English translation of Antique

by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976), "Antique", op. 18 no. 3 (1939), published 1940 [ high voice and strings ], from Les Illuminations, no. 3

Note: this is a translation of one 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.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
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.

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Confirmed with Monographie imprimée (Paris), 1886


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
Author(s): [More than can fit here], Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891)
I hung strings from steeple to steeple; 
garlands from window to window; gold
chains from star to star, and I dance.

Text 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.
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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.

Text 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: 

Based on:

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Translation © by Ahmed E. Ismail