by George Gordon Noel Byron, Lord Byron (1788 - 1824)
Translation by Alexis Paulin Pâris (1800 - 1881)

Francisca
Language: English 
Francisca walks in the shadow of night,
But it is not to gaze on the heavenly light --
But if she sits in her garden bower,
'Tis not for the sake of its blowing flower.
She listens -- but not for the nightingale,
Though her ear expects as soft a tale.
There winds a step through the foliage thick,
And her cheek grows pale -- and her heart beats quick.
There whispers a voice thro' the rustling leaves,
[And her blush returns -- and her bosom heaves.]1
A moment more -- and they shall meet --
'Tis past -- her Lover's at her feet.

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1 omitted in some publications of the poem; also appears as line 15-28 of Parisina (with the name changed from Francisca to Parisina).

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2004-05-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 98

Francisca (Parisina)
Language: French (Français)  after the English 
Francisca s'avance dans l'ombre de la nuit,
mais ce n'est pas pour contempler les étoiles du firmament;
et si elle s'asseoit dans le bosquet de son jardin,
ce n'est pas par amour pour ses fleurs naissantes.
Elle écoute, -- mais ce n'est pas la voix du rossignol,
quoique son oreille attende une histoire aussi tendre que la sienne.
Le bruit d'un pas se fait entendre à travers l'épais feuillage,
et sa joue devient pâle, et son cœur bat rapidement;
une voix murmure à travers les feuilles frémissantes,
et sa rougeur revient, -- et son sein se soulève:
un moment encore et ils seront réunis. -- 
Il est passé, -- son amant est à ses pieds.

Text Authorship:

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 page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2012-01-15
Line count: 12
Word count: 111