Ten Arabian Poems from Le jardin des caresses by Franz Toussaint

Translations © by Grant Hicks

by Piero Coppola (1888 - 1971)

View original-language texts alone: Dix Poèmes Arabes extraits du Jardin des caresses de Franz Toussaint

1. Après  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Elle s’était endormie dans mes bras.
Pour la protéger contre la fraicheur de la nuit,
j’avais doucement étalé ses cheveux sur ses [seins]1.
Dans l'herbe, autour de nous, les insectes reprenaient un à un leur musique. 
[A cette heure, des mères berçaient aussi]2 leur petite fille...

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le Jardin des caresses, Paris: L'Édition d'Art H. Piazza, 1921, Page 35.

1 Bonhomme: "épaules"
2 Bonhomme: "C'est l'heure où les mères bercent"

by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
1. After
Language: English 
She had fallen asleep in my arms.
To protect her from the chill of the night,
I had gently spread her hair over her breasts.
In the grass around us, the insects one by one resumed their music.
At that hour, mothers were also rocking their little daughter...

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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This text was added to the website: 2025-09-13
Line count: 5
Word count: 51

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2. Son nom  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Si vous voulez savoir le nom de celle que j'ai le plus aimée,
cherchez à vous rappeler le nom de celle qui m'a fait le plus souffrir. 

Si votre mémoire vous trahit ou si vous n'avez pas connu cette femme,
disposez vos lèvres comme pour donner un baiser : 
son nom se prononce ainsi.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, L'édition d'Art H. Piazza, p.136


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
2. Her Name
Language: English 
If you want to know the name of the one I've loved the most, 
try to remember the name of the one who has caused me the most pain. 

If your memory fails you or you haven't met this woman, 
shape your lips as if to bestow a kiss:
that's how her name is pronounced.

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: 5
Word count: 55

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3. La sultane de l'amour  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
J'ai vu ses yeux, et ma vie en est illuminée à jamais.
J'ai entendu sa voix, et je ne peux plus écouter aucune musique.
J'ai respiré son parfum, et je ne peux plus me pencher sur les roses.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le Jardin des caresses, H. Piazza, Paris : 1921, p.98


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
3. The Sultana of Love
Language: English 
I've seen her eyes, and my life is illuminated by them forever. 
I've heard her voice, and I can no longer listen to any music. 
I've breathed her perfume, and I can no longer inspect the roses.

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: 37

Translation © by Grant Hicks
4. 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)
4. 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
5. Ses mains  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Le matin de notre première rencontre,
c'est la main droite de ma bien-aimée
qui m'a envoyé, dans un salut gracieux,
son cœur et sa bouche. 
Le soir de notre première rencontre, 
c'est la main gauche de ma bien-aimée 
qui a ouvert sa robe,
afin que mes baisers se posent sur ses seins.
Aussi, et pour tout ce que je leur dois encore,
chanterai-je les mains de ma bien-aimée...
Douleur ! ô douleur ! pourquoi te réveilles-tu ? 
Amis, pardonnez-moi de renoncer à écrire ce poème ! 
J'avais oublié que ma bien-aimée est partie, 
et qu'il me serait impossible de me rappeler autre chose
que ses mains sur ses yeux en larmes.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le hardin des caresses, 73e édition, Paris: L'édition d'art H. Piazza, 1921, pages 131-132.


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
5. Her Hands
Language: English 
The morning of our first meeting,
it was my beloved's right hand
that delivered to me, in a graceful gesture,
her heart and her mouth.
The night of our first meeting,
it was my beloved's left hand 
that opened her gown
so that my kisses might alight on her breasts.
Thus, and for all that I still owe them,
will I sing my beloved's hands ...
Sorrow! O sorrow! why do you awaken?
Friends, forgive me if I give up writing this poem!
I'd forgotten that my beloved has gone away,
and that I won't be able to remember anything else 
but her hands over her tearful 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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Translations of titles:
"Les mains" = "Hands"
"Ses mains" = "Her Hands"


This text was added to the website: 2026-02-26
Line count: 15
Word count: 107

Translation © by Grant Hicks
6. L'Astronome  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Brahim, l’astronome, est fort savant.
Il sait vers quel point du ciel une comète se dirige,
mais il ignore où sa femme retrouve, chaque soir,
son amant.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le jardin des caresses, Paris: L'édition D'art H. Piazza, 1921, p. 94


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
6. The Astronomer
Language: English 
Brahim the astronomer is very knowledgeable. 
He knows towards which point in the sky a comet is heading, 
but he has no idea where his wife, every evening,
meets her lover.

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: 4
Word count: 31

Translation © by Grant Hicks
7. Nedjeh  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Pour les trois jeunes filles
qui s'étaient promenées dans mon jardin,
j'avais cueilli trois roses. 
La malicieuse Nedjeh arriva et me dit :
— Tu as cueilli trois roses...
Viens me montrer, dans ton jardin,
celle qui est ta préférée 
et que tu ne donnerais à personne. 
A la dérobée, je lui ai tendu un miroir.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le Jardin des Caresses, 73e édition, Paris : L'édition d'art H. Piazza, 1921, p.91


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
7. Nedjeh
Language: English 
For the three maidens 
who had been walking in my garden, 
I had picked three roses. 
Mischievous Nedjeh came to me and said, 
"You've picked three roses ... 
Come show me in your garden 
which one is your favorite 
that you wouldn't give to anyone." 
I slyly handed her a mirror.

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:
"Khadidja" = "Khadidja"
"Nedjé" = "Nedjeh"
"Nedjeh" = "Nedjeh"


This text was added to the website: 2026-02-26
Line count: 9
Word count: 50

Translation © by Grant Hicks
8. Le Serpent  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Elle était assise sur mes genoux, 
j'avais glissé ma main sous sa robe. 
D'une voix indifférente, je parlais des troupeaux,
des chiens agiles, des pâturages.
Ses jambes étaient lisses et fermes.
Enfin, elle parut s'apercevoir que je la caressais.
« Il y a un serpent sous ma robe ! dit-elle en riant.
— Justement, lui ai-je répondu, je le cherche...

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le Jardin des Caresses, 73e édition, Paris : L'édition d'art H. Piazza, 1921, p.48


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
8. The Snake
Language: English 
She was sitting on my lap, 
I had slipped my hand beneath her robe.
In a detached voice, I spoke of flocks, 
of nimble dogs, of pasturelands.
Her legs were smooth and firm. 
Finally, she seemed to notice that I was caressing her. 
"There is a snake under my robe!" she said, laughing. 
"Just so," I answered. "I am trying to find it..."

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: 2026-04-17
Line count: 8
Word count: 63

Translation © by Grant Hicks
9. Sur l'amour  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: French (Français) 
Ne laisse pas dormir le faucon que tu apprivoises.
Ne lance pas ton cheval au galop sans l'avoir fait trotter.
Ne fais brouter ton méhari qu'à la lisière des oasis.
Et ne dis jamais à une femme que tu l'aimes.

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Confirmed with Franz Toussaint, Le Jardin des Caresses, 73e édition, Paris : L'édition d'art H. Piazza, 1921, p.32


by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955)
9. On Love
Language: English 
Do not let a falcon sleep while you are taming it.
Do not spur your horse into a gallop without first trotting it.
Do not graze your camel except at the edge of an oasis. 
And never tell a woman that you love her.

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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Note for line 3: The original text speaks of a méhari, which is a particular type of swift camel used for riding. The French used to maintain camel-mounted cavalry units in northern Africa known as Méharistes.

This text was added to the website: 2026-04-17
Line count: 4
Word count: 44

Translation © by Grant Hicks
10. Clair de lune
 (Sung text)
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)
10. 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