The Jade Flute

Translations © by Grant Hicks

Song Cycle by Marguerite Béclard d'Harcourt (1884 - 1964)

View original-language texts alone: La flûte de jade

1. Mon amie  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
A la porte Occidentale de la ville, 
rient des jeunes filles 
onduleuses et légères 
comme de nuages de printemps. 
Mais je dédaigne leur charme,
puisque, dans sa robe blanche, 
et sous son voile épais,
mon amie est plus gracieuse. 

A la porte Orientale de la ville, 
rêvent des jeunes filles 
éclatantes et jolies 
comme des fleurs de printemps. 
Mais je dédaigne leurs parfums, 
puisque, dans sa robe blanche 
et sous son voile épais, 
mon amie est plus odorante !

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, pages 2-3.

Note: the original Chinese poem is attributed to Tsao Chang Ling, an 18th century author, but a similar translation by Thalasso attributes its original Chinese poem to an anonymous ancient poet included in the Chi-King.

by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
1. My Love
Language: English 
At the Western gate of the city,
maidens laugh,
as light and billowy
as Spring clouds.
But I scorn their charms,
for, in her white robe
and behind her thick veil,
my love is more graceful.

At the Eastern gate of the city,
maidens dream,
as lovely and radiant
as Spring flowers.
But I scorn their scents,
for, in her white robe
and behind her thick veil,
my love is more fragrant!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (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.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 72

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. Depuis qu’elle est partie  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Ne m'apportez plus de fleurs, 
mais de branches de cyprès 
où je plongerais mon visage ! 
Quand le soleil a disparu 
derrière les montagnes, 
je mets ma robe bleu 
aux manches légères, 
et je vais dormir
parmi les bambous qu'elle aimait.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, page 3.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
2. Since she went away...
Language: English 
Bring me no more flowers, 
but cypress branches 
for me to bury my face in! 
When the sun has disappeared 
behind the mountains, 
I put on my blue robe
with light sleeves 
and I go and sleep 
among the bamboo that she loved.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (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.
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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-12
Line count: 9
Word count: 43

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. Nocturne   [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Nonchalante, son luth à la main,
elle roulait le rideau de perles,
afin que l'odeur du printemps inondât sa chambre,
mais elle a vu la lune,
et c'est le chagrin qui est entré.
 
Le visage dans son bras replié,
elle évoque un jardin bleui de lune,
où elle entendit, jadis, des paroles d'amour.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, pages 82-83.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
3. Nocturne
Language: English 
Casually, with her lute in her hand,
she rolled up the curtain of pearls
to let the odor of springtime fill her room,
but she saw the moon,
and it was sorrow that entered.

With her face in the crook of her arm,
she recalls a garden blue in the moonlight
where once she heard words of love.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (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.
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Translations of titles:
"Nocturne" = "Nocturne"
"Nocturne " = "Nocturne"


This text was added to the website: 2026-04-13
Line count: 8
Word count: 58

Translation © by Grant Hicks
4. Une chanson
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Une chanson, là-bas... C'est un mendiant.
Puisqu’il chante, ce vieillard  qui n’a jamais rien possédé,
pourquoi gémis-tu, toi qui as de si beaux souvenirs ?

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, La flûte de jade : poésies chinoises, Paris: H. Piazza, 1920, page 82.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
4. A Song
Language: English 
A song, over there... It's a beggar.
Since he sings, this old man who has never possessed anything,
why do you moan, you who have such beautiful memories?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2026 by Grant Hicks, (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: 

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This text was added to the website: 2026-04-12
Line count: 3
Word count: 28

Translation © by Grant Hicks