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Visions
Translations © by Ahmed E. Ismail
Song Cycle by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)
View original-language texts alone: Les Illuminations
J'ai seul la clef de cette parade sauvage.
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891)
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "銅管合奏", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Interlude", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Fanfarria", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
I alone hold the key to this wild parade.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891)
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This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 1
Word count: 9
Ce sont des villes ! C'est un peuple pour qui se sont montés ces Alleghanys et ces Libans de rêve ! Des chalets de cristal et de bois qui se meuvent sur des rails et des poulies invisibles. Les vieux cratères ceints de colosses et de palmiers de cuivre rugissent mélodieusement dans les feux. [Des fêtes amoureuses sonnent sur les canaux pendus derrière les chalets. La chasse des carillons crie dans les gorges. Des corporations de chanteurs géants accourent dans des vêtements et des oriflammes éclatants comme la lumière des cimes. Sur les plates-formes au milieu des gouffres les Rolands sonnent leur bravoure. Sur les passerelles de l'abîme et les toits des auberges l'ardeur du ciel pavoise les mâts. L'écroulement des apothéoses rejoint les champs des hauteurs où les centauresses séraphiques évoluent parmi les avalanches. Au-dessus du niveau des plus hautes crêtes une mer troublée par la naissance éternelle de Vénus, chargée de flottes orphéoniques et de la rumeur des perles et des conques précieuses, -- la mer s'assombrit parfois avec des éclats mortels. Sur les versants des moissons de fleurs grandes comme nos armes et nos coupes, mugissent.]1 Des cortèges de Mabs en robes rousses, opalines, montent des ravines. Là-haut, les pieds dans la cascade et les ronces, les cerfs tettent Diane. Les Bacchantes des banlieues sanglotent et la lune brûle et hurle. Vénus entre dans les cavernes des forgerons et des ermites. Des groupes de beffrois chantent les idées des peuples. Des châteaux bâtis en os sort la musique inconnue. [Toutes les légendes évoluent et les élans se ruent dans les bourgs.]1 Le paradis des orages s'effondre. Les sauvages dansent sans cesse la fête de la nuit. [Et une heure je suis descendu dans le mouvement d'un boulevard de Bagdad où des compagnies ont chanté la joie du travail nouveau, sous une brise épaisse, circulant sans pouvoir éluder les fabuleux fantômes des monts où l'on a dû se retrouver.]1 Quels bons bras, quelle belle heure me rendront cette région d'où viennent mes sommeils et mes moindres mouvements?
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Villes (Ce sont des villes !)", appears in Les Illuminations
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "城市", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Towns", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Ciudades", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 omitted by Britten.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
These are towns! This is a people for whom these Alleghenies and these Lebanons were raised up! Crystal and wooden chalets move on invisible rails and pulleys. The old craters, surrounded by colossuses and copper palm-trees, roar melodiously in the flames. . . . Processions of Mabs in russet and opaline robes climb the ravines. Up there, Diana suckles stags, with their feet in the cascade and brambles. Suburban Bacchantes sob, and the moon burns and howls. Venus enters caverns of blacksmiths and hermits. Groups of belfries sing the people's ideas. From castles built of bones pour forth unknown music. . . . The paradise of storms collapses. The savages dance ceaselessly the festival of the night. What lovely arms, what beautiful hour will bring back to me that region from whence come my slumber and my smallest movements?
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Villes (Ce sont des villes !)", appears in Les Illuminations
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 19
Word count: 139
(The following is a multi-text setting.)
J'ai tendu des cordes de clocher à clocher; des guirlandes de fenêtre à fenêtre; des chaînes d'or d'étoile à étoile, et je danse.
The text shown is a variant of another text. [ View differences ]
It is based on
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Phrases", appears in Les Illuminations
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "句子", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Phrase", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Frase", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Gracieux fils de Pan! Autour de ton front couronné de fleurettes et de baies, tes yeux, des boules précieuses, remuent. Tachées de lies brunes, tes joues se creusent. Tes crocs luisent. Ta poitrine ressemble à une cithare, des tintements circulent dans tes bras blonds. Ton cœur bat dans ce ventre où dort le double sexe. Promène-toi, la nuit en mouvant doucement cette cuisse, cette seconde cuisse et cette jambe de gauche.
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Antique", appears in Les Illuminations
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "古人", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Antique", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Antiguo", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Monographie imprimée (Paris), 1886
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
I hung strings from steeple to steeple; garlands from window to window; gold chains from star to star, and I dance.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Not Applicable [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Phrases", appears in Les Illuminations
Go to the single-text view
Gracious child of Pan! Around your brow, crowned by tiny flowers and berries, your eyes - precious globes - stir. Stained by brown dregs, your cheeks are hollowed. Your fangs glisten. Your bosom resembles a zither, its chiming spreading about in your fair arms. Your heart beats in that belly where the double sex sleeps. Walk in the night, moving gently this thigh, that other thigh, and that left leg.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Antique", appears in Les Illuminations
Go to the single-text view
Un beau matin, chez un peuple fort doux, un homme et une femme superbes criaient sur la place publique: "Mes amis, je veux qu'elle soit reine!" "Je veux être reine!" Elle riait et tremblait. Il parlait aux amis de révélation, d'épreuve terminée. Ils se pâmaient l'un contre l'autre. En effet ils furent rois toute une matinée où les tentures carminées se relevèrent sur les maisons, et toute l'après-midi, où ils s'avancèrent du côté des jardins de palmes.
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Royauté", appears in Les Illuminations
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "皇位", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Royalty", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Faith J. Cormier) , "Royalty", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Realeza", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
A beautiful morning, among a most gentle people, a superb man and woman, cry out in a public square: "My friends, I wish to make her your queen!" "I wish to be your queen!," she cries, and trembles. He speaks to his friends of revelation, of finished ordeals. They swoon, one against the other. Indeed, they were kings all that morning while the crimson hangings went up on the houses, and all that afternoon, when they advanced toward the coast through gardens of palms.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Royauté", appears in Les Illuminations
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This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 10
Word count: 84
Les chars d'argent et de cuivre - Les proues d'acier et d'argent - Battent l'écume, - Soulèvent les souches des ronces. Les courants de la lande, Et les ornières immenses du reflux, Filent circulairement vers l'est, Vers les piliers de la forêt, Vers les fûts de la jetée, Dont l'angle est heurté par des tourbillons de lumière.
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Marine", written 1872, appears in Les Illuminations, first published 1886
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "海洋的", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Marine", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Marina", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Chariots of silver and copper - Prows of steel and silver - Stir up the foam - Lift up the roots of bramble, The currents of the land, And the immense tracks of the ebb, Running out in a circle towards the east, Toward the pillars of the forest, Toward the piles of the jetty, Whose corner is struck by whirlpools of light.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Marine", written 1872, appears in Les Illuminations, first published 1886
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 10
Word count: 63
J'ai seul la clef de cette parade sauvage.
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891)
Go to the single-text view
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "銅管合奏", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Interlude", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Fanfarria", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
I alone hold the key to this wild parade.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891)
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 1
Word count: 9
Devant une neige un Être de Beauté de haute taille. Des sifflements de mort et des cercles de musique sourde font monter, s'élargir et trembler comme un spectre ce corps adoré : des blessures écarlates et noires éclatent dans les chairs superbes. Les couleurs propres de la vie se foncent, dansent, et se dégagent autour de la Vision, sur le chantier. Et les frissons s'élèvent et grondent, et la saveur forcenée de ces effets se chargeant avec les sifflements mortels et les rauques musiques que le monde, loin derrière nous, lance sur notre mère de beauté, - elle recule, elle se dresse. Oh ! nos os sont revêtus d'un nouveau corps amoureux. * * * * * * * * Ô la face cendrée, l'écusson de crin, les bras de cristal ! Le canon sur lequel je dois m'abattre à travers la mêlée des arbres et de l'air léger !
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Being beauteous", appears in Les Illuminations
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "美的事物", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Being Beauteous", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Being beauteous (Ser de Belleza)", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Monographie imprimée (Paris), 1886
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
In front of the snow stands a tall Beauteous Being. The hissing of death and circles of muffled music make this adored body climb, expand, and tremble: black and scarlet wounds burst in the superb flesh. The proper colors of life darken, dance, and give off around the vision, upon the yard. And the shudders rise and fall, and the maniacal flavor of these effects being charged with the mortal hissing and raucous music that the world, well behind us, hurls on our mother of beauty - she withdraws, she stands up. O! Our bones are dressed once more in a new amorous body. O ashen face, with shield of hair, and arms of crystal! The cannon on which I must throw myself down, amid the scuffle of trees and the light breeze!
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Being beauteous", appears in Les Illuminations
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 16
Word count: 133
Des drôles très solides. Plusieurs ont exploité vos mondes. Sans besoins, et peu pressés de mettre en œuvre leurs brillantes facultés et leur expérience de vos consciences. Quels hommes mûrs ! Des yeux hébétés à la façon de la nuit d'été, rouges et noirs, tricolores, d'acier piqué d'étoiles d'or ; des faciès déformés, plombés, blêmis, incendiés ; des enrouements folâtres ! La démarche cruelle des oripeaux ! -- Il y a quelques jeunes, [-- comment regarderaient-ils Chérubin ? -- pourvus de voix effrayantes et de quelques ressources dangereuses. On les envoie prendre du dos en ville, affublés d'un luxe dégoûtant.]1 Ô le plus violent Paradis de la grimace enragée ! [Pas de comparaison avec vos Fakirs et les autres bouffonneries scéniques. Dans des costumes improvisés avec le goût du mauvais rêve ils jouent des complaintes, des tragédies de malandrins et de demi-dieux spirituels comme l'histoire ou les religions ne l'ont jamais été.]1 Chinois, Hottentots, bohémiens, niais, hyènes, Molochs, vieilles démences, démons sinistres, ils mêlent les tours populaires, maternels, avec les poses et les tendresses bestiales. Ils interpréteraient des pièces nouvelles et des chansons « bonnes filles ». Maîtres jongleurs, ils transforment le lieu et les personnes, et usent de la comédie magnétique. [Les yeux flambent, le sang chante, les os s'élargissent, les larmes et des filets rouges ruissellent. Leur raillerie ou leur terreur dure une minute, ou des mois entiers.]1 J'ai seul la clef de cette parade sauvage.
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Parade", appears in Les Illuminations
Go to the single-text view
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "遊行", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Parade", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Parada", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 omitted by Britten.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
What sturdy odd fellows. Several have exploited your worlds. Without needs, and little concerned with putting their brilliant minds and their experience of your consciences to work. What mature men! Dazed eyes like a summer night, red and black, tri-colored, steel dotted with golden stars; deformed features, leaden, made pale, made to burn; their foolish cries! The cruel walk of rags! There are some young ones. . . . O the most violent Paradise of the fanatical grimace! . . . Chinese, Hottentots, Bohemians, deniers, hyenas, Molochs, old demented ones, sinister demons, they mix popular and maternal tricks with bestial poses and tenderness. They interpreted new plays and - nice girl - songs. Master jugglers, they transform the place and the people and use magnetic comedy. . . . I alone hold the key to this wild parade.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Parade", appears in Les Illuminations
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 19
Word count: 138
Assez vu. La vision s'est rencontrée à tous les airs. Assez eu. Rumeurs des Villes, le soir, et au soleil, et toujours. Assez connu. Les arrêts de la vie. Ô Rumeurs et Visions! Départ dans l'affection et le bruit neufs!
Authorship:
- by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Départ", written 1873-5, appears in Les Illuminations
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Yen-Chiang Che) , "離別", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "Departure", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (José Miguel Llata) , "Partida", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Enough seen. Visions have been met in every respect. Enough has been. Rumors of towns, at night, and in the light of day, and always. Enough known. The decrees of life. O rumors and visions! Depart in new affection and new noise.
Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2004 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891), "Départ", written 1873-5, appears in Les Illuminations
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2004-07-04
Line count: 4
Word count: 42