Admirez le pouvoir insigne Et la noblesse de la ligne: Elle est la voix que la lumière fit entendre Et dont parle Hermès Trismégiste en son Pimandre.
Le Bestiaire
Song Cycle by Louis Durey (1888 - 1979)
Translated to:
English — The bestiary
1. Orphée
Language: French (Français)
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Orphée", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 1, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "Orpheus", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908 as number 1 of "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" (a collection of 18 poems), and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée (1911).
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry2. La Tortue
Language: French (Français)
Du Thrace magique, ô délire! Mes doigts sûrs font sonner la lyre. Les animaux passent aux sons De ma tortue, de mes chansons.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Tortue", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 2, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Turtle", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908, in La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain, no. 2 of 18.
Research team for this page: Ted Perry , Peter Low [Guest Editor]
3. Le Cheval
Language: French (Français)
Mes durs rêves formels sauront te chevaucher, Mon destin au char d'or sera ton beau cocher Qui pour rènes tendus à frénésie, Mes vers, les parangons de toute poésie.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Cheval", written 1908, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 3, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Horse", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First appeared in the revue La Phalange, June 15, 1908, in "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" no. 3 of 18, and later in the 1911 publication of "Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée", Paris, Deplanche.
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
4. La Chèvre du Thibet
Language: French (Français)
Les poils de cette chèvre et même Ceux d'or pour qui prit tant de peine Jason, ne valent rien au prix Des cheveux dont je suis épris.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Chèvre du Thibet", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 4, first published 1908
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "The Tibetan goat", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , "Die tibetanische Ziege", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Paolo Montanari) , "La capra del Tibet", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908 as number 4 of "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" (a collection of 18 poems), and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée (1911).
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]5. Le Serpent
Language: French (Français)
Tu t'acharnes sur la beauté. Et quelles femmes ont été Victimes de ta cruauté! Eve, Eurydice, Cléopâtre ; J'en connais encor trois ou quatre.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Serpent", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 5, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The serpent", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
6. Le Chat
Language: French (Français)
Je souhaite dans ma maison : Une femme ayant sa raison, Un chat passant parmi les livres, Des amis en toute saison Sans lesquels je ne peux pas vivre.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Chat", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 6, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Cat", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
7. Le Lion
Language: French (Français)
Ô lion, malheureuse image Des rois chus lamentablement, Tu ne nais maintenant qu'en cage À Hambourg, chez les Allemands.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Lion", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 7, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) (Qi Feng Wu) , "The Lion", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908 as number 6 of "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" (a collection of 18 poems), and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée (1911).
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
8. Le Lièvre
Language: French (Français)
Ne sois pas lascif et peureux Comme le lièvre et l'amoureux. Mais, que toujours ton cerveau soit La hase pleine qui conçoit.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Lièvre", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 8, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) (Qi Feng Wu) , "The Hare", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First appeared in the revue La Phalange, June 15, 1908, in "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" no. 7 of 18, and later in the 1911 publication of "Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée", Paris, Deplanche.
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
9. Le Lapin
Language: French (Français)
Je connais un autre connin Que tout vivant je voudrais prendre. Sa garenne est parmi le thym Des vallons du pays de Tendre.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Lapin", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 9, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Rabbit", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First appeared in the revue La Phalange, June 15, 1908, in "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" no. 8 of 18, and later in the 1911 publication of "Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée", Paris, Deplanche.
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
10. Le Dromadaire
Language: French (Français)
Avec ses quatre dromadaires Don Pedro d'Alfaroubeira Courut le monde et l'admira. Il fit ce que je voudrais faire Si j'avais quatre dromadaires.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Dromadaire", written 1908, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 10, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "The dromedary", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , "Das Dromedar", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Paolo Montanari) , "Il dromedario", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908, no. 9 in La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
11. La Souris
Language: French (Français)
Belles journées, souris du temps, Vous rongez peu à peu ma vie. Dieu! Je vais avoir vingt-huit ans, Et mal vécus, à mon envie.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Souris", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 11, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The mouse", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
12. L'Éléphant
Language: French (Français)
Comme un éléphant son ivoire, J'ai en bouche un bien précieux. Pourpre mort!.. J'achète ma gloire Au prix des mots mélodieux.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "L'Éléphant", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 12, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Anyi Sharma) , "The Elephant", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
13. Orphée
Language: French (Français)
Regardez cette troupe infecte Aux mille pattes, aux cent yeux : Rotifères, cirons, insectes Et microbes plus merveilleux Que les sept merveilles du monde Et le palais de Rosemonde!
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Orphée", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 13, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908 as number 10 of "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" (a collection of 18 poems), and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée (1911).
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry14. La Chenille
Language: French (Français)
Le travail mène à la richesse, Pauvres poètes, travaillons ! Le chenille en peinant sans cesse Devient le riche papillon.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Chenille", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 14, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Caterpillar", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908 as number 11 of "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" (a collection of 18 poems), and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée (1911).
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
15. La mouche
Language: French (Français)
Nos mouches savent des chansons Que leur apprirent en Norvège Les mouches ganiques qui sont Les divinités de la neige.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La mouche", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 15, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The Fly", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
16. La Puce
Language: French (Français)
Puces, amis, amantes même, Qu'ils sont cruels ceux qui nous aiment ! Tout notre sang coule pour eux. Les bien-aimés sont malheureux.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Puce", written 1908, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 16, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The flea", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange no. 24, June 15, 1908, as no. 13 in La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain, a collection of 18 poems, and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée, Paris, Deplanche, 1911.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
17. La sauterelle
Language: French (Français)
Voici la fine sauterelle, La nourriture de saint Jean. Puissent mes vers être comme elle, Le régal des meilleures gens.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La sauterelle", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 17, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "The locust", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , "Die Heuschrecke", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Paolo Montanari) , "La cavalletta", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
18. Orphée
Language: French (Français)
Que ton cœur soit l'appât et le ciel, la piscine ! Car, pêcheur, quel poisson d'eau douce ou bien marine Égale-t-il, et par la forme et la saveur, Ce beau poisson divin qu'est JÉSUS, Mon Sauveur ?
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Orphée", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 18, first published 1911
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
19. Le Dauphin
Language: French (Français)
Dauphins, vous jouez dans la mer, Mais le flot est toujours amer. Parfois, ma joie éclate-t-elle? La vie est encore cruelle.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Dauphin", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 19, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "The dolphin", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , "Der Delphin", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Paolo Montanari) , "Il delfino", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
20. Le Poulpe
Language: French (Français)
Jetant son encre vers les cieux, Suçant le sang de ce qu'il aime Et le trouvant délicieux, Ce monstre inhumain, c'est moi-même.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Poulpe", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 20, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Octopus", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
21. La Méduse
Language: French (Français)
Méduses, malheureuses têtes Aux chevelures violettes Vous vous plaisez dans les tempêtes, Et je m'y plais comme vous faites.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Méduse", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 21, first published 1911
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
22. L'Écrevisse
Language: French (Français)
Incertitude, ô mes délices Vous et moi nous nous en allons Comme s'en vont les écrevisses, À reculons, à reculons.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "L'Écrevisse", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 22, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "The crawfish", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , "Der Krebs", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Paolo Montanari) , "Il gambero", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
23. La Carpe
Language: French (Français)
Dans vos viviers, dans vos étangs, Carpes, que vous vivez longtemps ! Est-ce que la mort vous oublie, Poissons de la mélancolie.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Carpe", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 23, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "The carp", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , "Der Karpfen", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Paolo Montanari) , "La carpa", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
24. Orphée
Language: French (Français)
La femelle de l'alcyon, L'Amour, les volantes Sirènes, Savent de mortelles chansons Dangereuses et inhumaines. N'oyez pas ces oiseaux maudits, Mais les Anges du paradis.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Orphée", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 24, first published 1911
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Notes provided by Laura Prichard:
Line 1 : Classical mythology included references to female kingfishers nesting by the sea; the practice was said to cause the Gods to restrain the wind and waves.
Apollonaire’s notes to his Bestiary state (Laura Prichard's translation): “The sailors, hearing the female king-fisher sing, prepared to die, except around mid-December, when these birds make their nests, and the sea was believed to be calm. As for Love and the Sirens, these marvelous birds sing so harmoniously that life itself is not too high a price to pay for the pleasure of hearing such music.”
25. Les Sirènes
Language: French (Français)
Sachè-je d'où provient, Sirènes, votre ennui Quand vous vous lamentez, au large, dans la nuit ? Mer, je suis, comme toi, plein de voix machinées Et mes vaisseaux chantants se nomment les années.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Les sirènes", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 25, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
26. La Colombe
Language: French (Français)
Colombe, l'amour et l'esprit Qui engendrâtes Jésus-Christ, Comme vous j'aime une Marie. Qu'avec elle je me marie.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "La Colombe", written 1910, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 26, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The dove", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
27. Le Paon
Language: French (Français)
En faisant la roue, cet oiseau, Dont le pennage traîne à terre, Apparaît encore plus beau, Mais se découvre le derrière.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Paon", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 27, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Peacock", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908 as number 15 of "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" (a collection of 18 poems), and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée (1911).
Research team for this page: Ted Perry , Peter Low [Guest Editor]
28. Le Hibou
Language: French (Français)
Mon pauvre cœur est un hibou Qu'on cloue, qu'on décloue, qu'on recloue. De sang, d'ardeur, il est à bout. Tous ceux qui m'aiment, je les loue.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Hibou", appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 28, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Peter Low) , "The Owl", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First published in the revue La Phalange, no. 24, June 15, 1908 as number 16 of "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" (a collection of 18 poems), and later in Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée (1911).
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
29. Ibis
Language: French (Français)
Oui, j'irai dans l'ombre terreuse Ô mort certaine, ainsi soit-il ! Latin mortel, parole affreuse, Ibis, oiseau des bords du Nil.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Ibis", written 1908, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 29, first published 1911
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) (Qi Feng Wu) , "Ibis", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Notes provided by Laura Prichard and Qi Feng Wu: the Underworld is where the Shades, or spirits of the Dead, dwell in Classical Mythology. Ibises were sometimes mummified and buried with the dead, and depicted in Egyptian tomb paintings.
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
30. Le Bœuf
Language: French (Français)
Ce chérubin dit la louange Du paradis, où, près des anges, Nous revivrons, mes chers amis Quand le bon Dieu l'aura permis.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki (1880 - 1918), as Guillaume Apollinaire, "Le Bœuf", written 1908, appears in Le Bestiaire, ou Cortège d'Orphée, no. 30, first published 1908
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The Ox", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
First appeared in the revue La Phalange, June 15, 1908, in "La Marchande des quatre saisons ou le bestiaire mondain" no. 18 of 18, and later in the 1911 publication of "Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée", Paris, Deplanche.
Note provided by Laura Prichard: In classical mythology, the ox is both a moon symbol (ridden by the goddess Diana/Artemis) and a sun symbol (representing kingly power and strength). Cherubim are sometimes depicted as winged oxen in European art.
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
Total word count: 699