Arabian Poems

Translations © by Grant Hicks

by Jacqueline Despas (1893 - 1968)

View original-language texts alone: Poèmes Arabes

1. Défi  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
J'ai poli ton corps de tant de caresses, 
qu’il ressemble maintenant 
à la pierre sacrée d’El Djoûf, 
que tant de lèvres ont usée.

Le soleil peut s’éteindre 
et la lune tomber, 
il m’inondera de lumière.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, p.6


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
1. Defiance
Language: English 
I've polished your body with so many caresses, 
that now it resembles 
the sacred stone of Al-Jouf, 
which so many lips have worn. 

The sun may go out
and the moon fall;
it will bathe me in light.

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:
"Défi" = "Defiance"
"Le flambeau" = "The Torch"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-25
Line count: 7
Word count: 38

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. Le sommeil des colombes  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Dans le cèdre, des colombes 
se sont posées pour la nuit. 
Longtemps hésitantes, 
elles avaient tournoyé au-dessus 
de l'arbre solitaire. 
Maintenant elles vont s'endormir. 
Comme chaque nuit, au sommet 
de la plus haute branche, 
un rossignol chantera. 
Ainsi je berce souvent ton sommeil 
de paroles d'amour. 
Je crois que le même instinct 
guide les colombes et les jeunes filles 
vers les jardins où chantent les rossignols.

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by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
2. The Sleep of Doves
Language: English 
In the cedar, doves
have settled for the night. 
Hesitating for a long while, 
they had circled above
the solitary tree. 
Now they are about to go to sleep. 
As on all nights, at the top 
of the highest branch
a nightingale will sing. 
So do I often beguile your sleep 
with words of love. 
I believe the same instinct 
guides doves and young girls 
towards gardens where nightingales sing.

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: 2026-02-22
Line count: 14
Word count: 70

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. Réponse  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Tu me reproches de ne pas t'aimer... 
Trouverais-je mes roses plus parfumées, 
si mes yeux se remplissaient de larmes chaque fois que je les respire ?
Seraient-elles plus éclatantes, 
si je ne pouvais les cueillir sans leur réciter des poèmes ? 
La pluie demande-t-elle à la terre de frissonner d'amour, 
et la lune demande-t-elle au désert
de la récompenser d'éclairer son étendue ?

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, p.22


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
3. Response
Language: English 
You reproach me for not loving you... 
Would I find my roses more fragrant 
if my eyes filled with tears each time I smell them?
Would they be more dazzling 
if I could not gather them without reciting poems to them?
Does the rain ask the earth to tremble with love,
and the moon ask the desert
to reward her for lighting its expanse?

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: 2026-02-25
Line count: 8
Word count: 64

Translation © by Grant Hicks
4. L'heure tranquille  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Voici l'heure tranquille où les troupeaux s'acheminent vers le puits.
Le jour décroît.
J'attends ma bien-aimée, étendu sur les coussins qui gardaient 
l'empreinte de son corps.
En signal, j'ai posé sur la fenêtre un vase 
dans lequel trempe la tige d'une rose. 
Cette rose se détache au sommet d'une colline bleue.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris: H. Piazza, 1919.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
4. The Peaceful Hour
Language: English 
This is the peaceful hour when the flocks make their way towards the well.
The day wanes. 
I await my beloved, stretched out on the pillows that used to hold
the imprint of her body. 
As a sign I have set a vase in the window 
in which is immersed the stem of a rose. 
This rose is plucked at the top of a blue hill.

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: 2026-02-22
Line count: 7
Word count: 66

Translation © by Grant Hicks
5. Le sommeil des lévriers  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
À l'ombre aiguë du cyprès, mes deux lévriers dorment, 
comme des flèches dans un carquois.

Referme doucement la porte, et viens les caresser : 
ta main fera passer dans leurs rêves la fraîcheur 
d'un ruisseau du Liban.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, p.30


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
5. The Sleep of Greyhounds
Language: English 
In the pointed shadow of the cypress, my two greyhounds are sleeping, 
like arrows in a quiver.

Close the door softly, and come stroke them:
your hand will introduce into their dreams the coolness
of a Lebanese stream.

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:
"Les lévriers" = "The Greyhounds"
"Le sommeil des lévriers" = "The Sleep of Greyhounds"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-25
Line count: 5
Word count: 38

Translation © by Grant Hicks
6. Sur la mort  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
La gazelle blessée pleure lorsqu'elle va mourir.
Lorsqu'une torche va s'éteindre, sa flamme devient paisible. 
Et toi, à quel moment as-tu conscience de ton destin ? 

Est-ce quand tu pleures, est-ce quand tu souris ?

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris: H. Piazza, 1919, p.33.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
6. On Death
Language: English 
The wounded gazelle weeps when she is about to die.
When a torch is about to go out, its flame becomes calm.
And you, when do you become aware of your destiny?

Is it when you weep, is it when you smile?

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:
"La gazelle blessée" = "The Wounded Gazelle"
"Sur la mort" = "On Death"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-25
Line count: 4
Word count: 42

Translation © by Grant Hicks
7. Poignards  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Celui qui brille au joyeux soleil des batailles.
Celui de l'assassin, rouillé de sang. 

Et ton regard.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : Piazza, 1919, p.43


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
7. Daggers
Language: English 
The one that gleams in the joyous sunlight of battle. 
The one of the assassin, rusty with blood. 

And your glance.

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: 2026-02-23
Line count: 3
Word count: 21

Translation © by Grant Hicks
8. Clair de lune  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Sur un jardin fardé de lune, l'ombre noire d'un olivier s'arrondit. 
Sur la joue pâle d'une jeune fille, un amant a posé sa bouche. 
L'ombre de l'olivier tourne sur le jardin. 
La bouche de l'amant parcourt le visage de la jeune fille.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris: L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, 1921, p.56


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
8. Moonlight
Language: English 
Over a garden painted with moonlight, the black shadow of an olive tree spreads. 
Over the pale cheek of a maiden, a lover has set his mouth. 
The shadow of the olive tree moves over the garden. 
The mouth of the lover traverses the face of the maiden.

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: 2026-02-25
Line count: 4
Word count: 48

Translation © by Grant Hicks
9. Le baiser dans la nuit  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
A deux mains j'ai pris ta tête, comme une urne, 
et je me suis versé la liqueur d'amour. 

Qui aurait pensé qu'une urne si petite contenait tant de liqueur ? 
L'aurore ruisselait déjà dans le ciel quand nos bouches se séparèrent.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : H. Piazza, 1919, p.61


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
9. The Kiss in the Night
Language: English 
With both hands I took your head, like an urn, 
and I poured out for myself the liquor of love.

Who'd have thought so small an urn could hold so much liquor? 
Dawn was already streaming down from the sky when our mouths parted.

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: 2026-02-26
Line count: 4
Word count: 44

Translation © by Grant Hicks
10. Le sommeil des faucons  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Repus d’azur, ils dorment.
Du sang macule encore leur bec, 
et leurs serres étreignent le barreau d'ivoire. 

Ainsi dors-tu quelquefois, rassasiée d'amour,
la bouche meurtrie, 
et tes bras noués autour de mon corps.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris: H. Piazza, 1919, p.62.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
10. The Sleep of Falcons
Language: English 
Sated with azure, they sleep. 
Blood still stains their beaks,
and their talons embrace the ivory bar. 

Thus do you sometimes sleep, satiated with love,
your mouth bruised,
and your arms knotted around my body.

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: 2026-02-26
Line count: 6
Word count: 35

Translation © by Grant Hicks
11. Images  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Un coq qui chante, un cheval qui piaffe, un chat qui rentre :
l'aube. 

Un lis qui s'incline, un citron qui tombe, un arbre qui craque : 
midi. 

Les sables qui bleuissent, les fumées qui montent, 
les amants qui se retrouvent : 
la nuit.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, p.65


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
11. Images
Language: English 
A cock crowing, a horse stamping, a cat returning:
dawn. 

A lily bending, a lemon falling, a tree rustling:
noon. 

Sands turning blue, smoke rising,
lovers meeting:
night.

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: 2026-02-25
Line count: 7
Word count: 28

Translation © by Grant Hicks
12. L'Attente  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Plus rouge que la fleur de [l'ohkouan]1 
le soleil descendait [derrière la campagne]2. 
C'était l'heure convenue. J'avais entravé mon [cheval. Je]3 m'étais assis. 

Tu es [arrivée, Fatima]4 ! 
[Et j'ai frissonné]5, comme le dormeur 
qui est surpris par l'aurore.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : H. Piazza, 1919, p. 70, with the title "L'Attente". Earlier title: "Ebn Zeïdoun".

1 Bonhomme: "l'océan"
2 Bonhomme: "dans les sables"
3 Coelho: "cheval et je"
4 Bonhomme: "arrivée"; Coelho: "arrivée, ma bien-aimée"
5 Coelho: "Alors un grand frisson m'a saisi"

by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
12. Waiting
Language: English 
Redder than the flower of the [ohkouan]1
the sun set [behind the landscape]2.
It was the appointed hour.  I'd tied up my [horse. I'd]3 sat down.

You [appeared, Fatima]4!
[And I shivered]5, like a sleeper
who is surprised by the dawn.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2025 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:
"Attente" = "Waiting"
"Ebn Zeïdoun" = "Ebn Zeïdoun"
"L'Attente" = "Waiting"

Note to stanza 1, line 1, line 7: ohkouan appears in Toussaint's translation from the Arabic and is left unexplained.
1 Bonhomme: "ocean"
2 Bonhomme: "into the sands"
3 Coelho: "horse and I'd"
4 Bonhomme: "appeared"; Coelho: "appeared, my beloved"
5 Coelho: "Then I was seized with a great shiver"


This text was added to the website: 2025-09-13
Line count: 6
Word count: 50

Translation © by Grant Hicks
13. Le printemps sur la mer  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Un matin, j'ai vu le printemps sur la mer. 
Les flots étaient un tapis de lilas 
où se posaient de grands oiseaux blancs, 
pareils à des pétales de fleurs d'amandier.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : H. Piazza, 1919, p.95


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
13. Springtime at Sea
Language: English 
One morning, I saw Springtime at sea.
The waves were a carpet of lilacs
where great white birds were settling,
like flower petals from an almond tree.

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:
"La mer" = "The Sea"
"Le printemps sur la mer" = "Springtime at Sea"



This text was added to the website: 2026-02-26
Line count: 4
Word count: 27

Translation © by Grant Hicks
14. La pluie sur les roses  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Une goutte tombe, [ensuite]1 une autre. 
C'est la première pluie sur les premières roses. 

D'abord, elles frissonnent, attristées. 
Mais, bientôt, leurs couleurs s'avivent 
et leur parfum devient plus délicieux. 

Tes premières larmes sur notre amour.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, 1906, p.118

1 Thève: "et puis"

by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
14. Rain on the Roses
Language: English 
One drop falls, [then]1 another. 
It is the first rain on the first roses.

At first they shudder in distress. 
But soon their colors grow brighter
and their scent more delightful. 

Your first tears over our 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:
"La pluie sur les roses" = "Rain on the Roses"
"La pluie sur les roses (A chuva sobre as rosas)" = "Rain on the Roses"

1 Thève: "and then"


This text was added to the website: 2026-02-23
Line count: 6
Word count: 38

Translation © by Grant Hicks
15. La fontaine des gazelles  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Elles ne viennent y boire qu'au crépuscule. 
Une à une et inquiètes, elles surgissent de l'ombre 
et elles cherchent le lambeau de ciel que sa conque réfléchit. 

Ainsi, attends-tu la nuit pour pénétrer dans ma demeure, 
et, avant de baiser mes lèvres, 
cherches-tu à voir dans mes yeux l'enchantement de mon âme.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : H. Piazza, 1919, p.109


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
15. The Spring of the Gazelles
Language: English 
They come there to drink only at dusk. 
One by one, nervously, they rise from the shadows 
and seek the scrap of sky reflected in its gorge.

Thus, wait for night to enter my house, 
and, before kissing my lips, 
look into my eyes to find my soul's enchantment.

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: 2026-02-27
Line count: 6
Word count: 49

Translation © by Grant Hicks
16. La confiance  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Laissez rôder les amoureux autour de ma bien-aimée...
Pouvez-vous empêcher les mouches de voler autour d'un gâteau de miel ?

Laissez rôder les amoureux, mais engagez-les 
à faire construire leur tombeau, 
car aucun remède ne guérit les blessures que font les yeux de Yamina.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : H. Piazza, 1919, p.115


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
16. Confidence
Language: English 
Let suitors lurk around my beloved ... 
Could you prevent flies from swarming around a honey-cake? 

Let suitors lurk, but urge them
to have their tombs built, 
for no remedy can cure the wounds inflicted by Yamina's eyes.

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: 2026-02-27
Line count: 5
Word count: 37

Translation © by Grant Hicks
17. Le bonheur  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Cette nuit-là, tu regardais le ciel embrasé d'étoiles.
Tu disais : « Je pense aux jardins de Damas,
qui ont des fleurs bien plus belles... »

Assis dans l'ombre, je caressais tes jambes,
qui humiliaient le clair de lune.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, p.115


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
17. Happiness
Language: English 
That night, you looked at the sky ablaze with stars.
You said, "I'm thinking of the gardens of Damascus,
which have much more beautiful flowers ..." 

Seated in the shadows, I stroked your legs,
which put the moonlight to shame.

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: 2026-02-27
Line count: 5
Word count: 40

Translation © by Grant Hicks
18. L'absente  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Afin d'oublier ma folie, je m'en suis allé dans la montagne. 
Mais, le silence des plateaux me rappelait d'autres silences. 

Afin d'oublier ma folie, je m'en suis allé sur la mer. 
Mais, son immensité me rappelait mon amour. 

Afin de mourir de ma folie, 
je suis revenu dans la demeure qu'elle habita.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : H. Piazza, 1919, p.136


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
18. She Is Gone
Language: English 
To forget my madness, I betook myself to the mountains. 
But the silence of the plateau reminded me of other silences. 

To forget my madness, I betook myself to the sea. 
But its vastness reminded me of my love. 

To die of my madness ,
I went back to the place where she lived.

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: 2026-02-23
Line count: 6
Word count: 54

Translation © by Grant Hicks
19. Le regret  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Les ailes de la Nuit se sont refermées sur la Terre. 
Les ailes de tes paupières se sont refermées sur tes yeux. 
Tu dors. Ce n'est pas encore la rosée, qui mouille ta gorge. 
Ce sont mes larmes, car je pense à un bonheur perdu ! 
Sous quelles caresses s'endort-elle, à cette heure ?

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, 63-ième édition, p.137


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
19. Regret
Language: English 
The wings of the Night have closed over the Earth. 
The wings of your eyelids have closed over your eyes. 
You are asleep. It is not yet the dew that moistens your throat. 
It is my tears, for I am thinking of a lost joy!
Under what caresses is she going to sleep, even now?

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: 2026-02-25
Line count: 5
Word count: 55

Translation © by Grant Hicks
20. Une jeune fille  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Une jeune fille, qui revenait du fleuve, 
modulait cette chanson que tu chantais si souvent. 

Je l'ai suivie, sans pouvoir retenir mes larmes. 

La voix liquide et pathétique d'un rossignol 
ne suffit-elle pas au prisonnier pour évoquer les délices des jardins 
où il ne se promènera plus ?

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris : H. Piazza, 1919, p.138


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
20. A maiden
Language: English 
A maiden who was coming back from the river 
warbled that song you so often sang.

I followed her, unable to hold back my tears.

Isn't the liquid, poignant voice of a nightingale 
enough to evoke for a prisoner the delights of gardens
where he will never walk again?

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: 

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2026-02-26
Line count: 6
Word count: 49

Translation © by Grant Hicks