by Charles Baudelaire (1821 - 1867)
Translation © by Emily Wyatt

Bénédiction
 (Sung text for setting by J. Harvey)
 See original
Language: French (Français) 
Our translations:  ENG SPA
 ... 

15. — « Soyez béni, mon Dieu, qui donnez la souffrance
Comme un divin remède à nos impuretés, 
Et comme la meilleure et la plus pure essence
Qui prépare les forts aux saintes voluptés !

 ... 

Je sais que la douleur est la noblesse unique
Où ne mordront jamais la terre et les enfers,
Et qu'il faut pour tresser ma couronne mystique 
Imposer tous les temps et tous les univers.

Mais les bijoux perdus de l'antique Palmyre,
Les métaux inconnus, les perles de la mer,
Par votre main montés, ne pourraient pas suffire
À ce beau diadème éblouissant et clair ;

Car il ne sera fait que de pure lumière,
Puisée au foyer saint des rayons primitifs,
Et dont les yeux mortels, dans leur splendeur entière,
Ne sont que des miroirs obscurcis et plaintifs ! »

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 15,17-19 of the original text.

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Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Poom Andrew Pipatjarasgit [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 76
Word count: 608

Language: English  after the French (Français) 
 ... 

- "Blessed be you, my God, who gives suffering
As a divine remedy for our impurities
And as the best and the purest essence
Which prepares the strong for holy pleasures!

 ... 

I know that pain is the only nobility
Into which Earth and Hell will never get their teeth, 
And that you must, in order to braid my mystical crown,
Tax every era and every universe.

But the lost jewellery of ancient Palmyra,
The unknown metals, the pearls of the sea,
By your hand mounted, could not suffice
For this beautiful diadem, dazzling and bright;

Because it will be made only of pure light,
Drawn from the holy fire of pristine rays,
And of which mortal eyes, in all their splendour,
Are only reflections, misted and tearful!"

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 15,17-19 of the original text.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2012 by Emily Wyatt, (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: 2012-10-09
Line count: 76
Word count: 635