Twelve rondels

Song Cycle by Reynaldo Hahn (1874 - 1947)

View original-language texts alone: Douze rondels

1. Le Jour
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Tout est ravi quand vient le Jour
Dans les cieux flamboyants d'aurore.
Sur la terre en fleur qu'il décore
La joie immense est de retour.

Les feuillages au pur contour
Ont un bruissement sonore;
Tout est ravi quand vient le Jour
Dans les cieux flamboyants d'aurore.

La chaumière comme la tour
Dans la lumière se colore,
L'eau murmure, la fleur adore,
Les oiseaux chantent, fous d'amour.
Tout est ravi quand vient le Jour.

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
1. The Day
Language: English 
Everything is ravishing when the day comes
In the flaming sky of dawn.
On the flowering land which it patterns
The immense joy of the sun’s return.

Foliage, in stark outline,
Has a sonorous rustling;
Everything is ravishing when the day comes
In the flaming sky of dawn.

The cottage, like the castle,
Is coloured in the light,
The water murmurs, the flower opens,
The birds sing, mad with love.
Everything is ravishing when the day comes.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Iain Sneddon, (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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Line count: 13
Word count: 77

Translation © by Iain Sneddon
2. Je me metz en vostre mercy
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Je me metz en vostre mercy,
Très belle, bonne, jeune et gente;
On m'a dit qu'estes mal contente
De moy, ne sçay s'il est ainsy.

De toute nuit je n'ay dormy,
Ne pensez pas que je vous mente!
Je me metz en vostre mercy,
Très belle, bonne, jeune et gente.

Pour ce, très humblement vous pry
Que vous me dittes vostres entente:
Car d'une chose je me vente
Qu'en loyauté n'ay point failly:
Je me metz en vostre mercy.

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by Charles, Duc d'Orléans (1394 - 1465)
2. I place myself at your mercy
Language: English 
I place myself at your mercy,
Very beautiful, good, young, and kind;
Someone told me that you were unhappy
With me, I do not know if it is so.

All night I did not sleep,
Do not think that I am lying to you!
I place myself at your mercy,
Very beautiful, good, young, and kind.

For this, very humbly I pray you,
That you [will] tell me your understanding:
Because with only one thing [I console myself]
That in loyalty I have not lacked a bit:
I place myself at your mercy.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Garrett Medlock, (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 title(s):
"Les dangers de l'amours courtois" = "The dangers of courtly love"
"Je me metz en vostre mercy" = "I place myself at your mercy"



This text was added to the website: 2019-02-22
Line count: 13
Word count: 93

Translation © by Garrett Medlock
3. Le Printemps
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Te voilà, rire du Printemps !
Les thyrses des lilas fleurissent.
Les amantes, qui te chérissent
Délivrent leurs cheveux flottants.

Sous les rayons d'or éclatants
Les anciens lierres se flétrissent.
Te voilà, rire du Printemps !
Les thyrses des lilas fleurissent.

Couchons-nous au bord des étangs,
Que nos maux amers se guérissent !
Mille espoirs fabuleux nourrissent
Nos cœurs émus et palpitants.
Te voilà, rire du Printemps !

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
3. Spring
Language: English 
You are here, you laughing Spring!
Bunches of lilacs are blossoming.
Lovers who cherish you
Free their flowing hair.

Beneath the rays of sparkling gold
The ancient ivy withers.
You are here, you laughing Spring!
Bunches of lilacs are blossoming.

Let us lie beside ponds
So that our bitter wounds may heal!
A thousand fabulous hopes nourish
Our stirred and fluttering hearts.
You are here, you laughing Spring!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2016 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2016-09-10
Line count: 13
Word count: 68

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. L'air
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Dans l'air s'en vont les ailes,
Par le vent caressées;
Mes errantes pensées
S'envolent avec elles.

Aux cieux pleins d'étincelles,
Dans la nue élancées,
Dans l'Air s'en vont les ailes
Par le vent caressées.

Vers des terres nouvelles,
Sur les rayons bercées,
Vous fuyez, dispersées,
Ô blanches colombelles;
Dans l'Air s'en vont les ailes!

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
4. The Air
Language: English 
In the air wings are flying,
Caressed by the wind;
My wandering thoughts
Fly with them.

In the sparkling heavens,
Soaring in the clouds,
In the air wings are flying,
Caressed by the wind.

Towards new lands,
On cradling sunbeams,
You flee, scattered,
O white doves;
In the air wings are flying!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Iain Sneddon, (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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Line count: 13
Word count: 52

Translation © by Iain Sneddon
5. La paix
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
La Paix, au milieu des moissons,
Allaite de beaux enfants nus.
A l'entour, des choeurs ingénus
Dansent au doux bruit des chansons.

Le soleil luit dans les buissons,
Et sous les vieux arbres chenus
La Paix, au milieu des moissons
Allaite de beaux enfants nus.

Les fleurs ont de charmants frissons.
Les travailleurs aux bras charnus,
Hier soldats, sont revenus,
Et tranquilles, nous bénissons
La Paix, au milieu des moissons.

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
5. Peace
Language: English 
Peace, in the middle of the harvest,
Nurses the beautiful, naked children.
Around her, the innocent choirs
Dance to the sweet sound of the songs.

The sun shines in the bushes,
And under the old, hoary trees
Peace, in the middle of the harvest,
Nurses the beautiful, naked children.

The flowers shiver charmingly.
The workers with [their] plump arms,
Yesterday soldiers, have returned,
And quietly we bless
Peace, in the middle of the harvest.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Garrett Medlock, (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: 2019-02-22
Line count: 13
Word count: 74

Translation © by Garrett Medlock
6. Gardez le trait de la fenêtre
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Gardez le trait de la fenestre,
Amans, qui par rues passez,
Car plus tost en serez blessez
Que de trait d'arc ou d'arbalestre.

N'alez à destre ne à senestre,
Regardant, mais les yeulx bessez ;
Gardez le trait de la fenestre,
Amans, qui par rues passez:

Se n'avez medicin bon maistre,
Si tost que vous serez navrez
A Dieu soiez recommandez,
Mort vous tiens, demandez le prestre ;
Gardez le trait de la fenestre.

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Confirmed with Poésies complètes de Charles D'Orléans : Revues sur les manuscrits avec préface, notes et glossaire par Charles d'Héricault, Tome II, Paris, Alphonse Lemerre, 1874, page 95.

by Charles, Duc d'Orléans (1394 - 1465)
6. Stay close to the line of the window
Language: English 
Stay close to the line of the window,
Lovers, who pass by in the street,
For sooner you will be hurt
Than by a shaft from a bow or crossbow.

Do not go to right or left,
Watching, but with downcast eyes;
Stay close to the line of the window,
Lovers, who pass by in the street.

If you do not have a good doctor,
As soon as you are sorry
Be commended to God,
Death holds you, call for the priest;
Stay close to the line of the window.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Iain Sneddon, (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 title(s):
"Gardez le trait de la fenestre" = "Stay close to the line of the window"
"Rondel XXX " = "Rondeau No. 30"
"Gardez le trait de la fenêtre" = "Stay close to the line of the window"
"Chanson LXXIV " = "Song No. 74"



This text was added to the website: 2019-09-02
Line count: 13
Word count: 90

Translation © by Iain Sneddon
7. La pêche
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Le pêcheur vidant ses filets,
Voit les poissons d'or de la Loire
Glacés d'argent sur leur nageoire
Et mieux vêtus que des varlets.

Teints encor des ardents reflets
Du soleil et du flot de moire,
Le pêcheur vidant ses filets,
Voit les poissons d'or de la Loire.

Les beaux captifs, admirez-les!
Ils gisent sur la terre noire,
Glorifiant de sa victoire,
Jaunes, pourpres et violets,
Le pêcheur vidant ses filets.

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
7. Fishing
Language: English 
The fisherman emptying his nets
Sees the golden fish of the Loire,
Glazes of silver on their fins
And more finely dressed than [royal] servants.

Still tinted with fiery reflections
Of the sun and the flow of watered silk,
The fisherman emptying his nets
Sees the golden fish of the Loire.

The beautiful captives, admire them!
They lie upon the black earth,
Exulting in his victory,
Yellow, purple, and violet,
The fisherman emptying his nets.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Garrett Medlock, (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: 2019-02-23
Line count: 13
Word count: 75

Translation © by Garrett Medlock
8. Quand je fus pris au pavillon
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Quand je fus pris au pavillon
De ma dame, très gente et belle,
Je me brûlai à la chandelle,
Ainsi que fait le papillon :
   Je rougis comme vermillon,
A la clarté d'une étincelle,
Quand je fus pris au pavillon
De ma dame très gente et belle.
   Si j'eusse été esmerillon
Ou que j'eusse eu aussi bonne aile,
Je me fusse gardé de celle
Qui me bailla de l'aiguillon
Quand je fus pris au pavillon.

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by Charles, Duc d'Orléans (1394 - 1465)
8. When I was held in the pavilion
Language: English 
   When I was held in the pavilion
Of my very noble and beautiful lady,
I felt myself burnt in the candle’s flame,
As the butterfly does:
   I blushed like vermillion,
In the brightness of a spark,
When I was held in the pavilion
Of my very noble and beautiful lady.
   If I had been merlin
Or had I strong enough wings,
I would have guarded myself from she
Who struck me with the sting
When I was held in the pavilion.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Iain Sneddon, (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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Line count: 13
Word count: 82

Translation © by Iain Sneddon
9. Les Étoiles
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Les cieux resplendissants d'Étoiles
Aux radieux frissonnements,
Ressemblent à des flots dormants
Que sillonnent de blanches voiles.

Quand l'azur déchire ses voiles,
Nous voyons les bleus firmaments,
Les cieux resplendissant d'Étoiles,
Aux radieux frissonnements.

Quel peintre mettra sur ses toiles,
O dieu! leurs clairs fourmillements,
Ces fournaises de diamants
Qu'à nos yeux ravis tu dévoiles,
Les cieux resplendissants d'Étoiles?

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
9. The Stars
Language: English 
The heavens are resplendent with stars
Radiantly shimmering,
Looking like sleeping waves
That furrow white sails.

When the sky tears up its sails,
We see the blue heavens,
The heavens are resplendent with stars
Radiantly shimmering.

What painter will put on his canvas,
O god! their clear twinkling,
These furnaces of diamonds
What do you reveal to our delighted eyes,
Heavens resplendent with stars?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Iain Sneddon, (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: 2019-09-02
Line count: 13
Word count: 64

Translation © by Iain Sneddon
10. L'automne
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Sois le bienvenu, rouge Automne.
Accours dans ton riche appareil,
Embrasse le coteau vermeil
Que la vigne pare et festonne.

Père, tu rempliras la tonne
Qui nous verse le doux sommeil;
Sois le bienvenu, rouge Automne,
Accours dans ton riche appareil.

Déjà la Nymphe qui s'étonne,
Blanche de la nuque à l'orteil,
Rit aux chants ivres de soleil
Que le gai moissoneur entonne,
Sois le bienvenu, rouge Automne.

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
10. Autumn
Language: English 
Be welcome, red Autumn.
So quickly in your rich clothing,
Kiss the hillside 
that the vine covers and festoons, vermilion.

Father, refill the jug
Which leads us towards sweet sleep;
Be welcome, red Autumn.
So quickly in your rich clothing.

There a Nymph is surprised,
White from the neck to toe,
Laughing at the drunken songs 
the cheerful harvester sings in the sunshine,
Be welcome, red Autumn.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Iain Sneddon, (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: 2019-09-02
Line count: 13
Word count: 67

Translation © by Iain Sneddon
11. La nuit
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Nous bénissons la douce Nuit,
Dont le frais baiser nous délivre.
Sous ses voiles on se sont vivre
Sans inquiétude et sans bruit.

Le souci dévorant s'enfuit,
Le parfum de l'air nous enivre;
Nous bénissons la douce Nuit,
Dont le frais baiser nous délivre.

Pâle songeur qu'un Dieu poursuit,
Repose-toi, ferme ton livre.
Dans les cieux blancs comme du givre
Un flot d'astres frissonne et luit,
Nous bénissons la douce Nuit.

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by Théodore Faullin de Banville (1823 - 1891)
11. Night
Language: English 
We bless the sweet Night,
Whose fresh kiss frees us.
Under its veils we live
Without unrest or noise.

Devouring care flees,
The fragrance of the air intoxicates us;
We bless the sweet night
Whose fresh kiss frees us.

Pale dreamer pursued by a god,
Rest and close your book.
In the frost-white heavens
A stream of stars shivers and gleams,
We bless the sweet night.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2016 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2016-09-09
Line count: 13
Word count: 66

Translation © by Emily Ezust
12. Le souvenir d'avoir chanté
 (Sung text)
Language: French (Français) 
Le souvenir d'avoir chanté
Au soleil, sous l'azur céleste,
Est l'infini trésor qui reste
Aux cigales après l'été.

Quel est, vieux gitane éreinté,
Ton recours quand tout te moleste?
Le souvenir d'avoir chanté
Au soleil sous l'azur céleste!

Quand un autre aura ta beauté,
Mésange, et ton rire et ton geste,
Mon coeur, en son ombre funeste,
Gardera, comme une clarté,
Le souvenir d'avoir chanté.

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by Catulle Mendès (1841 - 1909)
12. The memory of having sung
Language: English 
The memory of having sung
In the sun under the heavenly blue sky
Is the infinite treasure which rests
With the cicadas after the summer.

What is, old, exhausted gypsy,
Your recourse when everything troubles you?
The memory of having sung
In the sun under the heavenly blue sky!

When another will have your beauty,
Titmouse, and your laugh and your movement,
My heart in its gloomy shadow
Will keep, like a light,
The memory of having sung.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2019 by Garrett Medlock, (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: 2019-02-23
Line count: 13
Word count: 78

Translation © by Garrett Medlock