Lydia Text by Charles-Marie-René by Charles-Marie-René Leconte de Lisle (1818-1894 ( 1818-1894)) Set by Gabriel by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924), op. 4, #2
Lydia Lydia,
sur on
tes your
roses pink
joues, cheeks,
Et sur ton col frais and on your neck fresh (and on your neck so fresh and white,) Roul Roulee
étin étince cela lant nt1
rolls
sparkling
L'or fluide que tu the-gold liquid that you (the liquid gold that you untie.)
Le The
jour day
Oublions letlet-us us--forg forget et
qui that
lui shines
l'éternelle thethe-et eter ern nal
Laisse te s baisers let your kisses (let your dovelike kisses)
et and
si so
blanc, white,
dénoues. untie.
est is
le the
meilleur; best;
tombe. tom tomb. de of-a
Chanter sur ta lèvre sing on your lip (sing on your flowering lips.)
colombe dove,
en that
fleur. 2 blossoms.
1
Lisle: Que Lisle: Que le lait, coule étincelant étincelant like the milk, runs sparklingly
2
sing on your lips that blossom Lisle: Chanter sur tes lèvres en fleur
Lydia (Leconte de Lisle) Page 1 of 2
Un lys caché répand A lily hidden disperses (A hidden lily unceasingly disperses)
sans without
cesse end
Une odeur divine en ton sein: a fragrance divine from your breast: (a divine fragrance from within your breast:) Les délices comme the delights like (delights without number)
un a
essaim, swarm,
Sortent de toi, jeune come from you, young (emanate from you, young goddess!)
Je t'aime et meurs, I you-love and die, (I love you and die, oh my love!) Mon âme en baisers my soul in kisses (your kisses have stolen my soul!) O Oh
Lydia, Lydia,
rends-moi give-back-to-me
Que je puisse mourir, that I may die, (that I may die again and again!)
déesse! goddess!
ô oh
m'est myself-is
la (my) mourir die
mes my
amours! love!
ravie. stolen-away.
vie, life, toujours! always!
(Literal translation and IPA transcription © 2008 by Bard Suverkrop—IPA Source, LLC)
Lydia (Leconte de Lisle) Page 2 of 2
