Poems (Terry, 1861)/La fleur et le papillon
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!
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.
Alas! earth chains me, thou in air art flying,— 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.
Thou fliest, then returnest, still adorning 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!