LA FLEUR ET LE PAPILLON.(Victor Hugo.)
A flower said to the butterfly of heaven,
Depart no more!
Ah!l see what diverse fates to us are given,—
I stand, you soar!
Depart no more!
Ah!l see what diverse fates to us are given,—
I stand, you soar!
Yet we both love, and far from mortals dwelling
Pass the bright hours:
Like in ourselves, and as they still are telling,
We both are flowers.
Pass the bright hours:
Like in ourselves, and as they still are telling,
We both are flowers.
Alas! earth chains me, thou in air art flying,—
Stern destiny!
I would embalm thy flight with odorous sighing,
Breathed through the sky.
Stern destiny!
I would embalm thy flight with odorous sighing,
Breathed through the sky.
But no! thou wanderest far, 'mid countless flowers,
On pinions fleet:
I watch my shadow through the weary hours
Turn at my feet.
On pinions fleet:
I watch my shadow through the weary hours
Turn at my feet.
Thou fliest, then returnest, still adorning
Thy various spheres;
Still finding me with every new-born morning
Bathed in my tears.
Thy various spheres;
Still finding me with every new-born morning
Bathed in my tears.
Oh! that our love may still be true and tender,
My king divine!
Take root as I, or give me wings of splendor
Like unto thine!
My king divine!
Take root as I, or give me wings of splendor
Like unto thine!