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.