by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
Translation by François-Victor Hugo (1828 - 1873)

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's...
Language: English 
Available translation(s): ITA
When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
  For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
  That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 114

Lorsque, en disgrâce auprès de la...
Language: French (Français)  after the English 
Lorsque, en disgrâce auprès de la fortune et des hommes, 
je pleure tout seul sur ma destinée proscrite ; 
lorsque, troublant le ciel sourd de mes cris stériles, 
je me regarde et maudis mon sort ;
Quand, jaloux d'un autre plus riche d'espérance, 
je lui envie ses traits et les amis qui l'entourent, 
me souhaitant le talent de celui-ci et la puissance de celui-là, 
satisfait le moins de ce dont je suis le plus doué ;
Si, au milieu de ces pensées où je vais me mépriser moi-même, 
je pense par hasard à toi ; -- alors, 
comme l'alouette s'envolant au lever du jour de la sombre terre, 
ma vie chante un hymne à la porte du ciel.
  Car le souvenir de ton doux amour m'apporte une telle richesse 
  que je dédaignerais de changer avec les rois.

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Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-08-16
Line count: 14
Word count: 136