Les vaines danseuses. The vain dancers

THE VAIN DANCERS

THESE that are like to the lightest flowers are come, Figurines of gold and beauties all so slender Made iridescent by a feeble moon ... They are here Melodiously gliding through the lightened wood. Of mallows and irises and nocturnal roses Are the graces of night in their budding dances. How veiled perfumes are bestowed by their fingers of gold! But the mild sky plucks at petals in this dead grove And the feeble water scarcely glimmers, is resting Like a pale treasure wet with the dew of long ago Where the flowering silence mounts ... Again they are here Melodiously gliding through the lightened wood. To beloved calyxes their hands are full of grace; A little moonlight sleeps upon their pious lips And their wonderful arms with such gestures beguiled Love loosely to let fall beneath friendly myrtles Their feral bonds and their caresses ... But certain ones, Less captives of the rhythm and the distant harps, Will go with subtle step towards the burying lake To drink frail lily water where pure oblivion sleeps.