facts of Valéry’s life,likethemerefactsofourown,neednotbedwelt upon here. That is the task of thebiographer Thebanalitiesofdailyexistence,evenof great artists, have little to do with the works of art. The ‘facts’ of the life of Valéry’s mind, however, his poetic mind, requireperhapsmoreexplicationifthepoemsaretobe fullyappreciated. Andafewdates.

Born 30th October, 1871, Valéry’s early poems date from 1887, when he was sixteen. There are more than sixty, written over the next five years, many publishedin smallperiodicals. Then,in1892,attheageoftwenty-one,herenouncedpoetry,inorder to concentrate the more uponscientificallyprovablesubjects. Hedidnottakeuppoetry again, or so the legend goes, (a legend he did little to discourage), until 1912, when, at the age of forty-one, he was asked by Gide to put together a small volume of his early verse for publication, a request towhichhereluctantlyagreed,insistingfirstonrevising the poems he wished to preserve and writing a short new poem, of some thirty orforty lines, by wayofintroduction. This‘introduction’grew,overthenextfewyears,‘likean hydra infinitely expandable, amonsterblownupbytheleisureofmyuselessnessduring the war’, as he himself put it, into ‘La Jeune Parque’. Published in 1917, it was seen then as Valéry’s triumphant return to poetry. In a burst of creativity, he wrote all the poems of ‘Charmes’ over the next four or five years. And that was it. Orsothelegend goes. Infact,Valéryneverwhollyabandonedpoetry. Manyofthepoemsinthe‘Album de vers anciens’ were written during those twenty years of ‘silence’. Much of ‘Charmes’ was written while he was working on‘LaJeuneParque’. Andasthe‘Pièces diverses de toute époque’ show, ‘Charmes’ was not the end. It is perhapsmorehelpful to see the poetic ‘oeuvre’ as a whole,asakindofpoeticsymphony,withthe‘Albumde vers anciens’ as the first movement stating in embryo all the ‘motives’ which are to come, ‘La Jeune Parque’asthegiganticcentralslowmovement,‘Charmes’asthegrand climax, the mature summation of the work, andthe‘Piècesdiversesdetouteépoque’as acoda,akindofscherzo,placedattheend,harkingbacktovariousthemesheardduring the other movements, Seen thus, ‘Palme’ is a fitting climax to the work, and ‘Le Philosophe et La Jeune Parque’ an unexpectedly amusing and amusingly unexpected ‘Envoi’.

Finally,mynotentirelyarbitrary‘choice’.

I pondered long about the early poems, written by the adolescent Valéry; even longer about the twelve poems found among his papers and published fourteen years after his death. But I was incessantly brought back to Valéry’s own refusal to write a preface for an unpublished early version of Mallarmé’s ‘L'Après-Midi d’un faune’, found among Chausson’s papers in 1920, calling it ‘a sort of impiety’. Does not the omission of these early poems from those he painstakingly revised and included in the ‘Album de vers anciens’ in 1920, and the exclusion of all but four of the poems published in ‘Mélange’ in 1939 from the ‘Pièces diverses de toute époque’, issued first in 1942, point rather to the poems which he wished to preserve? I have therefore translated all the poems Valéry published in the various editions of his ‘Poésies’ in the nineteen-twenties and thirties, up to and including the edition of 1941. In 1942 a new edition appeared, augmented by the ‘Pièces diverses de toute époque’, which I have included, and by the three libretti, ‘Amphion’, ‘Semiramis’ and ‘Cantate du Narcisse’, written during the nineteen-thirties, the first two for Arthur Honegger, the last for Germaine Tailleferre, which I have not. These three ‘performance’ works are all expanded versionsofearlierpoemsanddonotseemtometostandontheirownwithout themusicforwhichtheywereconceived.

I have also translated, as Appendix I, the later version of two poems from the ‘Album de vers anciens’, ‘Les vaines danseuses’ and ‘Été’, both of which Valéry somewhat oddly rewrote, and in the latter case considerably expanded, for the 1942 edition of ‘Poésies’. Also ‘Petites choses’: ‘Au-dessous d'un portrait’, ‘Sur un éventail’and‘ÀJuanRamonJimenez’,threeoccasionalpieces.

And, as Appendix II, I have thrown all theory and caution to the wind and included three ‘pieces’ which I love: ‘Pour votre Hêtre «Suprême»’, not published in ‘Poésies’ but in Volume C of the ‘Oeuvres’ in1933,writtenonNovember2nd,theDay of the Dead, 1917, in the darkest days of World War I, after a stay at Cuverville, the home of André and Madeleine Gide, and dedicated to her, to celebrate the beautiful Beech-tree on her property to which he came, as he wrote, ‘barefooted to make my devotions’, but a poem which, as he also wrote to Gide, had, despite his intentions, ‘become serious, almost a lamentation’; ‘Ultima Verba’,publishedinCarrefouronMay 12th, 1945, four days after VE Day; and ‘L’Ange’, begun in 1922 but only finished on May 21st, 1945, and read on that day tohisfriend,PrincePierreofMonaco,justbefore Valérytooktohisbedforthelasttime. PublishedbytheNouvelleReviewFrançaisethe followingyear,itishislastcompletedworkandinmanywayshislasttestament.

Asfortherest,thepoemsspeakforthemselves.

ALBUMDEVERSANCIENS

Lafileuse.

Thegirlwhospins. 1 Hélène. Helen. 2 Orphée. Orpheus. 3 NaissancedeVénus. BirthofVenus. 4 Féerie. Enchantment. 5

Mêmeféerie. Alikeenchantment. 6 Baignée. Bathing. 7

Auboisdormant. TheSleepingBeauty. 8 César. Caesar. 9

Leboisamical. Thefriendlywood. 10

Lesvainesdanseuses. Thevaindancers. 11

Unfeudistinct... Adistinctfire... 12 Narcisseparle. Narcissusspeaks. 13 Épisode. Episode. 15 Vue. View. 16 Valvins. Valvins. 17 Été. Summer. 18

Profusiondusoir,poèmeabandonné... Profusionofevening. 19 Anne. Anne. 23

AirdeSémiramis. SongofSemiramis. 25 L'amateurdepoèmes. Thepoetrylover. 29

LAJEUNEPARQUE

THEYOUNGFATE 30

CHARMES

Deducere carmen.

Aurore. BreakofDay. 45

Auplatane.

Cantiquedescolonnes.

ToaPlane-Tree. 48

CanticleoftheColumns. 51

L'abeille. TheBee. 54

Poésie. Poetry. 55

Lespas. TheSteps. 57 Laceinture. TheBelt. 58

Ladormeuse. TheSleepingGirl. 59

FragmentsduNarcisse.

FragmentsofNarcissus. 60 LaPythie. TheProphetess. 71 Lesylphe. TheSylph. 79

L'insinuant. TheImplication. 80 Lafaussemorte. TheUndead. 81 Ébauched'unserpent. SketchofaSerpent. 82

Lesgrenades. Pomegranates. 93

Levinperdu. TheLostWine. 94 Intérieur. Interior. 95

LeCimetièremarin. TheCemeterybytheSea. 96 Odesecrète. SecretOde. 102

Lerameur TheOarsman. 103 Palme. Palm. 104

PIÈCESDIVERSESDETOUTEÉPOQUE

Snow. 107 Sinistre. Disaster. 108 Colloque(pourdeuxflûtes). Colloque. 109

Neige.

Ledistraite. TheDistractedOne. 111 InsinuantII. TheInsinuationII. 112 Heure. Hour. 113

L'oiseaucruel... Thecruelbird… 114 Àl'aurore… Atdawn… 115

Équinoxe. Equinoxe. 116 Lacaresse. TheCaresse. 118 Chansonàpart. SongToMyself. 119

Lephilosopheet la Jeune Parque. 120 * * * * * * * * *

APPENDIXI

TheVainDancers(1942) 123 Été(1942) Summer(1942) 124

Lesvainesdanseuses(1942)

Petiteschoses: 126 Au-dessousd'unportrait. Surunéventail. ÀJuanRamonJimenez.

* * *

* * * *

APPENDIXII

Pourvotrehêtre«Suprême». 127

ULTIMAVERBA. 128 L'ANGE. 129

ALBUMDEVERSANCIENS

THEGIRLWHOSPINS

The lilies..., neither do they spin.

SEATED,theyounggirlspinsattheblueofthewindow

Whereallthemelodiousgardenseemstodoze; Theancientspinning-wheelhumsitsintoxication.

Weary,havingdrunkfromtheazure,ofspinning

Thetenderthread,withfingersfeeblyrelaxing, Shedreams,andherslenderheadofitselfinclines.

Ascrubandthepureaircreatealivingsource

Which,suspendedbytheday,deliciouslywater Withtheirlossofflowersthegardenofidleness.

Onelonestem,wherethewanderingwindhasrested, Bowsdowninvaingreetingtoherglimmeringgrace, Disdainedsplendidly,bytheoldspinning-wheel,herrose.

Butthesleepinggirlspinsthewoolinisolation; Mysteriouslythefrailshadowweavesofitself Withthreadfromthoseslimfingerswhicharesleeping,yetspin.

Thedreamitselfthusunwindswithanidleness Angelic,andceaseless,onsoftcredulousspindle, Theundulatingthreadatthewhimofthecaress...

Behindsomanyflowers,theazurehidesitself, Weaveroffoliageandofencirclinglight: Allthegreenskyisdying. Thefinaltreestillburns.

Yoursister,thegreatrosewhereintheresmilesasaint, Perfumesyourabstractedbrowwiththeinnocentwind

Ofherbreath,andbelievesyoulanguish... Youarefaded

Attheblueofthewindowwhereyouspinthewool.

HELEN

BLUESKY!it'sme... Icomefromthecavesofthedead

Tohearthesonoroussoundofthewavesbreaking, AndIseeagainthegalleysatfirstdawning Revivedfromtheshadeonathreadofgoldenoars.

Myhandsalonecansummonupthemonarchs

Whosesalt-cakedbeardsamusedmypurefingers; Icried. Theysangoftheirobscuretriumphs

Andthegulfswhichfledbehindtheirdepartingships.

Ihearthedeep-soundingconchesandthebugles

Keepinginmartialtimewiththesweepoftheoars; Theclearsongoftherowersthatbindthetumult,

AndtheGods,uponheroicprowsexalted

Withtheirantiquesmileswhichonlythesprayaffronts, Reachingouttometheirindulgentsculpturedarms.

ORPHEUS

...Icomposeinthemind,undermyrtles,Orpheus

TheAdmirable!... Theflame,ofpurechaosdescends; Itchangesthebaremountaintomajestictrophy

Fromwheretheactofagodrisesupresounding.

Ifthegodsings,hebreakstheomnipotentsite; Thesunseesthehorrorofthemovementofthestones;

Amoaningunprecedentedcallsupdazzlingly Thehighharmoniouswallsofagoldenshrine.

Hesings,onthebrinkofthesplendidsky,Orpheus!

Therockmoves,andstumbles;andeachenchantedstone Feelsinitselfanewweighttowardsthefrenziedblue!

Ahalf-finishedTempleeveningbathesasitgrows, Whichgathersitselfandordersitselfinthegold Fortheboundlesssoulofthegreathymnonthelyre!

BIRTHOFVENUS

FROMthedepthsofhermother,stillcoldandsteaming, Hereatathresholdbeatenbytempests,theflesh Broughtbitterlyforthbythesunoutofthesea, Setsitselffreefromthediamondsandtheturmoil.

Hersmiletakesshape,andattendsuponherwhitearms Tobatheintearstheeastonamatureshoulder, OfwateryThetisthemostpurepreciousstones, Andhertressesdivideataquiverofherflanks.

Thecoolpebbles,whichsprinkleandfleehernimblerun, Giveway,hollowrumourofthirst,andthefacile Sandhasdrunkthekissesofherchildishbounding;

Butthethousandglancesperfidiousorvague, Herdartingeyeblendswiththeperilousflashes Ofsmilingwater,andthefaithlessdanceofthewaves.

ENCHANTMENT

THEslendermoonpoursforthasacredglimmer, Allrobedinatissueoffinesilverbeams, UponthemarblebaseswheretheShadowdreams Herchariotofpearlaniridescentshimmer.

Forthesilkenswanswholightlybrushthereeds Andforwardfaintlyluminousasplumedshipsnose, Shegathersininfinityasnowyrose Whosepetalsdroppingonthewatercirclesbreed...

Isthislife?... Oraptureofsensualdesertsighs

Wherethefeebleplashofsilverywaterdies, Itscrystalechoesatasecretthresholdspent...

Confusedbyrosessoftthenmustthefleshcommence

Totremble,ifacryoffataldiamondsblent Crackswiththecloseofdayallthefableimmense.

ALIKEENCHANTMENT

THEslendermoonpoursforthasacredglimmer, Robedasinatissueoffinesilverbeams, Uponthemarblemasseswherepensivetheredreams Somevirginallapearl-likeiridescentshimmer.

Forthesilkenswanswholightlybrushthereeds Andforwardfaintlyluminousasplumedshipsnose, Herhandplucksandapportionsoutasnowyrose Whosepetalsdroppingonthewatercirclesbreed.

Deliciousdesertplace,raptureoflonelysighs, Wheremoonstrucksilverywaterebbsanddies Keepingofitscrystalechoesinfiniteaccount,

Whatheartdecayedcanbeartheunrelentingcharm Ofthedazzlingnightandthefatalfirmament, Withoutitspurecrybecomeaweapondrawn?

BATHING

Afruitofthefleshisbathinginsomefreshfountain, (Blueinthetremblinggardens)butoutofthewater, Setapartfromthecoiledhair'spowerfulhelmet, Gleamsthegoldenheadwhichcutsatthenapeatomb.

Beautyhasbuddedoutoftheroseandthepin! Comingfromthesamemirrorwhereherjewelsaredrenched, Bizarrefiresbreakforthwhosehardbouquetlashes Theeargivenuptothemildwaves'nakedwords.

Avaguearmtrailinginthelimpidnothingness

Theimageofaflowervainlytogather Growstenuous,ripples,asleepinemptydelight,

Whiletheother,bentpurebeneaththefirmament, Amongtheimmensewavesofhairwhichitmoistens, Capturesinthesimplegoldaninsect'sdrunkenflight.

THESLEEPINGBEAUTY

THEprincess,inapalaceaspureasroses, Beneaththemurmurs,beneaththemovingshadowsleeps, Andincoralsketchesoutanobscurelanguage

Whenthewanderingbirdspeckathergoldenrings.

Shehearsnothingeitherofthedrops,intheirfalls, Chimingwiththetreasureofafaroffemptyage, Nor,fromthevagueforest,awindcarryingflutes Piercingastherumourofaphraseonthehorn.

Leftthere,forsolong,theecholullsasitrevives, Osoftnesseverequaltotheloopingvine Whichswaysaboveandbeatsuponyourburiedeyes.

Soclosetoyourcheekandsolingeringtherose Doesnotservetodissipatethedelightoffolds Secretlysensitivetothesunbeamsettledthere.

CAESAR

CAESAR,calmCaesar,thefootuponeverything, Hardfingersinthebeard,thedarkeyepopulating Witheaglesandwithbattlesthecontemplatedwest, Yourheartisproud,andyousenseanall-powerfulCause.

Lakewatersbeatinvainandlapyourrosybed; Invainthepreciousgoldshinesdownontheyoungwheat; Youhardenintheknotsofyourassembledbody Theorder,whichatthelastwillcleaveyourclosedmouth.

Theampleworld,beyondtheimmensehorizon, TheEmpireawaitsthedecree,theflash,thebrand Whichwillchangetheeveningintoaragingdawn.

Happythereonthewaters,andcradledbychance, Anidlefishermanwhodriftsandsings,notknowing WhatgatheringthunderboltiscentredonCaesar.

THEFRIENDLYWOOD

WEhavethoughtonlyofpurethings Sidebyside,onuntroddenpaths, Eachofusfeltfortheother'shand Speechless...amonghiddenflowers;

Wewalkedtogetherasifbetrothed Alone,inthemeadow'sgreennight; Weportionedoutenchantment'sfruits Thefriendlymoonoftheinsane

Andthen,weweredeaduponthemoss, Faroff,aloneintheshadow'ssoft Ofthisprivateandmurmurouswood;

Andonhigh,inthelightimmense, Wefoundthatwewerebothintears Omydearcompanionofsilence!

THEVAINDANCERS

THESEthatareliketothelightestflowersarecome, Figurinesofgoldandbeautiesallsoslender

Madeiridescentbyafeeblemoon... Theyarehere

Melodiouslyglidingthroughthelightenedwood.

Ofmallowsandirisesandnocturnalroses

Arethegracesofnightintheirbuddingdances.

Howveiledperfumesarebestowedbytheirfingersofgold!

Butthemildskyplucksatpetalsinthisdeadgrove

Andthefeeblewaterscarcelyglimmers,isresting

Likeapaletreasurewetwiththedewoflongago

Wherethefloweringsilencemounts... Againtheyarehere

Melodiouslyglidingthroughthelightenedwood.

Tobelovedcalyxestheirhandsarefullofgrace;

Alittlemoonlightsleepsupontheirpiouslips

Andtheirwonderfularmswithsuchgesturesbeguiled

Lovelooselytoletfallbeneathfriendlymyrtles

Theirferalbondsandtheircaresses... Butcertainones, Lesscaptivesoftherhythmandthedistantharps, Willgowithsubtlesteptowardstheburyinglake

Todrinkfraillilywaterwherepureoblivionsleeps.

ADISTINCTFIRE...

Adistinctfirelivesinme,andIviewcoldly Theviolenceoflifeilluminatedwhole... Inolongerlovethenasonlyinabeyance

Evenitsgraciousactscompoundedofthelight.

Mydaysbecomeanightwhichanswerslookforlook, Afterthefirstfewhoursofunhappysleep; Whenmiseryitselfisscatteredwiththedarkness Itreturnstoliveinme,andIseenothingelse.

Thenifjoyisshattered,anechoalertsme Nottorejectthedeathevenofmymortalflesh, Andwithmystrangelaughterstillsoundinginmyear,

Asinanemptyshellthemurmurofthesea, Thedoubt,-uponthebrinkofanextrememarvel, IfIam,ifIwas,ifIsleeporifIwake?

NARCISSUSSPEAKS

Narcissae placandis manibus.

OBROTHERS!sadlilies,Ilanguishwithbeauty

Fordesiringmyselfinyourfairnudity, Andtowardsyou,Nymph,Nymph,ONymphofthefountains, Icometoofferpuresilencemyvaintears.

Agreatcalmattendsme,whereIlistenforhope. Thewaters'voicechangesandspeaksoftheevening; Ihearsilvergrassgrowintheholyshadow, Andthedeceitfulmoonelevateshermirror

Eventothesecretsofthedriedupfountain.

Andme! Havingplungedwholeheartedlyinthereeds, Ilanguish,Osapphire,formysadbeauty!

Iknownomorelovebutformagicalwaters

WhereIforgetthelaughterandtheancientrose.

HowIlamentyourfatalandpuresplendour, Ofountainsolanguidlybymesurrounded, Wheremyeyeshavedrawnupfromamortalazure Myimagewithawreathofhumidflowerscrowned!

Alas! Theimageisvainandthetearseternal! Overthebluishwoodswiththeirbrotherlyarms, Anambiguoushour'stenderglowexists, Andthelastofthedayformsformeabridegroom

Nude,onthepaleplacewherethesadwaterlures... Deliciousdemon,desirableandicy!

Hereinthewatermyfleshismoonlightanddew, Oformobedientandoppositemyeyes! Herearemysilverarmswiththeirpuregestures!...

Mylingeringhandsinlovelygoldgrowweary

Ofcallingthiscaptivewhomtheleavesinterlace, AndIcrytotheechoesthenamesofdarkgods!...

Farewell,reflectionlostonthecalmenclosedwave, Narcissus...theverynameatenderperfume

Forthesoftheart. Scatterfortheshadesofthedead

Thefuneraryroseuponthisemptytomb.

Bethen,mylip,therosedistributingthekiss Whichmakesadearspectregraduallyappeased, Forthenightspeakssoftly,nearbyandfaraway, Tocalyxesfullofshadeandoflightslumbers. Butthemoonisatplaywithrecumbentmyrtles.

Iadoreyou,underthesemyrtles,Odoubtful Fleshsorrowfullybuddingforthesolitude

Andmirroredbythemirrorsleepinginthewood.

Ifreemyselfinvainfromyourgentlepresence, Thefalsehourslackensourmembersonthemoss Andwithasombredelightswellstheprofoundwind.

Farewell,Narcissus... Die! Thetwilighthasarrived. Atthesighofmyheartmyappearancetrembles, Theflute,burieddeepintheazuremodulates

Regretfullyforsonorousflocksdeparting. Butonthemortalcoldwhereinthestarislit, Beforeaslowtombisformedofnothingbutmist, Takethiskisswhichbreaksthecalmoffatalwater!

Hopealonemaysufficetoshatterthiscrystal. Therippleravishesmefrommyexile'sbreath Sothatmybreathcananimateaslenderflute

Whosenimbleplayermaytomebeindulgent!...

Fadevanishingaway,perturbeddivinity!

And,you,pourouttothemoon,humblelonelyflute, Thewholediversityofourtearsofsilver.

EPISODE

ONaneveningsublimelyfavouredbythedoves, Amaidenisgentlycombingherhairinthesun. Shebestowsonthefloatingwaterliliesatoe's Finaltouch,andtowarmhercoldwanderinghands Sometimesbathesatsunsettheirtransparentroses. Shortly,asifbyaninnocentshower,herskin Trembles,itistheabsurdvoiceofareed-pipe, Flutewhoseperpetratorwithteethofpreciousgems

Callsupafutilewindofshadowandreverie

Bythehiddenkissherisksundertheflowers.

Butalmostindifferenttotheruseofthesetears, Ortoherdeificationbyanyword

Oftherose,shecombsfromherhairaheavyhalo; Andpullingathernapeapleasuretwistedthere, Herdeliciousfistsquickentheclusterofgold

Fromwhencelightflowsdownbetweenherlimpidfingers! ...Apetaldiesuponthedampnessofhershoulder, Adropdescendsfromthefluteintothewater, Andthepurefoottakesfrightlikealovelybird Drunkenonshadow...

IFthebeachisinclined,if Shadewearsouttheeyeandweeps Whentheskyistearful,so Fromsaltofpureteethrises

Thevirginhazewheretheair Iscradledbythenexhaled Fromthesheerwaveofasea Madedullinitsinfluence

Onewhonotabletohear Whenthelipmovesinthewind Makeslightofdissipating Athousandvainwordsbecome

Underthemoistflashofteeth Thesoftestflamefromwithin.

VIEW

VALVINS

IFyouwanttoresolvetheforestthatcoolsyou Happy,youyourselfmergedwiththeleaves,ifyoustay Inthesweepoftheskiffatalltimesliterary, Trailingafewardentlysituatedsuns

UponthewhitenessofitsflankwhichtheSeinestrokes Tender,orforeseeingtheafternoonhassung, Evenasthegreatwoodisdrenchingalongtress, Andblendingyoursailwiththebestofthesummer.

Butalwaysclosetoyouwhomthesilencebequeaths

Thegatheringcriesofallthenakedheavens, Theshadowofsomepagescatterednotfromanybook

Trembles,reflectionofthewanderingsailupon Thepowderysurface-skinofthegreenriver AmidstthelongregardoftheopeningSeine.

SUMMER

À Francis Vielé-Griffin.

SUMMER,rockofpureair,andyou,blazinghive, Osea! Scatteredintoathousandfliesupon Thetuftsofafleshascoolasfromapitcher, Andeveninthemouthwherebuzzesthebluesky;

Andyou,fierydwelling-place,immenseSpace,dearSpace Tranquil,wherethetreesteamsandlosesafewbirds, Whereinfinitelybreaksthemurmurofthemass Ofthesea,ofthemarchandthetroopsofthewaters,

Weightsofodours,greatripplesfromthehappyraces

Onthegulfwhichconsumesandwhichmountstothesun, Purenests,sluicesofgrass,shadowsofhollowwaves, Cradlethechildravishedinafretfulslumber!

Ofwhomthelegs(buttheoneiscoolandreleased Fromtheonemorerosy),theshoulders,thehardbreast, Thearmsthatareminglingwiththefoamycheek Areabandonedshiningintheobscurebowl

Wheretherefiltersloudsoundsfullofthebeastsdrawnup Inthecagesofleavesandthenetsofthesea Bythemaritimemillsandtherose-colouredhuts Ofday... Alltheskingildsthearboursoftheair

PROFUSIONOFEVENING,

AnAbandonedPoem...

OSunsustainingthepowerfulidleness Whichhoversandsubmitstothecontemplator'seye, Look!... Idrinkthecelestialwine,andIcaress Themysteriousseedofthemostextremeheight.

Ibearinaburningbreastmylucidtenderness, Iplaywiththefiresoftheantiqueinventor;

Butbydegreesthegodhaslostallinterest Inthecrimsonoftheairwhichalterssoslowly.

Letthepurepasturedefeateveryidea,

Theworkofsettlingdownwithintheiremptiedrealm Knowsevenwithoutthebirdstheirentiregrandeur

ThecoolAngel'scleareyeismodestinitshaste, Highnativityofastarelucidated, Adiamondinfluencethatcradlesthesplendour... *

Oevening,youcometospreadatranquildelight, Horizonofallsleeps,wonderofpioushearts, Persuasiveinapproach,insidiousreptile, Androseinhaledbyanimmovablemortal Whosegoldeneyeisboundtotheskies'promises. *

Onyourglowingaltarshisfavourableregard Burns,theabstractedsoul,allofapreciouspast. Itadoresinthegoldwhichismadeadorable

Constructingfromvapouramemorabletemple, Suspendsinthesombreairitsriskanditsreef, Andflies,drunkwiththeflamesofapassivetriumph, OnthegulfofgoldenbridgestorejoinFortune;

-WhileonthedistantbanksoftheTheatreofthought, Underaflimsymasktheslimmoonisgliding...

Thewineisdrunk,themanyawns,andbrokenistheflask. Tothemarvelsofthevoidhemaintainsarancour; Butthecharmofeveningfumesuponthebalcony

Aconfusionofwomenandoffloatingflecks...

*

-OConsultant!... Solemnstoppingplace!... TheBalance

Ofagoldfingerweighingthemotivesofsilence!

Osensitivewisdombetweentheblazinggods!

-Fromtoobeautifulspace,preserveme,baluster!

There,theseacallstome!... There,leanstheillustrious VenusVertiginouswithhersoftmeltingarms!

*

Myeye,thoughtiedtothesupplefateofthewaves, Anddrinkingasindreamaquariuseternal, Guardswellafixedchamberandiscapableofworlds; Andmycupidityforprofoundsurprises

Onlyjustseesacrossthetransparentcradle

Thiswomanoffoamandalgaeandgoldwhorolls Onthesandandthesaltthegrindingoftheswell.

*

AllthesameIplaceintheskiesaspirit'sgambols; Iseeintheirvapoursthingsfromcountriesunknown, Goddessesofflowerspretendingtobeclouds,

Thepowersofthestormwanderinghalf-naked, Andontherocksoftheairwhicheveningdarkens, Suchadivinityleansdown. Anangelswims.

Itrestoresallofspaceateachturnofitsback.

I,whocastsherebelowtheshadowofsomebody, Howevernimbleinitsfullsovereignpower, Isensewhostrengthensme,andpurewhodisdainsme!

Livinginafuture'sbreastthememorymarine, Allthebodiesofmychoicearebathinginmyglance!

Afoamingcrestedwave,vividandenormous Blocksme,powerfullypure,andfoldsitselfflat.

Rollallthewaytomyheartthegoldendistance, Wave!... Totteringsunsoftheravishedhorizons, Youwillnotgofurtherthantheobscureline WhichdividesthegodsfromtheshadowswhereIlive.

*

Abreakerlongandslowwiththeweightofthesea Scatterstheponderouscharmsofitswhitetorpor Whereitmakeslightajoy,athirstinbeingblue, Pullingthedarkexhaustedvesselofvapour...

*

Butheavyandsnow-cladthemountainsoftwilight, Thecloud-bankstoofullandtheirbreastsovergenerous, AllthemajestyofOlympiarecedes, Forhereisthesignal,herethegoldofgood-byes,

Andthespacesinhaletheminutelysmallcraft... *

Heavypedimentsofsleepalwaysuncompleted, Curtainswitharubypeculiarlyheldback Forthefaultyregardofasombreplanet, Thetimesareaccomplished,thedesiresareyourown, Andfromthegoldenmouth,fightingagainstitsyawns, Therearetornforththewordsthatenchantthepoet... Thetimesareaccomplished,thedesiresareyourown.

*

Farewell,Farewell!... Towardsyou,Omyfineimages, Myarmsofferalwaystheinsatiableport!

Comethen,befrightenedoff,ruffleupyourfeathers, Far-flyingadventurousbirdshoundedbydeath! Bequicknow,bequicknow!... Thenightpresses!... Tantalus Isdying! Andtheephemeraljoyoftheskies!

Arosenotlongagoofthefatalshadows, Arosethatistheverylastroseofthewest Becomeshorriblypaleinthespaciousevening... Iseenomoreflutteratthebelvedere'smast

Adrunkensylphwearingthecoloursoftheflag, Andthisgreatportshrinksdowntoadarklanding-stage VisitedbythechillwindIfeelonmyskin!

Closeupnow! Closeupnow! Owindowsoffended! Greateyeswhicharedreadingtheveritablenight!

Andyou,onthesegreatheightswithstarssothicklysown, Accept,madepregnantwithmysteryandennui, Amaternitywhichsilencesanythoughts...

ANNE

Annewhoismingledwiththepalediscardedsheet Sleepyhairdrawnacrossnotproperlyopeneyes Mirroringherdistantarmsturningwithindolence Onthecolourlessskinofastomachexposed.

Sheempties,shefillsherbreastslowlywithshadow, Andlikeamemoryofherowninsistentflesh, Amouthexhaustedandfulloffierywater Rollswithanimmensetastethereflectionoftheseas.

Atthefinishhelplessandreleasedtobecool, Thesleepinggirlabandonstheclustersofcolour Afloatonherpallidbed,andwithadrylip, Sucksuponthedarknessabitterbreathofflowers.

Andonthelinenwheretheinsensatedawniscreased, Falls,fromanicyarmlightlytouchedwithcrimson, Awholedishevelledhandwhichhaslostadelight Betweenitsbarefingersresolvedintothehuman.

Orandom! Forever,inthesleepwithoutmen Pureofthesadstrokeswhicharetheirembraces, Sheletslooselytumbletheclustersandtheapples Sopowerful,thathangfromthetrellisofbones,

Whichlaugh,intheiramberappealfortheharvest, Andwhosegoldennumberandrichnessofmovement Invokewiththeirvigourandstrangenessofgesture Whattheloversinventforthekillingoflove... *

À André Lebey.

Uponyou,whentheglanceoftheirsoulsismisled, Theirheartoverwhelmedchangesmuchastheirvoices, Forthetenderforeplayoftheirbarbarousfeast Bringsoutthedogsinheatwhichshudderinthesekings...

Onlyjustdorovingfingerslightlytouchyourlife, Alltheirbloodisovercomeasbyaheavysea, Andsomeviolenceofdelightedabysses Hurlthesewhiteswimmersontotherocksofyourflesh...

Coralreefsdelicious,Islandonlytoonear, Tenderland,promiseoftheappeasingdemons, Lovereachesyou,armedwiththeglancesofhatred, Tocombatintheshadowahydraofkisses!

*

Ah,morenakedandwiththecomingdawnimbued, Ifthatsadgoldexaminesalukewarmcontour, ReturntotheshadeofunconsciousSelfmorepure, Andyoumakeavainmarblerough-hewnbytheday!

Letapalerayofsunlightyourlipviolate Bitingintoasmileeveryseedoftheirtears, Maskofasoulinsleepforeversacrificed Uponwhichasuddenpeacesurprisesthesorrow!

Nevermoregildagainyoursatin-smoothshadows, Theancientwithfieryfingerswhocleavestheshutters Willnotcometotearyoufromthelazymornings Andreturntothemildsunyourjoyousbracelets...

Butsoft,thetreetherethatisjustoutside,thepalm Swayitsvaporousbranchesbeyondanyremorse, Andinthebrightness,throughafewleaves,thecalmbird Commencestheonlysongwhichsuppressesthedead.

SONGOFSÉMIRAMIS

À Camille Mauclair

WITHthedawn,dearlight-beams,mydreamingbrowiscircled!

Onlyjustarisen,itseeswithaneyethatsleeps

Ontheabsolutemarble,thepaletimesreflected, Thehourdescendonmeandgrowasthegold...

... «Exist!... Be finally yourself! saystheMorning, O great soul, it is time that you form a body!

Hurry to choose a day worthy to bring to birth

Among all other fires, your immortal treasures!

Already, against the night struggles the harsh trumpet!

A lip vibrant with life attacks the icy air;

Pure gold, from tower to tower, breaks and repeats, Recalling all of space to the splendours of the past!

Lift up your true glances! Pull yourself from the shadows, And like unto a swimmer, in the full of the sea, The all-powerful heel expelling sombre waters, You, strike at the depth of being! Question your flesh,

Traverse without delay its invincible meshes, Exhaust the infinite with powerless effort, And release yourself from the disorder of dramas That engender in your bed the monsters of your blood!

I hasten from the East enough for your caprice!

And I come to you offering my purest foods; That on space and on wind your ardour be nourished!

Come to join the brightness of my presentiments!»

-Irespond!... Iarisefrommyprofoundabsence!

Myheartwrestsmefromthedeadwhoimpingeonmysleep, Andtowardsmygoal,greateaglebrightwithpower, Itcarriesme!... Iflyonhightomeetthesun!

Itakenothingbutaroseandflee... Thelovelyshaft

Inmyside!... Myheadgivesbirthtoacrowdofsteps...

Theyspeedtowardsmyfavouritetower,wherethefresh Altitudecallstome,andtoitIstretchmyarms!

Rise,OSemiramis,mistressofaspiral

Whichaheartwithoutlovethrustsupasitssolehonour!

Yourimperialeyethirstsforagreatempire

Onwhichyourhardsceptremakesitfeelhappiness...

Daretheabyss!... Passafinalbridgeofroses!

Iapproachyou,peril! Pridemoreirritated!

Theseantsareallmyown! Thesecitiesaremythings, Theseroadwaysarethestrokesofmyauthority!

Itisawildcat'svastskinthatismykingdom!

Ihavekilledthelionwhousedtowearthisskin;

Butstillthearomaofaferociousphantom

Hoversladenwithdeath,andtakeschargeofmyflock!

Atlast,Iofferthesunthesecretofmycharms!

Neverhasitgildedathresholdsogracious!

ButofmyfragilityItastethedangers

Betweenthedoublecalloftheearthandtheskies.

Repastofmypower,intelligibleorgy, Whatvaporoussquareofroofsandofforests

Setsatthefeetofthepureanddivinelook-out, Thiscalmdistancingofsecretoccurrences!

Thesoulatlastonthissummithasfounditsdwellings!

Ooutofwhatgrandeur,doesitdrawitsgrandeur

Whenmyheartlifteduponinteriorwings Openstotheskyinmyselfanotherdeepness!

Anxiousfortheazure,byitsgloryconsumed, Breast,abyssofshadowswithitsnostrilsofflesh, Inhalethisincenseofthesoulsandofthesmoke Whichrisesfromacityasitdoesfromthesea!

Osun,Osun,laughasyoulookdownonmyhives! TheintenseandrestlessnoisesofBabylon, Allthehubbubofchariots,bugles,chainsofjugs Andgroansofthestonestothemortalswhoconstruct.

Howtheyflattermywishforimplacabletemples, Thesharpsoundsofthesawandthecryofthechisel, Andthesemoansofthemarbleandofthecables Whichfillthelivingairwithstructureandwithbirds!

Iseemynewtemplebornamongalltheworlds, Andmyvowtakeplaceintheabodeofdestinies; Itseemsofitselftoberaisedtotheskybywaves Underneaththeseethingmassofindistinctactions.

Stupidpeople,towhommyownpowerenchainsme, Alas!myverypridehasneedofyourownhands!

Andwhyforcemyheartifitdoesnotlovethishatred Whoseinnumerableheadissosofttomysteps?

Smooth,itmurmurstomewithsuchmusicaswhen Thecalmofthewaveisformedoutofitsfury, Whenitrecoverspeaceatthefeetofamortal Butholdsinreserveareturnofitsterror.

InvainIhearriseupagainstmyaugustface Thismurmuringoffearandofferocity: Totheimageofthegodsthegreatsoulisunjust Inasmuchasitfitsitselffornecessity!

Althoughsometimestouchedbythegentlenessoflove, Allthesamenotendernessandnorenouncements

Willleavemeacaptiveandasleepingvictim Inthepowerfulbondsofthesleepoflovers!

Kisses,thespiteoflove,thelownessofitsbliss, Othemovementsmarineofastoundedlovers, Myhearthasbeenmycounselinsuchsolitudes, AndsohighhaveIplantedmyhanginggardens

Thatmysupremeflowersexpectnaughtbutlightning Andinspiteofthetearsoftheloveliestlovers, Formyroses,thehandthattouchesthemfallstodust: Mysweetestmemoriesareestablishedupontombs!

Theyaredeartomyheartthetemplesgivenbirth

Whenslowlydrawntolifefromthedreamofmybreasts, Iseeamonumentofmassivetriumphantshape Assembleinmysighttheshadowofmydesigns!

Clash,Ogoldencymbals,rhythmicalmamillae, Androsesquiveringonmypureinnerwall!

ThatImyselfmightvanishinmyownimmensethoughts, WiseSemiramis,anenchantressandaking!

THELOVEROFPOEMS

IF I suddenly look at my real thought, I amnotconsoledwithhavingtosubjectmyselftothis interior word without being and without origin; these ephemeral figures; and this infinity of enterprises interrupted by their own facility, which transform themselves the one into the other, except that nothing is changed with them. Incoherent without its appearance, as instantaneouslynon-existentasitisspontaneous,thought,byitsverynature,lacksstyle.

BUT I have not the power all day every day to offer to my attention a few necessary beings, nor to feign the spiritual obstacles which establish an appearance of commencement, of fullnessandoffinish,inplaceofmyinsupportableflight.

A poem isaduration,duringwhich,reader,Ibreatheintimewithapre-establishedlaw;Igive mybreathandthemachineryofmyvoice;oronlytheirpower,whichreconcilesitselfwiththe silence.

I abandon myself to the adorable allure: interpret, live where the words take me. Their appearance is written down. Their sonorities organised. Their disturbance itself composed, after a prior meditation, and they willrushtogetherthemselvesingroupsmagnificentorpure, in their resonance. Even my astonishments are assured: they are hidden in advance, and becomeapartofnumbers.

MOVED by the fatal handwriting, and if the always future metre links together my memory without return, I experience each word in all its force, for having been indefinitely awaited. This measure which carries me and which I colour, guards me from true and from false. Neither doubt nor my division, neither reason nor my distraction. No hazard, but an extraordinary chance fortifies. Ifindwithouteffortthelanguageandthissourceofhappiness; and I think by artifice, a thought quite certain, marvellously provident, with the gaps calculated, without involuntary obscurities, whose movement orders me and whose quantity fulfilsme:athoughtsingularlycompleted.

LAJEUNEPARQUE

(TheYoungFate)

To André Gide

For so many years

I have neglected the art of verse: to test out and to compel myself again, I have done this exercise which I dedicate to you.

1917

HavetheHeavensformedthismassofmarvels Tobethedwellingplaceofaserpent?

PierreCORNEILLE.

WHOweepsthere,ifnotsimplythewind,atthishour Alone,withextremestdiamonds?... Butwhoweeps, Soclosetomyselfatthemomentofweeping?

Thishand,onthesecontoursitdreamsofcaressing, Inabstractobediencetosomeprofoundpurpose, Waitsformyweaknesstodissolveintoatear, Andslowlydividingthestrandsofmydestiny, Inthepurestsilenceenlightenabrokenheart. Thesea-swellmurmurstomeashadowofreproach, Orretreatsherebelow,intoitsrockygorges, Likeathingdisappointedhavingdrunkbitterly, Arumourofcomplaintandrecoveringstrength… Whatareyoudoing,firm,underthisicyhand,

Andwhatquiveringssetupinafadedleaf

Recoversgreennessinyou,islandsofmybarebreasts?...

Iscintillate,atonewiththisunknownheaven…

Immenseclusterssparkleatmythirstfordisasters.

All-powerfuloutsiders,inevitablestars

Whodeigntoglimmerfromyourtemporaldistance

WithIknownotwhatsupernaturalpurity; Youwhoplungeintomortalstothepointoftears

Thesesupremesplinters,theseinvincibleweapons, Andtheseyearningstowardsyourowneternity, Iamalonewithyou,trembling,haveforsaken Mybed;andonthistidalreefmaddenedbymarvels, Iaskofmyheartwhatsorrowawakenedit, Whatcrimeofmyownoruponmecommitted?...

...Oriftheevilthattracksmeenclosesadream, When(asavelvetbreathflaresupthegoldoflamps) Iamwithsolidarmsencirclingmytemples, Andforlongmysoulawaitsillumination?

Allthings? Butallthingsareme,mistressofmyflesh, Hardeningwithashiveratitsownstrangeextent, Andinmygentlebonds,andmysuspendedblood, Ihavewatchedmewatching,sinuous,andgilded

Withglanceafterglance,myownprofoundestforests.

Iwasfollowingasnakewhocamefrombitingme.

WHATacoilofdesires,histrain!... Whatajumble Oftreasuresbeingsnatchedawayfrommygreediness, Andwhatasombrethirstformorelucidity!

Osubtleruse!... Inthatgleamingsorrowabandoned Isensedmyselfbeingknownmuchmorethanwounded…

Inthemosttreacheroussoul,athinginmeisborn; Thepoison,mypoison,enlightensasitknowsme: Itbringscolourtoavirginabsorbedinherself, Jealous... Butofwhom,jealousandbywhommenaced? Andwhatasilencespeakstomysolepossessor?

Ogods! Inmyheavywoundasecretsister Burns,whoprefersherselftoanyattentiveness.

«GO! Ihavenomoreneedofyournativeinnocence, DearSerpent... Entwinedinmyself,Iamdizzy!

Ceasefromofferingmethepuzzleofyourknots

Oryourfaithfulnesswhichfleesmeevenasitprobes…

Mysoulmaysuffice,adornmentofaruin!

Sheknows,onmyshadowastraywithheragonies, Atmybreast,inthenight,tobiteatenchantingrocks;

Shehassuckledthereforlongthemilkofreveries…

Letslackenthenthegraspofthosebejewelledarms

Thatmenacewiththeirlovemyspiritualfate…

Youcandonothingformethatwillnotbelesscruel,

Lessdesirable... Pacifythen,calmthesewaves, Callbackthesetroublededdies,thesesqualidpromises…

Mysurpriseisover,andmyeyesareopenwide.

Iexpectednolessofmylushwildernesses

Thanthattheywouldgivebirthtoaragesoentwined: Theirpassionatedepthsaremadearidlybrilliant

ThemoreIadvanceandwithalteredperspective

Seehopelesslylimitlessinfernosofthought…

Iknow... Mywearinessisattimesatheatre. Nomindissopureandfreefromidolatry

Itcanburnbyitselfwiththeardouroftorches

Norescapefromthewallsofitsownmournfultomb. Allisbornherebelowofaninfinitewaiting.

Theveryshadeyieldstoacertainagony,

Themeagresoulhalf-opens,andamonsterriots

Thatwrithesaboutitselfatathresholdoffire…

But,thoughcapriciousandpromptyoumakeyourappearance, Reptile,olivelycurvesalleagerforcaresses,

Suchallbutimpatienceandsuchheavylanguor, Whatareyou,besidemynight'sinterminablelength?

YouwatchedasIsleptinmybeautifulnegligence…

Butwiththesemyperils,Iamincomplicity, Moreversatile,oThyrsus,andmoretreacherousthanthey Leaveme!threadyourslimywaybackasyoudarklycame! Goseekoutsomeclosedeyesforyourmonstrousdances. Glidetowardsotherbedswithyoursuccessiveskins, Hatchoutonotherheartstheseedsoftheirownevil, Sothatfastinthecoilsofyouranimaldream

Theymaygaspuntildayintheiranxiousinnocence!...

Me,Iamawake. Iarise,paleandprodigious, AllhumidwiththetearswhichIhaveleftunshed, Fromanabsencewithmortalcontoursyetcradled

Bymyselfalone... Andbreakingfromaserenetomb, Ileanhereuneasyandatoncemostnoble, Myvisionssomanyamongstthenightandtheeye, Theleastflickeringmovementsconsultingmypride.»

BUTItrembledatthelossofadivinesorrow!

Ikissedonmyhandthatallbutinvisiblebite, AndIknewnothingmoreofmyinsensatebody

Thatwas,thanaflamewhichwasburningaboutmysides: Farewell,Ithought,MYSELF,mortalsister,falsehood…

HARMONIOUSME,differentfromadream, Firmandflexiblefemaleofsilencesfollowed

Bypureacts!... Browlimpid,andravishedbywaves, Inasmuchasthewind'svagueroughnesscanachieve, Minglingandupliftinglonglightstrandsinitsflight, Speak!... Iwastheequalandthebrideoftheday,

SolesmilingsupportthatIhadfashionedfromlove

Totheall-powerfulaltitudeadoring...

Whatbrightnessonmylashessoblindlygilded, Oeyelidsstilloppressedbyanightoftreasure, WhileIprayedasIgroupedinyourgoldenshadows! Opentotheeternalwhichseemedtoencloseme, Iofferedmyvelvetfruitforittodevour;

Nothingmurmuredtomethatadesiretodie Mightunderthesuninthisgoldenpulpripen: Mybitterestsavourhadnotyetcometome.

Iwasgivingupnothingbutmynakedshoulder

Tothelight;anduponthishoneysweetbosom, Whosetenderbirthwasbytheheavensaccomplished, Theredescendeddrowsilythepatternoftheworld. Theninthebrilliantgod,awanderingcaptive, BurningIrustledandtrodonthefertilesoil, Myshadowsblendingandpartingunderthelinen.

Happy! Atthesameheightasthosefine-lookingsheaves, Lettingtheirdownfoldingleavesrespondtomyrobe, Asthoughinabasementoftheirsofragilepride; Andif,reactingagainstthisnew-foundfreedom, Iftherobeistornuponarefractorythorn, Thetautcurveofmybodyadmitsandproclaimsit, Nudethroughthebillowingveiloflivingcolours

Whichdisputesmyrightsandlinksmewiththeflowers!

Ialmosthalf-regretthisillusorypower…

Onewiththedesire,myobedienceremained

Imminent,tiedstillbyhabittotheseburnishedknees; Mywisheswerewithsuchrapidmovementsaccomplished

ThatIfeltmycauseasbeingscarcelymoreagile!

Towardsmyluminoussensesmyfairclayswum,

Andintheferventpeaceofsuchnaturaldreams, Alltheseinfinitestepsappearedtomeeternal.

Exceptthat,oSplendour,atmyfeettheenemy, Myshadow!amobileandasupplewinding-sheet, Paintedmyabsenceskimmingeffortlesslyover TheearthwhereIwasfleeingfromthisweightlessdeath. Betweentheroseandme,Iseethatitishiding; Itdancesinthedust,itdisturbsnofoliage

Asitglidesby,butpasses,anddestroyseverywhere… Glideby! Oshipofdeath...

ANDIlive,upstanding, Hard,andbymyownnothingnesssecretlyarmed, But,aswhenthecheekwithloveisardentlyburning, Andthenostrilcatchesonthewindtheorange-tree, Irendertothedaynomorethanastranger'sglance…

Oh!towhatextentmayinmyseekingnightgrow

Themysterioushalfofmyheartthusdivided, Andwhatsombreattemptsatthedepthofmyart!...

Farfrompuresurroundings,Iamcaptive,andheld Bythedisappearanceofwornoutfragrances, Isensebeneathsunbeams,tremblingonmystatue, Afickleplayofgold,whichcoversthemarble. ButIknowwhatIseewithmydepartedglance; Mydarkeyeisthedoorwaytoinfernaldwellings! Ithink,abandoningtothebreezethehours

Andthesoulwhichcomesnotbackfromthebittershrubs, Ithink,atthegoldenbrinkoftheuniverse, OfthatlongingfordeathwhichpossessedtheSyble Andwhichfeedsonthehopethatthelastdaysarenear.

Irenewinmyselfmyenigmas,mygods, Mystepsinterruptedbyheavenlydiscourse, Mypauses,onafootwithitsburdenofdreams, Whichfollowandmirrorabird'svaryingflight, Onceagainwageringonthesunagainstnothing, Andburning,gravegoalofmyastonishedmarble.

ODANGEROUSLYtobeapreyofone'sowngaze!

Fortheeyeoftheminduponitssilkenbeaches

Hasalreadyseentoomanydaysglimmerandfade

WhoseprogressandcoloursIwasabletopredict.

Theennui,thebrightennuiwhichmirroredtheirshading, Gavemeadeadlyheadstartuponmyownlife: Thedawnunveiledtomealloftheadverseday

Iwasneitherlivingnordead;andperhaps,half Immortal,dreamingthateventhefutureitself

Wasnothingbutadiamondsetinthatdiadem

Whereisexchangedthechillofmisfortunesnotyetborn

Withmanyotherabsolutesfieryatmybrow

Willitthendare,OldTime,frommydiversburieddays, Resuscitateaneveningfavouredbythedoves, Aneveninginwhosewakeatatteredshredunwinds

Tomyobedientchildhood'sreflectedblushes, Andbatheinitsemeraldalastingroseofshame?

MEMORY,olog-pyre,whosegoldenbreezeaffronts, Blowmymaskscarletimpregnatingtherefusal

TobeinmyselfinflameotherthanwhatIwas…

Come,myblood,comereddenthepallidcircumstance

Thatmadenobletheazureoftheholydistance, AndthescarcemovingirisofthetimeIadored!

Comesquanderuponmethisgiftbleachedofcolour; Come!thatImayrecogniseandthatImaydetest,

Thischildwhotakesumbrage,thissilentcomplicity, Thisevidentialtroublewhobathesinthewood…

Andfrommyfrozenbreastletfreshreboundthevoice ThatIdidnotknowsoraucousorsoveiledwithlove…

Thecharmingneckstillsearchingforthewingedhuntress.

Myheartwasitsoclosetoaheartabouttofail?

Wasitthenme,fringedlashes,whothoughttoburymyself

Inabackwardlookingsweetnesssmilingatyourthreats…

Otendrilsonmycheekerrantwithstubbornthreads, Oryou...oflasheswovenandoffluidshafts, Tenderglowofaneveningbrokenbydoubtfularms?

MYEYESTRACEOUTMYTEMPLE,SETITINTHEHEAVENS! THATONMEMAYREPOSEANUNPARALLELEDALTAR!

Mywholebodycriedoutthepallorandthestone…

Theearthistomenomorethanacolouredheadband Whichslidingdowndeclinesavertiginouswhitebrow

Thewholeuniversefaltersandtremblesonmystalk, Thewovencrownofthoughtescapesmyspiritquite, AndDeathwantstoinhalethisrosebeyondallprice

Whosesweetnessisimportanttohisshadowyends!

Whatifmysoftfragrancegoestoyourhollowhead,

ODeath,inhalethenatlastthisslaveofaking:

Callmebyname,releaseme!... Andloseallhopeofme, Sowearyofmyself,animageself-condemned!

Listen... Waitnolonger... Therevivifyingyear

Predicatesthroughallmyblooditssecretmovements:

Thefrostgivesupreluctantlyitsfinaldiamonds…

Tomorrow,withasighofglitteringGoodness, Thespringwillcometoshatterthefrozenfountains:

Theastoundingspringlaughs,violates... Weknownotwhere Itcomesfrom? Butitsnaivewordsmurmursosweetly

Thatatendernesstakestheearthtoitsverybowels…

Thetreesfilloutagainandreplenishtheirbark Ladenwithmanylimbsandtoomanyhorizons, Movingtowardsthesuntheirthunderousfleeces, Stretchingupintothebitterairalloftheirwings

Withleavesintheirthousandswhichtheyflourishasnew… Doyounotheartrembletheseetherealnames, ODeafOne!... Andinthisspaceoppressedbyitsbonds, Vibrantwithlivingwoodbentupwardsbyitssummit,

Forandagainstthegodspliestheunanimoustree, Thefloatingforestoutofwhoseencrustedtrunks

Theyreverentlybeartheirincredibleheads, Heartbrokendeparturestosuperbscatteredislands, Atenderstream,oDeath,andhiddenunderthegrass?

WHOcanresist,amongmortals,theseupheavals?

Whoamongmortalscan?

Withmesopure,myknees

Sensingtheterroroftheknees'defencelessness...

Theairexhaustsme. Thebirdpierceswithchildhood'scries

Pasthearing...thesameshadowitselfwhichgripsmyheart, And,roses!mysighthatliftsyouup,conqueror

Alas!ofgentlearmsthatshutyouinthebasket…

Oh!amongstmyhairsoneweighswiththeweightofabee, Plungingalwaysmoredrunkandwithakissmoresharp, Thedeliciouspointofmyambiguousday…

TheLight!... Oryou,oDeath! Butthepromptestmaytakeme!...

Myheartbeats!myheartbeats! Mybreastburnsandleadsme!

Ah!thatitmayexpand,swellingandstraining,thishard

Yetmostmildwitnesscaptiveinmynetworkofblue…

Hardinme...butsosoftintheinfinitemouth!...

Dearnascentphantomswhosecravingsuniteinme, Desires! Glowingfaces!... Andyou,finefruitsoflove, Havethegodsfashionedinmethesematernalcontours

Andthesesinuoussides,thesefoldsandthesewaitingcups, Sothatlifemightembraceanaltarofdelights, Wherethealiensoulblendsineternalreturns, Thesemen,themilk,andthebloodforeverflow?

No! Horribleinsight,atrociousharmony!

Everykissthepresageofafreshagony…

Isee,Iseeadrift,fleeingthehonourofflesh

Theimpotentspiritsintheirbittermillions… No,breath! No,glances,tenderness...mycompanions, Thirstypeopleimploringmetoletyoulive, No,youshouldnotdependuponmeforlife!... Go, Spectres,sighswhichthenightunavailinglyexhales, Gojointhedeadintheirimpalpablenumbers!

Iwillnotbestowthelightupontheseshadows, Ikeepwatchfarfromyou,aspiritgrimandclear…

No! Youshouldnotdependonthelightningofmylips!...

Andthen...myheartalsorefusesyouitsthunder

Ihavepityonusall,oswirlingwindsofdust!

GreatGods! Iwanderlostinyourbafflingways!

Iwillimplorenomoreyourweakillumination, Enviousforsolongtomeltuponmyface, Omostimminenttear,whichismysoleresponse, Atearthattremblesasmyhumanglancesurveys

Themanydiverspathswhichleadustothegrave; Youproceedfromthesoul,thatlabyrinthofpride. Youcarryfrommyheartthisdropunderduress, Thismereabstractionofmymostprecioussubstance Thatcomestosacrificemyshadesbeforemyeyes, Tenderlibationtoamotivestillindoubt!

Fromagrottooffearatmyhollowedoutdepth

Themysterioussaltmutelypervadesthewater.

Fromwhereareyouborn? Whatlabouralwayssadandnew Drawsyoutardilyout,tear,fromthebittershadow?

Youmountedbymystagesasmortalandmother, Andheartbreakingyourroute,anunrelentingburden, Inthetimeofmylife,theslowpacethatyoutake Suffocatesme... Ikeepsilent,drinkyourcertaincourse…

-Whocalleduponyouforhelptoassuagemyyoungwound?

Butwoundinginjuries,sobs,sombreattempts,why?

Forwhomthen,crueljewels,doyoumarkthiscoldbody, Blindwithgropingfingershopingtoevadehope!

Wheredoesitgo,unansweredbyitsownignorance, Thisbodyinthedarknightastonishedbyitsfaith?

Restlessearth...andwiththeseaweedmingled,carryme, Carrymesoftly... Hasmyweaknesslikeuntosnow

Strengthenoughtoproceeduntilitfindsitssnare?

Wherelingeryou,myswan,whereseekyououtyourflight?

...Mostprecioushardness... Oawarenessofthesoil, Mystepfoundeduponyouasacredconfidence!

Butbeneaththelivingfootthatexploresandcreates Andtoucheswithhorroritsagreementmadeatbirth, Thissofirmseemingearthmypedestalachieves. Notfaroff,amongthesesteps,myprecipicedreams…

Theinsensaterock,seaweedslippery,propitious Toflight,(sinceinitselfineffablyalone),

Commences... Andthewindseemstoblowthroughashroud

Weavingwithitsrumoursoftheseaaconfusedweb, Minglingwiththebreakingofthewaves,andtheoars…

Somanylongdrawnoutgulps,andclashingdeath-rattles, Shattered,returnedbythesea...andthelotsallcast Wilddiverswaysrolledtovoraciousoblivion...

Alas!willhewhofindsthetracksofmynakedfeet Stoplongenoughtoconsidersomeonenothimself?

Restlessearth,andwiththeseaweedmingled,carryme!

MYSTERIOUSME,evenso,youliveoncemore! Yougotorecogniseyourselfatthebreakofdawn Bitterlythesame...

Areflectionfromthesea

Emerges... Andonitslips,asmileofyesterday Wearilyheraldingtheeffacementofallsigns, Chillintheeasternskyalreadythepalelines Oflightandofstone,andtheabundantprison Roundwhichwillfloattheringofthehorizononly…

Look:anarmofthepuristisseen,self-denuded. Iseeyouagain,myarm... Youbearthedawn...

Orude

Awakeningofavictimreprieved...andthreshold Somild...soclear,howflattering,thereef'sappearance, Thelowwaters,andthewashofthemuffledsea-swell!...

Thedarknesswhichdesertsme,anundyingvictim, Disclosesmereddenedthuswithnewdesires, Ontheterriblealtarofallmymemories.

There,thesea-foamstrivestomakeitselfvisible; Andthere,unsteadyonacraftthatwillrespond Toeachbuffetingwave,aneternalfisherman. Allthenconspirestoaccomplishitssolemnact Ofalwaysreturningincomparableandchaste, Andofrestoringthetombpossessedofagod Toitsgraciousstateofuniversallaughter.

HAIL! Divinitiesmadebytheroseandthesalt, Andthefirstplaythingsofthegrowingearlylight, Islands!... Hivesbeforelong,whentheprimaryflame Willservetomakeyourrock,oislandsthatIpredict,

Feelinitsreddeningthepowersofparadise; Peaksthatafruitfulfirescarcelyintimidates, Woodsthatwillbehummingwithbeastsandwithideas, Withhymnsofmenfulfilledbythegiftsofajustsky, Islands!inthemurmurofyoursea-brightgirdle, Mothersevervirgin,yetbearingthesesamemarks, YouaretomeasIkneelsomarvellouslyFates:

Nothingcanmatchabovegroundtheflowersyouputforth, But,inthehiddendepth,yourfeetarecoldasice!

THEsoulpreparesitselfundertheeasedtemple, Mydeath,achildsecretandalreadyestablished, Andyou,divinedisguststhathavegivenmeflight, Chastedeviationsfromthelustreofmyfate, Haveyounomore,fervour,thananobleduration?

Noonehaswiththegodseverventuredcloser Nordaredpaintonherforeheadtheirravishingbreath, Andfromthedepthsoftheperfectnightimploring,

Toclaimonitsverylipamurmursupreme...

Iresistedthesplendourofadeathsopure

AsIoncelongagohadresistedthesun…

Mybodyindespairtwistingthenakedtorso

Wherethesoul,drunkonself,onsilenceandonglory, Readytobesubsumedbyitsownmemory, Listens,fullofhope,beatinguponthepiouswall

Ofthisheart,- whichitwreckswithmysteriousblows, Untilitcannomoreholdthanbyitsindulgence

Adelicatetremblingofaleaf,mypresence...

Waitinginvain,andvainly... Shemaythennotdie Whobeforehermirrorweepsinordertofeel.

OSHOULDINOTthen,idiot,haveaccomplished Mymarvellousendofselectingfortorture

Thisluciddisdainforthenuancesoffate?

Willyounevermorefindsotransparentadeath

NoramorepureslopewhereIclimbtomyruin

Thaninthislongregardofavictimlaidhalf-open, Pale,whohasresignedherselfandbleedswithoutregret?

What'sallthisbloodtoherwhennolongerhersecret?

Inwhatawhiteningpeacethiscrimsonrushleavesher,

Atthelimitsofbeing,andlovelyinherweakness!

Shecalmsthusthetimethatcomesbuttoabolish,

Themomentsuprememaynotmakehermorepallid, Somuchtheemptyfleshkissesasombrespring!...

Sheherselfalwaysmademorealoneandmoreremote…

Andme,ofalikedestiny,theheartalwayscloser, Mycortège,inspirit,rockedbycypressesasleep...

Towardsanaromaticwispoffuturesmoke,

Ifeelmyselfconducted,offeredupandconsumed,

All,allalong-destinedpromisetothehappyclouds!

What'smore,Iappeartomyselfthatvaporoustree,

Ofwhichitsmajestysolightlythrownaway

Iswhollyabandonedtotheloveofexpansion.

Being'simmensenesswinsme,andfrommydivineheart

Theincensethatburnsbreathsoutaformwithoutend…

Allthebodyradianttremblesinmyessence!...

No,no!... Kindlenomorethisvaguerecollection!

Sombrelily! Obscurehintoftheheavens, Yourstrengthcouldnotshattersopreciousavessel…

Amongalltheinstantsyoutouchedonthesupreme…

-Butwhothencouldprevailoverthesamepower, Soeagerwithyoureyestocontemplatetheday Thathaschosenyourbrowforitsluminoustower?

Seekout,theleast,totellyou,bywhatsilentprocess

Thenight,amidthedead,hasguidedyoubacktoday?

Recallyourselftoyourself,takeupinstinctively

Thisthread(yourgildedtouchdisputesitwiththemorn),

Thisthreadwhosetenuitysoblindlyfollowed

Evenuntothiscoastlinerestoredtoyouyourlife… Bediscerning...cruel...ormoresubtlestill!... Lie

Butlearn!... Instructmebywhateverenchantments, Cowardwhoknowsnothowtofleehertepidbreathing

Norherconcernforabreastofsweet-smellingclay, Bywhatreturntoyourself,reptile,didyourenew

Yourcavernousperfumesandyourgloomyspirits?

YESTERDAYthedeepflesh,yesterday,therulingflesh

Betrayedme... Oh!withnodream,andwithoutacaress!...

Nodemon,noperfumeofferedtometheperil

Ofimaginedarmsdyinguponamanlyneck;

Nor,fromoutoftheSwan-God,haveplumesoffendedby Hisownbrilliantwhitenessbrushedlightlyacrossmythought...

Hewouldhaveknownallthesamethemosttenderofnests!

Forwithallthefavourofmylimbsunited, Virgin,Iwasinthatshadeachoicestoffering…

Butthesleepofthespiritisasweetnesssogreat,

Andknottedtomyselfbytheslackofmyhair,

Ihavelanguidlylostmyautonomouskingdom.

Inthemidstofmyarms,Ibecameanother…

Whoisalienated?... Whoflies?... Whowallows?...

Onwhatobscuredetour,wasmyheartmelted?

WhatconchisrepeatingthenamethatIhavelost?

DoIknow,whattreacherousebbtidestrandedme

Inmyextremitysopureandpremature,

Andinmerevivedthemeaningofmyimmensesigh?

Likethebirdthatalights,Imustbelulledtorest.

Itwasthehour,perhaps,whentheprophetess

Dwellingwithinisfatiguedandlosesinterest: Sheisnolongerthesame... Aprofoundinfant

Ontheuntroddenwaysvaininherowndefence,

Askingagainfromafarforhandssheabandoned. Onemustconcedetothewishesoftheholydead

Andtakeforherfaceabreathofair

Butsoftly,

Iamhere:myforeheadisclosetoitsconsent... Thisbody,Ipardonit,andItastetheashes. Igivemyselfwhollyuptothehappydescent, Opentothedarkwitnesses,thetormentedarms,

Amongthewordswithoutend,withoutme,stammeredout… Sleep,mywisdom,sleep. Formforyourselfthisabsence; Returntotheseedandthesombreinnocence.

Resignyourlifeforthatoftheserpents,thetreasures…

Sleepalways! Descend,sleepalways! Descend,sleep,sleep!

(The lowly doorway is a ring... and where the gauze Is passed through... All dies, all laughs in the twittering throat…

The bird drinks from your mouth and you may not see him… Come lower still, speak low... The dark is not so dark...)

DELICIOUSWINDING-SHEETS,mylukewarmdisorder, BedwhereIloosemyself,questionmyselfandconcede, WhereIwaswonttotakemyhearttoquenchitsbeatings, Almostalivingtombwithinmyownapartments, Whobreaths,andtowhomeveneternitylistens,

Placefullofmyselfwhichhasassumedmewholly, Oformofmyformandoutofthehollowheat

Whichmyreturntomyselfacknowledgestheirs, Hereiswheresomuchofprideimmersedinyourfolds

Isblentatthelastwiththepettinessofthedream!

Inyoursheets,wheresmoothlyshemimicsherowndeath

Thereluctantidoldisposesherselfandsleeps, Wearyabsolutewoman,andtheeyesintheirtears, When,ofhernakedsecretsthecavesandthecharms, Andtherestofthelovewithwhichsheguardsherbody Havecorruptedherruinandheraccordswithdeath.

Arkcompletelysecret,andneverthelesssonear, Mytransports,thisnight,werethinkingtobreakyourchains; Ihavedonenomorethancradlewithlamentations

Yourflankssoweighteddownwithdayandcreations! What!myeyescoldlymisledbysomuchblueness

Canwatchtheperishingofastarfineandrare, Andtheyoungsunofmyearliestastonishments

Seemslikeagrandmothershiningdownonagonies, Somuchdoestheflameofremorseravishexistence, Andcomposesoutofthedawnaprecioussubstance

Thatwouldalreadyformthesubstanceofatomb!...

O,onallthesea,onmyfeet,itisbeautiful!

Youdrawnear!... Iamalwaystheonethatyoubreathe, Mydissolvingveildriftsmetowardsyourempires

...Well,haveIdonenomore,vainfarewellsifIlive, Thanformdreams?... IfIcome,inravishinggarments, Untothisbrink,withouthorror,tobreaththehighfoam, Drinkinthroughmyeyesthevastandsmilingbitterness,

Abeingagainstthewind,inthesharpestofair, Receivingfullinthefaceacallfromthesea;

Iftheintensesoulbreathes,andtherefuriouslyswells Sheerwaveoutofexhaustedwave,andifthewave Booms,toimmolateamonsterofnaivety, Andcomesfromthehighseastovomititsprofoundness Onthisrock,fromwherespurtseventomyverythoughts

Adazzlingarrayoffrozenglitteringsparks, Andoverallmyskinbitesaharshawakening, Well,inspiteofmyself,itneedsmustbe,oSun, ThatIadoremyheartwhereyoucomeyourselftoknow,

Freshandpowerfulreturnofthedelightofbirth,

Firetowardswhomoneelevatesavirginofblood

Underthegoldenspeciesofabreast'sthanksgiving!

CHARMES

Deducerecarmen.

BREAKOFDAY À Paul Poujaud.

THEmoroseconfusion

Whichservesformeassleep, Isdissolvedbytherose

Appearanceofthesun.

Iinmysouladvance

Allwingedwithconfidence:

Itistheday'sfirstprayer!

Scarcelyoutonthesands, Imakeadmirablesteps

Inthefootprintsofmyreason.

Allhail!asleepagain

Inthetwinshipofyoursmiles, Friendlysimilarities

Thatsparkleamidthewords!

Inthehubbubofthebees

Iwillbeforyouanet, Andonthetremblingrungs

Ofmyladdermadeofgold, Myevaporatingprudence

Alreadysetsitspurefoot.

Whatadawnonthesehaunches

Whicharestartingtotremble!

Alreadystretchingmuscles

Thathadseemedtobeasleep:

Oneeager,anotheryawning;

Andonatortoiseshellcomb

Distractedbyvaguefingers, Fromadreamthatisstilltocome, Thelazyoneisboundup

Tothepremisesofitsvoice.

What!isityou,fair-weatherfriends!

Whatwereyoudoing,thisnight, Soul-mistresses,Ideas, Madecourtesansbyboredom?

-Alwayswise,theytellme,

Ourimmortalattendance

Hasneverbetrayedyourroof!

Wehavenotbeenfaraway Butsecretiveasspiders

Inthedarknessofyourself!

Willyouneverbebyjoymade Drunk!seecomefromtheshadows

Tenthousandsilkensuns Wovenfromyourenigmas?

Lookatwhatwehavedone:

Wehaveacrossyourabysses

Stretchedoutourprimitivethreads, Andtakenfromnakednature

Inatenuousfine-spunweft

Oftremblingpreparations...

Theirspiritualcobweb, Ibreakit,andsetofftofind

Inmyownsensualforest

Theoraclesofmysong. Being! Universalear!

Allthesoulpreparesitself

Attheutmostofdesire... Ithearsitselftremble

Andsometimesmylipsappear Tograspitsquivering.

Herearemyshadowyvines,

Thecradlesofmyhazards!

Theimagesarenumerous

Andtheequalofmyregards...

Everyleafpresentstome

Anaccommodatingsource

WhereIdrinkthisfrailrumour...

Iamallpulp,allkernel, Everycalyxdemandsofme ThatIwaitforitsfruit.

Idonotfearthethorns!

Thewakingisgood,thoughhard!

Thisplunderingofabsolutes

Wantsnothingbutcertainty:

Itisnottoravishaworld

Ofaninjurysoprofound

Thatwillnottotheravisher

Beafruitfulinjury,

Andwhoseownbloodassureshim Ofbeingthetruepossessor.

Iapproachthetransparency

Oftheinvisiblepond

WhereswimsmyeternalHope Bornebreast-highbythewater.

Itsneckintersectsvaguetime

Andraisesonhighthiswave Whichmakesaneckwithoutequal...

Itsensesbeneathcalmwaters

Theinfiniteprofundity, Andshiversupfromthetoe.

TOAPLANETREE

For André Fontainas.

YOUbowdown,greatPlane-tree,andproposeyourselfnude, WhiteasayoungScythian, Butnaivelyyoucatch,andyourfootisrestrained

Byyourimmobilesite.

Reverberantshadowinwhichthesameskies

Thatcarryyou,areappeased, Thedarkmotherconstrainingthepure-bornfoot

Weighedbythemiredown.

Thewindsdonotwantyouradventuringbrow;

Thetenderandsombreearth,

OPlane-tree,willneverpermityouonestep

Toscandaliseyourshadow!

Thatbrowcanbutaccessthoseluminousrungs

Whichyoursapexaltsyouto; Youmaygrow,naively,butnotshatterthebonds

Ofaneternalhalt!

Feelallaroundyouotherlivingthingsbound

Bythisancienthydra; Yourequalsarenumerous,thepoplarsandpines, Theilyxandthemaple,

Who,seizedbythedead,theirwildtousledfeetheld

Inthismuddleofashes, Sensethefadingofflowers,andtheirsementhuswinged Lightintheairdescending.

Theaspen,thehornbeam,andthebeech-treeformed

Intheshapeoffouryoungwomen, Keepceaselesslybatteringaskyalwaysclosed,

Theirbranchingoarsdressedinvain.

Theyliveseparatelives,buttheirtearsareconjoined

Intheonelonelyabsence, Andtheirsilverylimbsarebutvainlycutthrough

Atthesweetmomentofbirth.

Whenthesoulintheeveningisslowlybreathedout

MountingtoAphrodite, Thevirgininshadowsmust,insilence,sit,

Hotalloverwithshame.

Shefeelsherselfcaughtout,andpale,andapart

Ofthissotenderportent Whichthefleshoftodaytothefutureturns

Withayouthfulcountenance...

Butyou,ofarmspurerthananimalarms

Youwhoplungetheminthegold, Youwhoformfromthedaythephantomofevils

Thatsleepmakesintodreams,

Highprofusionofleaves,agitationsoproud

Whenthebitternorthern Sounds,atyourgoldenheights,theyoungwintryskies

Onyourharps,oPlane-tree,

Daretomoan!... Itmust,osupplefleshofwood, Makeyoutwist,untwistyourself, Complainbutnotbreak,restoretothewindsthevoice

Theyseekoutindisorder!

Flagellateyourself!... Beliketheimpatientmartyr

Whoisbyhisownselfflayed, Anddisputewiththeflamespowerlesstodepart

Theirownreturntothetorch!

Sothatahymnmightrisetobirdsasyetunborn,

Andthatthepureofsoul

Maymaketremblewithhopetheleavesofatrunk

Thatisdreamingoftheflame,

Ihavechosenyou,powerfulpresenceofthepark,

Madedrunkenbyyourtossing, Sincetheskyteachesyou,andurgesyou,ogreatbow,

Togiveitbackalanguage!

OamorouslyrivaltotheDryadsofold,

Thepoetaloneisfit

TostrokeyourburnishedsideashewouldstroketheHorse

Ontheambitiousflank!...

- No, says the tree. It says: No! by the glittering

Of its magnificent head, Which the tempest treats just as universally

As it does a blade of grass!

CANTICLEOFTHECOLUMNS

ÀLéon-PaulFargue.

GRACEFULcolumns,wearing Hatsbedeckedfortheday, Withrealbirdsembellished Whowalkandlookaround,

Gracefulcolumns,sounding Yourorchestraofforms!

Eachonesacrificing Silenceforunison.

-Whatdoyouliftsohigh, Ofequalradiance?

-Thewishtomakefaultless Ourstudiousgraces!

Wesingatthesametime Wecarrytheheavens!

Owiseandsinglevoice Whichmakessongsfortheeyes!

Beholdtheseguilelesshymns! Whatrichsonority

Ourlimpidelements Drawoutofthebrightness!

Sochillyandgilded

Weremainedinourbeds

Bythechiselrescued, Tobecometheselilies!

Inourbedsofcrystal

Weremaineduntilcalled, Thenbygreatmetalclaws

Wewerecarvedoutanddressed.

Forconfrontingthemoon, Boththemoonandthesun, Wewerepolishedeachone Likeanailonatoe!

Serving-maidswithoutknees, Whosmilewithoutfaces, Theyounggirlfacingus Understandspurelegs.

Alikeinpiety, Ablindfoldtothenose Andoursumptuousears Deaftothewhiteburden,

Atempleontheeyes Darkforeternity, Wegowithoutthegods

Towardsthedeity!

Ourantiquatedyouth, Dullfleshandfineshadows,

Areproudofthefinesse Whichisbornofnumbers!

Daughtersofgoldnumbers, Madestrongbyheaven'slaws, Onusdescendsandsleeps Ahoney-colouredgod.

Hesleepscontent,theDay, Whoeachdayoffersup Atthetableoflove

Becalmeduponourbrows.

Immaculatesisters, Halfburning,halficy, Wetookbutfordancers Breezesandwitheredleaves,

Andtensofcenturies, Andthepassingpeoples, Itisalladeeponce, Aonceneverenough!

Beneathevenourloves Moreheavythantheearth

Wepassacrossthedays Asastoneskimswater!

Wemarchonwardthroughtime Andourdazzlingbodies Haveineffablesteps Whicharemarkedinfables...

THEBEE

WHAT,andsofine,andyetsodeadly, Whateveryourstingis,goldenbee, Ihavenot,inmytenderbasket, Thrownanythingbutadreamoflace.

Puncturethehandsomehollowbreast, UponwhichLoveeithersleepsordies, Sothatadropofmyrubyself Comestothissmugrebelliousflesh!

Ihavegreatneedofatormentswift: Anevilsuddenandoversoon Isbetterthanatorturewaiting!

Letthenmysensesbeenlightened Bythisminusculegoldenwarning WithoutwhichLoveisasleepordies!

To Francis de Miomandre.

POETRY

INthegripofthesurprise, Amouththathasbeendrinking AtthebreastofPoetry Jerksitsdowninessaway:

-OmymotherIntelligence, Fromwhichallsweetnessflowed, Whatisthisnegligence

Thatletsyourmilkrundry!

Scarcelyatrestonyourbosom, Overwhelmedwithpurebonds, Iwaslulledbytheseawaters

Ofyourheartladenwithgoods;

Scarcely,withinyoursombresky, Exhaustedbyyourbeauty, Isensed,asIdrankthedarkness, Mybeinginvadedwithlight!

Godlostinhisownessence, Andthereforeexquisitely Receptivetotheknowledge Ofsupremeassurances, Iamonewiththepurenight, Inolongerknowhowtodie, Forariverwithoutend Seemstoberunningthroughme...

Tellme,bywhatfruitlessfear, Bywhatshadowofdespite, Thismarvellousinspiration Hasbeencutofffrommylips?

Origour,yousignaltome ThatInolongerpleasemysoul! Thesilenceoftheswan'sflight Canbetweenusnolongerreign!

Immortalone,yourclosedeye Refusesmemytreasures, Andthefleshisturnedtostone Thatwassoftundermybody!

Youdeprivemeoftheheavens, Bywhatunjustreversal? Whatwillyoubewithoutmylips? WhatwillIbewithoutlove?

ButtheSourcesuspendedthus Answersmewithoutharshness: -Withsuchforceyouhavebittenme

Thatmyhearthasceasedtobeat!

THESTEPS

YOURsteps,childrenofmysilence, Soslowly,religiouslyplaced, Towardsthebedofmyvigilance Proceedatadumbandicypace.

Personpure,shadowdivine, Theyaresosweet,yourstepsuntrod! Gods!...allthegiftsthatIdivine Cometomeonthesenakedfeet!

If,asyourlipscomecloserstill, Youpreparetoappeasemethus, Maketheinhabitantofmythoughts Ripeforthenourishmentofakiss,

Donothastenthistenderact, Sweetnessofbeingandnon-being, ForIhavelivedtowaitforyou, Andmyheartwasnothingbutyoursteps.

THEBELT

WHENthesunsetglowofacheek Departsatlastfromcherishedeyes

Andavanishingpointofgold

Fromtheroseswithwhichtimeplays,

Beforethemutenessofdelight

Towhichjustsuchapicturebinds, DancestheShadowofabelt

Whichtheeveningalmostgrasps.

Thisbeltsorestlesslymoving

Producedwithetherealbreath

Setsthesupremelinktrembling

Thatmysilencehaswiththisworld...

Absent,present... Iamalone, Andsombre,osuavewinding-sheet.

THESLEEPINGGIRL

To Lucien Fabre.

WHATsecretsinherheartareburningmyyoungfriend, Soulthroughthissoftmaskaspiringtobeaflower? Fromwhatvainnutrimentsdohernaiveflushes Createallthisradianceinasleepingwoman?

Breathing,dreams,quietness,invinciblerespite, Youvictories,opeacemorepowerfulthanatear, Whenfromthisdeepestsleepthewatersgraveandvast Conspireuponthebreastofsuchanenemy.

Sleepinggirl,goldenmassofshadowsandabandons, Yourredoubtablereposeisladenwithsuchgifts, Ohindwhowithlanguorlingersclosetoabunch, Thatdespitetheabsentsoul,occupiedwithitshells, Yourformaspurewombwhereafluidarmisdraped, Keepswatch;yourformkeepswatch,andmyeyesareopen.

FRAGMENTSFROMNARCISSUS I

Cur aliquid vidi?

HOWyouglimmeratthelast,pureendofmydays!

Thisevening,likeastag's,theflighttowardsthesource Ceasesnottillitfallsinthemidstofthereeds, Mycravingbringsmedowntothesamewater'sedge.

But,forquenchingthethirstofthiscuriouslove, Iwillnotagitatethemysteriouswaves:

ONymphs!ifyouloveme,youforevermustsleep!

Theleastsoulintheaircanstillmakeyoutremble; Even,initsweakness,fromtheshadowsescaped, Iftheleaf'sfranticflightlightlytouchesthepond, Thatwouldsufficetobreakasleepinguniverse...

Yoursleepisofimportancetomyenchantment, Itfearseventheshudderofafeather'sfall! Guardwellformeandlongthisvisageforadream Conceivablealonetoanabsencedivine!

Sleepofthenymphs,thesky,neverceasetoseeme!

Dream,dreamofme!... Withoutyou,Olovelyfountains, Mybeauty,mysorrow,wouldformebedoubtfulthings. IwouldseekoutinvainthatwhichIholdmostdear, Itsconfusedtendernesswouldastonishmyflesh, Andmysorrowfullooks,unawareofmycharms, Toothersthatmyselfwouldofferuptheirtears...

Youarewaiting,perhaps,forafacewithouttears, Youcalmones,youalwayswithleavesandwithflowers, Andfromincorruptibleheightsyouhavehaunted, ONymphs!... Butdociletotheslopesthusenchanted

WheretowardsyouImadesuchinvinciblepaths, Sufferthislovelyglimpseofhumandisorders!

Happyyourshiftingforms,Watersplainandprofound! Iamalone!... IftheGods,theechoesandthewaves

Andifsomanysighspermititwellandgood!

Alone!...butstilltheonewhodrawsneartohimself

Whenhedrawsnearthebanksthisfoliageblesses...

Fromsummits,windsalreadyendthepureplunder; Thewaters'voicechanges,andspeaksoftheevening; Agreatcalmattendsme,whereIlistenforhope. Ihearnightgrassesgrowintheholyshadow, Andthedeceitfulmoonelevateshermirror

Eventothesecretsofthedriedupfountain... EventothesecretswhichIfeartofindout, Eventothesanctumoftheloveofoneself, Nothingfromthesilenceoftheeveningcanescape... ThenightuponmyfleshcomeswithbreaththatIlove. Itsfreshvoicecausemyvowstotremblewithconsent; Exceptthat,inthebreeze,itwouldappeartolie, Somuchthequiveringofitswordlesstemple Conspireswiththesilenceofsospaciousasite.

Osweetnessofsurvivingthestrengthoftheday, Whenitwithdrawsatlastblushingroseaswithlove, Stillburningalittle,andweary,butfulfilled, Andwithsomanytreasurestenderlyweigheddown Ofwhichsuchmemoriesrendercrimsonitsdeath, Andbythesemadehappyitkneelsdowninthegold, Thenspreadsout,mergeswith,losesitspreciouswine, Andfadesintoadreamwhichtheeveningwillchange.

Whatlossinoneselfofferedbysocalmaplace! Thesoul,abouttodie,bendsdowntoaGod Whichitasksofthewave,nowdeserted,andworthy Initslustre,ofthesmootheffacementofaswan... Noflocksandnoherdsatthesewaterseverdrank! Ofothers,strayinghere,youmightfindtherepose, Andinthesombreearth,abrightopeningtomb... Butthisisnotthecalm,alas!whichIhavefound!

Whentheopaquedelightwherethisclaritysleeps Yieldsuptomybodythehorroroflonelyleaves, Then,victoroftheshade,Omytyrannousbody, Pushingbacktothewoodstheirpanickyblackness,

Youregretalltoosoontheireverlastingnight!

ForrestlessNarcissus,hereisonlyennui!

Allcallstomeandchainsmetotheluminousflesh Whichisofferedtomebythewaters'dizzypeace!

HowIlamentyoursplendourfatalandpure, Solanguidlyofme,encompassingfountain, Wheremyeyeshavedrawnupfromamortalazure, Thesameeyesanddespairsoftheirastonishedsoul!

Profundity,profundity,dreamswhichseeme,

Astheywouldseeanotherlife, Tellme,amInottheoneyouthinkthatIam, Foryourownbodydoyoucrave?

Ceasethen,sombrespirits,thisanxiouspieceofwork Whichyoumakeinthesoulthatwakes; Seeknotinyourselves,nortocatchoutintheskies

Misfortune'smarvellousbeing:

Findinginthefountainsodeliciousabody...

Takinginwithyourglancesthisabsolutevictim, Acaptivedoyoumakeofthemonsteryoulove; Inthewanderingnetsofyourlongsilkenlashes Itsradiantgracemakesyourownagainpensive;

Butflatteryourselfnotwiththechangeofdominion. Thiscrystalisitstrueabode; Thestrugglesthesameasoflove!

Knowyounotthatthewavefromyourbreathdrawsnoworse...

WORSE.

Worse?...

Someonekeepssaying Worse ... Omockery!

Farechoisprompttogivebackitsoracle Ofenchantedlaughter,therockcrushesmyheart, Andthesilence,bysomemiracle, Ceases!...speaks,comesagain,onthefaceofthewaters... Worse?...

Adestinyworse!... Yousoundit,amongthereeds,

Whileagainthewindstakeupmyrestlesscomplaint! Caves,whichgivebacktomemysoulmoreprofoundly,

Thereblowsfromoutyourdarknessavoicethatdiesaway... Youmurmurittome,youbranches!... Orumour Heartbreaking,anddociletothegustsfromnowhere, Yourfaintgoldistossing,andplayswiththeaugury...

Allminglethemselvesinme,brutishdivinities!

Mysecretsinthebreezesoundtheirowndisclosures, Therocklaughs;thetreeweeps;andbyitscharmingvoice, Ieventotheskiescanthenonlylament

Beingeasilyonewitheternalattractions!

Alas!betweenthearmstowhichtheforestsgivebirth, Anambiguoushour'stenderglowexists...

There,thelastoftheday,itselfformsabridegroom, Nude,onthepaleplacewherethesadwaterlures, Deliciousdemondesirableandicy!

Youarehere,mysmoothbodyofmoonlightanddew, Oformobedientandoppositemyeyes!

Theyarecomely,thegiftsofmyarmsvastandvain!

Myhandslingering,inthelovelygoldgrowweary

Ofcallingthiscaptivewhomtheleavesinterlace; Myheartthrowsforthtoechoestheflashofnamesdivine!...

Butthatyourmouthisfairandthissilentblasphemy!

Omylikeness!... Andyetmoreperfectthanmyself, Ephemeralimmortal,sobrightbeforemyeyes, Limbsaspaleasapearl,andthisfinesilkyhair, Mustwescarcelyknowlove,whentheshadowsdescend, Andthenightalreadydividesus,ONarcissus, Andslidesbetweenustwolikeabladecuttingfruit! Whereareyou?

Ismymoanitselfmortal?...

Themurmur

WhichIbreatheforthtoteachtoyourlips,mydouble, Hastensbuttoblurandtotroublethelimpidwave!... Youtremble!... ButthesewordswhichIexhaleonmyknees

Arebutthoseofasoulstillhesitantbetweenus, Betweenthisbrowsopureandmyheavymemory... IamsoclosetoyouthatIcandrinkyouin, Ovisage!... Mythirstisthatofanakedslave...

UntilthischarmingtimeIwasstrangetomyself, Andknewnothowtoloveorbelovedandmadeone!

Buttoseeyou,dearestslave,respondingtotheleast Oftheshadowsinmyheartwhichvanishwithregret, Seeonmybrowtherageandfiresofasecret, See,Omarvellous,see!mymouth'sfinelynuanced

Betrayal...paintedonthewaveaflowerofthought, Andwhatoccurrencessparklingintheeye!

Ifindheresuchatreasureofweaknessandofpride, Thatnoinfantvirgininflightfromasatyr, None!ofcleverescapes,offallswithoutcommotion, Noneofthenymphs,nofriend,nothingcanenticeme Asyoudoonthewave,inexhaustibleSelf!...

Ofountain,myfountain,watercoldlypresent, Sweettopureanimals,tohumansobliging Whoaretemptedthemselvesatthebottomtofinddeath, Allisadreamtoyou,tranquilSisterofFate!

Onlyinmemoryareyouchangedtoaportent, Whichlikewiseceaselesslyseeksoutitsfleetingface, Assoonasyoufromsleepareravishedbytheskies! Butpureasyouaretothecreaturesyouhaveseen, Wave,uponwhichtheyearspassoverastheclouds,

Yetinyouallthesamemostthingswishtobeknown, Stars,roses,theseasons,thebodyanditsloves!

Soclear,butsoprofound,anymphwhohasalways Touchedlightly,andlivingtoallthosewhoapproach, Nourishedbysomewisdomintheshelterofherrock,

Byshadowsofthedaywhichshepaintsbeneaththewoods, Sheunderstandsforeverthethingsthatarepast...

Oreflectivepresence,calmwaterwhichcollects Allthesombretreasureoffablesandofleaves, Thedeadbird,theripefruit,asslowlytheydescend, Andtherareglimmeringofbrightringsthatarelost.

Youconsummatesosolemnlytheirlossinyourself; But,uponthepurityofyoureternalface, Lovepassinganddying...

Whenthescatteredfoliage Trembles,andstartstoflee,moaningfromallaround, Youseesuchsombrelovetheremingledwiththestorm, Theloverhotandhardtakingthepalebeloved, Vanquishingthesoul... Andyouknowwithwhatsweetness

Thepotenthandpassesthroughthethicknessofhair Whosetressesliescattereduponthepreciousnape, Torestthere,sensingitsownstrengthandmystery;

Itcallsattheshoulderandreignsovertheflesh.

Thentheeyesshutofffromthebreathofeternity

Seeingonlythebloodwhichgildstheirloweredlids; Redoubtablecrimsontoobscurethelights

Ofacoupleadriftwhohavemingled,andlied. Theygroan... TheEarthitselfseemssoftlytosummon

Thesegreatfalteringbodies,whostrugglemouthtomouth, Andwho,daringtomakeofvirginsandstheirbed, Willcomposeoutoftheirloveamonsterthatdies... Theirbreathscanmakenomorethanahappymurmur, Thesoulthinksitbreathesinthesoulsoclosetoit, ButyouknowbetterthanI,venerablefountain, Whatfruitsarealwaysformedoftheseenchantedmoments!

For,nosoonerareheartsatpeaceandcontented

Asanardentunionexpiresindelights,

Thanyoumirrorthespiteofloverswhenparted, Youseethedaysdawningwhichareshotthroughwithlies, Andborncountlessevilstootenderlyconceived!

Alltoosoon,mywisewave,unfaithfulandthesame,

Timeleadstheselunaticswhobelievedthattheyloved Torepeattoyourreedsthedeepestoftheirsighs!

Towardsyou,theirsadstepsfollowtheirmemories...

Toyourbanks,byshadowsandbyweaknessoverwhelmed, Bedazzledbyaskywhosebeautystillcanwound

Somuchitguardsthebrightnessoftheirloveliestdays, Theygoonlytofindtheirlostgoodsallentombed...

«Thisplaceintheshadowwastranquilandourown!»

«Theotherlovedthiscypress,eachother'sheart'ssay», «Andfromhere,wecansavourthebreathofthesea!»

Alas!theveryroseisbitterintheair...

Lessbittertheperfumesofthesmokecloudsupreme Abandonedtothewindbytheleavesthatareburnt!...

Theyinhalethissamewind,walkingwithoutknowing, Tramplingunderfootthedaytimeoftheirdespair...

Owalkslowly,swiftly,andresemblethethoughts Whichspeakastheycircletheheadsoftheinsane!

Thecaressandthekillintheirhandshesitate, Theirheart,whichthinksitbreaksateachbendoftheroad, Struggles,andforitselfgainsthehopetowhichitclings.

Buttheirlostspiritsracethroughthislabyrinthofnow

Wheretheonegoesastraywhohascursedatthesun! Theirinsanesolitude,whichisequaltosleep, Fillsandbeguilestheabsence;andtheirinnermostear

Everywherehearsavoicethatisnowherethesame. Nothingthencandissipatetheirabsolutedreams;

Thesunisasnothingagainstthatwhichisnomore! Buttheytrailinthegoldtheirdryanddolefuleyes, Theyareconsciousofthetearsdefendingtheirdarkness Dearertothemalwaysthanallthefiresofday!

Andinthisbodyhidingeverymarkofthelove Whichisbitterlybornebythesoulthatwashappy, Burnsasecretkisswhichisfuriouslyreturned...

Butme,lovedbyNarcissus,Iamnotcurious

Exceptofmyownessence; Anotherisnomorethanamysteriousheart,

Anotheronlyabsence.

Osovereigngood,dearbody,Ihavenothingbutyou!

Theloveliestofmortalscanloveonlyhimself...

Smoothandgolden,isitanidolmostholy, Withalltheforestthatiswastingaway,assumed, Andsetamidthelivingbluewithsomanybirds?

Isitagiftmostdivinewhichweowethewaters, Whoofadaythatdiescanmakenolovelieruse

Thanrendertomyeyesthehonourofmyface?

Cometobirththenbetweenuswhomthelightunites Thegraceandthesilenceofaninfiniteexchange!

Isaluteyou,childofmysoulandofthewave, Deartreasureofamirrorwhichdividestheworld! Mytendernesscomestodrink,andisdrunktosee Alonginginoneselftotestone'sownpower!

Othatisallmyhopes,thatyouarejustlikeme! Butthefragilityyoumakeinviolable, Youarenothingbutlight,theadorablehalf Ofalovetooalikeforafeeblefriendship!

Alas!thesamenymphitiswhopartedourcharms!

WhatcanIhopefromyouotherthanvainalarms?

Theyaresweettheperilswhichweruinouslychoose!

Onesurprisesoneselfandbyoneselfisseized, Ourhandsareintertwined,ourpainsannuleachother's,

Ourprolongedsilencesteachtoustheirowndreams, Thesamenightwhenintearstheyconfoundourclosedeyes, Andourarmscloseagainontheverysamesobs

Embracingalikeheart,readytomeltwithitslove...

Quitatlastthesilence,dareatlasttorespond, LovelyandcruelNarcissus,inaccessiblechild, Alladornedwithmytreasureswhichthenymphforbids...

Thisbodysopure,doesitknowhowitcharmsme?

Fromwhatprofounddepthdoyoudreamofinstructing, Occupantoftheabyss,sospeciousaguest

Ofadarkskyherebelowhurleddownfromtheheavens?...

Othecoolornamentofmysadtendency Thatasmilesoveryclose,andfullofconfidence, Whenreadyonmylipsseesashadowofdanger

UntilIfeartoactuponsostrangealonging!

Whatbreathcomesonthewavetoofferyourcoldrose!...

I love ... I love!... Andhowthentolovesomethingother Thanoneself?...

Onlyyou,mybody,mydearbody, Iloveyou,uniqueobjectthatdefendsmefromdeath!

Formthen,youonmylip,andme,inmysilence, Aprayertothegodswhoaremovedbysomuchlove Thatuponitscrimsonslopetheyholdbacktheday!...

Doit,happyMasters,Fathersofrighteousfrauds, Saythataglimmerofroseorofemerald Whichfromdreamsofeveningyoursceptrerevivesagain, Pure,andallaliketothespirit'spurity, Waits,inthebreastofheaven,thatyouliveandwant, Neartome,mybeloved,tochooseabedofleaves, Cometremblingfromtheflankofthecold-heartednymph, Andnotquittingmyeyes,notceasingtobeme, Offermeyourformsofresh,andthatskinsobright... Oh!tograspyouatlast!... Totakethatcalmtorso

Morepurethanawoman'sandnotformedtogivefruits... But,ofasimplestoneisthetemplewhereIam, WhereIlive... ForIliveonyouravariciouslips!...

Omybody,dearbody,templethatdividesme

Frommydivinity,Iwouldliketoappease Yourmouth... Andnosoonerdone,Ishatter,withmykiss, Whatlittlewedefendofextremeexistence,

Thistremulous,fragile,andrespectfuldistance

Betweenmyselfandthewave,andmysoul,andthegods!...

Farewell... Senseyoutrembleathousanddriftingfarewells?

Soontheshuddercomestodisordertheshadows!

Theblindtreetothetreespreadsoutitssombrelimbs, Andfearfullysearchesforthetreethatdisappears... Mysoullikewiselosesitswayinitsownforest, Wherethepowerescapesintoitssupremeforms...

Thesoul,thedark-eyedsoul,touchesthesamedarkness, Thereitbecomesimmenseandencountersnothing... Betweendeathandoneself,whatregardisone'sown!

Gods!ofthenobleday,thepaleandfondremains Gowithdaysexpendedtojointheirgrievousfate; Itisdeepintheabysmofprofoundmemory!

Alas!wretchedbody,itistimetounite...

Youleanover... Youkiss. Trembleinallyourbeing!

Theelusoryloveyoucamepromisingme Passes,andwithashudder,breaksNarcissus,andflees...

THEPROPHETESS

To Pierre Louÿs.

Haec effata silet; pallor simul occupat ora. VIRGIL,AEN.,IV

THEProphetessbreathingoutflame

Fromnostrilstoughenedbyincense, Drunkenly,gasping,shrieks!...thesoul Fearful,andthesidesbellowing! Pale,bittentotheverydepth, Andtheeyerolleduptillithangs

Atthehighestpointofhorror, Thelookwhichhasemptiedhermask Iswrenchedlivingfromthebasin, Fromthesmoke-fumes,fromthefrenzy!

Onthewall,hercrazyshadow

Whereamajordemonholdssway, Amongsttheodoroustumult Lavishesaphantomswimmer, Whoseecstasymadegigantic, Breakingthecalmnessoftheroom, Ifhermadbraytardilycomes, Willmimicherdarkpossession, Hastenthegods,forcethespasms

Toafutureconsummation! *

Themartyrinanicysweat, Herfingersclutchingatthemselves, Ragesatoptheshakingframe Ofasnake-encircledtripod:

-Ah!cursed!... WhatevilIsuffer!

Mywholenatureisanabyss!

Alas! Half-opentospirits, Ihavelostmyownmystery!...

AdulterousIntelligence Controlsabodythatitknows!

Cruelgift! TaintedMaster,cease Quick,quick,Oheavenlyferment, Tofeignafutilepregnancy

Inthiswombwithoutalover!

Makeanendtothisghastlyscene! Seemywholebody'sobscenebow

Drawnbacktobreakingpointtoshoot,

Asitsarrowmostinfamous, Implacablyskywardthesoul Whichmybreastcannomorecontain!

Whospeakstome,asinmystead? Whatechoanswersme: Youlie!

Whoenlightensme?... Whoblasphemes?

Andwho,withtheseslaveringwords, Whosesharpfragmentsripatmytongue, Makesitloosensuchanharangue

Toquellthespitefullispingcries Whichchewandplotthedisorder Ofamouththatwantstobiteback Andemenditsonconfessions? *

God! Iknowinmyselfnocrime

Butthatofhavingscarcelylived!...

Butifyoutakemeforvictim

Onavanquishedbody'saltar

Whereyoustretchoutamonster,kill Thismonster,andthebeastlaidlow, Theneckcutthrough,theheadproduced Byhairsthatdragatthetemples, Permitthisfeeblestoflamps

Tostrikethewholenighttomarble!

Allrightthen,bythiswandering Lifeless,stray,andunendingmoon, Mayseasbesuspended,thewave

Maintainedatitseternalcrest!

Thathumansbemadelikestatues, Theheartsfrozen,thesoulsdestroyed, Andbymypetrifyingglance,

Letamultitudeoftheirwords Hardeninacrowdofidols Mutewithfoolishnessandwithpride!

But! What!... Tobecometheviper

Whoseundulatingmotiveforce

Takesbysurprisefleshwhichdespairs Ofitsmultitudeofsections!...

Toresumeasenselessstruggle!...

Farratherthenturnbackyourthought

Tojoythatisfled,andreturn, Omemory,tothatmagic

Whichdidnotdrawitsenergy

Fromothermysteriesthanyours! *

Mydearbody... Preferentform, Itscoolnessonewhichnevercould QuenchthethirstofAphrodite, Darknessintact,tendersummits, Yourinexpressibledivides

Ofclayintosentientisles, Softsubstanceofmydestiny, Inwhatagreementweoncelived, Beforethegiftbornofthefoam Hadmadeofyouthiscorpselikething!

You,myshoulder,wheregoldmakesplay Withinafountain'sblackestdepths, Ilovedtoputmycheektoyou Meltingintoitssoftestself!...

Or,tomynostrilsliftedup, Openingonfardistantseas, Thehandsfulloftheirlivingbreasts, Betweenthefaircurveofmyarms

Myabyssdrankfromtheimmense Profoundnessofferedbythewinds!

Alas! Oroses,everylyre Containsitsownmodulation!

Onenight,insaddelirium Myconstellationcameinview! Thetempleischangedtothecave, Andthestormofdreamscomesbetween Thesameskywhichhadbeensofair! Imustgroan,amforcedtoattain Iknownotwhatecstasy,bind Myhairwithafragmentofcloth! *

Theyhavemybluestigmataknown Appearingonmymeagreskin; Theydulledmysenseswiththeirherbs

Woollyasaflockofsheep; Theyhave,foraliveamulet, Touchedthefleshofmyheavingbreast

Underitssnakelikeornaments; Dizzy,drunkuponacridfumes, Theyhave,tothemurmurofneumes, Subterraneanhonourspaid.

WhathaveIdonetobecondemned

Pure,totheseodiousrites?

Thesombrecarcassofanass Wouldservethegodsaswellforhive!

Butavirginconsecrated, Aconch-shellnacreousandnew Owingtothedivinity

Onlysilenceandsacrifice, Andthatintimateviolence Whichvirginitydoesitself!

Whythen,CreatrixPowerful, Authoroflivingmysteries, Inthisvirginforamatrix, Sowthemarvelsofwickedness! Arethesethegiftsyougivetome?

Thinkyou,thatwhenthecordissnapped

Soundsgushforthmorebeautifully? Yourplectrumhasmybodystruck, Butyouleaveitwithnomoreforce

Thanthatwhichsoundsfromoutatomb! *

Beclement,withoutoracles!

Employthemagicofyourhands, Madecaressesbymiracles, Takebackthesuperhumangifts! Invaindoyoucommunicate

Toourfeeblestems,theseunique

Upheavalswhichyoursplendourshows!

Calmwatersmoretransparentare Thananystorm'srelationship Withtheconfusionofthedeeps!

Enough,thelightofthedivine Isnotthedreadfullightning-flash Whichforestallsusandseeksusout Asdoesadream'scruelclarity! Itshinesforth!... Usitwillinstruct!...

No!... Solitudecomesbuttogleam Intheimmensewoundoftheair

Wherenopallidarchitecture, Butanagonisingrupture Imprintsonuspuredeserts!

Donotthen,universalhands, Drawfromoutmythunderousbrow

Somescintillatingsparkssupreme! Thesearethesamegamesfortuneplays! Thepast,thefuturearebrothers Andintheircontrastingfaces

Asingleheadturnspaletosee Whereveritlooksnothingmore Thanthesamewildabsenceofisles

Morelovelythanforgetfulness. *

Darkwitnessesofsomuchlight

Donotseekmore... Weepthen,myeyes!...

Otearswhichspringfromafirstcause Toodeeplyintheheavensset!...

Neverabittererdemand!...

Buttheeyewhichisthestrongest Mustondarknessnourishitself!...

Maintainingthusourracedismayed, Thehopelessnessofdistances

Givesussufficienttimetodie!

Listen,mysoul,heartheserivers! Whatcavernousgrottoesarehere?

Isitmyblood?... Aretheythefresh Murmuringofmercilesswaves?

Mysecretsheraldtheirnewdawns!

Sadbronzes,mysoundingtemples, Whatsayyouofthecomingtime!

Strikedown,strikedown,fromouttherock, Abolishthehourmostnear...

Mytwonatureswillsoonbeone!

Oformidablyascended, Andonsuchterrifyingrungs, Isenseinthetreeofmylife

Thedeathclimbingupfrommyheels!

Alongmywholeshiveringthread, Themoistfingerofthespinner Tracesoutanatrociouswill!

Andsobbysobthecrisismounts

Eventomynapewhereitbreaks Apeakofvoluptuousness! *

Ah!shatterthelivingportals!

Demolishalltheuselessseals, Thickflockofappallingterrors, Bristlingwithincandescentsparks!

Arisefromthemournfulstables Wheremyblacknessesnurturedyou Withtheirfabulousabundance!

Riseup,ondreamstooovergorged, Othornyandsofuzzyhoard, Andcometofumeinthegold,Fleece!

*

Sothat,alwaysmoretormented, Herwitsastray,withgroanandhowl

Theprophetesshasbeenstirredup Bythebreathofthemoltengold.

Butatlastheavenintervenes!

Theearofthesmilingpontiff

Makesventureintothefuture:

Anholyexpectationleans, Andavoicethatiswhiteandnew Escapestheimpurebody *

HonourofMen,HolyLANGUAGE, Speechpropheticandremedy, Beautifulchainsacceptedby Thegodstrayingintotheflesh, Inspiration,generousness!

HerespeakingthenisWisdom'sself

AndsoundingthismajesticVoice

Whichwhenitsoundsisrecognised

Tobenomoreahumanvoice Somuchasthewavesandthewoods! *

THESYLPH

NOTseennotknown

Iamtheperfume

Livingandgone

Onthewindborne!

Notseennotknown, Chanceordesign?

Butnowjustcome

Thetaskisdone!

Notreadnotcontained?

Forthebestminds

Whatpromisedmistakes!

Notseennotknown,

Abarebreastintime

Betweentwochemises!

THEIMPLICATION

OCURVES,complexities, Illusivesecrets, Isthereartmoretender Thanthisslowprocess?

IknowwhereIgo, Iwanttoguideyou, Myawkwarddesign Willnotinjureyou...

(Althoughagreeable Toprideexpanding, Somuchliberty Isdisconcerting!)

OCurves,complexities, Illusivesecrets, Ineedsmustawait Thewordmosttender.

THEUNDEAD

HUMBLY,tenderly,uponthecharmingtomb, Upontheinsentientstone, Ofshadows,abandonments,generouslovemade, Yourwearygracearrayed, Idie,Idieuponyou,Isinkexhausteddown,

Butatgrief'slowestebbtothesepulchrecome, Whoseenclosedplotofearthoffersmesomerelief, Thissemblanceofdeath,whohascomebacktolife, Shudders,openshereyes,whichlightonmyremorse, Andwrestsfrommealwaysanothernewdeath

Morepreciousthananylife.

SKETCHOFASERPENT

To Henri Ghéon.

ABOUTthetree,thebreezeplacates TheviperwhoseskinIhavedonned; Asmile,whichdisclosesthetooth

Andilluminatesitsappetites, AroundtheGardenrisksandroves, Andmytriangleofemerald

Shootsoutitsthindividedtongue... BeastamI,butabeastmostkeen, Ofwhichthevenomalthoughvile Leavesthewisehemlockwellbehind!

Sweetistheleisureofthetimes!

Tremble,mortals! Iammoststrong Whenmysufficiencynotshown, Iyawnandshatterinnerstrength! Thesplendouroftheskyincites Thiswrigglewhichismydisguise

Ofanimalsimplicity; Cometomethus,rashcarelessrace! Iamresourcefulanderect, Equaltoyournecessity!

Osun,Osun!... Brillianceatfault! Youwhoobscuredeath,OSun, Beneathablueandgoldentent Whereflowersconsultonlythemselves; Withimpenetrabledelights, You,mymostproudofaccomplices, Andthehighestofallmysnares,

Youshieldtheheartfromknowingthat Theuniverseisbutaflaw InthepurityofNon-being!

PowerfulSun,whosoundsthecall

Tobeing,andyourattendantflames, Youwhofromouttheconfinesofsleep Deceptivelypaintsthecountryside, Stirrerupofthosejoyousghosts Thatrendersubjecttotheeyes

Theobscurepresenceofthesoul, Alwaystometheamusinglie

Youscatterupontheabsolute, Okingofdarknessmadeofflame!

Lendtomeyourprimitivewarmth, Whichcomeswheremyicysluggishness

Musesuponsomeunhappiness

Accordingtomytwistednature... Thischarmingplacewherequickenedflesh Fellandmingledistomemostdear!

Myfury,here,makesitselfripe; Icounselitandaccumulate, Ihearmyself,andinmycoils, Mymeditationmurmuring...

OVanity! PremierCause!

WherewiththeOnewhorulestheSkies, Inavoicethatwasthelightitself Openedthespaciousuniverse.

Aswearyofhispureshow, GodHimselfshatteredtheobstacle

Tohisperfecteternity; HehadmadetheOnewhodissipates Inconsequences,hisPrinciple, Amongthestars,hisUnity.

Heaven,hiserror! Time,hisruin!

Andtheanimalabyss,yawning!...

Inthebeginningwhatafall Asglitteringreplacednothingness!...

But,wasnotthefirstwordofhisWord, MYSELF!... Themostsuperbofstars Spokeashadtheirmadcreator, Iam!... Iwillbe!... Iillumine

Thediminutionofthedivine

ByallthelightsoftheSeducer!

Radiantobjectofmyhatred, YouwhomIhavelovedpassionately, Youwhosedutiesintheinferno

Gavetothisloverthatempire, Lookatyourselfwithinmydarkness!

Beforeyourimagefunereal, Prideofmyownsombremirror, Yourdisquietwassoprofound

Thatbreathingoutupontheclay Becameonelongsighofdespair!

Invain,haveYou,fromoutthemire, Fashionedthesefacilechildren, WhocalltomindYourtriumphantdeeds

BysingingYourpraisethelivelongday!

Nosoonershaped,nosoonerbreathing, MasterSerpentletsoutahiss, ThebeautifulcreaturesYoucreate!

Hellothere,sayshe,newcomers!

Youarestillthesestarknakedmen, Obeastssowhiteandblissfullysmug!

Inthatlikenessdetestable, Youweremade,andIdetestyou!

AsIhatetheNamewhocreated Somanyimperfectprodigies!

IamtheOnewhomodifies, Ialtertheheartthattrustsinme, Withatouchsureandmysterious!...

Wewillchangethesemalleableworks, Andthesetimidevasivesnakes

Intoreptilesmostfurious!

MyInfiniteIntelligence Touchesinthesoulofhumans

Aninstrumentofmyvengeance

Thatwasputtogetherbyyourhands!

AndyourdisguisedPaternity, Although,withinitsstarrychamber, Itdoesnomorethantheincensegreet, Howevertheexcessofmycharms Willruinwithdistantalarms

Disruptingplansomnipotent!

Igo,Icome,Islide,Iplunge, Ivanishwithinapureheart!

Wasthereeverabreastsohard Thathadnopowertolodgeadream!

Whomsoeveryoube,amnotI

Thatfirstlightofcomplacency

Withinyoursoul,whenitlovesitself?

Iamatthedepthofyourfavour

Thatinimitablesavour

Whichyoufindnowherebutinyourself!

Eve,longago,Ididsurprise, Amidstherveryfirstmusings, Herlipshalf-opentothosespirits Thatarosefromthesoothingroses. Thusthisperfectionappearedtome, Herflankvastanddappledwithgold Fearingneitherthesunnorman; Allofferedtothegazeoftheair, Thesoulstillstupid,andasthough Perplexedatthethresholdoftheflesh.

Owhatamassofbeatitude, Youaresobeautiful,justprize Foronewhoisallsolicitude

Tothegoodandthegreaterminds!

Sothatyourlipsbebysomethingseized Sufficientifitbebyyoursighs!

Thepurestaretotheworstinclined, Thehardestaretheeasiestbruised... Justsowithme,yousoftenedme, Fromwhomarosethevampires!

Yes! Frommyperchinthefoliage

Reptilewithecstasiesofabird, Howevermuchmybabbling Weaveswithmycunningcamouflage, Idrinkyouin,Odeaflovelyone!

Calmly,light,withmyponderouscharms, ThusfurtivelyIdominate, Eyeburninginthegoldforyourfleece, Yournapeenigmaticandreplete Withthesecretsofyourmovement!

Ihavebeenpresentlikeaperfume, Likethearomaofanidea

Fromwhichcanbeelucidated

Onlyitsowninsidiousdepths!

AndIhavetroubledyou,naiveone, Olanguidlypersuadedflesh, ElsehowcouldIintimidate,

Asyoutotteredinthesplendour!

Soon,Iwillbeyou,Iwager, Alreadyyourshadesofmeaningchange!

(Suchsuperbsimplicity

Demandsimmenseconsideration!

Thetransparencyofherglance, Foolishness,pride,felicity, Guardswellthelovelycitadel!

Knowhecreatedfortuity,

Andbytherarestofthearts, Wherewithtoenticethepureheart; Itismystrength,itismyaim, Itisthemeanstowardmyend!)

Gold,ofamostdazzlingvenom, Veinstheflimsysystemsofthought WhereintheidleandgentleEve

Tothesevaguedangerspledgesherself!

Asunderneathaburdenofsilk Tremblesthustheskinofthisprey Accustomedtotheoneazure!...

Butthefinestgauzemymethodknows, Northethreadinvisibleandsure, Countasmuchasthewebofmystyle!

Begold,mytongue!begoldwiththe Gentlestwordsofwhichyouknow!

Allusions,fables,delicacies, Athousandchiselledsilences, Useanymeansthatwilldoherharm:

Nothingthatflattersnotyetmisleads

Toloseherselfinmydesigns, Docileastheslopesreturning

Tothedepthsofthebluefountains

Streamsthatfromtheheavensdescend!

Owhatprosewithoutparallel, WhatofthemindhaveInotcast Withinthedownylabyrinth

Ofsomagnificentanear!

There,thinkI,nothingwillbelost; Allcanswayasuspendedheart!

Acertaintriumph!ifmyword,

Asasoulbyatreasureobsessed, Likeabeeroundacorolla Stirsnomorefromthegoldenear!

«Nothing,Iprompther,islesssure Thanthedivinityofwords,Eve!

Livingscienceburstsasunder Theenormityofthisripefruit!

HeednottheBeingoldandpure

Whomadethebriefestbiteaccursed! Whatifyourmouthcreatesadream, Thisthirstyoudreamofisthesap,

Halfthedelightisyettobe, Eternitymeltsinthemouth,Eve!»

Shedrankinmythrowawaywords

Whichconstitutedaworkmoststrange; Herglance,sometimes,losinganangel

Astomybranchesitreturned. Themostcraftyofanimals

Youmockatforhisclumsiness, Otreacherousandbigwithevils, Isonlyavoiceamidtheleaves!

-ButseriousourEveremained

Asunderneaththebranchshelistened!

«DearSoul,sayI,softdwelling-place

Ofallforbiddenecstasy, Senseyounotthesinuouslove

ThatIhavefromtheFatherfilched?

Ihaveit,thisessenceofHeaven, Itsaftertastemoresweetthanhoney

Organisedsodelicately...

Takethenthisfruit... Liftupyourarm!

Forgatheringwhatyoudesire Yourlovelyhandwasgivenyou!»

Whatsilencefluttersinalash!

Butwhatbreathinthesombrebreast GnawedbytheshadowoftheTree! Theotherisasapistilbright!

Whistle, whistle! tomeitsang!

AndIfelteachnumberedtrembling, Alongmysubtlelash-likelength, Ofthosecoilsthatsoencumberme:

Theyrolledallthewayfromtheberyl

Ofmycrest,tothevergeofperil!

Genius! Olongimpatience!

Attheend,thetimehasarrived, AsonesmallsteptothenewScience Leapsthusforthonthesenakedfeet! Themarbleaspires,thegoldcurves!

Thesefairrootsofshadeandofamber Trembleuponevolution'sbrink!...

Itisfaltering,thegreaturn, Inwhichtheregoesevadingconsent

Theconspicuouslytaciturn!

Ofpleasurethatyouyourselfpropose Yield,dearbody,yieldtothelures! Thatyourthirstformetamorphous

AroundabouttheTreeofDeath Engenderstherearangeofposes! Comewithoutcoming!formthesteps

Asvaguelyastheweightofroses... Dance,dearbody... Donotthink! Heredelightsthemselvesarecauses Sufficientfortheeffectofthings!...

OmadlythatIoffermyself

Thisinfertilepleasure-seeking: Seesofreshaback'slongpurelength Tremblewithdisobedience!...

Itsessencealreadygivenup Ofwisdomandofillusions, ThewholeTreeofKnowledgeitself Isdishevelledwithitsvisions, Tossesitsgreatbodywhichplunges Intothesun,anddrawsupthedream!

Tree,greatTree,FigureoftheHeavens, IrresistibleTreeamongtrees, Whofromouttheweaknessofstones, Seeksafterdeliciousjuices, Youwhopushthroughsuchlabyrinths

Wherebythedarknessunanimous Willriseuptobelostintheblue Sapphireofeternalmorning, Sweetloss,aromaorgentlebreeze, Orasitwerepredestineddove,

OSinger,Osecretdrinker

Ofthedeepestofpreciousstones, Cradleofthedreamyreptile

WhodisturbsEveinherreveries, GreatBeingsorestlesstoknow, Whoalways,thebettertosee, Increasesatthecallofyourheights,

Youwhoinpurestgoldraiseup Yourstrongarms,yourmistybranches, Whatever,hollowedtotheabyss, Youholdoffsomewhatinfinity Whichisonlyyourdevelopment, Andallthatisfromtombtonest YouinyourtotalKnowledgesense!

Butthisoldloveroffailures, Intheidlegoldofparchingsuns, Comesinyourbranchestotwisthimself; Hisglancemakesyourtreasuretremble. Hewillshakedownthefruitsofdeath, Ofdespairandofdisorder!

Fineserpent,rearedintheblue, Iwhistle,withsuchdelicacy, OfferingtothegloryofGod Thetriumphofmyunhappiness... Sufficientformethatintheskies, Theimmensehopeofbitterfruits Drivescrazythesonsofthemire... -Thatthirstwhichmadeyougrowsogreat, TowheretheBeingexaltsthestrange OmnipotenceofNothingness!

THEPOMEGRANATES

HARDpomegranatesforcedopen Yieldingtoyourexcessofseeds, Ithinkofyouassovereignbrows Sunderedbyyourdiscoveries!

Ifthesunsbyyouendured, Opomegranatesrupturedthus,

Haveworkedonyouwithsomuchpride

Tocrackyourrubypartitioning,

Andifthedrygoldofyourrind

Atthedemandofsuchapower Burstsopeninredgemsofjuice,

Thisluminoustearingasunder MakesasoultodreamashadI Onyoursecretarchitecture.

THELOSTWINE

Ihave,oneday,standingbytheSea, (ButIknownomorebeneathwhichskies), Cast,anofferingtonothingness, WhatlittleIhadofpreciouswine...

Whatwilledyourloss,olostliqueur?

Iobeyedperhapspromptingsdivined?

Perhapsfromasourcewithinmyheart, Dreamingofblood,pouringthewine?

Itsaccustomedtranslucency

Aftertherosysmokehadcleared Reclaimedtheocean'spurity...

Lostwasthewine,drunkenthewaves!...

Isawleaphighinthebitterair

Figuresoftheprofoundestkind...

INTERIOR

Aslavewithspeakingeyesandladenwithsoftchains Makesfreshmyflower-vase,plungesinthenextmirror, Onasecretbedlavishesherpurefingers; Sheplacesawomaninthemidstofthesewalls Who,wanderingthroughmydreamswithpropriety, Passesbeforemyeyeswithoutbreakingtheirabsence, Justastheraysofthesunarepassedthroughthelens, Andsparingtheapparatusofpurereason.

THECEMETERYBYTHESEA

THIStranquilroof,nowwalkeduponbydoves, Shimmersbetweenthepines,betweenthetombs;

ImpartialMiddaybuildstherewithitsfires

Thesea,thesea,alwaysrecommencing!

Omorethanrecompenseafterathought

Thislonglookatthecalmnessofthegods!

Whatpureworkofsubtleglintsconsume Manyadiamondofimperceptiblefoam, Andwhatapeaceappearstobeconceived! Whenovertheabyssasunreposes, Pureeffectsofaneternalcause, TheTimesscintillateandtheDreamistoknow.

Stabletreasure,simpletempletoMinerva, Expanseofcalm,andvisiblereserve, Disdainfulwater,Eyeinyourselfcontaining Somuchofsleepbeneathaveilofflame, Omysilence!... Edificeinthesoul, Butthatchednowwithathousandgoldtiles,Roof!

TempleofTime,summedupinasinglesigh, TothispurepointIclimbandgrowaccustomed, Surroundedbymyprospectofthesea; Andlikemysupremeofferingtothegods, Theserenescintillationssowtheseed

Ofasovereigndisdainupontheheights.

Likethefruitthatmeltsintoenjoyment, Likethedelightwhichreplacesitsabsence Inamouthwhereitslivingformmustdie, Isenseheremyfuturedissolution, Andtheskysingstothesoulthatisconsumed

Thechangingmurmursoftherumouredshore.

Beautifulsky,truesky,watchmeasIchange!

Aftersomuchofpride,aftersomuchofstrange Idleleisure,althoughfullofpower, Iabandonmyselftothisbrilliantspace, Overthehousesofthedeadmyshadowpasses Andpacifiesmewithitsfrailmovement.

Thesoulexposedtotheflamesofthesolstice, Ifindyouacceptable,admirablejustice Ofthelightwhichisarmedsopitilessly! Isendyoubackpuretowhereyoubegan: Lookatyourself!... Buttosendbackthelight Supposesanequalhalfofmournfulshadow

Oformyself,bymyself,inmealone, Closetoaheart,tothesourceofthepoem,

Betweentheblankpageandthepureevent, Iwaitfortheechoofmygrandeurwithin, Bitter,sombreandsonorouscistern, Soundinginthesoulanalwayshollowfuture!

Doyouknow,feignedcaptiveofthefoliage, Gulfconsumingthismeagremazeofbranches, Abovemyclosedeyes,dazzlingsecrets, Whatbodydragsmetoitssluggishend, Whatmindattractsmetothisbonyearth? Asparktherecallstomindmydeadones.

Closed,sacred,fullofafirewithoutsubstance, Terrestrialfragmentofferedtothelight, Thisplacepleasesme,ruledoverbytorches, Composedofgold,ofstoneandsombretrees,

Wheresomuchmarbletremblesoversomuchshadow; Thefaithfulseasleepsthereuponmytombs!

Splendidbitch,keeptheidolateratbay!

Whenallaloneandwithashepherd'ssmile, Igrazeforlong,osheepmysterious, Thewhiteflockofmyevertranquiltombs, Keepwellawayfromthemtheprudentdoves, Thefutiledreams,thequestionsoftheangels!

Whenoncecomehere,thefutureisidleness. Theinsectsoundsthedepthofhisowndryness; Allisburntup,unmade,resolvedbytheair

IntoIdonotknowwhatsevereessence... Lifeisvast,beingdrunkenonabsence, Andbitternessissweet,andthespiritclear.

Thedeadaretoowellhiddeninthisearth

Whichheatsthemthroughanddriestheirmystery

Middayonhigh,Middaywithoutmotion

Initsownthoughtitsownsufficiency...

Headcompleteinitselfandperfectcrown, Iaminyouthesecretalteration.

Youhaveonlymeinwhichtocontainyourfears! Myrepentances,mydoubts,myconstraints Arethesoleflawinyourgreatdiamond...

Butintheirnightweigheddownbyslabsofmarble, Avaguepeoplemixedwiththerootsoftrees Havealreadyslowlytakenupyouroption.

Theyaremeltedintoapalpableabsence, Thereddishclayhasdrunkthepallidrace, Thegiftoflifehaspassedintotheflowers!

Wherearethefamiliarphrasesofthedead, Thepersonalart,thesoul'ssingularity?

Thelarvacrawlswheretear-ductsonceformedtears.

Thepiercingcriesofyounggirlstitillated, Theeyes,theteeth,theeyelidsmoistwithlaughter, Thecharmingbreaststhatlikedtoplaywithfire, Thebloodthatshoneinlipsastheysurrendered, Theultimategifts,thefingerstheydefended, Allgoesundertheearthandreturnsasplay!

Andyou,greatsoul,doyouhopeforadream Thatdoesnotsharethecoloursofthelie

Whichtoeyesoffleshthewaveandthegoldmakehere? Willyoustillsingwhenyouarefireandair? Comeon! Allthingspass! Mypresenceismostthin, ImpatiencefortheDivinewilldiealso!

Meagreimmortalityblackandgolden, Consolatrixwithyourhideouslaurels, Whowouldmakeofdeathamaternalbreast, Thebeautifullieandthepiousruse!

Whodoesnotknow,andwhodoesnotrefuse, Theemptyskullandtheeternallaugh!

Fathersprofound,oheadsuntenanted, Whobeneaththeweightofmanyashovelful Becometheearthandinhibitoursteps, Thetruerodent,thewormirrefutable

Isnotforyouwhosleepundertheslabs, Helivesonlife,heneverquitsmyside!

Loveofmyself,perhaps,orisithatred?

Hissecrettoothtomeissoveryclose

Thatallthenameshegoesbysuithimwell!

Whatmatter! Hesees,hewants,hedreams,hetouches!

Myfleshpleaseshim,andevenonmycouch, TothislivingcreatureIlivetobelong!

Zeno! CruelZeno! ZenoofElea!

Haveyoutransfixedmewiththisfeatheredshaft

Whichquivers,flies,andyetdoesnotfly!

Thesoundgivesmelifeandthearrowkills!

Ah!thesunlight... Whatashadow-tortoise

Forthesoul,Achillesimmobilewithhisgreatsteps!

No,no!... Arise! Intothenewepoch! Shatter,mybody,thisoldmodeofthought!

Drinkin,mybreast,thebirthofthewind!

Afreshness,givenoffbythesea, Givesmebackmysoul... Osaltypowers! Letusruntothewavesandbesweptbackalive!

Yes! Greatseagiftedwithalldelirium, Pantherskinandchlamydeshotthroughwith

Thousandsandthousandsofidolsofthesun, Absolutehydra,drunkontheblueofyourflesh, Writhingtobiteatyourownsparklingtail

Inatumultmoretosilenceakin,

Thewindisrising!... Wemustendeavourtolive!

Theairforcesopenandclosesmybook, Thedaringwavepowdersandspurtsfromtherocks!

Flyaway,pagessodazzlinglybright!

Break,waves! Breakwithyourwatersrejoicing

Thistranquilroofonwhichthejib-sailspecked!

SECRETODE

DOWNFALLsuperb,endingsosoft, Forgettingthestruggle,whatdelight

Tostretchoutonthenakedmoss Afterthedance,thebodysmooth!

Neverbeforealikesuchglow

Astheseglimmeringsofsummertime Uponabrowsprinkledwithsweat Whichhasnotriumphtocelebrate!

ButbytheEveningTwilighttouched, Thisgreatbodythatdidsuchthings, Thatdanced,thatworeoutHercules, Isnomorethanabankofroses!

Sleepthen,underthestarrypaths, Conquerorsoslowlyscattered, BecausetheHydrafitforheroes Isspreadouttoinfinity...

OwhatGreatBear,whatBull,whatDog, Whatobjectsoftremendousconquest, Whenitisoutoftime'sresources Thesoulimposesonformlessspace!

Endingsupreme,glitteringsuch That,pastthemonstersandthegods, Proclaimstotheuniverseatlarge ThegreatdeedsthatareintheSkies!

THEOARSMAN

For André Lebey

HUNCHEDagainstagreatriver,infinitelymyoars Pullmewithregretpastasmilingcountryside; Soulwithitsheavyhands,occupiedwiththeskulls, Musttheheavensgivewaytotheknelloftheslowblades.

Hardofheart,theeyeignoresthebeautiesIstrike, Leavingexpandingcirclesaroundmeonthestream, Iwantwithgreatstrokestobreaktheillustriousworld OfleavesandoffirethatIsingofinlowtones.

TreesoverwhichIpass,wideandnaiveripples, Waterpaintedwithbranches,andpeaceoftheachieved, Ripthemapart,myboat,imposeonthemashape Whichspeedstoabolishthisgreatcalmfrommemory.

Never,charmsoftheday,neverhaveyourgraces

Sufferedsofromarebeltestinghisowndefence: But,asallthesunshavedrawnmeoutofchildhood, Igobacktothesourcewherethingsceasetohaveaname.

Invain,thewholeenormousandcontinuousnymph Impedeswithherpurearmsmyexhaustedlimbs; Iwillshattermostslowlyathousandicybonds Andallthesilverystrandsofhernakedpower. Thisnoiseofhiddenwaters,thisstreamsurprisingly

Placesmygoldendaysbeneathablindfoldofsilk; Nothingcanmoresightlesslyeraseanancientjoy Thananoiseofequalflightandofnootherchange.

Underthecurvedbridges,thedeepwatercarriesme, Archesfullofwind,ofmurmuringandofnight, Theyhastenoverabrowwhichtheycrushdownwithgrief, Butwhosearrogantboneisharderthantheirgate.

Theirnightislongpassing. Beneaththemthesoullowers Itsperceptiblesunsanditsalltooreadylids,

When,byamovementwhichinvestsmewithitsstones, Iamforcedintodisdainofsomuchpointlessblue.

PALM

For Jeannie.

SCARCELYveilingtheterrible

Graceofitsownbrightness,

Anangelputsonmytable

Thenewbread,thesettledmilk; Withtheflickerofaneyelid

Itsignstomelikeaprayer

Thatspeakstomyinnervision: -Calm,calm,remaincalm!

Knowtheweightofthepalm-tree

Bearingitsownprofusion!

Forasmuchasthepalm-treebends

Beneathitsabundanceofgoods, Itsfigureisaccomplished, Theweightofitsfruitareitsbonds. Admirethewayittrembles, Andlikeaslow-drawnfibre

Whichsubdividesthemoment, Canmediatematter-of-factly Betweenthepulloftheearth

Andtheweightofthefirmament!

Thisfairarbitermoving Betweenshadowsandthesun, SeemstobelikeaSibyl Initswisdomanditssleep. Rootedinoneplacealways

Thebroadpalmneverwearies Ofgreetingsnoroffarewells... Hownobleitis,howtender! Howworthytobeawaiting

Onlythehandofthegods!

Thelightgoldofitsrustling

Resoundsatthetouchoftheair, Andwithasilkenarmour

Powersthesoulofthedesert.

Animperishablevoice

Givenuptothesandywind

Whichseedsitwithitsgrains, Servesinitselfasoracle, Andcanprofessthemiracle Thatitsingsofunhappiness.

Meanwhileofitselfunaware

Betweenthesandandthesky, Eachdaythatshinesforthagain

Makesforitalittlehoney.

Itssweetnessisthemeasure

Ofthatdivineduration

Whichdoesnotcomputebydays,

Butrathertendstoconceal

Initsjuiceaccumulating

Alltheperfumesoflove.

Sometimesifyoushoulddespair, Ifthatadorablerigour

Inspiteofyourtearsonlyworks

Undertheshadowoflanguor, Donotaccuseasamiser

ASagewhocanprepare

Somuchofgoldandauthority:

Throughallthesolemnsap

Ahopethatiseternal

Risestowardsmaturity!

Thosedaysthattoyouseemempty

Andlostfortheuniverse

Havetheirownavariciousroots

Workingawayinthedesert.

Anetworkoffinesthairs

Electedbytheshadows

Isprogrammednevertostop, Eveninthebowelsoftheearth, Seekingforthosedeepwaters

Itsperemptorysummitdemands.

Patience,patience,

Patienceamidallthatblue!

Eachatomofsilence

Isthechanceofaripefruit!

Therewillcomethehappysurprise:

Adove,alittlebreeze,

Arustlingmorethansweet, Thewaythatawomanleans, Willbringdownthatshowerofrain

Wherewethrowourselvesonourknees!

Letthisgenerationwaste, Palm!...irresistiblyso!

Inthedustletitberolled

Onthefruitsofthefirmament! Youhavenotlostthesehours

Suchlightnessyouinherit Aftersuchlovelyabandonment; Likeastoonewhohasthought Andwhosesoulhasbeenusedup Inaccumulatingitsgifts!

PIÈCESDIVERSESDETOUTEÉPOQUE

SNOW

WHATsilence,struckfromthesimplesoundofaspade!...

Iwakenmyself,awaitedbythisfreshsnow

Whichcatchesatthehollowofmycherishedwarmth.

Myeyesmeetwithadayofapallidharshness

Andmylanguorousfleshhasfearoftheinnocence.

Oh!howmanysnowflakes,duringmymildabsence, Havethesombreheavenslostthroughoutthelongnight!

Whatpuredesertfromdarknessfellwithoutasound

Cometoeffacethefeaturesoftheenchantedearth

Beneaththisvastnaivetédullyaugmented

Andthemergingofaplacewithoutfacewithoutvoice, Wherethelostgazerebuildsafewoftherooftops Whichconcealtheirtreasureofaccustomedliving Scarceofferinguptheprayerofahazysmoke.

DISASTER

WHAThourknocksontheribsofthehull

Thisgreatshadowyblowwherecracksourdoom? Whatimpalpablepowercomesrattling

Inourtacklewiththebonesofthedead?

Nakedontheprow,thecrashingtorrents Washawaytheodouroflifeandwine: Theseacastsupanddigsagainthetombs, Thesamewaterhollowsandfillstheravine.

Hideousman,inwhomtheheartcapsizes, Strangedrunkardledastrayuponthesea

Whosenauseaconcomitantwithaship Snatchesfromthesouladesireforhell,

Absoluteman,Itrembleandcalculate,

Brainalltooclear,capableofthemoment

Where,asaphenomenoninminuscule, Timebreaksinthemannerofaninstrument...

Acurseupontheswinewhoriggedyouout, Arkgonerottenwithitsswarmingballast! Inyourblackestdepths,allcreatedthings BeatonyourdeadwoodasitdriftstotheEast...

TheabyssandImakeuptheonemachine Whichjuggleswithitsscatteredmemories: Iseemymotherandmyporcelaincups, Thegreasyslutinthemuskydoorofbars;

IseeChristattheyard-armtieddownfast!...

Hedancestodeath,founderingwithhisown; Hisblood-redeyelightsonmethisdevice:

AGREATSHIPPERISHESCOMPANYANDGOODS!...

COLLOQUY

(fortwoflutes)

À Francis Poulenc, qui a fait chanter ce colloque.

A

FROMalanguishingRose

Grieftowardsusinclines; Youarenodifferent

Inyoursilencesubdued

Fromthislanguishingbloom; Itisdyingforus...

Youseemlikeuntome

Totheonewhoseearonce

Usedtorestonmyknees,

Totheonewhoseearonce Neverlistenedtome; Youseemlikeuntome

TotheotherIloved: Butwiththatancientlove, Herwholemouthwasmyown.

Whydoyoucompareme

Tosomewitheringrose?

Lovehasnopowerso Spontaneousandfresh...

Mygazeintoyourown Canfindonlyyourgood: MyselflaidbareIsee! Myeyessoonwillefface

Yourtearsastheybecome Afuturememory!...

Asyourdesireborn

Thatdiesuponmybed Anduponmylipswhich Willsweepawayyourmouth...

THEDISTRACTEDONE

DEIGN,Laura,toreturnwiththeseasonofrains, Withyourperfumedpresence,andyourshoulderthatleans Onmyslowtendernessattentivetoyourstep, Laura,suchabeautifullookthatdoesnotlook, Deign,headwiththosegreateyeswhichtotheheavensstray, Whileyouwalkinadream,yourfeetdoomedtothepuddles Quenchtheirshiningmirrorswiththemudallaround, Deign,belovéd,listentothethingsthatyousay...

IMPLICATIONII

MADandspiteful

Justlikeabee

Mylipkisses

Theburningear

Iloveyourfrail Astonishment

WhereinImingle

Naughtofthelover

Whatasurprise... Yourbloodishumming.

It'smewhogives Lifetothebreeze...

Inyourtresses

Tenderandwicked Mysoulishaunting ThatwhichIcrave.

HOUR

THEHOURcomestomesmilingbecomeasiren:

LightingthewholeofadaythatIneversaw:

Willyoudancealongtime,Sunbeam,onthethreshold Ofthesombreandsovereignsoul?

HereisTHEHOUR,thethirst,thesourceandthesiren.

Foryou,thepastburns,HOURformeassuaging;

Atlast,splendouralone,OgoodsIhaveravished, IlovethatwhichIam:mysolitudeisqueen!

Mydemonsmostsecret,freelysubjugated

AchieveinthegoldofthesameairwhereIsaw

Awisdomsopurewithitslucidadvice:

Mypresenceiswhollyserene.

HereistheHOUR,thethirst,thesourceandthesiren,

Willyoudancealongtime,Sunbeam,onthethreshold Ofevening,beforethedarkeyeofmysovereignnight?

THECRUELBIRD...

THEcruelbirdkeepsmewakefulallthenight WithasharptwingeofdelightinwhichIhear Itsvoiceaddressingwitharagesotender Askyablazewithstarsuntilthemorning.

Youpiercethesoulandfixthedestiny Ofalostglancewhichmaynotberecovered; Allofyouthatwasyouischangedtoashes, Ovoicetoohigh,instinctofecstasy...

Theshadowydawnistracingouttheface Ofafinedaytomealreadynothing: Onedaythemoreisbutanemptylandscape,

Whatisanotherdaywithoutyourface? No!... Towardsthenightmysoulreturning Declinesthecomingdawnandtheyouthfulday.

ATBREAKOFDAWN...

ATBreakofDawn,beforetheheat, Thetendernessofthecolour

Onlyjustscatteredontheworld Surprisesandwoundsthesorrow.

ONight,throughwhichIhavesuffered, Sufferthissmileoftheheavens

Andthisimmensefloweroffered Onthebrowofagraciousday.

Greatofferingofsuchroses, Whatevilmightyounotwithstand Andseereddeningofsuchthings

Withtheirpromisesreturning?

Ihaveseensomanyfalsedreams Inmydarknesswithoutslumber

ThatIrangebetweentheuntruths Whichhavethesameforceasthesun,

WhichIdoubtofasIreceive Withdistaste,orwithdesire, Thisveryyoungdayontheleaf Whosevirginalgoldmightbegrasped.

EQUINOX

Elegy

Ialter... Whofleesme?... Allitsmotionlessleaves

OverburdenthetreeIsee... Itsthickarmsarewearyoflullingmysibyls:

Mysilencehaswasteditsvoice.

Mysoul,ifitshymnwaslikeuntoafountain

Whichwithallofitswaterssings, Insteadofdeepwaterwhereafarawaystone

Marksthetombofmanyabird.

Onasimplebedofsandasfineasashes

SleepthestepswhichIhavemislaid, AndIsensemyselffallingliveundershadows

Bywayoftheirtracesconfused.

IdistinctlymislayPsychethesleepwalker

Inthewater'stoopureveils Whosecalmandwhosetimeisdisturbedbyabubble Whichreleasesitselffromthistomb.

Toherselfthen,perhaps,ShetalksandShepardons, Butconcedeswithhereyestightshut, Shefleesfaithfulfromme,and,tender,commitsme

Toinanimatedestinies.

Sheleavesinmyheartherinexplicableloss,

Andthisheartwhichbeatswithouthope DisputeswithPersephoneEurydicestung

Onthepurebreastbytheblacksnake...

Sombredyingwitnessofourtenderannals,

Osun,youarejustlikeourlove, Theinvinciblecharmofinfernalbeaches

Callsfromshoresfromwhichnonereturn.

To look ...

Autumn,transparency! Osolitudeenhanced

Bysuchsadnessandliberty!

Eachthingisbrighttomewhenithasdeparted;

Thatwhichisnomorebecomesclear

WhilewhereverIfastenmystonyregard

Withthefixedandthehardword«Why?», Aquiveringdark,theshadowofaneyelid Fluttersbetweenmyselfandme...

Owhateternityofspontaneousabsence Comesallatoncetocutusshort?...

Asinglefallingleafhasdividedtheyear

Withitslightasairoccurrence.

Towardsme,thefieryrest,leavesfeebleanddry, Raceonwiththeirfragilerumour, Andyou,paleSun,withyourlastquiverofarrows, Piercemewiththesetimeswhichmustdie...

Yes,Iwakemyselfatlast,graspedbyanautumnwind

Whichliftsupaflightredandsad; Suchapurplepanicofgoldhordesamazeme ThatIamirkedandthatIexist!

THECARESS

MYwarmhands,bathethemin Yourown... Nothingsocalm

Aswheninpassinglove Ripplesarustlingpalm.

Theyaretomeallknown, Yourringswithoblongstones

Settingthatshiverup Whichmakestheeyelidsclose

Andsorrowspreadout,so, Likepolishonaslab, Acaressthatreaches Evenmelancholy

SONGTOMYSELF

WHATdoyoudo? Thelot. Yourvalue? Idon'tknow, Prefigurements,attempts, Potencyanddisgust...

Yourvalue? Idon'tknow... Youwant? Nothing,thelot.

Whatdoyouknow? Ennui. Whatcanyoudo? Idream. Dreaminordertochange

Eachdaytimeintonight.

Whatdoyouknow? Idream Tochangetheday'sennui.

Whatdoyouwant? Mygood. Whatmustyoudo? Ilearn, Lookforwardanddiscern

Butalltonoavail.

Whatdoyoufear? Thewill. Whoareyou? Nothingmuch!

Wheredoyougo? Todie.

Whattodothere? Tocease, Besubjectnotagain Tofortune'sfickletricks.

Wheredoyougo? Tocease. Whattodothere? Bedead.

THEPHILOSOPHERAND THE YOUNG FATE

THEYoungFate,onefineday,foundherPhilosopher:

«Ah,shesaid,Iwillthereforeknow Ofwhatfabricmybeingismade...

OnmorethanoneIhavetheeffect Ofapersonmostobscure;

Eachmortalwhohasnotthetime Todreamnortoplummetthedepth,

AtthenamealoneIbearissoonmadetojump.

Whenitisnotpity,itisangerIarouse,

Andevenamongthebetterminds, Ifthere'sonewhotoleratesme, Therestregarditwithcontempt.

Thisclassofpersonsaysthatarealmuseshouldcause

Nomorepuzzlementthanarose!

Whichisbreathedpurelyforpleasure. Buttheloveaffairsarethemostprecious

Thatlongtoilofsoulandofdesire

Carrytotheirdeliciousends. Forprofoundheartsitdoesnotsuffice Withalook,andakissreturned,

Sothatonemaymorequicklysnatchabriefadventure…

No!... Thethingtrulydearisenrichedwithyourtorments, Youreyesintearsseeitasdiamonds, Thebitterestnightmakesthemosttenderpainting. ItiswhyIguardmyselfandmycharmingsecrets.

Myheartrequiresforce,andrejectsyou,Lovers

Discouragedbytheknotsofmybeautifulgirdle. MyFatherhasprescribed: Ibelongtoeffort.

Mydarknesshasmademethemistressofmyfate, Andrevealsatlasttononebutthehappyfew ThisinnocentMEwhotremblesathershadow

EvenastheGodofLoveisweakattheknees.

INDEED,ofgreatdesireIwastheanxiouswork... ButIamnotinmyselfmoremysterious

Thanthemostsimpleamongstyou... Mortals,youareflesh,recollection,forewarning; Youwere;youwillbe;youcarrysuchanaspect:

Youareallthings;youarenothing, Supportsofthewholeworldandreedsthattheairbreaks, YouLIVE... Whatanastonishment!...

Amysteryisallyourgood, Andthissecretinyouisastonishedbymine? Whatareyou,ifyouarenotmystery?

Alittledreamupontheearth, Alittlelove,hunger,thirst,whichmakeupthesteps

Eachtakeswithoutevadingdeath, Andyouwouldsharethepuredestinyofthebeasts

IftheGodshadnotplaced,asapotentlastresort,

Intheintimatedepthofyourminds, Thegreatgiftofcomprehendingnothingofyourfate.

«WhoamI?»askthedaythelivingwhoawake

Andareputtorightbythesun. «WheregoI?»saysthemindwhohassacrificedsleep, Whennightgathershimupintoitsownmarvel.

Thecleverestisstillstungbythebee, Inthelesserman'ssoulaserpentbitesagain; Evenafoolisenrichedwithenigmasbydeath Whichdeckshimanddrapeshimlikeagravepersonage, Chillwithsuchasecretaswouldkeephimaslave.

COMEON!... Ifallwasclear,allwouldtoyouseemvain! Yourennuiwouldpeopleauniversewithoutshade Withanimpassivelifeofsoulswithoutleaven.

Butsomesuchrestlessnessisapresentdivine. Thehopethatinyoureyesshinesatasombrethreshold

Canneverfindreposeuponaworldtoosure; Ofallyourgrandeurstheprincipleisobscure.

Themostprofoundhumans,notunderstoodbythemselves, Fromacertaindarknightdrawouttheirsupremegoods Andthemostpureobjectsoftheirnobleloves.

Atenebroustreasuremakesthebrightnessofyourdays: Asilencestrangelyenoughisthesourceofpoems.

Knowtheninyourselfthesu bstanceofmydiscourse: FromyouIhavetakentheshadowswhichyoufeel.

Whoislostinhimselfstraightwayfindsmeagain. Inthedarknessoflifewheretheglancegoesastray, Timeisworking,deathishatching, AFatedreamsthereatadistance.

ItisME... Endeavourtolovethisyoungrebel: «I am black, but I am comely» AstheBelovedsings,intheSongofSolomon,

AndifIinspiresometerror, PoemthatIam,inthosewhomightnotfollowme, Whatcouldbemorespeedythantoshutupabook?

Itisthusonesetsoneselffree

Fromthesewritingssoclearonefindsonlyoneself.»

THEVAINDANCERS(1942)

THESEthatarelikeuntoshadowyflowersarecome,

Troupedivineandgentlewanderingunderclouds

Whichtouchorcreatefromahintofmoon... Theyarehere Melodiouslyglidingthroughthelightenedwood.

Ofmallowsandirisesanddyingroses

Arethegracesofnightintheirbuddingdances

Whichbestowonthewindtheperfumeoftheirfingers.

Theybecometheazureanddepthoftheforest

Wherethefeeblewaterglimmersintheshade,resting

Likeapaletreasurewetwitheverlastingdew

Fromwhichemanatesanimmensesilence... Theyarehere

Mysteriouslyglidingthroughthelightenedwood.

Furtiveasaflightofamiableuntruths.

Theytrampleuponthedreamsofclosedcalyxes

Andtheirdelicatearmswiththeirsleepyactions

Mingle,asifdreamingbeneathfriendlymyrtles,

Thecaressesofonewiththeother... Exceptone, Whoputsofftherhythmandwhofleesthefountain, Goes,ravishingathirstformysteryaccomplished,

Todrinkfraillilywaterwherepureoblivionsleeps.

SUMMER(1942)

À Francis Vielé-Griffin.

SUMMER,rockofpureair,andyou,blazinghive, Osea! Scatteredintoathousandfliesupon Thetuftsofafleshascoolasfromapitcher, Andeveninthemouthwherebuzzesthebluesky.

Andyou,fierydwelling-place,immenseSpace,dearSpace Tranquil,wherethetreesteamsandlosesafewbirds, Whereinfinitelybreaksthemurmurofthemass

Ofthesea,ofthemarchandthetroopsofthewaters,

Weightsofodours,greatripplesfromthehappyraces

Onthegulfwhichconsumesandwhichmountstothesun, Purenests,sluicesofgrass,shadowsofhollowwaves, Cradlethechildravishedinafretfulslumber.

Intheskiestherevainlythundersablazeofmatter, Ifitkindlestheseas,ifitconsumesthemountains, Ifitpoursforthuponlifeatorrentoflight Andhasallthedemonswhinnyinginourhearts,

You,onthetendersandwhichthewaveabandones, Whereitspoweroftearslosesallitsdiamonds, Yourelaxedwithennuiataworldofwonders, Virgindeaftoclamoursofeternalelements,

Youshutupinyourself,claspingyouryoungbosom, Soulentirelyinlovewithitsownlittlenight,

Becausethesepuretumults,thismadstarthatforges Thecrudegoldofeventsidioticasnoise,

Makeyoukissthebreastsofyourephemeralbeing, Cherishthistrifleoffleshlikeayounganimal

Andvictimanddisdainofthebittersplendour

Pamperthesweetprideofself-lovelikeanevil

GirlexposedtothegodswhichtheOceanspangles

Withfoamthatitsnatchesfrommirrorsofthesun, Touniversalgamesyourmortalbeingprefers, Allthingsofshadowandlove,yourislandofsleep.

Meanwhilehighheavenstrikesdownthehumanhour, Monsterthirstingfortime,immolatingthefuture, TheSacrificerSunrollsonandrepossesses

Dayafterdayonitsaltarsofazuresky…

Butthelegs(ofwhichtheoneiscoolandreleased Fromtheonemorerosy),theshoulders,thehardbreast, Thearmsthatareminglingwiththefoamycheek

Areabandonedshiningintheobscurebowl

Wheretherefiltersloudsoundsfullofthebeastsdrawnup

Inthecagesofleavesandthenetsofthesea

Bythemaritimemillsandtherose-colouredhuts Ofday… Alltheskingildsthearboursoftheair

LITTLETHINGS

BENEATHAPORTRAIT

WHATifIwereplacedinfrontofthiseffigy

Quiteunknowntomyself,ignorantofmyfeatures, Bysuchfrightfulwrinklesofanguishandenergy Iwouldrecognisemytormentsandrecognisemyself.

UPONAFAN

SOMETIMEScapriceandatothersindolence

Theamplefanbetweenthesoulandthefriend Comestodissipatewhathasbeenhalf-said Withagentlebreezethatbringsbackthesilence.

TOJUANRAMONJIMENEZ who sent me such precious roses

...HEREisthedoorshutfirmagain

Prisonofrosesfromsomeone?...

Thesurpriseandperfumemingle Makeformeanenchantedroom...

Aloneandnot,betweenthesewalls, Intheairthepurestofgifts Makesweetnessandgloryspeechless...

Ibreathehereanotherpoet.

Madrid, Wednesday21ofMay1924.

APPENDIXII

FORYOUR«SUPREME»BEECH-TREE

MOSTnobleBeech-tree,summerlong, Heldabond-slavetosuchsplendour, Hereisyourpunishmentprepared Byacolddeceptiveheaven.

Returnedahundredfoldthecrows, Thewinterwhipsandflaysyoubare; Awindwhosebreathblowsovertombs Makesfallthefiresofyourtorch!

Yourbrow,whichhidtheinfinite, Isnomorethanapointofrest, Onwhichthealmostweightlessnest Forthelosteyearefugemakes!

Allwinter,theinactivegaze, Betrayedbytheflawedwindowpane, Hassoughtinbranchesfortheeggs Vainlyformingafutiledream!

But-OSadnessoftheseason, Whichwastesyouasitwastesitself, Youcanknownotofmyreason NormyhopeintheBeechSupreme!

SomuchGraceandsomuchBeauty! Mayitbethatallisdying, France,wheretheleastofnestsremains Balanceduponahomesoproud?

Athousandbirdswillsinginone Memoryoffrightfulwreckage, WhengreenagainoutofVerdun Saved,ourillustriouslanguage!

To M. A. G.

THELASTWORD HALT! HALT YOUR PROGRESS! CONQUEROR, AT THIS EXALTED MOMENT OF VICTORY SET ASIDE A TIME OF SILENCE AND ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU SHOULD THINK ASYOUREACH THIS SUMMIT, WHAT YOU SHOULD THINK THAT WILL NOT BE WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE.

IT IS A VOW, A PLEDGE,ANIRREVERSIBLEACT, A MONUMENT IN THE SOUL, AND LIKE UNTO A SOLEMN PRAYER, WHICH YOU OWE, TO THE DEAD AND TO THE LIVING, TO PRONOUNCE AND ESTABLISH, INORDERTHATTHISMOSTNOBLEMOMENTOFSILENCE DOESNOTPERISHLIKEANYOTHER.

SWEARTOYOURSELFANDENGRAVEITWITHIN YOURHEART: THAT THE DAY NEVER GLEAMS WHEN THE MEMORY OF THIS DAY OF VICTORY MAY BRING BACK A BITTERNESS AND A RECURRENCE OF HATRED TO THE PRESENT JOY: THAT NEVER WHEN RELIVING THAT DAY WHICH IS TODAY MAY THERE BE BROUGHT TO MIND THIS OPPRESSIVEWORD: TO WHAT GOOD?

THEANGEL

A kind of an angel was sitting on the edge of a fountain. He gazed down at himself, and he saw Man, and in tears, and he was astonished in the extreme at the appearance in the bare waters of this prey to an infinite sorrow

(Or as it were, there was a Sorrow in the shape of Man who could not find a cause in the clear sky.)

The figure that was his own, the sadness written there, seemed to him totally foreign. An appearance so miserable interested, exercised, questioned in vain his marvellously pure spiritual substance.

-«OmyEvil, said he, whatareyoutome?»

He attempted to smile: but he cried. This disloyalty of his face confounded his perfect intelligence; and this so unusual look that he observed, an affection so accidental in his features, their expression so much at odds with the universality of his limpid knowledge, as mysteriously offending the unity.

-«Iamnotpronetotears, said he, norlikewise,haveIeverbeen.»

The Movement of his Reason in the light of eternal readiness found an unknown question suspended his infallible operation, for the cause of sadness in our inexact natures does not arise as a question among absolute essences; while, for us, every question is or will become sadness.

«Who then isthisonewholovessomuchthatheistormented? said he. Iunderstand everything; and therefore, I can well see that I suffer. This face is truly my face; these tears, my tears... But nevertheless, I am not that power who sees through this faceand these tears, and their cause, and who dissipates that cause, nor am I able to remit an imperceptiblepartoftheirduration?»

But these thoughts had beauty enough to produce and propagate in all the fullness of the sphere of thought, the similarities to respond, the contrasts to declare and to resound, and the miracle of the clarity incessantly to accomplish, and all the Ideas sparkling in the glow of each one amid the others, like the joy of those that are united in the crown of all knowledge, with nothing however that could be construed as a species of evil nor appeared thus to his flawless regard, nothing that could explain this distressed face and these tears that he saw through tears.

«So then I am of such purity, said he, anIntelligencethatcantakeinwithouteffort all created things, without any of those returns which affect or distort them, that I may recognise nothing in this face bearing tears, in these eyes wherein the light with which theyarecomposedseemstobewaitingfortheimminentmoistureoftheirtears.»

«And how may it be that I suffer in the process of thisbeautifulexplorationthatis by me,andthatisofme,thatintheendIseeallthatis,whenIhaveknowledgeofevery thing,andthatImaynotsufferbutfromignoranceofanyoneofthem?

«Omyastonishment, said he, Countenancecharmingandsad,istherethensomething otherthanthelight?»

And he questioned himself in the universe of his marvellously pure spiritual substance, where all the ideas lived equally distant between themselves and himself, and in such a perfection of their harmony and promptitude of their correspondence, that it could be said that he might vanish, and the system, glittering like a diadem, of their simultaneous necessity live on by itself alone in its sublime plenitude.

And during an eternity, he has not ceased from knowing and not understanding.

May1945.