Charles Baudelaire
Poetry in Translation: French Poetry
Sorrowful and Wandering
Tell me, does your heart sometimes fly away,
Far from the black of the squalid city
Towards a sea of exploded splendour,
Blue, bright, profound, deep as virginity?
Tell me, does your heart sometimes fly away?
The sea, the vast sea, consoles our labours!
What demon made the sea a singer hoarse
Accompanied by immense groaning winds,
With the sublime function of cradling us?
The sea, the vast sea, consoles our labours!
Transport me, wagon! carry me, frigate!
Far! far! for here mud is made of our tears!
– Is it true sometimes your sorrowful heart
Says: Far from remorse, crimes, sufferings, fears,
Transport me, wagon, carry me, frigate?
How distant you are, perfumed paradise,
Where love and joy grow under azure light,
Where all of those worthy of love are loved,
Where pure hearts drown in sensual delight!
How distant you are, perfumed paradise!
But that green paradise of childish loves,
Its rides, its songs, its kisses, its bouquets,
The violins vibrant amongst the hills,
With the jugs of wine, at evening, in the glades,
– But that green paradise of childish loves.
Innocent place, full of furtive pleasures,
How far beyond India and China?
Can we recall it with our plaintive cries,
Bring it to life with a voice of silver,
That innocent place of furtive pleasures?
Acumen receives more translations of Baudelaire than any other poet – I have even attempted one or two myself! – and am happy to print two poems by new translators. His brief biographical notes have been in the magazine so often, I do not repeat them now. – Ed.
Translated by R. J. Dent
Page(s) 187-188
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