PaulVerlaineHisAbsintheTintedSong 10192027

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BERGEN APPHE GATE
FLETCH ER SEY MO UR
TH E ALD ERB RIN K P RESS
py igh
Co r t 1916
AL H L ET C HE R S E
BY
R P F O UR
YM
E
S E AS EEP
TO TH E M MORY
E S S
O F O N E LO NG I NC L
WH O L I VI N G L O V D TH E P OEr s
' ’
O NG
JUD G E JO NA TH A N C A P P L EGATE
S E AE
.
TH I BO O K I S D DI C T D WI TH LO VE
A ND REVEREN CE
BY H I S SO N
CO N TENTS
P a ul Ve rl ai n e
P O EMS S AT UR N I NE
T o Eu gén e Carn e re
C
M E LA N H O L A I
III ESE E NM EN
R I G ATIO
.
III E
N V R OR
.
I VV AS IT UDE
AFT R T R
.
.
H
Vo w
EE ER S Y A .
VI M A M I L I ARDR EM
. L S
V II A WO A N
. Y F A
. To M
C II SARI SIA N S ETC H

ET H N G
IIII V ECTS O IGH T

P .
.
K
ROT ES U ES
. E FF F N .
V . G !
DS C
S MB
O
III S ETTII LI GGHTS UONS M STI C E
ER LA N
.
S
N
A PE
IIII V ROME A E SIEGHTIT MCLATSSALI C

.
.
TW
P N D
F
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Y
EN
VE
U TU M S O G
. VA L P UR G I S N ,
VI S HE HERD S O UR
V . A N N
I G H TI G AL E
TH H
’
. E P
VI I . TH E N N
C ICI SWO M AN A ND CAT

A PR E
IIIV MS O NSG IOE URT HER UI DHGEONMU ESE

.
.
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S ER EN ADE
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BI A RCO
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F TE S G A LLAN T
H
N HEM E SS
M OO N L I G T
P A TO I M
ON T G RA
TH E WAL K
IN THEIN GENROTTOUS
G
CORT ESGHEE LLS

TH
TH
E
A N T ASTI C S
S ATI G
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F
FAU N
AF L OA T
M A D LI E
TH E
To
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Y
N
IND
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L E TS
.
CO LU MALLI NEEN C U ID
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B
S O URD I NE
TH E F P
CO LLO U S ENTI M N TAL

! Y E
TH E GOO D SONG
T he
r ren in g
mo k es w r
igh su n ma a m an d go l de n , t o o
Inin e d ruwnhe bw rdered

Al l g ac
he r
ke
c
an
dress
s
d
-
al l
un rise
o gree n
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gr
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Bef rewhih eu knes igh e

S c
The
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no w is
AG E
he squ nreds pe fr u r i n ed i n d w
P
T la ca om t he c ta W o
A s in i n her brigh h
a
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a t
F if een n g d ys
H i n ges u re
e
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six ewee a swee
t
ks g n e
l
a o
t am a l an d t
T his h rd pr f s n wi h ve e nd
t lo a t o co m ,
an d o
s ng
a
i n gs wi n d b w n
As yes erd y he ked e ders wise
G O, o , on
oo
W
oo ll
-
lo
a an
The reside p igh s eve

t a t y t al , our l
A s I fe r if ru h s id
l am l
’
fi an d t he t l l r ay
The n ise ver ns b

lmo t, a t t be a
k d
,
Is
idew
o
o f t he S ks
espi e wh
of t he t a
hers al
,
an d t he l ac mu
e e s r y i es serve re i nd
i t n o t so ? D t at o t say
Th s
h to m t m
So , i t S al l be a day o f s u er de r
mm
to
IWwein ner pg nhse hereb d yngerigh hides ,

m
a
t
t by
has o
at W
: t he al m
a
l in deed t
RO M AN E S I U W DS C W TH O T OR
FO RGOTTE N A R I
III TI vhisguise y guessn gu r r ssus e su r syur dr wn
S
. th e la o o c ta ;
IIIV Theweep p sn in k issedhebyr h rid s f fr il

.
. It
a l
my
, ac o
a t
a m m a
V I Beh d Je n he irve ed y
. ia o, . a a o t an d a
. ol do g o ft he
a N ll
H o w sad— ho w sad m y
V III I n i n er i n b e
VI I, . a t to a
The sh d w rees i n ev p r u s s re
. t he t m a l
k issed
I! . a o of t th a o o t am ,
fo g -
B ELGI A N LAN DS C S A PE
CH ARL EROI
WALC O URT
B R U SSE L S ( i p e F res s I d I )
O R SES WOOD
Sm l co , . an I .
M AL I NES
H OF
G R EEN
WATE R C S
OLOR
P AG E
W SD O M I
V II The f s seu f ir d ys h sh wn
. al we ry
a a t at o a l l day , m y a
W isd L is i ne I e nvy
o l
Tw s G i i n— J nsen is his en ry
I! . om o f ou Rac ,
ho w it
N al l c a t— t
’
! . o ! a a c tu
I . O my G o d, h u h w nded wi h ve
t o as t ou me t lo
shines rphd nh I wisp es r w i n s b e

H op e as ot a of t a t he ta l
A gre we riness
S ee a , c al m o a ,
am co m
The is j u s bey n d r f
at a
IThekn s und why h rn s bs w rd w d

o
Sk y
w no t
t o t he oo
b
O urdi e —
o
he
L n g r ws hedges s re h w
o ke she r
of
exp nd
a
ho w
o
t y ma
o to
my
a
a
t he
t a
oo
The is f irer
o o of t tc a ay
sea a
C
O F O L D A ND RE E N TLY
RO LOG U E
O LD
P
AL E DO SC O E
I RR T
P E O
INT ERI OR ETR

K I P
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TH
A LL E G R
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OF
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OW
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CV ERR SESU MS ECTIS LAN NDER D

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II A N G U OR
IVVI A DS OAETE
. L
V III
.
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L N
TH E P
C P
AN D T HE M U SE
M AD RI G AL
OG U
. A R E
I! .
C ROLOG U E
RE E N TLY
P
BALLA D
SE I G H U G HT
P A R I F AL
UC I EN E
EV N N T O
L
IIIV I hwve n npri uden vewise—M lf eishne hey r
L TI N O I S
. 0 om a ! t, ca m m
XV III
we . a a
es h u re p r dise de r s u
k
Do
is
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ma
o
a fo r l o
cal l in
.
a a
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a o l
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.
,
P A RA LLELLY
D EDI CATION
I
TH E FR E N I T HE BALC O N
DS
V I SA H O
. ON Y
. PP
H A RLOT
I.
.
S
T HE RI N C ESS
III CA STA IA A To
P
P
N
RO U K I N E
REFERE N E
F S .
C
IIIII ALTHE RIMS R ESSION
P
S
IVV AE ETRALS I I LEDES

O
R V
E
B
.
.
V I IM RO A L E TTR U E
T N .!
A ST
P B B
. BU ,
VI I TH E L . TEN
P AG E
MOONS
II wishw sh e I ki
.
, t i e h ys
at m ay ll y o u , 0 t m t at la
T ER M A NNE R AUL V E RLA I E

me a t
II . AF TH E OF P N
A ST ET E A LA T
OE SAT U R N I NE
TH E L F G L N
P
TH IMIM UENDEIT ET T
M
E P N
BALLAD I E IN
TH E P N
A NDS
O F TH E L F RED
I ERR OT A M I
H
P G N
I SS H AP P N E
So very re d
F n i h n e h wre ked wi
O l d al a y
hu
se n se rhy e
“ ”
! . a t as t c c a c t at c m e, t o t
XXX I I edi e y f er
XXV .
.
You
mm
s e verses
at
or
A ur
su p u us u is
ask o f
l
me
m
a t
om
t he m
on
t o
mo
Sal t ar
S ONGS FO R H ER
. p
X III Br un e e
II ni n
sb v nrde g d
Co m a o ,
a o y an d oo
XX III I ve
r s sig ns fee
tt
gr
u k wi h w en k i n d
You un ds
,
t u t t he
or lo
O f t he c o f o
n eI ys i ud s
’
. ha d n o l c t om
XXV . O c was m t c, bu t i t co l no t la t
D S I E O E N H R H O N OR
V
XIX
.When pe ef u y
e e Th wee un r ue
ac
ll m e, S
ll
t
.
y t t , y o u a re
BIB I
L OGRA P H Y
N OTE S
I
L ST O F
Ver i n
P au l la e
T he P ro e n de
m a
T he W k a l
F n si s
a ta t c
are from
PA UL VERL AI NE
TH E M A N
0
6ANDERI NG fr o m lupana r t o lupa na r a nd fr m o
wi ne sh p t o o wi ne sh p he se e m s t have stag o o ,
o o o o o
- -
,
g er e d ut f the ages f Petr nius — s me vague n
de fi n i t e creature iial f b ea st a nd hal f ma n—a veritable

1 ,
— o ,
sa tyr a nd wh in the glitter f m de rn Pa ri s fa re d

, o o ,
a s f atu i t o u sly a s i n a fable

o
.
Indeed well might h e b e likened t the mythi cal O l d

,
Eu m p o lu s th e dru nken brawling p et o f the Satyri con o

,
reappea ring a fte r so m any centur i es with a fresh st ck o ,
o ok o“
f m c her i c ve rses a nd ampli fyi ng i n s me dingy
,
o
o o
-
ca f é f the Qua rti e r La tin hi s tale f the Ephesi a n

o
matr n
,
o o o ow
.
Hi s li fe fr m ea rly uth app ea rs t h ave foll e d

o o y o
E
th e c urs e f a Rake s Pr gress a s thou h durin
o
a d l escence h e ha d ch sen H o g art h s he r o
r m o de
,
’
o o ,
o ,
An d t what depth s thi s p ri m r se path fi nally l ed him o

o
-
’
t a felon s cell a n ex1l e s ga rret and the pa up er s
b e d O f de ath
,
’
,
’
o o
.
Let us l ok at thi s singul a r genius i n ne o f hi s

favorite haunts It i s th e yea r I 8 9 3 A ba sem e nt ca f e
o ,
. .
Pl a ce St Mi chel Pa ri s The a i r i s feti d wi t h to b a cc

o .
,
sm ke mixed with th e pungent a cri d o d r o f absint he

.
o
o o o , .
,
’
It i s tw O cl ck in the m rnin g Some Pa ri si a n ni g ht .
b i r ds s o u t e ne u r s fil l e r dc j o i e a n d t he like ha v e
o ,
o ,
dr p p e d in to m i sten t hei r gull et s a nd l o o f r p rey

,
k o ,
o o o
.
A t a t ab l e i n the center f th e r o m a gr up o f y o u ng
[ 3 ]
PA UL VER L A I NE
TH E MAN
0
6ANDERI NG fr o m lupana r t o lupana r a nd from
wine shop t wine shop he seem s t have stag o o ,
o o
- -
,
g e re d o t f the ages o f Petr nius — s me vague 1n

de fi n i t e creature lial f b ea st and hal f ma n — a veritabl e
u o ,
o ,
satyr— a nd wh i n the glitter o f m dern Pa ri s fa re d

, o ,
a s f a t u i t o u sly a s in a fable
o
.
I ndeed well might h e b e likene d t th e mythi cal O l d

,
e
Eu m p o l u s th drunken brawli ng p et o f the Satyri con
, o ,
reapp ea ring a fte r so many cen tu r1e s with a fresh sto ck

o o
f mock her i c verses a nd ampli fying in some dingy
,
oo o
-
ca f é f th e Qua rti er L a tin hi s tal e f th e Ephesi an ,
matr n
o o o
.
Hi s li fe from ea rly uth app ea rs t have f llowe d

y
th e cou rs e o f a Rake s Pr gress a s th ough during o
o
a d l escence h e h a d ch sen H o g a rt h s hero f o r mo del o ,
’
,
o ,
o
.
And t wha t depths thi s p rimr se p ath finally l ed him

o
— t a felon s cell a n ex i le s ga rret a nd th e paup er s
’
,
’
,
’
b e d o f death
o .
Let us l ok at thi s singul a r genius i n ne f hi s o o

favori te haunts It i s the yea r I 8 9 3 A ba sem ent ca f é
o o ,
. .
Pla ce St M i chel Pa ri s The a i r i s feti d with t b a cc

o ,
O
. .
O
sm ke mixed with th e pungent a cri d do r o f ab sinthe
,
’
It i s two clock i n the morning S me Pa ri si a n night
,
. o .
bi rds s o u t e n e urs fil l er de j o i e a nd the like have

o ,
o
dr pped i n t moi sten thei r gullets a nd l k f r prey
, ,
oo o ,
o oo o o
.
At a tabl e i n th e center f th e r m a gr up o f y ung

[ 3 ]
4 P a ul Ve rl a i n e
me n a re Sipping b a ck s an d p e ti ts v e rr e s and listeni ng t

th e r a b e l a i si e n ej a culati ons o f a dru nken ma n who
o
o
l oks to b e sixty fi v e y a rs O l d but wh i n reali t y i s
-
—
e o , ,
not yet fi fty Th e drunka rd i s Verlaine the li steners

o
.
s m e o f hi s sel f styl ed di sciples But the ma ste r ?

o
- .
“ ” “
A f a ce to use the w rds o f Jules Huret like tha t
o ,
f a wi cke d a ngel gr wn o l d with a thi n untrimmed o ,
b e a rd and ab rupt nose ; hi s bushy bri stling eyebr ws

,
o
e
r se m bling b ea rde d whea t hi ding dee p se t green eyes ; ,
,
hi s wholly bal d a nd huge long skull m 1sshap en by e n i g ,
mati c bump s all thes e give to hi s physi ognomy a con

-
t ra di ct o ry a ppea ra nce o f stubbo rn a sceti ci sm a nd

”
cyclop ea n ap e t i t e s H e i s dresse d i n a cheap ill
.
fi tt i n g suit 0 gray evi dently o f Engli sh make ,Hi s .
ca ne a nd a grea sy ha t a re lying b esi de him Hi s linen .

,
i f such i t m ay b e calle d a ppea rs to have b een resur

rect e d by a ra gpi cker— a c hi fi o n n i e r f the Qua rti er
,
o
o o
a nd s ld to s m e ambula to ry H eb rew vendor who i n
tu rn pa sse d it o n to Verla ine f o r a few s o u s .
H e i s drinking absi nth e Th e wan purpli sh light .

,
she d by the ga s j ets from the walls mingle d wi th the

m o re ruddy glow from a la rge il lamp hanging above O ,
the group throws i nto hi s l a ss s ome rays o f i ri descent

Hal f curi ous? hal f questi oningly hi s
,
splendo r
o
.
sunken glowing eye s pee r int the gre eni sh op alescent

,
e k
liqui d Th loo i s th a t o f a m an n ot a ltogethe r ce r
tai n o f hi s i dentity— the fi e d gaz e o f a somnambulist x
.
taki ng on a puz zl ed expressi on a t the mo m ent o f

awakening Well might he qu estion fo r i nto that
.
,
’
devil s ch a lice he ha d pou red a ll hi s youth all hi s fo r ,
tune a l l hi s t alent all hi s happi ness all hi s li fe

, , , .
The group ha d b een discussing lite ra tu re ea rli e r i n

the night a s always P o ets ha d b en dragged by thei r
, . e
fe et so to spe a k to ssed i n i m a i n a ry bla nkets o r
, ,
exalted b eyond the go ds Then t e h ated b o u rg e o i s

v o
.
we re dri en i nt th e a rena where the we re ma r t yred

i ndivi dually a nd i n gr ups with all t he ingenuity f a o , o ,
6 P a u l Ve rl a i n e
Shera rd , a nother Engli sh write r thus describes the

o “
glimps e h e h a d f Ve rl ain e a s foll ws : My fi rst sight o ,
o f thi s great Simple b eauti ful et a nd chil d wa s i n o

,
th e ba sement f a ca f é o ,
w ere there us e d t b e o
singing and where th e p ets gathere d Verlaine wa s
, o .
drunk that night a nd a s usual wa s dresse d i n rags H e .
ha d a false no se o n hi s fa ce ( f o r it wa s ca rnival ti me )
a nd h e wa s piping on a littl e ti n whi stl e Th e sp ecta cl e
e o
.
h a d th e te rribl come dy t uch o f Ari stopha nes I t wa s

o
.
t r a g e d ma de gr tesque Th e man ha d th e h ea d a nd
o o
.
fa ce 0 S cra tes a n d here we saw S crates pl ayi ng the

,
bu fl o o n
o
.
Su ch wa s th e a pp ea ra nce f Paul Verla ine at the

o
p eri d O f hi s greatest ren wn A singula r cha ra ct er o
o o
.
i ndeed but i n every resp ect conf rmin t the a ccepte d

o ,
o g
i dea f a tru e p et— the ci ca da o f li fe 3 sh rt summer o
o o o
with n th ught f r th e futu re o r ca re f th e p resen t o ,
iping hi s h aunting mel di es n th e wa rmo a i r and fall o ,
p
i ng dea d a t the ro a dsi de b e fo re the fi rst fr st P a uv r e o .
L e lai n /
To write o f Ve rla ine the man o ne must fi rst call
to a i d th o s e m en f sci ence wh o se v o cati on i s tha t o f
, ,
dealing with pathol o gi cal subj e cts Thes e savants ex

o
n o diffi culty i n pl a cing such a cha ra cter i n th e

.
p e ri e n ce
p ro Per catego ry
such a s M ax N o rdau
.
E v en a pseudo sci enti st -

, o ne ,
might b e permitted give exp ert testimo ny Let

us exami n e th e pri s o ner ( o r
to .
) trial f hi s p o et l on or
Th e Pr o sec to r D r N o rdau wha t i n you r

reputa ti on
opini on i s th e mental resp o nsibili ty f th e subj ect n o w

u .
,
o n MtrieialnPH e rr D r M ax N o rdau He i s su ffering

,
o
”
i s a pa r o xysmal dips o mani a c

, . :
from dementi a — he
M o ral i nsa ni y h o weve r i s n o t resent The subj e ct
.
si ns th r o ugh i resi stibl e impul se

t , , .
”
r e is an i . I m p u l si v st .
Th e Ma n 7
The Pr secutor :
”
o A
re there any the r pha ses o f o
thi s m al a dy ?
M ei n Herr D r M ax N ordau :
, . Y e s m rbi d i n , o
t e n si fi e d eroti ci sm Th e subj ect i s what sci enti fi c men
o
.
call a ci r cu l a i r e that i s h e i s a vi ctim o f that form f

, ,
mental di sea s e i n whi ch states o f excitement a nd dep re s

si on follow ea ch other i n regula r successi n Ci r cu o .
l a i r e s a re conde m ne d by th e very nature o f thei r

a fll i ct i o n t o b e vag a b onds a nd thi eves Verlai ne ha s .
”
b een a v a g a b ond all hi s li fe .
Th e Prosecuto r : Are there other symptoms o f thi s

”
e
mental mala dy ?
M i n H err D r M ax N rdau : M any M st o f
, . o
H i s l anguage i s
. o
Verl aine s p o etry i s mere g r i m o i r e
’
.
o ften that o f b ab es He ca n not p roperly connect a n

a dj ective with a n un to save hi s li fe o .
Further testimony o n th e pa rt o f the witness Dr

.
o , .
No rdau eli cits th e fa ct that there a r e s m e p o ems i n

,
Verlai ne s r ép ertoi re that a re a fter a ll real ] Ko sher

’
o
.
, ,
Fo r inst a nce there i s that little song o f only fi t y w rds

, .
I t i s called Ch a ns o n d A u t o m n e M erely a gust o f

’
e
.
O ct ob e r a i r sha rp ene d i n th gathering sha dows o f

ea rly twilight an d blowing through the sca nt brown
o
foli age f a fo rest tree But the sigh .
“
L es s a ng l o t s l o ngs
D es vi o l o ns
De l
’
a u to m ne
Bl e sse n t m o n cwur
D u n e l a ng u e u r
’
M o n o t o ne .
o
IS there anything i n litera tu re t rival it ? I s it not
e
w rth m a ny pa g s o f s o calle d sci enti fi c writing ? Dr -
o .
No rdau confesses : Even i f lite rally transl ated th ere

rem a ins something o f the mel ancholy magi c o f the
lines whi ch i n French a re so rhythmi cal a nd full o f
,
8 P a ul Verl a i n e
musi c .Then there i s the po em i n L a B o n n e Cha n s o n

b eg i nn i ng :
“
A v a n t qu e ’
t u n e t e n a il l e s,
a nd that othe r w rl d kn wn p o em i n o o R o m a nce s Sa ns

P a r o l e s the fi rst stanz a o f Wll l Cll
,
’
“
I l p l e u r e da n s m o n cce ur
Co m m e i l p l e a t s u r l a v i ll e .
! u e ll e e s t ce t t e l a ng u e u r"
! u i p e n e tr e m o n e ce ur ?
’
O
h a s wept i n S ma ny ma ny h ea rts Well may D r
M ax p ause i n hi s sens les s ti ra de a ga inst D éca dents t e
, .
o .
pro cla im these p o em s the faultl ess p ea rls among French

1y ri cs
o
.
But a s t No rdau s cha ra cteri zati on o f Ve rlai ne all

’
ha d b een sai d a nd b ette r by L o m b ro so fr m whose o ,
“ ”
,
book Th e M a n o f G enius N rdau fil che d without

,
o ,
stint . A
s to Verl a i ne o n e ca n no t di scover a p et with
, o
a surgeon s scalpel o r th e cha rt o f a n eurolog i st
’
.
I t i s unnecessa ry to endeavo r to justi fy Verlai ne s ’
faults o f cha ra cter Indeed he m a kes no effo rt to ex

o ,
o
.
cuse hi m sel f On the c ntra ry he i s c nti nually deba s

.
,
i ng himsel f but th e psychologi cal rea son i s not fa r to

e ,
se k fo r i t ha s its o rigi n i n a ki nd o f Mo so chi sm

,
e
.
D rink wa s Verl a ine s b setting si n Thi s habit he ’
o
.
f rm ed ea rly i n li fe Writing o f drunkenness i n hi s.
Co n f e ssi o n s h e says : Thi s ab sinthe ! Wh a t ho rro r

“
,
wh en I thi nk o f tho se d a ys ( hi s e a rly ma nho d ) o ,
and o
f ti m e n o t so remote I rep at i n a ll sham e e
I shall have l ate r to tell o f ma ny absu rditi es ( a nd
o
wo rse ) due t th e a buse o f thi s horribl e dri nk ; thi s
o
abuse itsel f s urce o f folly a n d o f cri m e f i di oci e s o
a nd o f sha m e The g
,
rnments Should suppress thi s

. ove ,
ab sinth e— a nd why not ? ”

Th e Ma n 9
’
Truly hi s li fe wa s steep ed i n l he r be s a i n t e Duri ng
o o
.
hi s latter days ( save wh en i n s me hospi tal ) h e seld m

drew a sob er b rea th Th e deep melancholy the sa d
.
,
languo rs the frightful e n n u i th e sto rmy scenes with

,
fri ends o r with hi s num rous mi stresses all thes were e ,
, e
due to drink Th e estra nge m ent with hi s wi fe hi s
e w A ,
.
v a gabond w a nd rings ith rthu r Rimb a ud a n d hi s

subsequent i m p ri sonment a t M ons were du e to th e sa m e
caus e
e o
.
When sob r the po et wa s kindly tra ctabl e a nd g o d

e
na tu r d an d ha d the f a culty o f m aking fri ends who
,
sym p a thi z e d wi th hi s unfo rtunate temp era m ent One

o f th m e Ed m ond L ep ell e t i e r a b rave a n d g o d ma n
, , o .
who wa s later to b ecom e hi s bi ographer ha s done much ,
to di sp el the evil repo rt that ha d i t s ri se a t the time the

p oet wa s divo rced from hi s wi fe a nd whi ch clung to ,
him through li fe
e
.
Writing o f “thi s i n hi s bi ography o f th o et L ep el

l e t i e r says : A
legend grew up a round i m ; all the
,
e
mo re p rsi stent a nd enduring from the f a ct that Ve r
la ine hi m sel f wa s l a rgely i ts autho r a nd dug th grave , e
o f hi s o wn reputa ti on H i s di scipl es wi dely di sse m i
v
.
”
n a t e d the gosp el o f depra ity it a m used him to p re ach .
Elsewhere i n thi s bi ogr a phy i s found thi s pa ssa ge

Wha t deci de d hi m ( to leave R thel where h e was e ,
p ro fesso r ) wa s p erhaps o n e o f hi s impulses— strange

w ,
po erful a n d m uch mi sunde rst o d towa rd fri end—

,
o ,
ship I have al r a dy alluded to the strengt h o f t hee

o v e
.
atta chment h e c ncei e d fo r v a ri ous co m ra d s : o n e o f

hi s Duj a rdi n cousi ns L uci en Vi otti a n d Arthur Rim ,
b aud Luci en L ét i n o i s a nother o f hi s a tta chments

e
wa s th so n o f a fa rmer b o rn a t C oul o m mes i n the
, ,
Ardennes He wa s a t all pal slim a kwa rd youth

.
.
, e , , w ,
with a m el a ncholy a n d si m p l e a i r th e shepherd i n

a co m i c op r a
“
”
”
e
Upon the death o f thi s youth Ve r
.
“
,
laine not b eing abl e a s wri tes L e p ell e t i e r like the

,
Empero r Ha dri a n t erect a maus leum i n stone to thi s o ,
o ,
10 Paul Ve rl a i n e
A r den no i se o
Antin us h e constructed A m o u r a lyri cal
, ,
m onument app a rently indestructible

o o o
.
It i s curi us t n te th at M dll e M athilde M aut e

Verlaine s fia n ce e wh o i n 1 8 7 0 c ul d p rattle t her
“
’
’
'
,
o
.
o ,
l ove r J a i de m a n dé hi e r a m a m a n c o m m e n t o n a v a i l
,
de s e n f a n ts e t e ll e m a r ép o n du qu e c e t a i t u a n d o n
’ ’ '
”
b a i s a i t u n h o m m e su r l a b o u ch e , would i n a e w sh rt f o
m onth s calmly a nnounc to th e worl d , e “
q u e l e s s e n ti
m e n t s de s o n m a r i p o u r c e p r i v i l ég i e ( Rimb aud ) de s
'
”
ll I use s s e m u a i e n t e n u n e affe c t i o n
A e
/
t r o p vi n e !
“
rthu r Ri m b au d wa s a powerful fa cto r i n th down

fall O f Verla ine A
ra scal , n o t without talent , h e l ed
o
.
t h e we a k willed po et fr m hi s ho m e i n Pa ri s to a va ga
o e
-
b nd li fe i n B elgium a nd Engla nd Th n h aving co m .

,
l d hi s ruin h e succeede d i n l a nding hi s e rstwhil e

o
p e t e ,
fri en d i n p ri son a nd di sapp ea re d fr m Europe l ater to ,
reappea r i n the sp e cta cula r rOl e o f slave drive r and

tra der i n No rthern Afri ca .
Verlain e neve r cea sed to regret hi s wi fe who wa s

o
div rce d fro m him i n 1 8 7 4 I n hi s volu m e o f pros .
,
e ,
entitle d Me m o i r es d u n Ve u f h e wri tes o f h e r a s f o l

' ’
,
lows : She wa s p e ti t e — s m all with a fea r o f e m b o n

“
p o i n t ; her toil et wa s almost simpl e c qu etti sh i n a way

,
, o ,
but very slightly so I rem emb er h er always a s dresse d

o
.
i n gray o r green— a tende r green a nd s mb er gray ,
b ecause o f the indeci sive colo r o f her hai r— whi ch a p

d to b e f a lumi nous ch estnut ti nt a nd o f h e r
o o o
p e a re o ,
eye s f whi ch ne coul d ha rdly deci de r even guess th e

col or She wa s go o d h ea rted but truly vi ndi ctive and
v o .
gi en t i rre deemabl e ha tre ds He r ha nds we re littl e

,
o ,
.
a n d h e r fo rehea d ra ther s m all up n whi ch a ki ss wa s

only to b e lightly p ress d t p a ss to ther thi ngs Th ee o ,
o .
blu e fl owe r o f th e vei ns about h e r templ es wa s ea sily

o o
sw ll en by ange r— n t h a sty but p re m editate d— but
o
f r causes whi ch a fte r all we re pa rdonabl e In sum
, , ,
,
.
,
sh e wa s a wi fe wo rthy o f a ny ma n a nd alt ho u h ,
temp es tuous a t times like th e sea like i t she coul d e

, ,
”
calm a nd gentl e a nd altogether lovabl e .
Th e Ma n II
e o
Such wa s th her ine o f L a Bo n n e Ch a n s o n , a work
whi ch L ep e ll e t i er calls a sta nz a taken fr m th e eternal o
J o e m o f youthful love S ome yea rs a fter h er div rce o
I
o o
.
lVI adam e Ve rlaine m a rri e d and b ecam e the m ther f

a n interesting fa m ily A
cco rding to Frank H a rri s i n
e ,
.
h i s C ont m pora ry Po rtra its sh e wa s alive i n 1 9 1 5 ,
an d about to publi sh he r M emoi rs

o
.
Asi de from th e p eri d o f hi s i nfancy Verla ine wa s

o
s b er— f o r a time Thi s wa s a n enforce d sob ri ety f o
o
.
t wo yea rs i n j ail From the p ri son a t M ons als dates

o o o
.
wha t h e wa s pl ea s ed t call hi s religi us conversi n

o o o
.
There b e tho se wh p ro fess t fin d i n the volume f

“
Sa g e ss e b egun about thi s p eri o d th e mo st truly b eau
,
ti ful a nd Ch ri sti an p ems o f all time o ”

G ra nted they
,
o
.
,
m ay b e Chri sti an but fr m a nother point o f V i ew

o ,
Sag e ss e i s the m st puerile o f all hi s wo rks Verla ine

o
.
wa s i ncapabl e mentally , f a ttai ning even a p p ro x i

, ,
mately the Chri sti a n i deal R ep entant ( b eing sob er

,
o o
.
a nd i n p ri son ) n d ubt h e wa s but Chri sti a n never ,
o , .
Sag e ss e howeve r serves by way o f c ntra st to b ring

, ,
i nto bolder reli e f the strange eroti c wo rk P a r a l l e l e

m e n t whose ve rses app ea r t have b een written alter
,
o ,
ma tely with thos e o f Sa g e sse .
Aprop os to thi s D ono s i n hi s Ve r l a i n e I n ti m e writes

,
To the m agi c l ante rn o f the D evil V rl aine e n tra i n to e

co m p ose Sag ess e i s ob sesse d with the lubri que vi sion f
,
O
a ce rta i n chamb er i n Pa ri s where hi s a ff ecti nate Ri m
”
o
b au d o fl e re d him o n e night a singula r hospitality
A “
nd the p oet turns from My G o d to me h a s sai d
.
o
to c mpose
,
O c ha m br e , a s t u g a r de l es sp e c tr e s r idi cu l e s ,
-
O p l e i n de j o ur s a l e e t de bru i ts
N either i n Sag e ss e no r P a ra llél e m e n t i s Verlaine

immortal .
Paul Verlai ne ha s erroneously b een likened to a nu m

be r o f othe r wri ters On the si de f hi s cha ra cte r he
. o
I2 P a ul Ve rl a i ne
ha s b een comp a red with Villon and Po e Th ere a re

o
.
p oints O f rese m blance t ea ch B ut a s a writer he I S .
un 1 que a nd comp a r i son fails O f northern French a n

,
encha nt f o r th No rth— fo r B elgium e

.
ce st ry he h a d a
a nd England H e l ea rn ed Engli sh a nd re a d Shake

, e
s p ea re H e even wrote so m e sobe r dignifi ed p ro se

.
,
a rti cles for certa in Engli sh m aga z i nes hi s s t yl e co n ,
fo r m ing with the soli dity a nd gravi ty o f these revi ews .
Duri ng the la st yea rs o f hi s li fe Verlai ne furni shed ,
much go o d na ture d amuse m ent f o r t o u t P a r i s But

e e
.
thes e w re y a rs o f mi ser a nd su ff e ri n fo r the o et

e
re duce d t o paup ri sm by hi s di ssi p a t e d i abi t s a n di m
,
e
p ra cti c a l t m p erament In p rop rti on however a s hi s o
e e e e ,
e
.
,
m i s ry a n d illn ss were augm nt d hi s fame g r w , .
“
Verl a ine I S b a ck to th e hospital printed a s a news
e
it m i n th e da ily press wa s the signal fo r a fresh b atch
,
,
O f a necdotes concern i ng hi s strange c a re er
A
.
Edga r Saltus writing o f the p o et says : fte r hi s

di scha rge fro m p ri son I ha d th e signal hono r o f meet
,
i ng him a nd I ca n se e him now So crates a nd A n agr e o n

, ,
i n o n e hi ccoughing down th e l aurel lanes p aying with

,
e
enig m a ti c songs th fo o d whi ch young p oets p ro i ded
,
v
di stilling a mysteri ous musi c from th e ab si nthe ffered O ,
ee
by them a nd pr s nting a t l a st a specta cl e uni que i n
,
li terature th a t o f a singer a pplauded m a cha rity b ed

,
a nd ri sing fro m i t to b eco m o n e o f the glo ri s o f e e

Fr a nce — thou h n o t o f th e French Aca de m y
e e
.
It wa s G o rge M o o re who fi rst b rought V rl a i ne to

th e noti ce o f th e Engli sh publi c M o o re 5 isit to the . v
p o et a n d rel a ted 1 n hi s bo ok Impressi ons a nd Opini ons
“
i s illu m inati ng : I n a da rk co rner a t th e end o f a
o
n a rr w p a ss a ge situate d a t th e top o f the l a st fl ight o f
,
v
st a i rs we di sco e red a do r We knocked A voi ce o
e e
,
ee
. .
m ad its l f hea rd W ntered and s aw Verl aine

e
. .
Th terribl e fo rehea d b al d an d p romi nent wa s h a l f

v ,
co ered by a filthy ni ghtcap a nd a night shi rt full o f ,

,
the grea s e o f the b ed covere d hi s Shoul ders ; a stai ned

o o
whi ch the g d f Cha nce ha s endowe d them and they
o o
fall t cha sing the butterfli es o f p assi n rather tha n
,
o ,
givi ng heed t th e mo re re s o n si bl e duti es o f li fe L ike

.
m eteors o u t O f th e night 0 Ti m e do such p ersonaliti es

o o
appea r t o u r a stonishe d vi si n and long a fter thei r
o ,
a stral b di es have fl a shed b elow the ho ri z on d thei r o

lights p ersist .
And it i s to them we owe so much the p erfect —

sta tu e the ma tchless pa inting a nd the deathless S ng
, , o .
H IS LI F E
P aul M a ri e Verlain wa s b o rn at M etz L o rrain e e
e
Fr an c M a rch 3 0 1 8 4 4 H i s f a th r Ni co l a s uguste e ,
A ,
e e ,
e e
.
, ,
V rl a i n w a s born i n B lgiu m a nd w a s forty Six y a rs

e
-
,
O ld a t t h e po t s birth
’
e x
.
Th po et s m other wa s bo rn i n F a m pou ( P a s D e
’
C a l a i s ) Fr a nc e
H r ma i d n na m w a s Jo sép he e e e ,
e e e
.
Steph a ni D e hée Sh e wa s thi rty t wo y a rs O l d wh n

e
-
.
her son w a s born Verla ine S f a th r wa s Ca p t a i n A dju

e e
’
.
t a u t M a j o r S cond R gi m ent o f Engine ers i n th e

A
o
-
, ,
French r m y He wa s Ch e v a l i e r o f th e L e g i o n d H o n
e e
’
.
n e a r and o f th o rd r o f Sa i n t F e r di n a n d d Esp a g n e
e e v
’
.
In th Verl a in s m o e d to P a ri s a n d bought
e e
p rop rty i n th suburb L e s B a tignoll s on the ol d ru , e , e
Sa int L oui s
e e e
.
I n r ligi on Mm e V rl a i n w a s a devout C a tholi c

fe e
but her husband wa s indi f r n t to such m a tters Paul
.
,
e
wa s a n only chil d a n d a t a n a rly a g e wa s s nt to e .
e e ee e
priv a t s chool ru H l n a n d l a t r to th Insti t ute e e
L a ndry bo a rding s chool on the ru Ch a p t a l
,
e wee e
h r h
,
e
re m a in d s
,
r al y a r eve e s A
t thi s Institute pu p ils er w e ,
e e e e e
.
p r p a r d by cl ass s a t the L y cé B on a p a rt I n a cl a ss
o f fi fty pupils th e futur e e e e
po et r a nk d n ith r fi rst no r
.
e es e ,
e
l a st H wa s p ci a lly defi ci nt i n m a th m a ti c s but e
e e e ee
.
notably go od i n rh to ri c li t ra tur L a tin a nd G r k

e
ca ti on v ee
H t o ok h i s B a ch lo r o f L ett rs d gr e e ee
a n d i n a n a p p li
fo r go ern m nt position wa s highly r e co m

, ,
,
.
e
m nded by hi s t a cher e .
1 6 Paul Ve rl a i n e
e
Ve rla in s p a rents i ntende d hi m fo r the law , and
’
e
a ft r hi s school days h e bega n the study o f thi s
p ro
f e ssi o n , a t the sam e ti m e endea o ring to secure a p o si v
ti o n with the G o rn m ent Finding l a di sta s t eful , ve w
the future po et to ok ( a fter s me months trai ning i n a
.
o '
business coll ege ) a sub o rdinate po si ti on in a n i nsurance

offi c e Th rough i nfluence o f hi s father s fri ends he
.
’
wa s a ppointed so m e month s l ater a s cl erk i n th e

f ,
muni cipal o fi ces o f the ninth a rrondi sse m ent a nd later

,
wa s p ro m ote d to a cl erkship i n th e Bureau o f Budgets

A
a nd c counts Thi s wa s i n 1 8 6 4 a nd th e po et wa s
.
,
then twenty yea rs o l d

A e
.
t thi s ag h e wa s a l rea dy dissipated I n fa ct hi s .

,
i rregul a r habits date d a l m ost from hi s entra nce i nto th e

L yc é B on a p a rte e
H e d scrib es wi th si ngul a r s a ng e
w
.
f r o i d in hi s Co nf essi o ns ho at th e age wh en mo st
,
e
childr n a re still i n kni ckerb ockers h e lo st hi s i nnocence
, ,
e
i n a vil b a g n i o o n a si de str et i n P a ri s e ,
e
.
Verl a ine a s a cl erk i n th e H ot l de Ville wa s i ndolent

e e
- -
,
sp nding most o f hi s tim i n a neighb oring ca f é i n com

pa ny with o ther muni cipal employes a nu m b er o f who m ,
ha d litera ry a spi rati ons A c co rding to L e p e ll e t i e r few .

,
o f these m uni cipal cl erks b oth ered th ei r h ea ds ab out
wo rk Ve rla ine ha d written verse s from hi s e a rly

o
.
school days an d p r fiting by the light duti es o f cl erk

e ,
shi p h b rought o u t a t thi s ti m e hi s fi rst bo ok P o em e s

,
Sa t u r n i e n s Thi s ork a thin volume o f 1 6 3 p a gesw ,
e ,
.
,
“
b o r the i m pri nt Alphonse L e m e rr e publi sh er Pa ri s ; , ,
4 7 Pa ss a ge Choi seul 1 8 6 6
e , .
C a pt a i n Verla in havi ng di ed i n D ece m b er 1 8 6 5 hi s

o
wi dow c ntinued to live at L e s B atignolles with h r
, ,
e
son upon who m she l avi she d e ery tenderness Inde ed v
O ,
.
,
sh e s il ed hi m sh a me fully i ndulged him i n everythi ng

a nd o rg av e all hi s youthful folli s Th e young clerk
,
e ,
o o
.
s we d a tremend us crop o f wild oats comi ng home —

drunk a t all h ours o f the night This la ck o f restrai nt .
H i s L ife 1 7
o
i n hi s y uth couple d with a weak will a nd neuroti c
,
te m p er a m ent wa s the cause o f hi s downfall .

,
I n 1 8 6 9 Verla ine still a t th e Hotel de Vill e brought

e e
- -
, , ,
out through th publi sh r L e m e rre a second volu m e

, ,
o f po e m s th e F ét e s G a l a n t e s
e O e
.
,
Thes were th e happi est days f the unfortun a t

m a n s li fe H e wa s twenty fi v e Th e autho r f two O
e e
’
-
. .
volu m s o f p o m s whi ch gave b rilli ant p ro m i se secure ,
a nd light employm ent p romi sing b etter things h e wa s , ,
o n e o f a group o f young writers who ha d alre a dy ma de
a noi s e i n th e wo rl d o f l tters and wh o under th e na m ee ,
o f P a r n a ssi e n s h ave l e ft a n i ndelible i m p ressi on upon

,
French lite rature

e .
H app ea rs to have been p pul a r with hi s fri ends o

e o v
.
In fa ct through hi s enti r li fe h e s eems t ha e ha d the

e
,
gi ft o f fri endship a nd thi s despite hi s ecc ntri citi es

Hi s wa s a sort o f saturnine ga i ety— repulsiv and ple a s
, ,
e
.
ing by turns
e
.
Wh en C a pt a in Verlai n di e d h e le ft hi s wi dow in ,
mo dest but comfortabl e ci rcu m sta nces and whil e the

o ’
p et s s a la ry a s a clerk wa s small h e sp nt i t enti r ly ,
,
e e
upon hi m sel f an d a little money i n 1 8 6 9 i n Pa ri s went
, , ,
fa r i f o n e ha d B ohe m i a n ta stes
,
e
.
The poet h a d alr ady m e t Vi cto r Hugo a nd Sainte

B euve ha d ea rnestly a nd consci enti usly p ra i sed hi s o ,
P o ém es Sa t u r n i e n s B a rb ey d A u r e v i lly h a d also giv n

.
’
e
him a slight st a b o f cri ti ci s m He knew i nti m ately m ost .
o f the litera ry p eopl e o f Pa ri s wo rth knowi ng He wa s

o
.
a welc m e d gu est a t the ho m es o f i nfluenti al a nd worthy

o
p e ple . A
lthough exce edingly ugl y o f fa c h e rather e ,
fa scina te d a nd sta m p ed hi s i n di v 1du ali t y upon those

who saw hi m f o r th fi rst time Usually ca reless i n e .
hi s costu m e h e n o w dressed b etter a nd h e was i n love !

,
L i fe a t times i s very much lik tho s fin ol d Swi ss e ,
e e
o o
cl ocks th a t pl ay a merry littl e tun e and th en strike th e
h ur— s lemnly .
1 8 P a u l Ve rl a i ne
Th e obj ect o f th e po t s a ff ection wa s M dlle e ’
e e
.
M athil d M aut e hal f si ster to o n e O f hi s fri nds

o
-
, ,
’
Cha rl es de Sivry a nd it wa s a t th e la tter s h m e that
,
h e fi rst m e t he r i n the sp ring o f 1 8 6 9 It s e m s to have e

e e O
.
b en a ca se O f l ove a t fi rst Sight upon th a rt f both

M dlle M aut e wa s very young al m ost a cliil d a nd sh e
.
e v e e ,
.
,
s e m s to h a e be n singu l a rly a ttr a ctiv j udging from

w
wha t ha s b een ritten ab out h er Th a t she inspi red
,
w
.
o n e o f th e m o st beauti ful o f the po et s o rks L a Bo n ne ’
e
Ch a n s o n ( Th G o od Song ) must ver resound to he r e ,
e
credit Un fo rtunat fo r he r that her path Should have
.
,
cross ed th a t o f the unh a ppy ma n whom she wa s l ater

w
to w e d Po steri t y ill fo rgive h r a n y f a ults co m
. e
m i t t e d i n hours o f so rrow Verl a i ne a s a husb a nd wa s
.
i m po ssibl e
v
.
Youth a nd love ! Th e di i ne a lch emy that tr a ns

e
mutes the b a s m etals o f d a ily li f i nto the pu re gold
o f senti m ent !
e
Th e p o et s a ng :
B e fore thou t a kest fl i ght

— A thousan d qu a il
w
P a l e sta r o f d a n sublime ,
Si ngi ng singing i n the thy m e

, ,
Tu rn towa rd th e po et
e
M a rk hi s yes ho w full o f love
,
The la rk
M ounts to th e sk y ab o e v .
Th e cou rtship o f the young coupl e a s fill ed alter w ,
wi th e csta sy a n d di sa ppoint m ent a n d th e date

n at e ly
o f the
,
w
eddi ng wa s p ostponed t i ce V rlain e g a ve w ,
e
e
.
up fo r the ti m hi s di ssipated habits a n d b ec a me a duti

ve
ful son i f not a n i deal l o r H continued to unbu rden e
e e
.
,
hi s h a r t wi th th goo d song a nd the spring o f 1 8 7 0

saw hi s hope s a bout to b e reali z d H e rai s d hi s voi ce
,
e e
e
.
i n t h a t m a tchl ss l ay o f triumph a nt j oy
H i s L i fe
e
Wi nt r ha s gone : the b al m y light inde d e
D ances from e a rth unto the he avens cle a r
,
.
O well m ay th e h ea rt the m o st sa d a ccede

,
TO the im m ens j oy scattere d i n the a 1 r e

e
Th e y a r 1 8 7 0 wa s the Terribl e Yea r f o r Fran c e
e e
.
Th country wa s fill d with ru m ors o f wa r Th e date

A
.
o f the wedding ha d b een s e t fo r the m onth o f ugust

e e
but b fo r it to ok pl a ce hostiliti s h a d al r a dy b gun e e e ,
e
.
With wha t di sa ster and d feat ! With Ma c Ma ho n in

e
full flight a nd th Prussi a ns a dv a ncing o n Pa ri s a m i d
the noi s e o f regiments défi li n g along th boul v a rds e e ,
ee e
the nupti a ls w r c lebrate d a t th chur ch o f Notre e ,
e
D a m e d Cli g m a n co u rt Among thos e pr sent wa s e
e e e e
.
Loui s Mi ch l th n a scho olmi str ss a t M ontm a rtre

e e
.
,
“
Of the o t a t thi s ti m L e p ell e t i e r says : He ha d
hop e a nd a ith ; m a rri age f o r hi m wa s a tru s a cr a m ent e
a n i niti ati on o f th e soul He h a d n ver lo d never e ve ,
ve e e ,
.
been lo d b fore It wa s th m o st wonderful m o m ent .
i n hi s li fe
e
.
It wa s during the fi rst y a r o f hi s ma rri age th a t Ve r

l aine publi shed through L e m e rre hi s thi rd b ook o f
e
po m s L a B o n n e Cha n s o n
,
“
,
fl ower in a b omb shell ”

. A ,
Vi cto r Hugo ca lle d i t .
Whil e the Verl a ines celeb rate d thei r honeymo on a t

N o 2 Rue du C a rdinal L e m oi ne where they h a d
e e e e
-
.
,
b egun hous ke ping P a ri s wa s i nv st d a n d the Co m

m une r a ged Things were top sytu rvy at th e Hot l d
“
.
,
” ’
e e -
Vill e a n d a cl ou d bigger th a n a ma n s hand ha d

,
da rkened th ei r f o y e r— conj ugal i nco m p a tibility ! Th e

e
po et desert d hi s cl ri c a l po st ( o r r a ther fail d to e e
follow M Thi ers to Versailles ) and shoulderi ng a ca r
e .
bin m ounted gua rd i n de f ns o f th c ity i n the 1 6 0t h e e e ,
b a ttali on o f the Rap ée B ercy Thi s wa s during th e

e w
-
.
wi nt r 1 8 7 0 7 1
,
-
.
Th e eathe r wa s desp erately cold a nd th e ci ti z en

o e
s l di er i n cons quence de eloped a d sperate thi rst
, , v ,
e .
20 Pa ul Ve rl a i n e
B e fore l ng o
g h e began to g h m e drunk some say t o o o
bea t hi s wi f e
,
H owb ei t the r s es o f ugust ha d she d

.
, o A ,
thei r p etals a nd th e Prussi an guns ha d driven the blue

,
bi rd fa r away Th e y ung wi fe fl e d also going to the o

o
.
,
home f h er p a rents Thith er th e r po et followed a nd

e
a t m po r a ry reconcili a ti on to ok p l a cie Th e p o et w nt
,
e
.
b a ck to the Hotel de Vill e i n the sp ring but during the - -

,
summe r to ok hi s wi fe to th e country returning i n Sep ,
temb er Through hi s neglect notwithsta nding tha t

e o
.
,
o rder h a d be n rest re d i n Pa ri s h e lost h i s clerkship , .
Fo r a ti m e th e coupl e live d with th e wi fe s p a rents

’
e
wh ere th i r so n G eo rges wa s b o rn a nd where o n e
,
fat a l day the devil entere d i n the f rm o f Arthur

,
, , ,
o ,
R imba ud .
Thi s singula r genius wa s b o rn at Cha rleville ,
Fra nce m 1 8 5 4 a n d a t the time o f hi s meeting with

, ,
Verla ine wa s a la d o f sevente en H e wa s p reco ci ous

o ,
.
a nd a s a schoolb oy ha d comp sed a numb e r O f bi za rre

e
po e m s Th P o ém es Sa t u r n i e ns having com e to hi s
e
.
noti ce he wrote the auth o r a fl att ring letter a nd the

, ,
imp ressi onabl e Ve rlai ne i nvited him to vi sit Pa ri s .
’
P a ul a n d hi s wi fe were Still livi ng with the l atter s
pa rents a n d the i ntro ducti o n o f Rimb a u d i nto thei r
o ,
h m e wa s a fresh cause o f di sc rd o
v v
.
Rimbau d pro e d hi m sel f a drunken i si ona ry a n d

scoundrel a n d i n July 1 8 7 2 th t wo fri ends d ca m pe d
, , , e e
from Pa ris goi ng to B elgium whe re they l ed a vaga
e ,
b ond ex i st nce They al so vi sited Engl a nd li ing i n

.
, v
Londo n fo r S everal months upon funds suppli ed by
Ve rla i ne 3 m other ek d o u t by a pitta nce a rned from
’
, e e
givi ng French l essons
e w e
.
In June 1 8 7 3 V rl ai ne a nd Ri m bau d er b a ck i n
, ,
’
B elgium wh ere Paul s m othe r awa ite d hi m i n B russels
,
o
.
“
L e p e ll e t i e r writes Ve rlai ne s psychol gi cal s tate at
’
o
.
thi s pe ri o d wa s di stressing al m ost m rbi d I have , .
al rea dy sai d tha t h e deteste d a nd a do re d hi s wi fe

e
Alt rn a tely h e cri ed fo r h er longed fo r h er cursed a nd , ,
.
22 Pa ul Ve rl a i ne
Pal m e a C atholi c publi she r brought out hi s Sag e sse

o
,
Th e w rk a ttracted littl e noti ce a nd the publi she r hav

, .
ing i n the m eanti m e l a rn d som thing o f th author s e e ,
e e ,
v
’
li fe destroye d th e enti re editi on Verlain e ende a or

, .
,
ing to supp ort hi m sel f a nd mother by litera ry work

e e
wa s ai d d gr atly by hi s fri end L e p e ll e t i e r then edito r
,
o f the R e v e il
’
Th po et wa s f o r a p eri d o n the e , ,
o
e e
.
r gula r sta ff o f thi s p a p r hi s wo rk consisting m ainly

o f sho rt sketches whi c h ere collected i n a prose volu m e w ,
entitl ed L e s Me m o i r e s d u n Ve uf ( Th e M emo ri es o f
' ’
,
a Wi dowe r )
Upon hi s return t Pa ri s the po et ha d found new o
e
fa ces and n w writers Hi s boyho o d fri ends ha d di s
,
e e e
.
app a red o r b co m ing fa m ous ha d l ft thei r BO

, ,
hemi a n d ays behi nd Younger writers ere fo r m ing

,
w
o e ev
.
th e s y mb oli c sch ol l ate r to group th m s l es unde r the ,
bla ck fl ag o f th e D éca de n t s Th e P a r n a ssi e n s o f 6 8 ’
o
.
ha d b een hoo ted O ff the st a ge and Verl a ine later t

e
b eco m chi e f b onz e o f thi s new scho ol wa s then alm st
unknown
,
,
,
o
e
.
H e b gan to b e seen a t the Br a ss e r i e B e rg e r e a nd i n

th e c a f és o f the Qua rti er L a tin where h e wa s u sually ,
a ccompa ni e d by G er m ai n No v e au a nd wh ere h e met

e
ma ny new fa c s Hi s si ngul a r app ea rance a nd capa city
.
,
fo r dri nk doubtl ess i nspi re d m o re a ttenti on than hi s

genius a s a p o t Suddenly l a ing th city with hi s e . ev e
mothe r th e po e t a ga in took up fa rming nea r th e scene
,
o f hi s fo r m er fa ilure a nd i t wa s during thi s pe ri o d ,
( )
’
1 8 8 3 8 4 th a-
t h e w a s sentenced to a month s i m pri son
m ent fo r th re a teni ng during a fi t o f drunkenness the
e
li f o f thi s de oted pa rent v , ,
We find hi m b a ck i n Pa ri s th follo ing yea r i n co m

.
e w
pa ny wi th hi s mother wh o fo rgave him e ry thing ev ,
but the po o r wo m an w rn with sorro di d not long ,

,
o w ,
,
survive dyi ng in Ja nu a ry 1 8 8 6 Th e po et wa s now

e , .
,
al on H e wa s rui ne d i n fina nce s a nd hi s he a lth wa s

.
,
rapi dly fa iling Atta cked with gout hi s muscl es a tro

.
,
H i s L if e 23
i ed a nd hi s j oi nts grew sti ff H e coul d ha rdly walk

g ’ . .
‘
1 5 l a st cent sp ent he b eca m e a n obj ect o f cha ri ty

e
Wi th ea ch r curr i ng atta ck o f rheumati s m the Muni ci
,
,
.
l s ent h to so e ho spital that pra cti cally the

e e e e
p a i t y i m m so ,
l a st y a rs o f hi s li fe w re sp nt i n th cha rity wa rds o f

these insti tuti ons H e ha d b e co m e famous and a s
e e e ,
.
“ ”
Po o r L elain fill d m uch spa c i n th papers During
e v
.
o n e o f hi s p ri o ds O f con a lescence h e m a de a lecturing
tour through B lgiu m wher h e wa s eve rywh re r e e e e

w
ce i v e d ith be co m i ng de f ren c e
,
e
e e
.
B si d s v a ri ous fr a g m ents i n p rose bi ographi es

e
trav l notes a nd fantasi es hi s publi sher Vani e r
, ,
b rought o u t successi ely i n V rl a ine s l a st yea rs sev v ,
e ’
, ,
v
er a l t hi n olu m es o f poe m s non o f whi ch howeve r
,
e ,
e
equ a l d i n litera ry v a lu e hi s e a rli er o rk
,
w , ,
“
A ll things co m e to hi m who a sks fo r n thing
.
o
e e
ev n d ath Th e G r en Fai ry tha t ha d so long pre e
ew
.
si ded a t hi s hours fl O ff o n e da y It wa s anoth er .
Sh a p e— so m ething d a rk so m ething forebo ding tha t

frightene d i t V rla in wa s a g a m sob er but ill Th e
. e e ,
, .
,
do ctor ca m e lo oked i nto hi s fa ce— th a t f a ce devoured

e ,
v”
by dr a m s fe eri sh a n d so m nolent a n d w nt away e
,
sh a king hi s h e a d The ne t day J .

C th e x ,
M
,
po et di ed .
Fri ends b egan to app e a r at the littl e furni sh ed a pa rt

m ent on the rue Desca rte s presi ded o er by Bu g én i e v
Kr a ntz known so m etimes a s Ni ni —
,
M o u t o n Thi s wa s
e , .
’
the p o t s l a st ea rthly a sylum Thanks to hi s m i stress .
,
h e di d not di e i n the ho spital

e
.
When a ll wa s ov r apdocto r who ex a m ined the bo dy

sa i d the decea sed h a d a t l ea st ten m ortal m ala di s
‘
,
e
,
h e wa s wo rn o u t— th m ere husk o f a hu m a n b eing ! e

A dea th ma sk wa s taken byy the m o u l e u r M e oni a nd
e
th e xpense o f the fune r al whi ch took pl a ce a t the ,
,
e
church Sai nt Eti enne du M ont wa s b ornep by fri ends
-
, , ,
a ssi sted by th State

e
Th poet wa s fi ft y two ye a rs l d when he di ed
.
-
O .
TH E W O RK
e
Paul V rl aine i s a j uggler by the gra ce f G o d O .
Aline G o rr e n .
Ti m e i s the great pu rifi er It i s now ( 1 9 1 6 ) tw enty

e
.
yea rs since th subj ect o f thi s study wa s la i d i n the

grave Human ch a rity h a s m a ntl ed with ki ndly forget
.
ee
fulness the faults inh r nt i n hi s clay I n a cco rd with .
th a t pro cess o f natu re whi ch wills tha t a thing o f b eauty

e
shall nev r di e hi s poems h ave taken thei r d serving e
e
pla c i n th e wo rl d s li terature
“
,
’
By the gra ce o f G o d Paul Verl a i ne was a juggler

.
a nd something m o re ! To the criti c o f hi s day the t o u r

e
de f o r c e o f this lit r a ry necroma ncer wa s th a t O f string
ing a nu m b e r o f b rightly colore d wo rds o n a go ssamer
threa d o f thought a nd c a lling the di spl a y a p oem The
e A
.
tri ck was ea sy It requi red n ither skill no r tal ent

e e
. .
slight re a rrangem nt o f wo rds a n d pr sto l a symb oli st ,

.
A d a sh o f di a bl e r i e a nd we have— a de c a de n t There
'
e
.
i s really nothing new— but g nius Scho ol s o f p oetry

e e
.
—
co m a n d go Y sterd a y it wa s a Futuri st tod a y i t i s
.
he Imagi st The cult i s fo rgotten— the P et al ne o o

!
.
1v e s .
The po ems o f Paul Verl ai ne fill thre e stout volu m es

o e
.
Owing t thei r subj ective tr a tment a nd autobi ograph

i c a l ch a ra cter they form a b ewil d ring a nd co n t ra di c
, e
tory index to hi s ch a ra cter Save i n hi s ea rly vers e
ee ,
.
\ R y D e ourmont s i d the po et s fi rst ma ster wa s

V rl a ine wa s personal fi rst l a st a nd wholly
, , ,
’
.
v m G a
B a n ille ; the second B audela i re a nd the thi rd him

, ,
[ 25 ]
26 Paul Ve rl a i n e
s el f Thi s cha r a cteri z ati on i s p robably th m ost a c e

e ee
.
cu ra te bri efly st a t d
, How v r the i nfluence o f .
,
B a nvill e wa s not so pronoun ce d a s th a t o f B a udelai re

e
.
Th p oet says i n h i s Co nf e ss i o ns that L e s Fl e u rs da

Ma l wa s o n e o f hi s e a rli est books but that h e p re d o
ove r it without m uch co m pr h nsi on ee ,
e e
V rl a i ne S lit r a ry a ct i ity ext nded through thre e
’
v e .
e
di stin ct p ri ods o f Fr n ch p o etry— thos o f the P a r e e
n a ss i e n s Sy m b o l i s t s and D éca de n t s In co m m o n with
e e ex e
.
, ,
all th P a r n a ss i e n s i n hi s fi rst lit r a ry p r ssi on h e

, ,
wa s l a rgely influenced not only by B a udel a i re a nd B an

e
vill but by G a uti e r a nd L e c ont d L i sl e “
Th e po ets e e
,
o f thi s group s a cri fi ce d e erythi ng to fo r m s eek i ng a v .
s ort o f pla s t i c b eauty replet ith pi cto ri al e ff c t tha t

, ew ,
e
cha r m ed th e ea r although la cking i n a ssi on a nd i dea s ’
,
a n d unabl e to rea ch th e h ea rt m a u x e t Ca m e e s .
an d P o em e s Sa t u r n i e n s might be taken a s the work o f a

singl e write r
v
.
H owe er Paul V erl a in e i s n o t on the whol e t o b e

w ,
cla sse d ith a ny scho ol o f Fr nch po etry even that o f e , ,
th e D éca de n ts H e v ry a rly droppe d the for m al e e ,
e ve
.
,
obj ective styl o f rse — the Sy m b o li s t m ove m ent

a ffe cted him o nly slightly— and it w a s not un t il nea r ly
the en d o f hi s troubled li fe that th e so called D éca de n ts
e
to ok hi m up a n d d cl a re d hi m th ei r ma ster
e
.
Thi s wa s t he b ginning o f the peri o d o f hi s mo st

o ri ginal ( though not m o st plea sing ) litera ry xp r ssi on e e
v
.
Th e n a m e D éca de n ts gi en to a group o f young

e
wri t rs who i n 1 8 6 4 5 used to frequ nt th e ca f és 1n
, ,
-
,
, e
th e Qu a rti er L atin wa s o ri gi nally m eant a s a n i nsulti ng
e ,
ve
a pp llati on H owe r th ey i m m di at ly s eiz ed up on it e e
A
.
,
a s a sloga n ppli ed to literature the wo rd h a s littl e

e ,
.
si gni fica nc Th e wr i ters to who m 1t wa s di rected were

.
,
m any o f the m pro ducing b e a uti ful wo rk a nd creating

e w ,
so m thing orthy o f p rese rv ati on Th e wo rd wa s u sed

e
.
a s a so rt o f gen r i c te rm to describ e all tho se wri ters

o f Fi n de Si e cl e literature wh s e w rk seeme d di sp l e a s o o
The Wo r k 27
ing to b o u rg e o i s p u r i t a n i s m e Th e P a r n a ss i e n s a nd
e
.
Sy m b o l i s t s r a dily came under thi s cha ra cteri z a ti on

e
Th na m e p ersi sts
.
e e
.
P a ul V rl a ine tra nsc nds all schools H e m igh t

a l m ost b e e
c a ll d the fi rst lyri c voi ce i n Fra n c e Th e
.
e
.
French langu a g whi ch l ends itself to such surp rising

,
e
a n d ch a r m ing pro s a pp e a rs to o fo r m a l a n d a rchi t e c
e
tur a l f o r pur l y e m oti on a l po etry How ve r at the
,
. e ,
ha nds o f Verl a i ne th e m ost b e a uti ful results a re o h

t a in e d
“
The r a r po m s e e e
says rthur Symons A
w ,
e
.
,
“
hi ch go a s f a r a s vers e ca n go to b co m e pure musi c
e
the voi c o f a bi rd with a hu m a n soul With Ve r
,
e e
.
l aine the sens e o f h a ring a nd th e s nse o f sight a r e
e
,
e
al m ost inter chang a ble : h pa ints wi th sound a n d hi s
lin a n d a tmosphere b eco m e m usi c
e e
H i s l a ndscap
e
.
p ai nting i s a lw a ys a n vo c ati on i n whi ch outline i s lost

ee
i n at m osph r ”
,
e e e e ve
.
V rlaine i s n t i r ly untra m m led by a ny con nti on a l

e e e e
th ori s O f co m posi ti on H m oulds th l a n gu a ge a t
A e e e
.
“
hi s will lw a ys the po t o f instin ct o r i m puls vers
ex e e
.
,
to hi m i s a spont a neous pr ssi on o f f eling cons ci ous

e e
o f no lit ra ry tra dition a nd dev loping no consecutive
,
thought to quote Pro f Wells

”
e e e ,
e e
. .
L m a i tr who n xt to Pro f R n é D ou m i e i s th
’
,
e ,
“
p o et s s e v e ri st criti c says tha t h e uses th l a ngu a ge not
.
,
w e e e e w e
like a great ri t r b ca us h kno s i t but lik a chil d
,
e e e e v e
b caus h i s igno ra nt o f it H gi es wrong sens s to
,
e e e e
.
wo rds i n hi s si m pli city H sca rc ly ev r express s

e e
.
m ove m nts o f full consci ousness o r nti re s a nity It i s

o n thi s a ccountve e e
ry o ft n that th me a ning o f h i s
.
e ,
song i s cl a r— i f i t i s so at all — to hi m sel f alone In

,
e e e
the s a m way hi s rhythms a r e so m eti m s perceptibl by
no o n e but hims el f
,
.
e
.
Fo r those who re a d them i n th o ri gin al l a ngu a ge

e e e
thos e po m s co m monly m o st enj oy d a r found i n
P o ém e s Sa t u r n i e n s, F ét e s G a l a n t e s , L a B o n n e Cha n s o n ,
,
Pa ul Ve rl a i n e
R o m a n c e s Sa n s P a r o l e s, an d
Sa g e ss e a nd J a di s e t N a g u er e
so m e O f th e p ems i n o
.
Fro m wh ence cam e th e inspi rati on o f the cha rming

F ét e s G a l a n t e s i t would b e di fi cult to s ay Some f
e e ,
writ rs pro f ss that this the che f d ce uv r e o f th e scho ol

,
’
.
o f th e P a r n ass i e n s wa s i nspi re d by Vi cto r Hugo s L a

’
,
Fét e Ch e z The r e s e ; oth ers that Shakesp ea re s M i d

' ’
e
sum m r Night s D ream i s the source’
L ep elleti e r
z e
.
ha a rding a gu ss su m s up hi s conclusions a s follows

,
NO b orrowe d i nspi rati on i s to b e found h ere ; it i s

a synth esi s o f the a rt o f the eighteenth centu ry a p res
e n t a t i o n o f the m anners c nve rsati ons a n d dive rsi ons o ,
o f tha t dai nty a nd sup erfi ci al p eri d ”

,
o .
Pro f Wells ( Sewanee R evi ew 1 8 9 5 ) writes To

o
:
.
,
’
ca tch the gra ce o f L A ll e e o r o f Co l u m bi n e ne must
'
know a little o f Pa rny a n d m uch O f Watteau f r th e

,
o
o
f rm er p o em i s a Dresden shephe rdess in Fi n de Si e cl e
,
Alexa ndri nes a nd the l atte r i s h er j yous compa ni on in o

a s g m ea sure tha t might have cha rm ed B a nvill e him
sel p p
Thi s i s what G eo rge M o re says o f th e oet o
e
Neve r shall I fo rg t the fi r st e n cha nt m e n t 0 L e s
Fét e s G a l a n t e s H ere a ll i s twili ght Th e royal mag
e
. .
n i fi ce n ce s o f th e suns t have p a ssed ; th e sol emn b eati
tude o f th e night i s a t hand but n t yet h ere ; th e ways , o

a re veiled with Sha dow a n d lit with dresses white tha t
o
the h ur h a s touche d with blue yellow green mauve
, ,
a nd undeci ded purpl e ; the voi ces ? strange c ntralto s ;

, ,
o , ,
o
th e fo rm s ? n t those o f men o r w m en but mysti c o
hyb ri d creatures with ha nds ner u s a nd pale a nd eye s
, vo ,
,
‘
,
cha rged with ea ger a nd fi t fu l li ght

'
un soir
’ ’
l e s be l l e s p e n de n t r é
‘
e
qu i v o qu e d a u to m ne ,
‘
a n d they wh1sp e r l e s m o ts
’
v e u se s 2
: no s br a s
'
s p e ci e u x e t t o u t bas
“
G auti e r
sang to hi s a ntique lyre p rai se o f the fl esh
o
and c ntempt o f the soul ; B audel ai re on a m edieval
organ chanted hi s unb eli e f i n go dness a nd truth a nd o
It wa s i n R o m a n ce s Sa n s P a r o l e s that Verl a ine found

himsel f A
str a nge b ook indeed b orn o f a troubled ,
e e
.
,
p eri o d o f h i s e a rly li fe H re b gi ns th a t li t a ny whi ch

w e e e
.
,
hile li fe l a st d h nev r cea se d to cha nt— la m ent fo r

,
the wi fe who through hi s o wn f aul t he h a d i rre v o

, ,
“
e ably los t How tho roughly ha d he le arne d that L e
.
’
’ ”
s e n e s t j a m a i s u n e ch o s e m o r t e
p
e e e
a s .
H re also a re mpha si z e d t hos mela ncholy la n

, ,
g u o r s a nd pe culi a r thrills o f gri e f whi ch p erm eate so

m uch o f hi s v rse
“
e
Wher B audel a i r i s bi t t r Ve r e e e
A e
.
,
l ai ne i s only sa d s ays Turquet M ilnes nd h e r

e e W e
-
, .
,
“
also he s e m s fi rst to recogni z t he hol cha r m o f
,
th e wo rd half sp oken a nd o f f a ltering with gra ce

w
i n a m anner h i ch ca used hi m to a pp a r less i n t e l l e c e
t u a l l y clea r tha n e
m oti on a lly si m pl e
”
h th e hope A
e e v v e e e
.
,
“
l ssn ss o f lo e ! the agu s ntim ent th a t h li stened
t o i n hi s o wn mi nd a s to a fa r di s t a nt m elancholy ,
song :
0 t r i s t e , t r i s t e e t a i t m o n dm e
'
’
A c a u s e , a ca u s e d u n e
Writi ng hi m sel f i n Me m o i r e s d u n Ve u ( doubt

' ’
f
e e
o
l ess i n a moo d o f i ntens e n n u i a n d fo rg t u l o f the

e
full bl oo de d cr a tu res o f P a r a l l él e m e nt o f C a sta Pi a na
e
-
,
a nd other glo ri fi ed courtesa ns ) the po t s ays

A re you like m ys l f ? I ha te p eopl full o f blo o d e e
ew e
.
I de spi se th hol e r a nk o f fa m ous p a i nt rs a nd s culp

w
tors not ithst a ndi ng m y a dmi r a ti on f o r thei r wo rks
v e e e ex e
.
,
N oi sy oi c s rud l aught r sho ck m e b eyond p r s

w ,
si on —i n a o rd I di slike he al th By h ealth I do not

,
v
.
, ,
mea n th a t m a r elous h a rmony o f soul a nd b ody whi ch

e e
th h ro es o f Sophocles po ss ssed a n d th a nti qu e , e e
statue s o f p a ga n philo sophers but thi s drea dful red , ,
f a c e noi sy j oy bu rned pe rspi ri ng skin plu m p h ands

,
e ,
w
thi ck f et— th e hole m a ss o f b ody a n d colo rs a sup e r
, ,
,
,
abund a nce o f whi ch our epoch see m s to enj oy .

Th e Wo r k 3 1
Fro m the s a m e m tives I hate th SO call ed he a lthy o , e -
po etry I m agine only thi s : B eauti ful girls b eauti ful

e .
boys b a uti ful so u l S —mens s a na etc — e erything ’

,
v
e
‘
, , .
,
b auti ful b eyond wo rds As for the ba ckground :

e w ee
.
G re n oo ds gr n fi el ds blue o f the sk y golden su n

, , , ,
we aving white — I turn awa in di sgust

A
“
,
e
re you lik m ys l f ? I no t l a ve me al ne But e e .
o
e , .
i f so s t ay a nd t ll m e a bout a Septemb er a fterno on

, ,
about a burning sa d a fterno on when the golden ray ,
o f m elancholy falls upon th e dyi ng an d o er rip e la nd

,
v
e e
-
sc a pe I n such a fr a m Show m e a qui et qu enlike

e w ,
e ,
.
figur o f a o m a n wea ry o f suff ring who se youth i s

e
p a st but a few y a rs H er strength i s not great ; still
,
.
,
s h e can walk i n the pa rk Cl a d i n a white dress sh e

e e ,
.
h a s la rg gray eyes like th sk y un changing like the

, , ,
hori z on Truth i s wri tten i n those eyes : a p rofound

.
,
w a r m pa ssion i s hi dden i n them .
“
My hea r t a n d m y thoughts a cco m pa ny thi s pal e
enchantress whil i n h r fl owing dress sh e w a lks over
, e , e ,
the f a ded fl owers a mong the over rip e fruits su r

e
-
, ,
”
round d by th e scent o f autu m n
O f Sa g e ss e writt n i n pri son at M ons a n ov r e .
e
e
,
p oweri ng sens o f sha m a nd m i sery quite overb al a nced e ,
hi s m i nd alrea dy we a kened by e c ssive us o f st i m u

, xe e
l a nts Enfo rced conti nence a lso contribute d tow a rd
v ,
.
,
i olent mental di sturb a nces so that h e soon found hi m

s el f i n th e fra m e o f m ind o f so m e m di e al ecst a ti c
,
e v
e
monk and b g a n pouri ng forth a s ri es o f vers s a s e ,
e
mysti cal a n d unint lligible a s a ny i n th e pocalyps e e A
e
Quit in keeping with thi s m ent a l a ttitud a re the po e m s
o f P a ra ll él e m e n t
e .
most o f whi ch were written at the

e e
sa m ti m
,
Ch D onos writing o f thi s b ook s a ys

e ,
v
. .
,
“
Th rea ding o f P a ra llel e m e n t i s equi alent to taking
a n a phro disi a c o f e e x v
xqui site fl a o r It e okes the vi si on
o f a ho rde o f unbri dl d lu uri es h en n y i n
. v
g like a b and
w
o f il d st alli ons turne d lo o se a m ong ma res o n a n open
,
p r a i ri e o f th e Fa r West L e s p a ssi o n s l es p l u s p e rv e rs e .
,
3 2 Paul Ve r l a i ne
l e s v i ce s a ri o r m a u x, h o r s n a t u re , s o n t ce l e br e s, m a g
' '
n i fie s da n s c e l i v r e M a z s e n de s v e r s s i m e r v e i l l e u x de
.
fa c t u r e , a v e c de t e ll e s s u b t i li t e s d e xp re ssi o n, d u n
’ ’ ’
r t h m e t o u r a t o ur b e r c e u r co m m e de l e n ts b a i s e rs o u
y ’ '
’
,
'
r a v i da n s l e l a n de s b r u t a l e s e t r i e n t e s qu i l e n g a r de l e
c a r a c t e r e d u n e ce u v re l i t t e r a i r e , s i n c e r e e t de h a u t e
'
’
” '
o
v a l e u r p o e t i qu e .
’
Ve rl a ines po eti cal output a fte r hi s rel ea se fr m
pri son and th e publi cati n o f Sag e ss e wa s m ore m ature o
o
a nd o riginal th ugh l ess b rilli a nt J a di s e t Na g u ér e
,
o
.
cont a ined som e p ems in hi s b est vein— likely written

e
howev r a t a n ea rli er pe ri o d In A m o u r the p et
, . o ,
celeb rates 1n gra ce ful verses hi s fri endship f o r Lu ci en

L ét i n o i s H ere also may b e f und s m e o f hi s str n g o o o
, ,
e o
.
est m ost o ri gi nal a n d b st p i se d wo rk Th e note 13

e
.
,
la rg ly p ersonal In Pa r a ll el em en t to quote Ste fa n

o
,
.
“
! wei g h e wo n th e crown o f all p rnographi c works
,
wi th pe rvers e a nd i ndecent po ems B o n he u r 1 s a l ess

e
.
a rdent Sag ess e wh ere t h e not o f sel f pity predomi nates -
an d Ch a n so n s p o u r Ell e a nd O de s e n So n H o n n e u r
cel ebr a te hi s va ri ous mi stress es Th ese two bo oks a re
o
.
disto rte d e cho es o f Th e G oo d Song res unding i n an

emp ty h ea rt L i t u rg i e s I n t i m e s a re littl e less pu eril e
v
.
tha n p orti ons o f Sag e ss e With a d a nci ng yea rs hi s

o o
.
work sh wed ste a dy deteri ora tion and hi s voi ce f r , ,
the mo st p a rt wa s that o f ,
nu v i e ux p o e t e e r r e da ns l a g o u t t z e r e
”
Av e c l a d u n f a n t o m e fr i l e ux
’
tr i s t e v o ix .
As Verlain e 3 po etry defi es a nal y si s i n its ri gi nal

’
o
language so doe s i t de fy i nterpretat i on i n Engli sh
,
o v
.
“ ”
H o w much o f hi s w rk will li e ? a sks a writer
Lep e ll e t i e r 3 Li fe o f Verla ine 1n Current Lit ’
“
Perh ap s a hundre d pag g es but th ose pa ges
po ets o f the 1 9 th cen e ,
er ; he throws no i llu m i
The Wo r k 33
o o
nating ra y up n the pr blems that v ex humanity ; h e
oo
sp eaks to us neithe r o f fo rtitude no r h p e but i n its
,
o
verb al m a gi c a nd p ower to evoke hal f f rgo tten m o ds
o
-
a nd emoti ons the b est o f Verl aine s w rk i s th e pure

’
o ,
g ld o f literature .
TH E CUL T O F VE RLA I NE
Th at the qu a lity o f m u ch o f the wo rk o f P aul Ve r
e e
l a in i s o f th highest li tera ry value a nd that hi s fame
e
ifs growing r a th r th a n di m ini shing a r i ncont st a bl e
,
e e
a cts .
G eo rge A
Tournoux i n hi s Bibl i o g ra p hi c Ve rl a i n i
e e .
enn ( L ipzi g L ib ra ir E R o ohlt 1 9 1 2 ) i ndi cates e ,
w
e , ,
.
ref rences upon the subj ect o f hi s monogr a ph

e e e
.
Thi s work a lthough o f gr a t v a lue to th stud nt

e ,
ee
m a k s no pr t nsi on to b eing co m plet Th e co m pil r e e ,
e ee
.
o f thi s i nt resting contributi on to l tt rs s a ys i n th e
i ntro ducti on : “
We h a ve thought i t n c ss a ry to di s ee
e
rega rd th notati ons i n the g n r a l hi sto ri s o f Fr nch ee e e
e e
liter a tur the ncy clop di a s a n d th wo rks o f e p h e m e e
,
e ral v a lue also thos studi s wh r th questi on o f e ,
e ee e
,
ee
Verlaine app ea rs m r ly i n a n a cci dental o r su m m ary
mann r e e
I f w have dep a rte d fro m thi s lin e o f
v e
.
conduct i n f a o r o f cert a i n a rti cl es i t i s b ca us e o f th e

e m inence o f thei r autho rs a s well a s the cha r a cter o f
,
e
the p ri odi c a l o r that th e c i rcumst a nces und r hi ch e w
e e ,
th y w re publi shed g a th m a pa rti cul a r value ve e ”
e ew
.
Th Tournoux monogr a ph whi ch c a rri es th ork

e
o f res a rch up to th e e
b ginning o f th y a r 1 9 1 1 i s e e ,
v w
di i ded 1 nto t o s ecti ons Th e fi rst deals i th th wo rk
o f V erl aine publi she d i n Fr a nc e e
.
On not a ti on ( 1 0 7 )
w e ,
v
i n thi s di i si on shows th e co m pl et ew
orks o f the po et
.
o v e
t h a e b e n publi she d 1n L ipzi g by Ro ohlt m 1 9 1 0 e w
e e e
.
Inter sting also to note a r th books o f a po rnographi c

[ 35 ]
36 Pa ul V e rla i n e
cha ra cter whi ch have a t time s fallen under the ba n

of the courts
1 8 67
Les Ami es S c e nes d am ur saphi u e
.
’
o q .
Pa r l e licenci é Pablo de H e rl agn e z .
Poul et— M ala ssi s Petit i n 1 2 .

- .
L e s Amie s Sc e nes d amou r saphi que

’
6 . . .
Pa r l e li cenci é Pablo de H e rl agn e z , .
1 8 70 . Pe t i t i n -
I 2 .
1 8 90
37 . Fem m es Imp ri m é sous . le ma nteau et ne se vend

nulle p a rt i n 1 8 .
-
.
1 0
9 4
9 1 . o
H mb res Impri m é sous . le ma nteau e t n e se vend
nulle pa rt i n 1 8 .
- .
I O
9 7
94 . La Trilogi e ér ti u e de Paul Verlai ne ( Ami es oq .
,
Femmes Homb re s ) P a ri s e t Londres i n 8

z
-
, . . .
Qui n e eaux fo rtes de Van Tro i z e m e t u n ava nt

o
-
p rop s p a r u h bibli ophile v e rl a i n i e n .
I t wa s the fi rst o f these L e s A m i e s ( The Fri ends ) ,
dealing with femal e fri endshi ps o f a L esbi a n na ture ,
whi ch cause d the o rde r o f a rrest o f th e publishe r the

redoubtabl e A P M a la ssi s o f B russels p ubli sher als
,
o
e , , ,
. .
o f B aud lai re s Fl e u rs du Il l a l
o
’
.
The destructi n o f L e s A m i e s wa s o rde red by th e

o
c urts o f L ille M ay 6 1 8 6 8 L e p el l e t i e r i n hi s
o ,
e o ,
.
,
bi graphy o f th e p oet wri t s o f thi s b o k wi th much

n a i v e t e a s follows :
’ “
These S nnets a re now i n
,
o
,
o ff ensive i n consequence f late r publi cati ns i n France o o ,
b oth i n pro se a nd verse by numerous wri ters o n th e

o
same da nge r us subj ect ; but a t tha t time ( date f
,
o
p l e t e .
Ji m e n e z writ es m t he H e l i o s ( Octob er , 1 9 03 )
P a bl o Ve r l a i n e y s u l u n a P a ul Verlaine a nd
h i s bri de th e m oon
n o v i a la
(
L l a n t o e n m i c o ra z o n It
’
( . .
weep s i n my hea rt ) i s se t to mus i c by R Vill a r from .
wo rds by E Di ez C a nedo ( M a dri d ye t B ilbo a C a sa

. . .
D o t e si o
A x o
.
B olivi a rgenti n a M e i co Sa nto D oming a nd

e ,
oth r Sp ani sh Am ri c a n countri s know the p oet e , ,
e
through tr a nsl a ti ons by nati e writers v
v o
.
In Italy Pi ca a nd Erm i n i ha e written mu ch c n

cerning the po et Th re a r no a nthologi es i n book e e
e
.
fo rm L o m bro so p ays hi s resp ct

. to the p oet i n
Nu o v i s t u di so l g e n i o ( N ew studi e s o n genius ) .
’
Rouma ni a h a s only o n e collecti on o f the poet s work
i n th e a nthol ogy o f D nghel a nd St O Jo si f ( Eu . A . . .
cha rest M i nerva

. 1 9 03 in . .
In Russi a Verla i ne i s popula r a nd h a s b e en wi dely

re ad both i n the French a n d Sl a voni c tongues B rous
o , .
’
s v s a nthology publi shed l n M o scow m 1 9 1 1 i s the
o ,
l ngest Petrogra d h a s a tr a nslati on by F So l o g o u b

. .
,
1 90 8 Russi a I S also credi ted with a nu m b er o f other

.
,
though sho rte r collecti ons , .
To Engli sh re a ders i t app ea rs singula r that th e cult

o f V rla ine e
shoul d b e so wi desp re a d 1n G r m any To e
e v v
.
tho s howe er wh o ha e closely followe d the trend

e ,
o f G r m a n literatur
,
a nd thought during th e pa st twoe

deca des th e fa ct 1 3 not surpri si ng Tournoux notations
, .
fo r G er m any a re a s follows
1 9 00
O H a user Paul Verlai ne B erlin C onco rdi a

e
6
5 4 . . . . . .
P tit i n 1 6 -
.
6
5 5 . P Wi e gl e r B audela i re und Verl ai ne B erlin
. . . .
B eh r s Verlag i n 1 6
’
.
-
.
1 9 0 2
5 66 . Paul Ve rl ai n G edi chte e . . Ei ne Anthol gi e der o

b esten Ub e rt ragu n g en . Herausgegeb en v o n
The Cu l t o
f Ve r l a i n e 39
Ste fan ! w ig e . B erlin et L eip z ig . Schuste r ct

L o e fll e r . in -
1 6 .
E Paul Verlai ne G edichte Vi enne e t

Singer
5 67
e
. . . . .
N u e L i t e rat u ra n st alt i n 1 6
L eipzig . .
-
.
H Ki rchner G edi chte Paul V erl a in e Hall e

e
5 6 8 . . v o n . . .
H ndel i n 1 6 .
-
.
V A h
O H andler Paul erla ine lt e G e
e
5 9 6 . . u sg e w a. .
di chte Stra sburg H i tz ct Mu e n de l i n 1 6

. . .
-
.
R S h l V er a ine Heredi a N a chdi cht u n
e
57 1. c a
. u k a l .
-
.
g n B erlin O e st e rh eld i h 8 . . .
-
.
57 2 . W von K a
. l ck r e u t h Paul V erl a ine A u sg e . .
wahl t e G edi chte L eip zig Insel Ve rlag i n 1 6

A o
- -
. . . .
mong oth er writers who have c ntributed to th e

di ff usi on o f the p oet s works i n G er m an a r rn ld ’
eA o ,
M ehring Ostwald G eorge G un dl a ch b els Be t hg e

v ,
Ja ff e E ers a nd H e n ck el l N a rly all th l ea ding

,
, ,
. e ,
e , ,
G er m a n m a ga zi nes a s well a s newsp ap ers h ave pub

l i she d no ti ces upon V rla ine a nd hi s wo rk
,
e .
,
I n Holl a nd N orw a y Swe den D en m a rk Poland , , , , ,
Hunga ry G reece Po rtug a l an d B ohe m i a the po et h as

, , ,
found app reci ative rea ders

o
.
I n English sp eaking c untri es Verlaine h a s b een

e
a pp reci a t d but not wi dely rea d Perh ap s th e i rr e g u
,
o
.
l a ri t i e s o f hi s c nduct during hi s li fe attra ct the atten

o
ti n o f th e publi c more th a n hi s wo rk
A A
.
G eo rge M oo re rthur Symons F C a z als John

G ray Ernest D owson a n d shmo re Wi ngate a r p rom
,
,
A , . .
e ,
i nen t among Engli sh writers who have sp re a d hi s fa m e .
To G eo rge M oore m o re tha n to a ny other i s du e the , ,
credit o f i ntro ducing him to th e Engli sh publi c a nd no

o n e ha s writt n m ore i nterestingly o f the p o et e
the present Wi nga te s translati on ha s b een th l ongest
Until
’
e
,
,
’
i n English Symon s transl ati ons a ll to o few in num
e
.
,
b er surp a ss i n wo rk m a nship a ny h ereto for published

,
i n Engl i sh These h a a ppe ar d i n th Moshe r col ve e e

o
.
lecti n o f gi ft books i n Ameri ca

o
.
In many ways the translati n o f Verl aine s poems by ’

G ertrude Hall tra nslato r o f Chantecle r i s m st o

,
s ati s fa cto ry It i s to b e regrette d the collecti n i s so

,
o
K o
.
ab ri dge d Publi she d by Stone 8: imball Chi cag

o oA e
.
, ,
1 8 95 . Verla ine h a s been kn wn t m eri ca n rea d rs

chi efly through thi s work .
Th roughout hi s li fe Ve rl ai ne wa s a n i nte resting sub
j
ct fo r a rtists D e ga s p ai nted him i n the Absinth e
o
grinke r and ! rn Pea rson C a zals C a rri e re a nd
.
, , , ,
ma ny others h ave contributed i nteresting studi es

o
.
’
C a z als drawing whi ch h angs i n the Nati nal M useum
o ,
o f the L uxemb urg Pa ri s i s m o st striking H ere the

e , ,
o
.
i d ali z ati on i s m a rked Th e po et i s no l nger th e ma n .
o f eni gmati c bu m ps and grotesque vi sage but the i n ,
mate o f a h ospital— a neutral spot o n the b o rderla nd

o f D e a th — a nd all hi s b eing seems blurre d with i n
e ff a ble mystery
o
.
Numerous compo se rs have s et hi s songs t musi c

o
po ems s musi cal i n themselves tha t musi c o f a nothe r
s e ems almost a p ro fan a ti on I n m eri ca John Alden A
e
.
C a rpente r ha s s t to m usi c four po ems Publi shed by .
Schi rm er N ew Yo rk , .
’
Th e p oet s statue stands in the L uxembourg ga rdens ,
a nd a n annual dinne r i s given i n Pa ri s to the memo ry

o f thi s grea t chil d— f o r all po ets a r e nly men who o
have kept fresh i n thei r h a rts the f a nci es o f child e
hoo d— a nd Ve rl ai ne kept also the weaknesses
E EN A L E GATE
.
B RG PP .
M ay , 1 9 1 6 .
P O E M S S AT U R NI NE
( O
P EMES SA TURNI ENS)
TO EU G ENE CA RR I ER E
THE Wi se f
old a s le a rned a s m n today
o , e ,
B eli eved a n d thi s poi nt yet i s not quite clea r

,
e
That they coul d r a d thei r future i n the ski es
,
A nd th a t e a ch soul wa s gui de d by a sta r

,
v e o
.
( M en ha e ra il d much no r haveythe y pause d t think

H ow fo oli sh a nd deceiving l aughte r I S
C oncerning all these mysteri es nocturne
T N
.
No w tho se who h ave b een b orn 1n SA U R S reign

e e
’
,
( Red pl n t dea r to n cro m a ncers ) have

e
a ,
B etwe n them so mag i ci ans use d to s ay

e ,
Full m asure o f unhappin ss a n d bile e .

,
The I m aginati on i nfi rm a nd weak

, ,
Di sto rts the subtil e effo rts o f the Will

A v
nd 1n thei r e i ns the poi sone d blo o d stream fl ws
,
o
v e
L ike l a a with ring all b e fore so tha t
, ,
Th e sa d I deal o ften I S put o u t

e e
So m ust th y su ff r thes Saturni a ns ,
8 0 must di e— a d m itting th ey a re m ortal

e .
Thei r plan o f li fe wa s fa shi one d line by line

A occ rding with a n influence malign .
RESI G NATI O N
ALWAY O F KOHINOO R ,
OF PA PAL H S OW A P RI
N D E S A N S L E ND O P R
H I A R P
.
E L O G A BAL U S N D S A D A NA AL U S !
’ ’
M y young desi re created ne ath domes spla she d o
, er
With gold m i d sounds o f m usic perfu m e s fresh

’
,
e
Th e wil d d li ri ous h a rems o f the fl esh
,
.
,
Today mo re c a lm with no l ess a rdent mind

e ,
But knowing li f a n d how its ways should li e

,
I a m mo re fit to ch eck my anci ent folly

v
Th ough e en yet I c a nnot b e resigned .
,
So b e ! My ta ste fo r gr a ndeu r shows b eti m e .
But fi e o n ph ra se s fine a n d fai r things huma n !

Hence fo rth I ll hate th e m erely pretty w m a n
’
o ,
46 Pa ul Ve r l a i n e
AF TE R T H R EE Y E A RS
I P U S H E D a si de the n rrow swingi ng gate
e
a
T o stroll withi n the ga rden gr en a nd s m a ll ,
Some m orning r a ys th e su n l et swe etly fall ,
Spangling th e fl owers wi th j ewels a s i n state , .
N othi ng ha s changed I h ave se en a ll : th vi ne

. e ,
Th e hu m ble a rb o r with its rusti c ch a i rs

v
.
Th e j et o f wa ter pl a yi ng sil ery a i rs

And the o ld a sp en with i ts pla int di i ne ! v
,
Th e ro ses no d a s o f o ld a n d o n e sees
e ,
Th lily p roudly balance o n th b re z

,
e ee .
Th e la rks th a t go a nd come I know th em yet .
v
I e en found Va ll e da st a nding there
A ’
t th e w a lk s end h er pla ster scal ed a nd ba re
,
— Frail m i d the pungent scent o f m ignonette
’
, ,
, .
A H ! the raptures ! the fi rst mi stresses !

G ol dha i r blu e eyes a nd blo sso m s o f th e fl esh
, , .
The odo r o f the b odie s young a nd fresh .
Th e fea rful j oy o f th e fi rst shy ca resses !
H o
all fo rever g ne— sweet fo li shness ! o
o
as
And all th se ol d time ca ndo rs ! Ah retu rni ng ,

P o em s Sa t u r n i n e 47
’
Towa rd youth s lost sp ring they ve fl ed the winter
’
,
spurning
O f my ennui disgust a nd s re d i stress !
, o
So h er e am I at la st sa d a nd al n e o
o
C l d a s a n alta r— c lder tha n a stone
Orphan who kn ws no elder S i ster s love o o , ,
’
.
,
0 o
w man whose ca ress my soul b eguiled
,
B runette p ensive a nd sweet that naught ca n m ve

,
o
,
Who sometimes ki sse s g ntly l 1ke a ch1l d ! e ,
,
,
LAS S I U D T E
A b a t a l l a s de a m o r ca m
p o de p l u m a .
( G ongora ) .
0 THE sweetness O the sweetness

C alm y o ur fevered tra nsp orts f
, ,
or
O the sweetness !
a while my ,
cha rming !
o
B e like a si ster s metimes p ea ce fully wa rming
, ,
’
,
And soothing fo r o n e fl eeting hour love s wild excess .
o
B e languo r us making the drowsy ca resses ;
,
All equal your sigh s a nd your gla nces ob sessi on

o
G o the j eal us e m b ra ce a nd pang o f po ssessi on
.
A ,
re not wo rth the p ri ce o f th e long lying ki ss .
o e
But i n y ur d a r hea rt o f gold you tell m e my child
Th e false pa ssi on go es sounding he r cla ri on wild
, , .
o
Let her s und at her ea se hussy deli ri ous , .
.
Put y o ur f o rehea d on fo reh ea d your ha nd in mine

An d m ke m e the o aths
my , ,
a
y o u will b re a k o h so fine , , .
And we ep till the dawn O littl e impe ri ous ! ,

48 P aul V erl a i n e
MY FA M I L IA R D R A ME
O FTT I M ES I h ave thi s stra nge a nd p enetrating
dream
o o o
:
An unkn wn w ma n wh m I l ove and who loves me

o
An d who th ugh neve r changing ever seems to b e
,
o ,
An th er— i n who se eyes I s e e a well kn wn gleam

,
o .
She understa nds My he a rt th at doth tra nsp a rent seem

o
.
F r her alone al a s cea s es also to b e

, ,
Fo r h er alone a p robl em ; and he r tea rs fall free

, ,
Up on my palli d b r w refreshi ng a s a stream o , .
o o
B runette r bl nde o r Titi a n ha i re d ? I d n t n w ! o oko
o o
-
, ,
’
H e r name ? Twa s sweet I well recall when sp ken l w
As sweet a s those b el ved ones by Li fe exiled o .
,
H er gla nce i s that o f sta tues— l ks that vaguely oo

thrill
o o
And f r h e r v i ce— c alm fai ntly s unding gravely , o ,
mild ,
oo
I t hath the ech f dea r voi ces long si nce still .
To A W O MA N
T O y o u these s o ngs f o r the c o ns o ling gra ce
O f y o ur grea t eyes where laughs a nd weeps a dream
F o r y o u r pure s o ul wh o s e go odness sheds a b eam
;
T y o u th ese s o ngs o ut o f my deep di stress

O .
P o e m s Sa t u r n i n e
Wha t hi deous nightma res haunt m e i n thi s pla ce ;

Fo oli sh j ealous furious a nd tha t seem
, , ,
To multiply like wolves who se white fa ngs gl eam

Th reatening the while to leave thei r bl dy tra ce oo ,
Oh ! how I su ff er suffer and repi ne

e ,
So tha t th fi rst gri e f o f th e world s first ma n

’
,
D riven from E den sca rce co m pa res with mine !
A nd may your ca res b e like lighter tha n , or
Th e sw ll ows a o f a fterno on sk y
a fa i r ept e b er day i n tune

a on
D ea r—
,
on S m , .
ETCH I NG S
P A R I S IA N SK ET CH
THE moon wa s sprea ding pal e tints z i nc o f

Obli quely l et f ll
thin k
a ;
And the ri sing smoke shapes a de
th e house tops tall
-
m o ne
fiv e
’
Of a fi gu re o er .
Th e sky wa s gray wi th a wi nd tha t si ghe d

,
Like a sa d b assoon ;
And a fa r a Shivering to m cat cri e d
With th e strange frail notes o f a gh stly tune o .
o
And I drea m ed f Plato a s I stroll ed o n ,
And o f Phi di a s ,
And o f Sal ami s and o f M a rathon

, ,
’
Nea th the blinking eyes o f blue j ets o f ga s .
50 P a u l V e rl a i n e
MARI NE
T HE deep sounding sea
Throb s unde r th e eye
O f the sa d moon o n high
Throb s mou rn fully .
Whilst th e lightning she er , ,
Cuts b rutally down

o
Th r ugh h eavens o f br wn o
With long zigzag clea r .
And th e waves ri si ng high

o
With long c n v ulsive b ound ,
From ree f to ree f resound ,
G o come shine a nd cry

, , .
In th e h eavens where fl e e ,
Th e sto rm go ds 1n wonde r ,
Fi e rce ro a rs th e thunder
F0 rm i dably .
EF F E TS O F
C NI G H T
T HE night Th e rai n A pal e sky cut with ra gged
j
. .
Bla ck t o wers a n d spi res that a re today the silh o uette

et
O f a n o l d G othi c town dim i n the di sta nt gray

Th e pl ain A gibbet full f hanging r o gu es that sway
, .
. o
Shaken a nd to rn by cutting b eaks o f fami she d crows ,

Po ems Sa t u r n i n e 51
And danci ng i n the d a rk strange li fe like j 1g s i n rows -

,
Th e whil e thei r d a ngling feet th e wolve s make pa s

ture o f .
Some bushes wi th th ei r scattere d tho rns and then above

o
S m e h olli e s turning a s with horro r th i r wet leave s e
,
e
N o w to th right now l e ft a s when the eye p erceives
, ,
Th em o n th e sooty b a ckground o f a n a rti st s sketch ’

.
And then a round three livi d b a re foot pri soners stretch

A ,
e
ho st o f halb rdi ers like gi ants ma rching by ;
,
Whos e straight s e t ha rrow p oi nted pikes seem to the

,
eye
’
Th e rain s keen lances thrown from a bla ck sky .
G RO TE S U E S
!
THall IgiRftsl egsth es erve

Fo r
E fo r ho rses
gold f thei r eyes o
,
By th e ro a d o f a dventu res
Th ey go to rn and despis ed
, .
Th e wi se indignant h a ran g ue them ;

, ,
Fools rail a t thei r ha z a rdous way ;

Th e children put o u t thei r tongu es
And the gi rl s mock th m all day e .
Th ey a re the ri di cul ous ;

Odi ous and m a ligna nt they seem .
Th ey have i n th e twilight
The a i r o f a ba d drea m .
On thei r bitte r guita rs

These lib ertine s strike the shrill string ;
I ntoning th e chants bi z a rre
o
N stalgi c a nd rev lting o .
,
And a t l a st i n thei r eyes

o
Laughs a n d weeps r fa sti di ously n ds o
o ,
Th e l ve o f things eternal
,
Th e o l d dea d a nd th e anci ent go ds !
Go o
then ld vagabonds !
o
,
Wa nder noxi ous creatu res o f l d vi ce

A ,
long abyss a nd stra nd

,
o
Shut o u t fr m pa ra di se !
Fo rna ture j oi ns with ma n

To puni sh rightly by a nd by ,
The m elancholy pri de tha t makes

You m a rch wi t h fo rehea d high .
Venging you the bl a sphemy

on
O f va st hope s a nd vi ol ent intents ;

B ru i sing you r fo rehe a ds curst
the rude elements
With
.
June burns and D ecemb e r

,
e w
Freez e s you r fl sh he re the b ones sh w thr ugh o o .
Th e fever possesses you r limb s

Wra cked a nd covere d with dew .
54 P a u l Verl a i ne
T WI L I G H T OF MYS IC T EVE
M E M O RY h ere with the Twilight

,
R e ddens a n d trembl es o n th e di stant rim

W o
O f a rdent sk y h ere H p e gl ows like a b right
,
Enduring fl ame tha t wavering and slim

, ,
D raws b a ck a nd then expands like s me fa r dim o ,
Mysteri ous ga rden ; wh ere fl ower n fl wer

—Dahli a lily tulip a nd buttercup
o o
k o
, ,
G row ran up n a trelli s bloomin g h ur b h u r o o

I n fl aming rings ; whe re noxi u s m 1sts exu e
,
o
A p erfu m e strong a nd wa rm wh se poi s n
— D ahli a lily tulip a nd buttercup
, o o
o , ,
o
D r wning my s ul my s enses a nd my rea s n o
o
Unites i n n e vast l a ssi tu de
, , ,
o ,
M em ry h ere wi th th e Twilight
,
.
Po e m s Sa t u r n i n e 55
P EN E ENT ENT
RO M AD S IM AL
THE sunset d rted i ts l evel b ea

Wh ere th e wi nd rocke d w t e r lili e s drea m
a m
-
a
Th e water lili es c lm a nd pal e

That shin e where re eds a re green a n d frail
a
A nd I w ndere d alone with h ea rt full sore

.
By the pool whe re the willows lin e the shore

a a ,
Where the v a gue mi st wakened a pha nto m tall

’
Tha t wept i n the voi ce o f th e wil d fowl s call ,
When they b e a t th ei r wings by the willows white

e
Wh re I wandere d al one i n th e shrouding night
Through th e Sha dows th a t drowne d the l evel b eam
w
Where th e i nd rocked water lili es drea m
-
Th e water lili es cal m a nd p al e

That shine whe re th e reeds a re green a nd frail .
VA L P URG I S NI G H T ,
C L AS SI C
THtheSotherI
i s rather the sabbat o f o
the sec nd Faust than ,
;
A rhyth m i c sabbat— rhyth m i c a s a l ay
I s rhythmi c I m agi ne a g a rden by L en tre
. o
C o rrect ri di culous a n d gay
, .
Fl ower b eds in ci rcl e— i n thei r mi dst the f untains ; , o

walks
o
Arr w straight a nd sylvan gods i n m a rbl e ; gods m a ri ne
e
In b ronze ; with h re and there a Venus coyly drape d ;
Th e trees aligned ; a b owling green ;
56 P a ul V e rla i n e
o
C hestnut trees ; a nd fl wering pla nts f rming a le a fy o
dune ;
o
S m e dwa rfe d ro se bushes se t ab out with loving ca re ;
o
B ey nd the yews well pla ce d 1n tri a ngle Th e mo n o
o
.
,
O f summer shining s ftly there .
o k
M i dnight s unds a nd wa ens i n th e depth o f thi s ld
, o
p a rk
A m elancholy a i r— a h eavy slow a nd sa dly li stless
,
air
’
o
A huntsma n s l ay swee t l w a nd mel anch ly a s
, , o
Th e hunting song i n Ta nnhauser .
Then com es a veiled a nd distant chant o f ho rns wh se , o

tenderness
q ’
O f s ense ui te overcom es th e soul s di stress with swe et
o
a cc rds
o o ,
Ha rm ni usly di sco rda nt i n thei r wil d excess ;

A o
nd t thi s call o f ho rns
The re comes a b a nd o f white rob ed sl wly m ving , o o

fo rms
o
Di a hano u s o n whi ch th e m on b eams s eem t play o
Wi t o ,
pal tints a m ong the sha d ws o f the b ra ncheso

gre en
A Watteau dreamed o f by Ra ff et .
o
And mingling with the s ft green sha d ws o f the trees o ,
With gestures la ngui shing a nd full o f gri e f p ro found ,
Th esegfo rms ami d th e b ronz e s b egi n a mysti c d a nce

A
da nce wherei n th ey ci rcle slowly round .
Th ese swaying spectre s— a re they n thing but the o

thought
o o
O f s me p o r drunken b a rd— o r the rem rse i n hi s o
bewilde re d hea d
Po em s Sa t u rn i n e 57
The se sp ectres tha t with rhythmi c trea d dance n the o

turf ?
Or a re they simply spi rits o f th e dea d ?
Are they then thy regrets O dreamer who i nvi tes thi s
,
h ell
Thy thoughts o r thy re m orse— say ?— these cre a tu res
,
Spurned ?
T h ese sp ectre s that so m e m a ddening impulse sways ;
'
Or have the dea d to ma dm en turned ?
No m atte r they a re always h ere these pha ntoms o f

! ,
the b rain
M aking th e i r mourn ful round a nd winding ever
,
Whi rling like a toms i n th e clea r r ys

on ;
the a o f su n ,
That i n a mo m ent suddenly a re gone .
Palli d and d a mp th , e dawn ’

o e rco m e s them o ne by
o ne
Th e horns a nd all— they pa ss wi th coming day

Till nothing mo re remains— nothing— but a ga rden by
Lenotr e
o ,
C rrect r i di culous a nd g ay
, .
AU U M T N SO N G
LO NG sobbing winds
v
The i olins
,
Of au tumn drone
Wounding m y h ea rt
,
With l a nguo rou s sma rt

In m onotone .
5 8 P a ul Ve rl a i n e
k
Cho ing an d p ale ,
When on th e gal e
Th e hour sounds deep
I call to min d
D ea d yea rs b ehind
A
n d I weep .
,
And I going, ,
B orne by blowing
Winds a n d gri e f ,
Flutte r here— there

A s on th e ai r
, ,
The dying le a f .
TH E S H P H RD S E E ’
HOUR
T H E m o o n i s red upo n th e ea stern sk y ,
I n mi sts that dance th e s oky mea d o w li es

Afa r o ne h ea rs th e frog that shrilly cri es
m ;
Am o ng th e re eds where twilight z ephyrs di e .
Th e ma rsh fl o wers cl ose b esi de the water s edge ’

;
’
Th e p opl a rs profil e on the ski e s fa r rim ,
Serri ed a nd strai ght thei r sp ecters vagu e a n d dim ;

,
Whil e the wande ri ng fi re fly seeks th e hedge .
Th e screech owls waking take thei r noi sel ess fl ight

-
,
B ea ting th e bla ck a i r with thei r he av wings ;

Th e sky i s fill ed with dully shini ng t i ngs ,
Whi te Venu s gli stens— i t i s Ni ght

, .
Po em s Sa t u r n i n e 59
TH E N I GH TI N G A L E
LI KE frightened bi rds l o u d calling i n thei r fl ight

My memo ri es beat upon m e ith thei r might w ,
e e e
.
B at o n th yellow foli ag O f m y hea rt

e e
That lik a lon ly ald r grown ap a rt e ,
o
,
M i rr rs its trunk a nd blight d b r a nches we t e ,
In the dull V i olet waters o f R egret

That Sl O W a nd eve r mourn fully fl ow nea r .
And then the trouble d sound m a de by a dre a r

e
M oi st br eze th a t m ounts th n slowly di es— SO well
, e
Th at i n th e end I hea r from o u t the dell
Only the low cle a r voi ce celebrating
v
The abs ent L o ed One— O so languishi ng !
O f that sweet bi rd my fi rst Lo e who se wa rm lay
, v ,
C omes b a ck a g a i n a s i n th e fi rst gla d day ;

e
And i n the spl ndo r sa d a glow here so on W
Ri ses all pale a nd s ol e m nly the mo on ;
A em la ncholy twilight full o f su m m r e ,
Of silence a nd obscurity— no murmu r

o
R o cke d n the a zure that the s eet wi nd sweep s w
Only th e tree that tre m bles— the bi rd tha t weeps .
CA PRI CES
W O MA N A ND CA T
S HE wa s pl
v ying with h er cat
a ,
M a r elous i t wa s to s e e
.
H ands a nd p aws tit fo r ta t , ,
I n the glo om so pl ayfully .

60 P a u l Ve rl a i ne
One wa s hi ding— then a p aus e !

’
N eath h er mittens finely m a de
, ,
G lea m ed the agate p ointed cl aws

-
,
’
Ke ener than a ra z o r s bl a de .
Then the cat more tender grew ,
And its steel like claws withdrew

-
.
B ut the devil watche d with ca re .
An d th e dimly lighted room

Hea rd he r l augh that ci rcled whe re
o
F u r b right eyeb alls cut the gl om o .
SO NG OF TH E I N GEN U ES
06 E a re the Ing énu es

With b ra i ded h ai r and eyes o f blue
O
Wh o live i n ld roma nces
Unre a d save by the few .
And a rm i n a rm we go ,
Fo r th e day i s not mo re bright

Tha n th e crystal o f o u r th ughts o
And o u r dreams a re f the light o .
,
We run i n the m ea dows

Whe re o u r l aughte r n ve r di es e ,
From dawn until th e vesp ers

We cha se th e butterfl i es .
’
And o u r sheph erds b onnets
Keep u s fresh and pal e ,
And our dresses white

o
Are s extre m ely frail .
o
To make the ri ch M nsi eur M a chi n hi s son i n law
A
- -
.
pudgy fa t resp ecte d b otanist h e s aw

, ,
In every po et bo rn a g o d fo r nothing chea t o - -

,
The se b ea rded uncomb ed l a fers ho w h e hates them

— whew !
, o ,
Th ey fill hi s soul with ho rro r all thi s shame ful crew ,
And fl owe ry sp ri ngti m e shi nes upon hi s slipp ere d fe et !
SUB U R BE
T HE littl e yews o f th e ce etery m
Trembl e b e fo re th e wi ntry bla sts
I n the clea r cold light .
With a sound mournful and sa d

The crosses o f wo o d o e r the new grav s v e
V1b r a t e wi th a n abn rm a l tone o .
Silenta s the strea m s ,
But full o f tea rs a s th e fl o ods ,
Th e sons the m others a nd th e w 1dows

, ,
Th rough th e p aths o f the s a d enclo sure

Wander a slow pro c ssi n
, e o ,
To the wounding rhyth m o f sobs .
The yi elding soil unde r thei r feet s eems t o

On high th e huge clouds twi st
And tea r themsel es with fury v .
Penetra ti ng a s re m o rs e
’
Falls the he a vy col d tha t o e rp o we rs
Seeming to rea ch e en to th e dea d v .
,
o
To th e po r de a d who a re always
A ,
l one a nd wh o trembl e unce a singly

,
— Fo rgotten by some o r w pt by others e ,
.
Po e m s Sa t u r n i n e
Ah , qui ckly O thou Springtime

come q , ,
With thy cl e a r a nd ca ressing su n

e
With thy sw et bi rds ch a ttering !
,
w e
M ake bloo m ith nch a ntingg
e
G lory th e g a rd ns a n d th e fie l ds
e
Tha tythe rud w i nter hol ds 1n di stress !
e
And wh n th e sunsets fall
,
Sprea ding with gol d the b oundl s s sk y e

o
So the with swe et o dors a nd with songs
,
Dea r absent ones y u r , o m ourn ful sleep !
SE REN A DE
LI KE the vo i ce f
one dea d yet singing
o
From the depth o f the grave ,
He a r thou O my m i stress the stinging

, ,
Shrill voi ce o f thy sl ave .
Open thy soul a n d thy e a r to the s un d o

O f my mandoli n ;
Fo r th ee e
h a ve I m a d fo r thee t resound , o ,
Thi s song c ruel and thin .
I sing to thine eye s they a re onyx and g lden o

o
No sha d ws a re the re
, ,
To thy b oso m a s Lethe the olden

o ,
T the Styx o f thy hai r

,
Like the voice o f one de a d yet singing

From the depth o f the gr a ve ,
Hea r thou O mypmi stress the stinging

,
Shrill vo i ce f thy sl aveo ,
.
64 P a ul Verl a i ne
o
Then I praise ver much a s befitting -
, ,
Thy fl e sh ever bl est

o
Who se pulent p erfume c me s fl itting
,
o
o
Thr ugh my nights f un re st o .
o
An d I si ng f thy re d lip s intently ,
Lips re d a s a j ewel ;
o
O f the ma rtyrd m l ai d n m e gently o
My Angel— m y G h ul ! o ,
o
Op en thy s ul a n d thy e a r t the s und o o
O f m m and lin ; o
o
F r the e ave I m ade fo r the e t re sound o
o
Thi s s ng cruel and thin
,
.
,
A DAHLIA
COU RTE SAN with ha rd b rea st a nd eye o p a que a nd

o
b r wn
o ,
Th at sl wly op ens like the calm eyes o f a stee r

k k
You r thi c stem shines li e m a rble newly cu t an d cle a r ,
,
Flowe r plump a nd ri ch yet o d rless all y u r renown o o

o o ,
I s i n y u r tempting b dy s erene a s summer ski es

,
o ,
Th a t dully gl ws di splaying its ra re ha rm ni es

, o .
,
o o
No r have y u fl esh like th s e fa i r ne s who all th e day o
o
Strew n th e summe r fi elds the r ws f new mown hay o o
o
Enthroning y u dumb i dol mi dst the incense light
, ,
’
.
,
—Thus the kingly Dahli a cl a d i n rob es f splend r o o

,
Ri se s wi thout pri de hi s h ea d that ha s no d r

,
oo ,
o
Di sdain fully am ng th e taunting j a smines white
,
,
.
Po e m s Sa t ur n i ne 65
NE VE R M O RE
O NWAl R D! co mp z ce
,
my p oo r h ea rt ! Onwa rd , my o ld a c
R edress and p aint a new ea ch fl aunting a rchway b old .
Burn a ranci d 1nce n se o n the alta rs o f false gold .
So w with fl owers the bo rders o f the precipi ce

o
.
Onwa rd my p or h ea rt ! Onwa rd m y o l d a cco m p li ce ! ,
o
Li ft t G o d thy canticl e rej uvenate d sin ger !
o o
Ent ne hoa rse rg a n thy Te D e u m s ri s i ng high
,
o o
.
, ,
M en o l d be f re y ur t i me p ai nt the wri nkles neath

, ,
’
y our eye
o ,
C ver the yellow walls with tapestry m a ro n o .
L i ft to G o d thy canti cle rej uvenate d singer ! ,
Sound ch1m e s ! Sound littl e b ells ! Sound b ells !

Fo r m y vai n drea m ha s t a ken shap e and now I h ol d
w
It ppressed b et een m y a rms thi s Happiness o f o l d,
e
-
Tha t fl i e s wh n m e n a ppro a ch— thi s j o y unspe a kable .
Sound chimes ! Sound littl e b ells ! Sound b ells !
H a ppiness ha s w a lk d si de by si de with m e e ’
.
But F a te ca n ne er desi st such i s li fe s fi t fu l scheme

’
The wo rm i s i n the fruit th awak ning in th dream

,
e e e .
And re m o rs e i n l ove such i s th e l a w o f li fe

,
,
.
,
Happi ness ha s walked si de by si de with me .
IL B C IO A
( T H E K I SS )
Tlively
A
HE Ki ss Pi nk hollyho ck
tune on littl e k eys
o v e s domai n
p e a rl
! 1n L
’
!
so e de r gi rl
o f
Fra ed by the lips
m o f m a .
An
’
angel s song with l ove ’
3 well known re fr a in .
66 Paul Ve rl a i ne
Sweet sounding Ki ss ! O melo dy divi ne !

Wha t luxury ca n match your drunkenn ss ? e
Fro m your b right cup ma n drinks hi s de p est bli ss e ,
And thus grows di zzy a s from heavy wine .
’ ’
Like the Rhi ne s vi ntage o r a si nger s rhym es
You so othe o u r pa i n— ol d sorro s cold
,
w ,
e
D i with the pout upon a ch purpl e fol d e
Let Av ’
on s swa n o r G o ethe p ra 1se b etim s e .
I unwo rthy b a rd o f Pa ri s o ffer thi s

,
ee e
Th s childi sh v rses s a d bouquet at b est ;
,
,
B e kind a nd sp ee d you o n you r gra ci ous quest ;

,
L ight o n her stubb o rn lip s a nd laugh— thou Ki ss !
IN THE WOOD S
S OM E — th e i nno cent
, th e lymphati c or
Find 1n th e wo ods cha rms l anguo rous o r gay ;

Fresh a i rs a nd o do rs wa rm H a ppy a re they !
, .
Othe rs qua il— dreamers — with fea rs ecstati c .
They a re h appy ! I nervous tha t a drea d

e ,
Vagu a nd opp ressive eve r seems to rule

,
I trembl e i n the fo rests like a fool

Wh o fea rs a n a m bush o r may fea r the dea d .
e
Thes bra nches thi ck like billows without b und o
ee ,
Wh r f a lls bl a ck silence a nd where falls a sha de

Still bla cker— all thi s mourn fulness di splayed
,
e o
Fills m with h rro r fooli sh yet p ro found
, , .
,
Summer e
eves the redn ss o f th e sunsets
e
I s sunk i n the gray blu o f mi sts they p aint
-
With fi re a nd blo o d ; the a ngelus so fa i n t

Seems like a pla i ntive cry o f sa d regrets .
P o em s Sa t u r n i n e 67
The winds rise wa r m a nd strong ; the ripples race

With force renewed where the thi ck l av s a r strewn e e e
On th e high o aks that se m to i m p ortune e ,
Then s catter like a fever i nto spa ce .
The night comes Th e o wl fl i es Thi s i s the ti m e

. .
When o n e drea m s o f the tales the o l d folks tell

q
.
Yonder yonder the ui ck sp rings i n the dell

, ,
Whisp er like robbers plotting so m da rk cri m e e .
M RCO A
0
6turned
HEN M a rco p a ssed the young m en ra n a nd
,
To se e her eyes two So d mites here burne d

, o w
The fi res o f L ove destroyi ng without gra ce
, ,
C old F ri e n dshi p s lowly hut— sa d dwelling pla ce

’
A
.
nd a ll a round da nce d p erfumes wi thout na m e ,
Where souls fo rever lost were weeping ca st .
Upon the red gol d o f her hai r hung f a st

, e
A cha rm a nd from h r robe strange musi c ca m e ,
Wh en M a rco p assed .
When M a rco sang h e r ha nds upon the ivo ry

,
Often evoke d from depths too bla ck to

Pri itiv e tunes l ong lost and unprecis e
se e ,
m , ;
H e r ri ch voi ce ri sing in th e p ra di s e
wondrous dr e am
a
O f a va st sy phony m o f
Wi th ecsta sy transpo rted a s it spr ng
,
To w rd th e h e v e ns all who h e a rd its tang

a
O f silvery musi c sounding som e v a gu e the e

a k n o wn a ,
m ,
Wh en M a rco sang .
Wh en Ma rco wept h er tea rs and wil d al rm s

See m e dto de fy th e ve,
ry sound o f a r m s
a
He r bl ood red lip s with deep er c a r m i n sho n

-
And h er desp a i r no hu m an soul h a s known ;

e w ,
68 P a u l Ve rla i ne
o o
As th ugh a n il fe d fi re that fl ames n high o
o
-
,
He r wrath sh wn re dder a s it higher leapt ;

o
S m e li ness o o
ne might h ave sa i d tha t kept
o ,
I ts f rest wrath with ever bla ing eye z ,
Wh en M a rco wept .
o
When M a rc da nce d he r silken ski rt m i r é , , o ,
Swept like th e ti des upo n a summe r day ;

An d like a lith e b amb o h er sn wy thigh o o
B ent with a gra ce that ma de h er brea sts reply .
The lightning fl a she d ; her ma rbl e limb s so fre e ,
Emphati cally cyni cal enha nce d

o ,
Thei r splend rs terne : wh li stene d hea rd entrance d o

o o
Th e s und f n i l t wi nds blowing i n a tre e
\ i a rco da nce d
When g
,
/
.
o
When M a rc sl ept what o dors ri ch f ambe r o
,
M ixe d with her fl esh filled a nd pp ressed h e r chambe r

,
’
o .
Th e sheets reveal e d h er b a ck s exqui site line

o
And i n the sha d ws o f th cu rta ins fine e ,
o
H er b reath a r s e light rhythmi cal a nd slow
, , .
I n calm a nd ha ppy sleep h er eye s were kept ,
And thi s swee t mystery threw a cha rm that swept

o
The bj ects va guely utlined r w on r w o , o o ,
When M a rco sl ept .
o
But when sh e l ved th e fl o ds o f luxury o
’
,
O e r ra n a s though a w und p en a nd fre e o o

o
Th rew its red bl o d i n many a sm o k i n wave
, ,
From the all cru el fo rm who se crime o rg av e

’ ’
And o er th e soul s high w a lls a t rrent came o ,
D rowning th e thought sweeping wi th sa d a rray ,
All i n its path then b oundi ng o n i ts way

A ,
vo
s suppl e a n d de uri ng a s a fl a m e
Then fr z en l ay o .
M OON L I G HT
Y OU R oul i s like a landscape always gla d

s ,
People d by m erry m a skers with b right eyes ,
0 play t he l u te and da nce yet a re h al f sa d

o
B eneath t he t ins el f th ei r uai nt di sgui se q .
Who sing upon a strangely mi nor m ode

O f love s success a nd li fe so 0 p o rtune
A e
’
s t hey go tripping lightly on t i r roa d

ng li n
g thei r songs with rays caught from th e mo n
,
o ,
The mo onlight rays so sa d but O h w fai r ! o

o
Th a t make the dr wsy bi rds dream i n thei r trees
o
And s b with ecsta sy the f untain cle a r o ,
o
That fr m i ts ma rbl e b ed j ets in the bre ez e .
PANTOM I ME
PI ERRO T o
ets nothing from Cli t an der
wh
Empti es a fl a go n
,
ailing t rende r o ,
Tha nks— and being p ra cti cal cuts the pi e

, , .
, o
C a ssa ndra wh i s nea rly l ost t o V i ew
Weeps f o r her di si n he r1t e d neph ew
,
Stage tea rs that all ignore with st r e am m g eye

, , .
The ra scal Ha rl equi n plans to lop e e

o ,
With C lumbine— a vai n a n d fo oli sh hope

,
An d then s a ucily pi rou tte s four ti m es e .
o
C lu m bine drea m s strangely su rpri se d t o feel
,
Emoti on i n t he b reez e s so ft app al ’

e
e e
And voi ces i n h r h a rt Wha t fooli sh mim es ! .
,
[ 71 1
M OON L I G HT
Y OU R soul i s lik e a la ndsc p e alw a ys gla d a ,
Peopl ed by m erry m a skers with bright eyes

e
Wh o play the lut a nd dance yet a re hal f sa d
,
B eneath the tins el o f thei r qu a int di sgui se .
Who sing upon a strangely mi nor od m e

O f love s success a nd li fe so oppo rtune
e e
’
,
A s th y go tripping lightly on th i r ro a d
e
M ingling th i r songs with r a ys caught from the moon
,
e
Th moonlight rays so s a d but O how f a i r !
That m ake th e drowsy bi rds dre a m in thei r trees
And so b with ecsta sy th fountai n cl e a r e ,
That from its ma rbl e b ed j ets i n the b reez e .
PANTO MI ME
PI ERRO T who gets nothing fro m Cl i t an der

,
Empti es a fl agon— failing to r nd r e e ,
Th a nks— an d b eing p ra cti c a l cuts the pi e

, , .
C a ssandr a who i s nea rly lost to V i w e

,
e
We ep s f o r h r di si nh ri te d n ph e e ew ,
St a ge tea rs that a l l i gnore with stre a ming eye

, ,
.
Th e ra sc a l Ha rl equin pl ans to lop e e

,
With C olumbi ne— a a in a nd fo oli sh hop e v ,
And then saucily pi rouett s fou r ti m es e .
C olu m bine dreams strangely surpri se d to fe l e

Emoti on i n the b reez s so ft a ppeal
,
e
e
’
,
And voi ces i n he r hea rt Wh a t fooli sh mim s ! .
[ 71 1
72 P a ul V e rl a i n e
ON THE G RA SS
THE Abb wa nders — And yo u M a rqui sé

H ave donne d all awry y o u r perru q ue
.
, ,
Thi s o l d wi ne o f Cyp rus I

, , .
I s ex q ui si te— less C am a rgo tha n your

, se e ,
, , nu qu e .
My fl ame — D o mi . la , , so l , , si .
é,
Abb your cunni ng we unveil
— La di es I di e i ndeed f o r the e
.
I f i n trying t o unho o k a sta r I fail

, , , ,
— wi sh t o b e a little d o g today
I
— Let ea ch one ki ss hi s shepherdess a nd s oo n
.
One a fte r th e o ther

,
entl emen— hey ? ! G

— D o mi ,
— H o l o o d eveni ng M r M oo n
, so l . G , . !
THE WAL K
PAI NTE D a nd p owdered a s i n the o l d pa sto ral days
Frail ami d the en rmous bows o f ribb on red o ,
,
Sh e pa sses nea th the somb er b owe r tha t gently sways

’
o
Ab ve a v alk where s me o l d m ss green seats a re o o
sp rea g
With false a ff ecte d ways a nd playful fo oli sh a i r

Such a s a p ette d gaudy pa rr t loves t wea r o o ,
o
.
H er r b e with its long trai n i s blue a nd he r fa n b right

H el d by slim fi ngers decke d with m a ny a la rge ring
e
I s gay with qua int roti c scenes so va g ue a nd light
,
She smil es a s i n a dream a t all th e th ughts they b ri ng

,
o
o , ,
o
.
— A bl nde indee d Th e saucy nose with li ps t match

.
Mo u t h ca rm i n e b o dy plump a nd p roud n r n wi ng
, , , o ko .
wh
a tri fl e wi s er tha n th e b eauty patch -
So de ftly set b eneath the rather silly eye .

e o
Yes i nd ed th u cruel Clym ene
, ,
Thi s swo rd tha t i n ma ny a c mb at o ,
H a s la i d s o m any a Scipi o a nd Cyrus fl at ,
Will end my li fe and all its bitter p a in !
And yet what nee d o f it have I

,
e
Wh o woul d des c nd to the Elysi a n Fi elds ?
,
Love pi e rce d he not my hea rt with p oi nte d steels

,
When fi rst up on m e fell your fl a shing eye ?
THE I NG EN US
THE high h eels b attl—ed with long ski rts
And the uneven ea rth b reez e unbi d
h o wing a shi ning limb too o ften hi d
a
S , ,
And we l oving thi s play

, o f fl i rts .
A z ealous insect da rting fl i es

,
’
To troubl e the b eauty neath th b ranches light ;
,
e
And thi s lightning o f necks gl wing a n d white o
z
D a z le d o u r youth ful f li sh eyes
, oo ,
.
,
Evening fell— a twilight o f di m Fall

e
Th e b elle s l ane d o n ou r a r m s drea m y a nd slow , ,
Saying th e wo rds so sta rtling a nd so low

o
Our s uls since then hav tre m bl ed t o recall e .
C O RTE G E
A MON KEY b eribbone d an d bland

, ,
G o es skipping b e fo re with qui ck pa ce

A e
s sh crumples a kerchi e f f l a c o e ,
In th e folds o f h er finely glove d ha nd .

Fét e s G a lla n t 75
While a s m all negro boy ve ry bl a ck

e
H ol ds i n hi s ba r a rm s the long trai n
, ,
e
O f h r robe th a t h stri e s t o ma inta in
, e v ,
Smo othing the wri nkles b a ck .
Th e monkey ca res naught but to ga z e

Intent on the l a dy s hit throa t ’
W e ,
Wh os e contours so da zzling denote

A torso go dlik o f o ld days
, e
,
,
,
e
Th negro b oy shy littl e ight W
e ,
e
Oftti m s li fts the tra i n r a th r high
,
e e
To ga z with mi schi vous eye
On that whi ch h e drea m s o f by night .
Sh e go e s h er way by the sta i r

Unh e eding the ho age
on ,
ga z e m or
Of thes e insol ent b e sts or thei r ways

Di sda ining t o noti ce—
a ,
ca re or .
THE SHE L L S
E AC H shell i ncrusted
I n the grotto wh ere we kn e w l ove
, ,
Has 1t s p e cu l 1ari t y .
One ha s the purpl o f ur soul s e o

R obb ed fro m th e blo o d o f o u r h ea rts ,
When I burn a nd y o u take fi re .
o
An ther a ffects you r languo rs
And your p all o rs when wea rily
You turn f rom my h al f m cking eyes
,
- o ,
Thi s o n e counte rfeits the gra ce

o
O f y u r ea r a nd that o n e
,
Your neck— pink short a nd plump , , .
But one amongst them troubl es me .

P a u l Ve rl a i ne
K
S A TIN G
Y ES we were dup es
, both y u a nd I
To have o u r i ntrigues fo r o u r pa ins
, o ,
M a dam e such frenzy by th e by

, , ,
Wa s Summer m o u n t 1n g t o our b rains .
o
Spring ha d , h wever , I woul d say ,
o
S erved , i f my mem ry b e no t sla ck ,
o
To m y st i f u r littl e pla
fli
But in a e shi o n n t so la c ! o b k
o
F r i n th e S p ri ng th e a i r i s fresh ,
A n d then the budding ro se i s sent ;

o o
An d L ve h al f p ens to enmesh
o
With o d rs alm st i nn cent o o .
I n Sp ri ng the lili es too have thr wn o

,
Th e 1 r pungent b reath upo n the m rn ;

,
o
And i n th e a rdent su n i s bl own
Thi s fresh exci tant newly b o rn
, .
And then th e mocking z ephyrs b ea r

A hea dy strange e ffl u v i u m
Tha t frees th e h e a rt fro m th ughts f ca re
,
o o
And make s the a nxi u s spi rit numbo .
o
That sti rs to j y th e s ense s five
o
Tra nspo rts us t the ve ry ski es ;
,
All whi ch alon e do es not c ntrive o

o
T rende r u s a bi t mo re wi se .
Thi s wa s a ti m e with ski es a ll cl ea r

( M a dame do y o u rec a ll those h u rs ?)
, o ,
78 Pa ul V e rl a i ne
o
N w M a d a me Winte r s here a nd numb ’
, ,
e
.
Ea ch b ettor tre m bles fo r hi s purs .
Whil e here a re oth er slei ghs th a t co m e

And da re di spute wi th us th course e .
’
You r two ha nds i n the mu ff you ve on
e
Si t fi rm a nd sa f ly i n y ur pl a ce o ,
A
.
way we go ! a nd s oon Fa nchon

Will crown u s vi ctors i n the ra ce .
FANT A TI C S S
S C A R A M OUC HE a nd Pulci nella

v
M et by e il ci rcu m sta nc e ,
G esti cul a te the 1 r sha dows

,
,
on th e m on o .
However th e exc llent do cto r

, e
O f B ologna ga thers l ei surely
S imples a mong b rown he rb s .
Whil e hi s daughte r pi qua nt b eauty , ,
Under th e e lm b oughs stealthily

e
G li d s h al f nude i n qu est
,
-
,
O f h e r b eauti ful pi rate o f Sp ain

o e
F r wh om th l anguorous ni ghtingal e
,
o
Pr cla ims th e pa ssi on wi th h ea d spli tting stra in -
.
CYTH ERE
A L I G HT
pavili on l ends
Shelte r whe re o u r gla dness bl ends
Fanned by the r se tre es fri ends o -
, .
,
F e t es G a ll a n t 79
o
Od rs o f roses faint wander ,
Tha nks to the su m me r wm d a st 1 r

An d mix W1t h p erfum e c me from h er o ,
As her eyes fo retol d

’
H er h ea rt i s wa rm a nd her li s o e rb o l d
B estow exquisite fevers that t e y h l d , o .
An d L ove crowns all co m plete

Save hunger sherb et and s weet
K ,
eeping th e b o dy s cur s replete ’

ve .
AFLOAT
THE st r f
the shepherd trembles
a o
I n th e bla ck water a nd the pilot ,
Sea rches the tinder b o x i n hi s p ockets .
Thi s i s the mom ent G entl emen o r neve r

o
To b e auda ci us a nd I put
, , ,
My two hands everywh ere hence f rth , o .
e
Th e ch v a li e r Atys who s cra pes
Hi s guita r to the ungrate ful Chl ri s
,
,
o
Throws a saucy wi nk .
o
Th e abb é c nfess es i n a low tone E gl e .
And the V i scount grows diso rderly

G iving the key o f hi s h ea rt to e eryone v ,
However the m o on h a s a ri sen

A e ,
nd th ski ff i n its b ri e f course

,
G li des g a yly o e r the waters that dream

’
.
80 P a u l V e rl a i ne
THE FAUN
A N anci ent faun o f terra co tta built

-
L aughs i n the center o f a plot o f green ,

Pre sag m g W1t ho u t doubt som e ill result
o
O f th se dea r moments o f o u r li fe serene
That l e d me o n and le d y o u o n y o u o l d
e
Sa d pilgrims wi th th e m lancholy mi en
,
o o
Unto thi s h ur wh se flyi ng f tsteps b l doo ,
o
G o swi rling to the sounding tambourine .
MAN DO L INE
T HE singers serena des f

A nd th e b eauti es li sten
o ,
who ,
Excha nge th e usu l b ante r

Under the b o ughs tha t gli sten
a
Thi s i s Ti rei s an d thi s Aminta ,
Thi s th e eternal Cl i t an de r ,
Thi s i s D ami s tha t fo r ma ny

A cruel o n e ha s m a de verses tender .
o
Th ei r sh rt vests o f silk ,
Th ei r rob es with glittering train ,
Th ei r el egance th ei r jo y
A ,
nd thei r blue sha dows wane ,

,
I n th e ecstati c whi rlwi nd

oo k
O f a m n pi n a nd gray
A nd th e ma ndoli n e ti nk ling
,
With th e b reez es a t play .

o
D aily i n my th ughts i n my dreams a t night
A nd by night a nd by day a d rabl e M a dame !
,
o ,
Ah well a t l a st my b dy di sapp ea rs
, o , ,
An d i n its pla ce my soul become s a sha de

Th at i n i ts turn ami d em ti ons sa d , o ,
E m bra ce s va i n a nd numbe rl ess desires ,
I s l ost wi thi n your sha dow f o r all tim e .
Till then consi de r m e your slave my dea r

, , .
M a da m e do all b ehave th mselves with you ? e

,
o
You r p a rr t cat a nd dog ? Th e so ci ety
, ,
I s i t always plea sa nt a nd thi s Sil v a n i e ,
Who se bl a ck eye I ha d l ove d were yours not blue

, o
And who s metimes woul d m a ke m e signs p ar bl e u l , ,
,
I s she the trusty fri end she wa s o f o l d ?
M a d a m e a n impati ent p roj ect h a unts me

,
o e e
.
Thi s i s to c nqu r the whol e a rth with all

I ts trea sures ra re t put them a t your feet o
o
Unw rthy gage — t pr ve m y love the p eer
,
o o
o
O f th se most high a nd cel eb rate d fl ames
Who se a rdent hea rts have light d up the p a st ! e
Less love d wa s Cl eopa tra by my faith
o
O f Ant ny a nd C a esa r tha n you by me ! ,
, ,
D o no t doubt i t M a d a m e I woul d have fought

o , .
Like C a esa r f r a smile O Cl eopatra !

o
Like Ant ny stake d all upon a ki s s
,
,
e
D a r fri end a di eu Al rea dy t o o much ta l k
o
.
, .
One rea ds a lette r 1n s o sh rt a sp a ce

o
I t alm st seems a wa ste o f t 1me t wr1t e o .
Fét e s G a ll a n t
IN DO L EN TS
B AH ! I n spite o f z ealous desti ny

L e t s di e togeth er— shall w ? Y and I
o
’
e ou .
— Th e prop si ti on s ra re ’
.
— Th e ra re i s go o d L et s di e my o wn
.
’
, ,
Like those i n the D ecameron !

— H a ! H a ! Wh a t love r ! H w bi za rre ! o
— Bi z a rre I do not know ! But love r
,
Without g uile a ssuredly ! L et s h ave i t ver ’

o
o
Dying i f y u wi sh— t g ther !
,
,
oe
— Si r i ndeed you re fa r t o o bold’
,
And then o n do not love but talk o f g ld

,
o
b
.
,
’
—
Let s j ust e still i f y o u would rather .
But Ti rei s a nd hi s D o ri m en e ,
Th 1 s evening s 1tt 1ng on the green

N ea r by a l au g hm g rust 1e pa 1 r ,
M a de thi s unp a rdonabl e mi stake

e
Of hind ring death fo r lo e s dea r sake v ’
.
Ha ! Ha ! Wh a t lovers ! How bi z a rre !
C O L UM BINE
LEAN DE R th e fop , ,
Pi errot wi th a hop
That w uld
e e o
Flea lik cl a r a bush ;
-
,
,
’
C a ssa ndra neath her plush
Drawn hoo d ;
P a u l Verl a i ne
And then Ha rlequi n ,
R a scal with a gri n

G rotesque ,
C ostu m e d like a fo ol ,
With glowing eyes tha t

Hi s ma s ue ; q
— D o mi fa mi l,
o
, , so , ,
All these p e pl e fl ee ,
Or wo rs e ;
Laugh a n d da nce a s well ,
B e fo re a saucy b elle
Pervers e ,
Wh ose eyes m align

’
Like a ca t s eyes shine ,
G ua rding the whil e

H er ch a r m s a nd crying Down
“ ”
Paws down ! wi th a fr wn o
A
nd s m il e .
— Thes e th ey go p erfo rce

, ,
Sa d i nsi pi d cou rs e
,
O f sta rs .
Oh ! Tell m e towa rd
What fell unt wa rd , o
Di sa sters
The impla c a bl e child

Le a ds he r b egu il d e
Young troupes ?
A ee
Wi th li ft d ski rt i n h and
h whith r with h er ba nd
,
O f dup es ?
86 P a u l Verl a i ne
o o
Hal f cl s e y u r eyes
o o o o
C r ss y ur a rms n y ur b rea st
,
With the hea rt sleeping ,
Pea ce fully rest .
o
Welc me the b reathing wi nd
Th at i s rippling so sweet
The wave s o f re d gra sses
That m ve at your feeto .
And wh en the dim twilight

,
Sol emnly falls

Voi ce o f ur s rr w o o o ,
Th e nightingal e calls .
C OLLOQUY SENTI MEN TAL
I N the o—l d pa rk s olita ry a nd co l d

Th ey pa ss o
two f rm s that l ve d o f o o ld
.
Th ei r eyes a re dea d a nd thei r lip s a re dumb

o
I f th ey sp eak n ne h ea rs th e wo rds that com e
,
,
o k
In the l d pa r soli ta ry a nd va st
o
Tw sp ecters have evoked the p a st .
— D o y o u rememb e r o ld love —Yet

Why wi sh m e t o recall i t I forget
o ur ,
? .
— Y o u r h ea rt b eats o nly t o my name thi s w o ul d I ?

kn o w
—No
.
And do you se e my soul i n dreams !
Ah the goo d days— th e j oy unspe k abl e

When o u r y o ung li ps we re met It s p o ssibl e
-
,
a
’
-
. .
F e t e s G a ll a n t
'
87
o
— Oh they were blue th e h eavens a nd h p e wa s high !
o , ,
o
— N w hop e ha s vani shed t wa rd th e bla ckened sky
,
,
o
Thus thr ugh th e ta ngl e d weeds they walk ,
And save th e night alone none hea rs them talk

, .
THE mo rning sun makes wa rm a nd go lden t oo , ,
Th e wheat a nd rye still wet wi th e a rly dew .
Th e h eavens keep th ei r freshness o f the night

o k
.
One wa nders o u t n othe r ta s i n sight

,
’
Save by the river s tossing s edge o f g l d
’
o ,
To tra ce a gra ssy p ath ne a th al ders ol d

The ai r i s fresh A b i rd g es fl itting b o .
e
.
Some hedge fruit i n i t s b ak o r wi sp o rye

-
.
And i n the stream its sha dow follows fa st .
N aught else .
Th e drea mer loves thi s la ndscap e va st

o
Fo r the s ft light ha s suddenly ca ressed
,
Hi s dream o f happiness a nd bless ed

Th e cha rm ing me m o ri es a ma i den b rings ;
Vi si on i n white that s ci ntillates a nd sings
And wha t h e dreams p erhap s woul d make one smile
.
o
Th e sweet C o m p ani n h e ha s found at la st
Whose soul hi s soul weeps f o r a s days g p a st o ,
A LL gra ce an d all light ,
I n the flush o f her sixteen yea rs ,
She h a s the innocence b right

O f a child without fe a rs .
o o
Her eyes a re full f y uth ful fi re
o
A k
Inn cent yet wi se tha t n thing mi ss ;
, o ,
O f a n i m materi al i ssk
wa ening the strange desi re
.
9 2 P a u l Verl a i ne
He r h and so little an d so light

A ,
humming bi rd withi n it coul d n o t hi de

,
o
C ap t ures with ut hO p e o f flight
, ,
,
The he a rt in secret short o f pri de , .
S he i s intell igent a s well ;

o
An d wi th a n bl e s ul to meet o all nee d
A s pure a s sh e i s sp i ritu al
.
A ’
n d wh at she s ays t were well to hee d
.
I f sometime s fo o li sh j okes amus e

A n d m ake he r —l augh with hea rtless glee ,
;
Yet will sh eh ersel f a Muse
F o rgiving t o the p o int o f a mity
be
;
Even t o the p o int o f l o ve — wh o k nows M ayb e ?

Out o f rega rd fo r a p o o r b a rd with ple ading eyes
~
Who begs b eneath h er wi nd o w a s y o u

,
Au da ci ous — w o rthy p ri z e
, , se e
o ne a .
Indee d o f hi s s o ng g oo d o r b a d !
Yet pro o f si ncere whose every lo ok reve al s
,
With o ut fal se sham e o r hea rt unduly d

, ,
Th e sweet di sc o m fo rt that a l o ve r feel s

sa ,
I N h e r ruche b ordere d dress o f gre en a nd gray

o
-
,
On e day i n June when I wa s full f ca re

o
She came b e f re my eyes qui ck sm ili n fa i r
,
o , o
I wh a dmi red n r fea re d h er ambu s gay
, ,
She cam e a nd went retu rn ed a while a nd sp ok e

o ,
D eli cate a nd grave i r ni cal a nd tender ;

,
o o
And n my soul s full o f vi si ns s mb e r
,
o o
o o
A ray fr m he r all j oy us presence b r e ok ,
.
94 Paul V e rl a i ne
o k o
I wi sh t wa l stra ightf rwa rd n w thr ugh Li fe o o
o
My ta sk i n V i e w n r stepping nce a si de ; o ,
o o o ,
With ut rem rs e r envy with ut stri fe o

o
N r fea ring aught wi th H er cl se a t my si de
,
,
o ,
And I will sing my songs al ng the r ute o o

o o
T sho rten the r ugh ro a d th ey will su fli ce
She t oo
will li sten pl ea se d with ut a d ubt o o .
A , , ,
n d truly thi s will b e my Pa ra di se .

,
BE FO RE th o u takest fl ight p ale

Sta r o f —dawn sublim e ,
,
A
thousa nd quail
Singing singing i n the thym e
, .
Tu rn towa rd th e po et ma rk
Hi s eyes how full o f l ve ;
,
o
— Th e la r k
o o
M unts t th e sk y ab ove .
ov
Turn thy l i ng gla nce e m ploy
o
,
I t dr wns th e dawn i n blue ;

,
— Wha t j y o
Ami dst th e rip e wheat wet wi th dew !
An d make my thoughts to shine

Yonder O fa r away !
,
— H ow fine
Th e dew tha t gli stens n th e hay o .
w
I n the s eet trouble d dream , so cha ste
Of my dea r sl eepi ng o n e .
— H a ste ha ste
’
Fo r here s the g lden su n o
, ,
.
The G o o d So ng 95
T HE white m oo n
hines i n the w oo d
S ;
From ea ch bra nch
Comes a vo 1ce
Under the boughs .
O well b eloved
-
.
o
The po l refl ects
oo
Pr f und mi rror
,
Th e silhouette
O f th e bla ck willow
Where the wi nd weep s .
Drea m o n, thi s i s th e h u r o .
A va st a nd tender
Pea ce fulness
Seems to descend
Fro m th e fi rm a m e n t
Tha t a sta r tints .
q
Thi s i s th e ex ui site h ur o .
T HE landscap e from the curtaine d wi ndow squa re

pe e ds swi ftly p ast while all th e wi de plains wea r
S
With the wate r th e wh e t th e tr e es a nd sky
,
, a , , ,
—
An a spe ct str a nge a whi rlpool rushing by ;
The telegr a ph s slim poles go tilting o e r
’ ’
With all thei r wi re s quite like a musi c s c re o

,
.
9 6 P au l V e rl a i n e
o
A smell f burning c al a nd hi ssing steam o
o o o
.
A n i se a s f a th usa nd cha ins that seem

o o
T bi nd a th usa nd gi ants l a shed tha t h wl ; o
o
And t hen the l ng drawn ho ting like a n wl
-
,
o ,
, o .
o
Ah what t m e all thi s since i n my eyes
,
oo ,
And j y us hea rt a white r b e d vi si on li e s ; o

o o
-
Since he r sweet v i ce fo r m e resounds once m re

And since a N a m e well loved blends with the r a r o
,
o o
,
Like a sm oth piv t that might well rep r a ch

,
o
Th e brutal rumble f the n i sy c a ch o o o .
A SA INT in he r b right h al o
A h tel aine i n her t o wer
a
,
All that the hum an w o rd m ay kn o w

C ;
O f gra ce a nd l ove s swe et p o we r ’

.
Th e note o f gold e n splendo r

O f a ho rn i n wo odland ways ,
Linke d with pri de deep and tender , ,
O f queens o f other days .
With thi s the glowing sense

O f t ri umph when she s m ile d ;
Th e blush— the swa n like inn cence o
o
-
Hal f w m an and h al f child .
Fa ce p e a rl and pi n th at b rings k
o
T m i nd some fa i r p atri ci an dame
,
I se e I
he a r all these p r u d things o
,
In her C a rl vingi a n nameo .

9 8 Pa ul Ve rl a i n e
Then ha rd a nd cold a b a rbe d i r n th at stings o

,
o
Swi fte r tha n bi rd r bull et o r th e thi n
, ,
o
Sha rp s uth se a wind tipp ed wi th a fi sh s fin
’
o
H ere c mes like to a n a rr w th e su spi ci on o ,
o ,
S h t by th e a rche r D ubt the evil o ne o ,

,
An d i s thi s tru e ? a s touche d by haunting fea rs

I rea d h er l ette r my ey s full o f tea rs e ,
o
.
H e r l etter with th e swe et av ws it bri ngs ;

o ,
I s sh e n t then di straught by o ther things ?

o
Wh kn ows ? While tim e fo r m e sl w a nd m r se o oo
o
Fl ws like a stre am al ng i t s muddy c urs e o ,
o ,
,
Perhap s h e r mouth a ha ppy smil e b egets

Perhap s she m ay b e gla d— p erhaps — f rgets ? o ,
And I r e rea d h e r l etter Va g ue regrets !

- .
T HI S h a rd
pro o f so n will h ave a n end o ,
S mil e O my hea rt— you r fortunes mend

, .
o
N w th ey a re p a ss ed th e d a ys o f fea rs , ,
When I wa s sa d— sa d unto tea rs .
C ount not th e mom ents O my soul , ,
Ti me yet must take a littl e toll .
’
Th e bitter wo rds I ve kill ed th em all
, ,
D a rk spe cters b ani she d p a st recall .
My eyes like wea ry exil es a re

Tha t onl y se e he r fro m a fa r ;
My ea rs a re hungry but to hea r

He r golden voi ce so s ft and clea r ; o
The G o o d So ng 99
And all my being all my love

o ,
My nly thought and drea m d th m ve o

,
o
M e to a cclaim the happy day
When I shall s e e my fia n cee !
G O , s ong , o n wings ind blown , W -
An d tell he r with thy a rt :

A j oyous light ha s shown
Within my fa ith ful he a rt .
C a st out with sai nte d ray

o ’
L ve s sha dows all have fl ed ;
,
Withi n my h ea rt i s day ,
Pri de fea r a nd doubt a re dea d

, , , .
o
L ng silent dumb a n d da rk
, , ,
H ea rest thou ? Th e gl a dness rings

Like the swi ft winged la rk-
Th at i n the cl ea r sk y sings .
Gothen my song to day

, , ,
Thy voi ce sh e ll not di sdai n ’
e e
.
’
Welcom d she ll bi d th e stay
, ,
Since y o u return aga in .
A S yesterday th ey talked elders wi se , our ,
My eyes kept eve r seeking your dea r eyes ;
And you r so ft glance wa s o ften towa rd m e th r wn o

The while th e stu pi d talk fl owed gravely o n .
1 00 P a u l Ve rl a i n e
B enea t h th e ba nal s ense o f phra ses caught

My e rra nt l ove kept ever nea r y ur thought ; o ,
o
And wh en y u spoke a s though without design
q ,
My ui ck ea r caught y ur secret— that wa s mi neo ,
o
F r the voi ce like the eye s f Thi s that m a e s o k
j o ,
You sa d o r oy us a dea r secret take s ,
And spite o f eve ry e ffo rt y o u e ssay

,
G ives your e m oti ons t the light 0 t day o ,
Now yesterday I p a rted drunken quite

,
o
I s thi s a v a m h p e tha t my hea rt h lds tight
,
o ,
A va in hop e false a nd sweet— fai n w ul d I kn w ? o o

,
N ay nay it i s not so — 1t i s not s !

, , o
T HE fi resi de a nd the lamplight level ray ’

3 ,
D rea ing hand rai se d to b row a t clo se o f day

Eyes tha t eyes b el o ve d thei r i ma ge
m ,
H o u r wh en the books a re cl o se d a nd steams th e tea

m se e
weetness to feel a t la st the evening o e r

.
’
S
Th e cha rme d fati gu e a nd waiting we a d o re
, ,
O f nu ti al sha dows and f the sweet night

Oh A jo ys my tender dreams i nvite
o .
! ll t he s e j
Wi thout rel ea se though va i n del ay b esp ea k s
M a d o f th e m o nths a nd furi o us f th e wee k s
, ,
o .
I 02 P a u l Verl a i ne
THE o
noi se f taverns an d the bla ck mud f the o
si dewalks ,
Th e to rn leaves fl u tt e ri n g i n th e wi ntry a i r ;
o
Th e omnibus a st rm o f rusty i r n a nd mud
, o
Tha t creaks unplea santly o n its four gri nding wh eels
A o , ,
n d r lls i ts slowly burning eyes f green a nd re d ; o

o
Th e workm en g ing to thei r club s a nd smoking ea ch
o g
Hi s sh rt clay p i p e n ea th the very nos e o f t he p lice ;
’
o
o
Th e i ri p p i n g r o fs th e swea ting walls the slippery
waik s
, ,
Th e a sphalt bulging and the filthy mu ddy rills

o
Such i s my r ute — a nd a t th e end i s p a ra di s e
,
XVI I
I i t n o t ? D espite wha t o thers s ay
S
Who merely envy u s o ur present j oys
so ,
We t wo will go with humbl e p ri de o ur way .
I s i t not so ? We take th e mo dest path

o
Happy and sl w that smiling Hope e m pl ys
,
o
,
Unmindful o f th e ways th e c l d w rl d hath o o ,
Lost i n our l ove a s i n som e l ea fy dell

, ,
Our h ea rts will b e in thei r deep tenderness

o
Tw nightingales th at sing the day fa rewell .
As fo r th e Wo rld th ugh i t b e fai r r da rk

, o o ,
Wh at matte rs it ? Perhaps i t may ca ress

Perhap s i n ha rming take u s f r th e ma rk o ,
.
The G o o d So ng 1 03
And thus unite d by the ti e s mo st dea r ,
Cla d i n a n a rmo r that can all withsta nd

o
We tw shall smil e and smiling n thing fea r
, , o ,
Unmindful save o f what the Fates b estow ,
We t wo shall walk o u r pathway ha nd 1n ha nd

With that high hop e and y u th ful s ul agl wo o o ,
o o — o
Of th se wh truly l ve i s i t not so ?
XVI I I
T HE SE o
st rmy tim es serve t remind o
That ma rri age o f the s uls should bind o
Our h ea rts 1n happy un i son
o
.
And 1n thi s h u r o f sa d unrest

’
Twill put o u r coura ge to the test
o ’
T bea r lpi fe s burdens o n e by o n e .
’
And fa cing thi s twere well we two
,
o ,
Strive but t keep thi s thought l n v i ew

To hol d ours elves thri ce h a ppy p a i r
, ,
In ways upright conduct austere , ,
So that o u r love shall always wea r

A p rou d and a defi ant a i r .
Why shoul d I sp eak o f thi s mea nwhil e ?

O thou the go odness— thou the smile !
o
Ha st th u not couns el to o that ra nks
o
,
O e r mine— most l yal strong a nd b rave ?

’
,
Whos e laughte r m cks my vi sage rave o ,
A o o
nd still t wh m my h ea rt cri es han s ! . k ,
1 04 P a ul Verl a i ne
S O it shall b e a day o f summe r dea r

Th e gl o wi ng
, , ,
a ccompli ce o f my j oy
’
su n ,
Hi s rays mi d silks and satin will empl y
,
o
o ,
o
T make y ur b eauty still m re ra re m re clea r o ,
, o .
o
The fa r blue sk y utsprea d like s m e high tent o
S hall tremble sumptu usly i n lengthening f lds o o ,
o
Ab ve our happy b r ws wh s e pall r holds o o o
Expectancy wi th j oy a nd gla dness blent
, .
And wh en the evening c m es with its swe et a i r o

o o
Tha t l ves t pl ay ca ressing i n your veils , , ,
Th e p ea ce ful sta rs tha t ri s e ab ove the dales

Will smil e upon the happy wedded p ai r .
I WENT by paths whe re dange r hi des ,
Uncerta i n windings fa r with drawn ;

o
But y ur dea r ha nds were my s le gu 1des
,
o .
’
I f o e r th e ea stern sk y wa s drawn
One feebl e glow o f coming day
o
Y ur gl ance ma de mo rning o f the dawn
,
N o noi se to che e r the traveler s way ’
ave hi s slow f o otsteps

,
S fa r so u n dm g
Y o ur v o i ce sa i d C o urage— and away
, .
“ ”
: .
My fea rful hea rt no l o nger gay

Wept wi th m e o n th e roa d al a s ! ,
B ut love deli ci ous vanqui sh er

, ,
Ou r j oyful meeting b r ught t p a ss o o .

ROMAN CE S WITHOUT WO RD S
SANS PAR O L ES)

F O R G OTTEN AI R S
L e ve n t da n s l a p l a i n e
f
Susp e n d s o n ha l e i n e .
( Fav a rt ) .
T HI S is oo
the langu r us ecsta sy
o
Thi s i s th e a m or us fatigu e
,
o o
Thi s i s th e wo d tha t rej i ces
,
o
When i n the hush f the bree e
,
z
Si n
,
o
fr m th e trembling tre s e
o o
Th e c o i r f littl e v i ces .
O the frail and fresh mu r m ur

Thi s wa rbl e gr wing fi rm er o ,
,
Thi s resembles th e sweet cry

Of the w in d shaken gra ss -
,
Or under the wa ters that p a ss

,
o
The sl w turning p ebbl es l w sigh ’
o ,
o
And thi s s ul that laments
Plaintive— intense
o
I s thi s not urs fill ed with ca re ? ,
,
I s thi s not mi ne say a nd thine , , ,
Thi s sa d a nth em divine

Humble a nd l w n the a i r ? o o ,
I
The so und f 1ces
, o
VA G UE LY guess acr ss a mu rmu r dra wn ,
o vo l o ng si nce still
al as !
, ,
An d i n thi s gl imm er fai r musi ci an s pa ss

o ,
,
And l ve t he sym bo l f a futu re da wn o .

,
[ r09 ]
I IO Paul V e rla i ne
o
An d s ul and he a rt that blend i n m a d desire
,
Seem like a n eye that ha s a vi si n d uble o o ,

,
Where tremble s o n a we a ry day o f troubl e

, ,
The h aunti ng tune o f every p oet s lyre

’
.
O de ath— thi s death that mu st alone endure

o o
Thi s l ve that g e s i n fe a r tha t nce wa s ours o ,
o o
The y ung h urs b ala ncing with the o l d h u rs o .
An d dying gently swinging slow and sure !

, ,
I l p l e u t do u c e m e n t su r la v i ll e .
( Arthur Rimb aud ) .
I T weeps i n my hea rt
A s i t ra i ns th e town
o
on .
Wha t i s thi s langu r

Tha t weighs my h ea rt down ?
So ftdri p o f the ra in
o
On the r o fs a nd the ground ,
Fo r a hea rt th at i s wea ry
O sweet i s the s und ! o
It weep s without right
k
And hea rt si c i s my s ng o
o o
-
.
Wha t ! I s the re n trea s n ?

o
Thi s so rr w i s wr ng ! o
And kn o wing why
It i s well the w o rst pa in
, no t ,
Without l o ve
,
ha te or
Tha t my hea rt ha s such p ai n .

R o m a n ce s Wi t ho u t Wo rds I I I
’
So n j i m p o r t u n, d
o
o y e u x, un cl av e ci n
s o n o re .
( Petrus B rel ) .
THE pi a no ki sse d by a ha nd so ft a nd fra il

, ,
Shines vagu ely in the twili ght pink a nd gray .
’
Whilst lightly a s a bi rd s wing i n a dale
An old tune very fe ebl sweet and gay e , ,
e ,
e
C i rcle s di scr tely re its faint note s fa il
,
,
,
,
Th e room p erfumed by Her since tha t fa r day .
e
What i s thi s sudd n ro cking in m y hea rt
Thi s sti rring o f my inmo st soul p ro found ?
Wha t wouldst thou o f m e ? gh stly song thou a rt ! o
Wha t i s thy wi sh thou sweet uncertai n s und o
Tha t dying seeks the win d w t dep a rt
, ,
,
o o ,
The ga rden wi ndow op en n ea r the ground ? ,
BEHO L D the d o g Je a n Nivell eo f

Th a t snaps b ene ath the s entry s eye ’
The cat o f the goo d da m e Mi chel

Fr an go i s l e s b a s bl eus l aughs t o cry
- - -
.
While fo r the publi c scribe s concern ’

,
Th e moon he r mi sty light lets fall

A
Whe re ngelique with M edo r turn
,
To deepest green o n thei r o l d wall .
He re comes L a R am ée a bol d knight

Who swea rs a s a King s sol di er will
, ,
’
.
o
B eneath hi s co at ill fa m ed and white -
, ,
Hi s hea rt n jo y could eve r fi ll

I I2 P a u l Ve rl a i n e
B ecaus e the bakeress — She ? F r shame ! o

B e rn ant L u stu cru he r o l d m an
e
H a s o ft n crown ed betimes her fl ame
,
,
,
,
Children D o m i nu s v o bi s cu m /
,
Hold ! I n he r long robe all in blue ,
Th a t m ake s frou frou i n s a tin cl ear

-
,
Thl s i s a cou rtes a n— p arbl e u /

’
Twere well tha t y o u should prai se he r chai r .
B e h e philo sopher o r kn ave ,
Thi s gol d in he ap s doth m ake o n e cro ss ;

Such ri ches insol ent might p ave
, ,
The wo rl d with notes by Monsi eur Lo ss !
Stop , y o u ra scal , hol d you r pl ace , y u o

L ittl e shop m a n , littl abb é, g ay ; e
L ittle b a rd who ever tri e s to wo o
Th e rhym e that al ways go e s a stray !
’
However h ere s th ni ght a t h and e
A ,
n d n eve r wea ry all the day

With being inno cent a n d bl a nd ,
F ran co i s le s b as blue s still 15 g ay

- - -
.
H OW sa d —h w o my he art to day
sa d ,
B ecause o f One so fa r away .
’
Fo r m e , no b a l m can e e r consol e ,
Who m a de an ex 1l e o f my soul .
Fo r me whos e soul fo r m e who se hea rt , ,
Wille d we shoul d ever l ive apa rt .

You b roken voi ced crow

o
-
,
Y o u meager wolves t o
In th e bitte r n rth wind o , ,
Wha t will happen to y u ? o

I n the i ntermi nabl e
e
Wea rin ss o f the l and
Th e uncertain snow
Shi nes like th e sand .
The h t i ng a l e fr o m t he he i g ht o f
n ig
a br a n c h, l o o k i ng do wn , t hi n k s t o
ha v e f a l l e n i n t he r i v e r H e i s a t t he.
s u m m i t o f a n o a k , y e t h a t h h e f e ar o f
dr o wn i ng .
( Cyrano de B e rgera c ) .
TH E shakidow ssed
f tree s i n the vapo r o us strea m f o g
o ,
F a ding di es like the mi st

Whilst i n the sha dy depth s f the real b ra nches ab o ve
, ;
M ourns a nd co plai ns th e d o ve
o , ,
m .
H o w i n thi s la ndsca pe va gu e O travel er pal e

Th o u to o a rt i rrored frail
, ,
Whilst i n the hi ghest l eaves with mou rn ful s o und

m , ;
, ,
Sa dly thy h ope s a re drowne d !

R o m a n ce s Wi t h o u t Wo r ds
'
1 1 5
A A
BE L G I N L N D SCAPE S
Co n qu e s t es da R o y
V e s e s t a m e s)
( i e i l l p .
VVA L CO URT
0B riTHE cha rmi ng

cks a nd tiles !
Fo r the l ove rs ,
L ittle a i sles .
Hops and vi nes

v
L ea es a nd fl owers
,
Fo r fr a nk dri nkers ,
Sha dy bowers .
B ee r and cla m ors

e
Taverns cl a r ;
,
To all s m okers
Serva nts de a r .
G ay high ro a ds
A nd stati ons nea r .
G o o d wandering Jews ,
Wh a t cheer what chee r !

,
CHARLE ROI
I N the bl ck gra ss
a
The Kobolds go .
The wi nd pro f o u n d
Must weep I know
, .
1 1 6 P a u l Verl a i n e
Wha t i s thi s scent ?

Th e o ats whi stle
A nd bush a nd thi stle
,
o
Strike th s e who p a ss .
M o re h ovels than
F i ne homes ti s sa i d ’
zo
, .
What ho ri ns
O f fo rges re d !
What do es o n e smell ?
Th e dep ots thunder
The eyes w nder o ,
Wh ere s C ha rle r i ?
’
o
,
Si ni ster
o do rs !
Ah wh a t i s thi s
, ,
’
Like a sistrum s
Noi sy ki ss ?
H ol d your b reath !
No w all i s b rutal !
Th e swea t o f m en
Th e cri es o f metal !
In th e bla ck gr a ss
The Kob olds go .
The wind pro found

M ust weep I know ,
.
rI 8 P a ul V e rl a i n e
O f th e R0yer C lla rds— g o o

o
-
On thei r way t wa rd the chate au .
Woul d i t were my route !
The old ch ateau i s all i n white ,
Wi th a t i t s si de th e somb e r light
, ,
O f the setting su n .
Fi elds a round H ere all i s bl est

o ,
.
Oh ! that h ere u r love coul d nest

When o u r day i s done .
C a f é o f the Young F x o
ugust 1 8 7 2 A ,
,
HO R SE S O F WOOD
P a r Sa i n t G il l e ,
-
Vi e n s n o us e n ,
- -
M o n ag i l e
Al e z a n
o
.
( V Hug )
. .
T UR N turn wo oden— ho rses turn

th o usand times
, , , .
Turn a hundred times

Th e h autboy s o unds th e usi c chimes
a
, m
Turn , t urn , wo oden ho rs es turn ! ,
Th e nurses f a t— th e sol di ers gay

G o whi rl i n g round with happy smile ;
e
'
I n C a m b re s woo d thi s i s the styl

’
Two ma sters f o r e a ch p ra ncing b ay .
Turn ho rses o f thei r hea rt tu rn round ;

, ,
Fo r here th e watching sha rp e r st a nds

With twi nkli n g eye a nd cunning h ands ;
o
Turn t th e p i ston s b a stful sound ’
o .
R o m a n ce s Wi th o u t Wo r ds I 1
9
I t m a kes one tipsy thus to spi n

On ho rses with such crazy trea d ;
Up sets your sto m ach a nd you r hea d ,
B oth goo d a nd ba d without within , , .
, e
Turn wo o d n horses sp ee d away , .
No nee d to use t h e spurs o n y o u

To make you gall p t wo by two ; o ,
Turning without th e hop e o f hay .
H aste horses o f thei r soul fo r here

, ,
Th e twilight de ep ens i nto night ;

And dove a nd pigeon will unit e
Fa r f ro m ma dam e a nd from the fai r
~
.
Turn turn the sky i n velvet she en

A , ,
nd golden sta rs i s slowly dress ed ;

’
The lover s p a rting ki ss i s p resse d
Turn to the sounding ta m bourine .
A
M LINE S
ToulHEd piwinds that tow rd the m ea d o ws fly a
W
,
ck qua rrel with th e vane s

Upon th e roo f o f pu rple Sl at
a
The ch ate a u o f som e magi strate

How ple asing to the tr a vele r s eye ! ’
Like scenes fro m fai ryl an d we p a ss
A
Where a sh tree s fo rm a lea fy b owe r
-
nd outlined o n the di stant plain

A ,
re v a st Sa ha ra s o f rip e gra in
,
Al fal fa clove r an d white gra ss

,
,
Ou r train that speeds i n silence fli e s

Along the p eace ful sha dy lane s
,
.
,
I 20 P a ul Ve rl a i n e
The cattle sleep R epose sweet kine

.
, ,
Whe re the wi de pl ain extends i ts line

B eneath the vaguely tinted skies .
We gli de without a mu rmur o n ;

, ,
E a ch co a ch i s like a chamb er where

One sp eaks l o w an d looking thr ugh
,
o
The windo w we enj oy thi s V i ew
o
M a de t the wi sh o f F én el o n .
,
WATE R C OLO R S
G REEN
H , o
ERE a re th e fruits fl wers l eaves a nd b ra nches , ,
m eet ;
And then here i s my h ea rt f o r your delight .
Oh tea r i t not with your white ha nds so sweet ;

I o o
,
w uld these hu m ble gi fts m ight cha rm y ur sight .
Ico m e to y o u my fever h eate d b r w

,
-
o
Swept by the morning wi nd all wet with dew , .
Oh a t your feet my wea ry form allow

, ,
Th ere but to rest a n d there to drea m by you .
On you r young b rea st l et rest my a ching hea d

That ri ngs wi th your la st ki sses wa rmly pressed ; ,
Until th e tempest pa ss o n that fa i r b ed

, ,
Oh let m e sleep a littl e while y o u rest

, , .
SP L EEN
T HE ro ses were all re d

A nd the ivy wa s a ll black .
D e a r i f y o u but turn your hea d

All my de sp ai rs co e b a ck
,
m .
,
1 22 P a ul Ve rl a i ne
, I
Ah rem emb e r th e old days ,
Tho se h ours a nd all he r gra ci ous ways

, .
Thi s i s the b est tha t with m e stays

, .
’
Let s da nce a 11g !
Whe n the fri en dl ess were sheltered m a spi rit b enign ,
When study wa s followed a nd p raye r a s i t were meet , , .
o
When p et a n d do ct r simply a nd h onestly o
C o m m uned with the fe rvo r o f hu m ble novi ces ,
Serving at M a ss and sing i ng th e o fli ce s .
And the spri ngti m e c me h a ving c a re only o

,
A
To go i n uteuil to gathe r lili e s a nd ro s es
,
o
Like G a r p rai sing G o d who all di sp oses
, , .
No O !Twa s G alli ca n— Ja nseni st— thi s century gla d !

’
T wa rd the M i ddl e ges eno rm ous a nd deli cate A

I o , .
w ul d my wea ry h ea rt 1n gri e f might navigate

o
Fa r fr m thes e days o f ca rnal j oy a nd plea sure s sa d .
o o
King p liti ci a n m nk a rti sa n a nd chemi st ;
, ,
Th e a rchitect soldi e r docto r a nd a d o cate

,
,
, v .
What time ! O tha t my shi pwrecke d h ea rt once ,
m o re elate
o o ,
M ight feel thi s a rdent suppl e f rce s sa dly mi sse d ! ,
And there that I pa rt i n s o me way wi th th e kings

bad
Or el sewhere no matte r s a v e th e thing were vi tal
, , ;
Tha t I were a s a s,
a
,
int and goo d thinking high things

,
;
,
o
I n tha t grea t m ral time o f high th eology
G ui ded by the unique f lly o f th C ross o e ,
o o o o
U p n y ur wings f r ck O f oli sh C athedral ! , o ,
Wi sdo m 1 27
0 MY G d th o u ha st w o unde d m e with l o ve
A nd the wo und vib rating still
o , ,
o o
1s .
O my G o d, thou ha st w unded m e with l ve .
I
O m y G o d am , stri ck e n with thy fea r ,
And the burn that quivers i s yet h ere

I
O my G o d a m stri cken with thy fea r
, .
O my G d I have known th t all i s vil e

o , a ,
And thy glory i n i installe d

O my G d I have known that all i s vile
m e s
o , .
D rown my soul in the fl o ds o f thy Wi ne o ,
Found my li fe i n the B rea d o f thy tabl e :

D rown my soul i n the fl oo ds o f thy Wi ne .
Here 13 my bloo d tha t have not poured I ,
Here 18 my fl esh unwo rthy o f su ffering :

I
He re I s my blo o d that h ave not poure d .
H ere 1s my foreh ea d that only ha s blushed

o
Fo r a st ol fo r Thy feet a do rable
,
H ere 1 s my fo rehea d that only ha s blushed .
H ere a re my hands that h a e not toiled v

Fo r the a rdent coals a nd the inc ns ra re e e ,
H ere a re my ha nds th a t have not toiled .
Here 13 my hea rt tha t ha s b e a t but 1n vai n

To palpitate on the tho rns f C a l a ry o v .
,
Here 13 my hea rt that ha s bea t but i n va in .

1 28 P aul V e rl a i ne
H ere a re my feet frivolo us voyagers

o o
T run t the cry o f thy gra ce :
, ,
H ere a re my fe et frivolous voyagers

, .
oo ,
F o r the rep r a ches o f Penitence

o
He re i s my v i ce n i se sham e ful an d lying ,
o
H ere i s my v i ce noi se shame ful a nd lying
, .
Here a re my eyes lighted with err r , o ,
To b e put o u t by tea rs a nd prayers

H ere a re my eyes lighted wi th erro r
, .
Al a s , o
Th u G o d o f oblati on a nd p a rd n o
,
o
Wh at i s the depth f mi ne i ng rat 1t u de !
,
o
Ala s Th u G o d o f blati n a nd p a rd n
, , o o o .
o o
G o d f terr r a nd G o d o f sa ncti ty ,
A la s , thi s bla ck abyss o f my cri me
G o d o f terro r a nd G o d o f sancti ty
, o
Thou G o d f p ea ce o f j y a nd o f happiness
, o , ,
All my fea rs all my igno ra nce

o ,
,
o
Th u G o d o f p ea ce o f j oy a nd f happiness
, , .
Th o u kn o west all thi s all thi s

A nd that I a m p o o re r th n a ny o ne , ,
Th o u knowest all this all thi s

a .
, .
But t hi s tha t I am , my G o d , I give yo u .
H o
OPE shi nes a s d th a wi sp f straw in the stable o
oo
.
’
Why fea rest thou th e drunken wasp s wil d f lish
fl ight ?
1 30 Paul Ve r l a i n e
I o
Am to ea rly born r late ? , o
Wh at ha s th e worl d f o r me to do ?
My p ai n i s deep— O all o f you
o
Pray f r p o o r G a spa rd a nd hi s fa te
, ,
A G REAT
wea ri ness
Falls on my li fe :
e
Sle p all hop e, ,
Sl eep all stri fe !

,
I nothing mo re
I lo se th e me o ry
se e .
m
O f ba d a nd o f goo d .
O the sa d hi sto ry !
I a m a cra dle
A h and may b al ance
In a bla ck cave .
Silence silence ! ,
T HE i s j ust b eyond the r oo f

sk y
o blue calm
A tree top j ust b ey o nd the roo f
S , so ;
R o cks its sl o w palm

-
Th e chi m e i n the sk y th at se e I
Di stantly rings ;
o
A b i rd n th e tr e that se e e I
Pla intively sings .
Wi sdo m 131
My G o d my G o d but li fe i s there
, , ,
e
Tranquil a nd sweet ;
Thi s p a ce ful murmur that hear I
C omes fro m th e street !
What have you don you who stand h ere e , ,
In te a rs a nd ruth ?
, e
Say what hav you done y o u who a re here , ,
With your lo st youth ?
I K NOW not why

My bitter spi rit
e
With troubl d wi ng a n d m a d fl i es o e r the sea ;
,
’
D rea m s th a t to m e a re dea r ~
On frightened pi ni ons fly ,
My love b eats o n the billows Why O why ? .

,
G ull ,with mel ancholy fl ight

My sa d thought follows th s e a e ,
B ala nce d when the storm winds fl e e ;

’
Dipping o e r th e hollows white .
G ull wi th mela ncholy flight

, .
D runk with th sun e

A
nd liberty ,
An i nsti nct gui des it onw a rd o e r th e deep ’

.
Th e su m mer b re ez es fre e
’
e
O r the cri mson waves ea ch o n e ,
,
C a rry i t so ftly i n a wa rm hal f sl eep -

.
Sa d, wi th what sa dn ss it c ri es ! e
Th e di stant pilot li stening fea rs
v , .
,
It fl o ats di es a nd di sappea rs
, ,
Then with a wounded wing ill ri s e w ,
o
T wh eel— a nd then mo re sa dly cri es .
1 3 2 P a u l Ve rl a i ne
I know not why

My bitte r sp iri t
o
With tr uble d wing so ma d fl i es e r the sea ; o ’
o
D rea m s that t m e a re dea r ,
On frightene d pini ons fly ,
My love b eats o n th e billows Why O why ?

.
,
T HE sound o f a ho rn s ob s t o wa rd th e w oo d
An o rpha n stra i n tha t wanders a t will ,
,
C oming a nd d under the hill

Where so ft wi nds sigh m a n errant m oo d
m
y g ,
Th e s o ul o f a wol f weeps i n thi s stra in

Tha t m o unts to th e sl o wly s etti ng sun
,
;
And so rrow a n d pl ea sure blend a s o n e
I n a ravi shing tune with a sa d re fra in .
And to hei ghten thi s l a ngu orous plai nt

o
I n l ng white streaks like a rr s f lint ow o ,
From a crimso n sk y falls the silent sn w o ,
An d o
th e stra i n ha s the a i r f a si gh
O f autumn so so ft i t seems a nd low
, ,
Acros s th e sle epi ng la ndscap e sa dly spent .
O UR b odi es— ho w they m ake he a rt expa nd

o
my
Wi th l anguo rous pity and c m p a ss i on de ep !
A A
h ! l ways when i n sombe r depths o f sleep
o
Th e c vers stri pe the ski n— opp ress th e hand
,
Pe eve d at the fevers o f retu rning day ;

Your body w a r m with sweat tha t slowly dri e s
T HE fa irer
se a is
Tha n cathedral s a re
A tende r nurse ;
That soothe s when all things m a r .
The se a where p rays

q
Ou r vi rgi n ueen M a ri e ! ,
Sh e ha s the gi fts
So terrible and sweet
o
.
Sh e p ard ns all
When cruel billows be at .
Thi s vast exp a nse

I s full o f kindly ways .
How p ati ent t o o , ,
When the loud temp est ri ngs

A fri endly b re ath
.
o
Up n the water sings
A ll ye wh hope o
In vain di e with ut p ain
, o .
’
Then ne ath the s i es
, k ,
A va st exp anse o f sheen .
How blu e she i s

k
Pin gray and living gre en
,
Fai rest f all o ,
And b ette r fa r than we .

OF O LD AN D RE CENTLY
ET NA G UERE)
A nd now where fl a shing lightning take s its flight ,
Hi s p al e blouse h a s the ai r a s o f a shrou d ;

With mouth agape he see m s to sh ri ek aloud
A o ,
gainst th e gnawing w rm that h l ds him quite o .
An d with the fl apping f

som e bi rd f night o
e
o ,
H e m ake s with sleeves th at flutt r long an d white ,
The fo oli sh signs none answer from the e a rth .
H ise es a re holes th at burn with sulphu r us fl ame o

A o
n d rightful a re the p wdere d cheeks th at frame
,
The bloo dless fa ce and pointe d no se o f de ath .
KALE I DO SC OPE
To G er m a i n N o uv e a u
IN a street i n the he a rt o f a village o f dreams ,
Thi s shall seem a s long since wh en o n e live d i n the

,
pa st :
o q
F r a n i nstant uite va gu e a nd yet gripping ne o
fa st
o
.
Oh thi s sun thr ugh th e ri sing mi st da rti ng i ts b eams !

,
o
Oh thi s cry n the se a a nd thi s voi ce i n the wo d !
,
’
o
Thi s shall seem a s though all l ay a fa r from one s ra nge ;
An awakening slowly from cycles o f change
o
And with all clea re r sh wn a nd wi th all underst d oo
o
I n thi s stre et i n th e h ea rt f the ma gi cal town
o
Whe re the rgans at dusk grind the igs wi th a sweep j ,
Where ca f és shall have cats o n th e dressers a sl eep

o
An d the b ands o f musi c i a ns str ll noi sily d wn
o
o ,
o
Yet s sa d will thi s seem a s almo st to b enumb
With th e tea rs fl owing wa rm that th e ch eek s ftly feel s o ,
,
O f O ld and R e c e n t ly 1 39
With th e laughter tha t sobs i n the noi s e o f the wheels

I nvo cati ons that ri se to the deaths yet to come ;
e
With th wo rds very ol d like b ou uets p al e a nd de a d ; q
,
Where the noi se o f the publi c da nce rings t a rous e ; o

e
And th wi dows with coppe r bound clo se to their
A o
b r ws
ll these p ea sants that cut through th e crowd that i s
led
o
To stroll there a nd wh talk with the y uthful bla ck
, o
gua rds ,
With the o l d m en all m a rked with a sham eful

di sea s e
o ,
H wever not fa r i n the by p ath o n e s ees

o
-
,
Fr m some publi c f e te ri se the bursti ng peta rds .
o
And all thi s a s th ugh drea m ing o n e wakens t see o
A e ,
nd th n sleeping aga i n falls t o drea ming alway

, ,
O f th e sel fsa m e encha ntment th e sel fsame display ,
o
Su m mer— the grass— noi s e m i r é o f the fl ight o f a b e e
,
INTE R IO R
0 ° ITH la rge a nd somb er folds a n ampl e tap estry

h
D escending with a shee r a nd stately em p a 3 1s
Along the fou r gre a t walls o f a retreat— abyss

o
Mysteri ous o f sha d ws we d with luxury .
Old furniture a nd da zzling stu ffs that fa ded b e ;

An a n ci ent b ed hal f seen a nd vague a s a regr t ; e
A
-
, ,
nd ove r a l l the se a l o f age a n d s ecret set

So m e allegory through whose d pths o n e ca nno t see e .
N o pi ctures b ooks — no pi a n o r blo ssoms li ght o

e e , ,
Only in th de p gloo m up n the cushi ons du m b o . ,
A ghostly woma n sitting cl a d i n blue a n d white

, ,
1 40 P a ul Verl ai ne
o
Wh sa dly smiles— witness di s u ieting— where j i n q o
o o
S l w echo es o f a s ng e p 1t hal am 1u m
o
,
In a n o b se ss1o n m a de f musk a nd f b en z o m o ,
ART OF POETRY
To Charl e s Mo ri ce
CAHOO SE th e musi c b e fo re all things

nd fo r thi s th e Uneven pre fer
,
o o
M re va gue m re solubl e i n th e a i r
;
o ,
With n thi ng that weighs o r tha t cli ngs

,
Als oo
,ne shoul d fail not t choo se o
H i s wo rds in a contemptuous way
o
.
Nothing i s m o re dea r tha n a s ng gray

Wh ere the Indeci sive a nd the Pr ci se fuse e ,
Thi s th e b right eyes b ehi n d th e veils

,
o
.
Thi s th e full day trembling a t n on

,
o
.
Thi s th e wa rm au tumn sky a sw on

, ,
O r when th e blue sta rry host p rev a1l s .
o
F r we wi sh but th e Nuance t a d rn o o ,
Not C ol o r nothing but va gueness a nd cloud

,
o o
.
Oh ! Th e Nua nce alone b etr thed end wed

o
D ream t th e dream flute t th e h rn ! ,
,
o o ,
S hun th e Epigram th e a ssa ssi n , ,
Th e cru el Wit a nd the Laugh impure ;

Fo r th e H eavens weep no r will endure ,
Thi s vil e ga rli c from the ki tchen .
o
Take El qu ence and wring its ne c k
’
And twill strengthen your vers e ften time
,
o
o
-
To h l d i n l e ash the ente rp ri sing Rhym e

That ru ns away a nd o ften with ut chec , o k .
1 42 Paul Ve r l a i n e
ALLE G O R Y '
To J u le s Va l e do n
D E SPOTI C h eavy Summer with a la ngui d sweep

L
,
k
ike so m e bo re d ing w a tching a to rture d vi ctim cry
, ,
Stretch es its el f b eneath th e white a nd a rdent sk y

o
An d yawns Fa r fr m hi s wo rk the t il er li es a sleep
. o .
Wea ry the o rning la rk du

silence seems to keep mb
o o
, m .
N o cl ud n b reath o f a i r naught seems t o sti r o n high

, ,
To pla ce a wrink l e wh ere smooth depths o f a zure li e

o
Unm ve d a nd silence ends i n silence va st a nd deep
, .
Even the gra sshopp ers have felt the heavy sp ell
o
.
In thei r straight b eds o f st nes uneven i n the dell

oo
Th e littl e b abbling b r ks hal f dry have ce a s ed t
, , ,
o
fl w o .
, ,
Incessantly the surge o f sultry light thrown b a c k

o
Lumin usly extends its flux and reflux slow
A k
.
nd he re a nd there a re fl itting wa sps yellow a nd bla c , .
THE INN
To J ean Mo r e a s
'
° nHgnITE walls a nd ro o f o f red

0 , thi s i s the I nn , be
Se t
1 ,
o
by the dusty r a d that m a e s ou r p r feet blee d k oo
o o o
.
Blue wi ne go d b rea d f r pa sspo rt n t the slightest

, ,
nee d
“
G ay littl e inn with B nheur o
n the swingi ng sign o .
O f O ld an d Re ce n t ly 1 43
o
H ere th u canst smoke a nd sing a nd sleep f r all i s , , , o
thine .
Th e host i s a n o l d soldi er and hi s wi fe ca n fee d ,
And wa sh a nd co m b ten scru ffy urchi ns gone to s eed

And talk o f love a nd ea se a nd neve r nce repine o .
,
o
The ki tchen with i t s l w bl a c r o f wh ere r sts the
, k o oo
hen
o ,
Its chr mo s M aleck Adel a nd Th e Thre e Wis e

”
M en ,
Welcome s you with the p e rfu m e o f goo d cabbage soup .
D o you not h ea r ? Thi s i s the p ot tha t b u rn s a lay
o
With the clock s ti ckta cking pulse ’
An p en window shows the l andscape fa r away

nd i f y u st . A , o oo p ,
, .
C I R C UM SPE CTION
To G a s t o n Se ne cha l
’ ’
G I VE me your h and , breathe so ftly here let s find a ,

’
sea t
Unde r thi s gi a nt tree wh re light winds di e away e
I n broken sighs th a t flutter n ath the b ra nch es gray ’
e
e
B athe d i n th so ft ca ressing moonli ght pal e a nd sweet
,
Si t still and towa rd

,
cre e t ,
o ur knees l et fall o ur eyes . di s
And think o f nothing— only dream G ive them th ei r .
way ,
Th e happiness tha t fl i es a nd love that will not stay , .
’
Our hai r a n owl s wing touches i n our calm retreat
, .
Let u s fo rget to hope But wi s e a n d sel f contai ned

o
.
-
,
Our souls shoul d h ld the spell a nd thi s that ha s re

ma i ne d
e
Fro m th serene death f th e sun so still a nd deep o , .
1 44 Pa ul V e rl a i n e
In silence l et u s dream i n thi s n cturnal cha rm o

o q
.
I t i s n t well to troubl e in hi s ui et sleep

o
Th e g d o f nature mute and yet so full o f h a rm
, , .
VE R SE S TO BE SL AN DE RE D
To Charl e s Vi g n i e r .
T H I S evening l ea ni ng o er you r sleeping fo rm

’
, dea r
o
o ne ;
Y ur bo dy lying chast i l y on my humbl e b e d ;
A s one who ponde rs over something h e ha s rea d ,
I ga z ed a nd saw tha t all i s va in b eneath the su n !

,
And a h tha t o n e should live wha t ma rvel fi nely d ne ! o

,
We a re so like the fl owers whe re f l d n fol d i s

,
o o
,
sp rea d !
O thought b ewildering tha t nea rly turns the hea d !
Sl eep p oo o ,
r n e sl eep ! Through fea r fo r you my sle ep

,
i s g ne o .
,
S o rrow o f l oving frail l ove b reathing l w o

yo u , my
As o n e b re athe s o n tha t fate ful day when he must g
L ip s dumb a nd cold— li fe waiting a t death s po rtal
,
’
o ,
O mouth that laughs i n dream upon my mouth and ,
wa its
o oo
Th e othe r m re fer ci us l au h with whi ch it ma tes !
Oh wake ! a nd tell m e qui ck T e s ul i s it imm rtal ?
, . o , o
1 46 P a ul Ve rl a i ne
’
Twa s sho rtly a fter we ha d ha d th e Si ege a nd mo st
“ ”
O f country houses ha d b een level ed t th e ground o
o
.
Others were building up like toy homes round n ,
round ;
o
An d som e ha d ca nn n b alls imb edded i n the pla ster
U R
And thus inscrib e d : A S O V EN I O F TH E D I S A S T E R .
TH E PO ET A ND TH E M SE U
O CHAM BE R have you kept thei r fo li sh sp ec
, o
ters grim ,
Wh ere fa l ls the gloom a nd save th e spi der naught i s

, , ,
h ea rd ?
0 cha m b e r have you kept th os e figure s va gu ely blurred
, ,
Tra ced by the dirty walls and scatte re d scratches di m ? ,
o
F 1c l Furni shed chamb er that rec ils from all f these
,
I n thi s dryp l ay o f di stance to th e vi sa ge sti rre d

o
O f m emor i es o f so ma ny fate ful things o ccurred ,
D o th ey regret those nights — thos e nights o f H ercul es ?
I nterpret a s you ple a s e i t i s not tha t I say

, ,
Y o u will not guess my mea ning folk o f goo d i ntent

, .
I say to you that all you r thoughts a re fa r a way .
O cha m be r tha t takes fl ight 111 rays so sa dl y sp nt e ,
Y o u only know ! Perh a ps it i s not pa st your ken

What m a rr i age nights Shall have defl owe
re d o u r nights
,
si nce then !
O f O ld a nd R e c e n t ly 1 47
A R O GU E
To J e a n M o re a s
'
0
° ITH th e eyes o f a de a th s he a d a skull
That th e m oon m akes m e a ger and thi n
’
-
,
-
All m y p a st— let us say all my remorse

Fro m m y window mocks m e within , .
e
Wi th th voi ce o f a n ol d m an f a iling fa st
A e
s o n e h a rs at a the a te r
,
e e
All my r m o rs — let us say all my p a st
,
Mumbles a tral a la bitter .
With the fingers green o f a corpse a gibb et

e
A fool fr ts a wh eezy guita r
, , on ,
D anci ng on the future o n exhibi t , ,
With a n ela sti city ra re .
e e e
Ol d rogu b gon ! I l ove not thi s a t all
e ,
C ea s you r fool songs a nd d a nc s gay e ,
e “
H answers thus : Thi s i s less fa rci c a l
’ ”
.
Th a n you re incli ned to think to day .
, e
But a s to your conc rn O sw et Kn a ve pi sh ! , e ,
Thi s much a t l ea st I d h a ve you know :

, ,
’
’
I m mindful but thi s fa r tha t i f you wi sh
—
, , ,
Why cl ea r o t
, u — g o to Jeri cho
M AD RG L
I A
Y Owhite
U m a dden m e th ese days o f autumn p al e and
,
B ecause withi n you r eye s there burns a b e a stly light .
An d you h ave gnawe d m e like the p rincess M ouse the

, ,
while ,
With the fi n e en d o f tha t Sha rp t th whi ch i s y ur oo o

smil e ,
M ai den au g ust who m ake s my s rro w bl az on cl ea r o

A ,
gain a s with the ranci d o i l f y ur old tea r !

, o o ,
Ye a fo olish I will di e o f that da m ne d lo ok you keep !

,
o ,
But g ( will y o u ? ) th e unsuspecting p ool s a sleep ’

,
An d from the lili es fl eet one needs a cclaim at l a st

, ,
D ea d wate r ha s d runk up the wi nd that swept e a ch

m a st .
Throw yoursel f in exalt ! t o make my gri e f mo re dre a r

, ,
Spe ak thou i n tones so low o n e must b e de a f to hea r .
RE CENT L Y
R L GU E
P O O
T HE a re things o f the twilight

SE ,
Vi si ons when the ni ght declines .
O T ruth thou giveth them light

,
Even a s a dawn that shine s

So dimly in the shade abho rre d ,
One doubts e ach moment i f the se b e

, ,
C re a te d by th e p al e moon blurre d
By tossing b ranche s f a tree o ,
,
BALLAD
O N Two YO N U G E M TR E ES L
M Yga rden wa s sweet a s twa s fai r

’
Thou g h humble twa s ri ch to possess ;
’
,
Ha l f orch a rd with vegetabl es ra re

o
Wi t h som e fl wers that bl me d n ne the le ss
,
oo ,
o
o o
I n c lo rs f h ap i n e ss
, ,
o o
B i rds sat n t ile b ughs f e ach tre e ; o
.
An d g ra ss stretche d f r i dl eness o
But de arer my elm s were t me o .
Fr o o
di ning r om lighte d a nd cle a r
W o o
m my , ,
Where ine ften fl owed t excess ,
I sa w them salute i n the ai r

o
When t uched by the wind in its stre ss
o
An d b end in a l ving ca ress ,
,
Thei r leaves see m ed to flute a s in gle e ;

In that close there wa s j y I confe ss o ,
But de a re r my elms we re to m e .
Al a s ! when came ti m e t i m pai r o

My j oy without hop o f redress ; e
o
The rcha rd and g a rden di d sha re
oo o
In the gl m f my bitter di stre ss
An d the fl owe rs that bloo m ed t exce ss o
An d the gra ss that pillowed s fre e o ,
And the bi rd that m y so rrows impres s

But de a re r my elms were to m e .
I V VO I
O pri nce I h ave kno w m l encs

A eo o 1!
“
c
, i s
nd j y where y u r l
Wi t h h alth a nd love . ,
But de a re r m v el m s v
A
P R SI FAL
PA RSI FA L h as vanqui she d the D amsels , thei r gentle

B abble and a m using luxury and thei r b ent ,
Towa rd th e Fl esh o f the vi rgi n b oy they would tempt

o
To l ve thei r glowing b rea sts an d thei r gentle b abble .
He h a s vanqui she d the Wo m an with he a rt so subtle ,
D i spl aying he r tempting a rms and thro at like a lily

b ent
He h a s vanqui shed Ha de s and retu rn ed t o hi s tent
Wi th the h eavy trophy o f burni she d metal ,
With th e sp ea r i n hi s a rms th at pi erce d the Savi u r s o ’
si de .
He h a s h eale d the king and now a king i n hi s p ri de

He h a s himsel f become— p ri est o f the Holy G rail
, ,
He kneel s to a do re i n ga rm ents o f golden fi re

o ’
Th e v a s e whe re th e Savi u r s bloo d like the m o rning
shines
An d O the voi ce s o f children singing in the choi r !
, ,
E VEN IN G THOU G HT
CROU C HE D i n the withere d gra ss and col d ,
exile ,
Unde r the yews frost white o f that sa d i sl e ;

w ,
Or a nderi ng like the gho stly fo rm s tha t s eem

,
In th at wil d l a ndscape b o rn a s f a dr am O e
ee
Wh r w a tch thei r f a bl e d herds ere t aking flight
,
The blue eye d B a rba ri a ns with i sage white v

e v v
-
,
Th e tend r O id l onely b a rd o f L o e
Sweeps with hi s gl ance the sky— below— ab ove
, ,
And contempl ates the wi de expans o f se a e .

,
L ove I SS
Hi s h a i r i s thi n— the gray lo cks blowing fre e

A v
1 b o e a fo rehea d wrin led fol d o n f ld
; k , o
H i s h abi t rent the fl esh cut by the col d
,
F o rl o m the h aunting smile eyes dull a nd w rn

,
o
H i s be a rd now ne a rly white i s rudely t rn
,
,
, o .
,
How all these sorrows witness i n thei r way

A li fe complete with s a dness and di smay ;
, ,
Excessive love fi erce nvy bu rning h a te

, e , ,
And some Slight obligations to the State .
Thus Ovi d mourns the Rome th a t once accla imed

Him b a rd o f L ove — that R ome hi s muse p ro cl aimed .
So Jesus who obscures thi s li fe o f mine

, ,
No t b eing Ovid I at l ea st am Thi ne !

,
L UC IEN L ETI NO I S
111
O WOMAN ! Prudent wi se — c a lm en my
A s yet h a l f c onsci ous o f your v 1ct o ry
, , e ,
K illing the wounded seeking out the Spoil s

.
A e
,
e
nd sprea ding ruin fa r with i ron a n d fl am e
O goo d unc rt a i n fri nd so littl sur e e
,
, ,
Sweet— o ften t o o sweet— like a fi re o f coals

Th at lulls o n e i n a gentl soothing Sl eep e
Wh ere death to soul a nd bo dy o ften lurks
’
e
Wo m an I m don wi th you fo r go o d— take here
.
v
,
( Howe e r with a s ens e o f h a l f regr t

,
e e
From o n e that on r mo rs e alone recalls )
e
Thi s insul t But a s you can n r ha e eve v
e e v
.
R e m o rse mor th a n a pine a li ing sha de

, ,
Thi s then i s my d finitive fa rewell

ee
, ,
Tr fatal to the re fuge o f o u r ra ce

.
From E den to thi s I rri tate d D ay .

1 56 Paul Ve rl a i n e
I H AVE a m o
ni a f o r l ve My fo li sh he a rt i s weak
a . o .
N o m atter when no m atter wh at no m a tte r whe re

, , .
Whereve r the light o f be auty o r vi rtue o r vali ance , ,
shines ,
The re my he a rt throws itsel f wi th furi u s sp ee d ; o

A j
nd having cla s p e d a t l ast emb ra ce s a hundre d ti m es
,
The b eing o r ob ect i t pu rsue d with ti reless eal

,
z .
Then when th e illusio n h a s fl o wn— has taken wing

, ,
My hea rt beco m e s lonely a n d sa d ye t faith ful a nd t rue ; ,
L eaving to the ingr a tes so m ething at l ea st o f i tsel f

Bloo o r fl esh Then without further gri eving t
, ,
o
d ,
.
i eat b
k
Imm e di ately emb ar s f o r the i sles o f the C hi m eras
C a rrying naught but the bitte r te a rs i t h a d kn wn o ,
A nd the frightful desp ai rs o f the m m ent o ,
Then r e emba rks-

.
I have a m am a fo r love . What shall I d o ?

B ah nothing !
,
XVI I I
D O y o u recall i n Pa ra dise dea r soul
The station at Auteuil— th e trains f l d
, ,
o o
That b o re y o u daily come from L a Chap elle ?

,
No w all i s ove r ! Well do I recall

’
Our m eeting pl ace s neath the sloping stai rs
Awaiting you— un abl e t fo rge t o
o
You r gra ce ful m vem ents coming down the steps
o
How a gile a n d h w slim— an angel f rm o .
o
On a cel esti al l adde r fl o ati ng down .
,
And then y u r fri endly s m ile so fili al ;

The co rdi al cl asp o f h ands— you r l yalty
,
o .
A L L E G ORY
A N ancient t empl e crumbling like a dream

On the dim su m m it o f a yellow hill ,
L ike som e o l d throneles s king weeping a t will , ,
I S vaguely mirrore d o n a sluggish stre a m .
e
With stupi d mi en and sle py li stless ai r
A withere d N a i a d with he r drowsy wiles
,
Pl agues with a willow wand a faun that smiles

O
Like s ome l d gallant ru sti c Sitti ng the re .
,
Stale and insipi d the m e that sa ddens m e !

What b a rd a m ong the singe rs ca n the re b e
o
L ike m e ? Wh m oves m e in a sullen rage ?
,
Wh at wo rn o u t , fraye d a nd dusty tapest ry ,
Tr1t e a s the s e t t m gs o f a n opera stage ,
A S fals e ala s a s 13 m y destiny ?

, ,
THE FR IEN D S
ON TH E B A C O NY L
T WO f o rms wa tching the swallo w s in thei r flight
One pale with j et bl a ck hai r the othe r blonde
.
, ;
And pi nk— thei r fl owi ng ga rments blond f o ld
Like vague s erpents twining cl o udlike a nd light

o
, .
B oth l a nguo rous a s a sphodel s whe re b right

o
Th e sky glows with a full m on so ft a nd round
o o
Who se rays th r b with em ti on deep p r found
,
, , o ,
.
P a r a ll e l ly 1 63
Thus with a rms p ressing thei r bo di es supple

,
o
Strange c uple pitying e ery other coupl e v ,
They drea m up on th e moonli t b al c ny o .

,
B ehind th em i n th e room 3 ri ch somb e r sha de

o e
Enthr ned 1n st a t ly po m p a s i n a pl ay , ,
,
And full o f p erfumes sta nds the B ed unma de

, , .
SA PP HO
0° ITH hollow eyes and b os o s fi rm an d b o ld

Th e ma dd e ne d Sappho to rn by p ssions white
m ,
o
,
a ,
Runs like a wol f

sh e - on the bea ches c ld .
She dre ams o f Ph aon forgetful o f the R ite

A e ,
nd seein g how h r te a rs so illy fa re

,
o
By h andfuls pulls he r l ng an d stre a m ing hai r
,
Then she evokes with gri e f silent yet deep

, , , ,
Th e days when b rightly shown th e earlyy f a me

O f those wa rm l ove s extolle d i n s ngs o f fl am e o
o o
Sent n w i n m e m ry to th e m ai ds a sleep
, , .
,
With palli d li ds o n we a ry eyes she b ends ,
And springs into the wa ters o f L a M oi re .
On the bl a ck waves the lights fro m h eaven pour

And p al e Sel ene h a s aveng d th e Fri ends e .
HAR L OT S
To t h e P r i n cess Ka u k i n e .
“
Cap e l l o s de A ng e l o s
( F r a n di s e e s a n o l )
p g
U LY a s th o ugh dra n by B ouche r

G
N p o wde r i n her fl o wing ha ir
0
w .
,
’
Shes foully blonde yet passing fa i r
o
To us wh sin with her ea ch day
,
And it i s mine thin by right , I k ,
Thi s golden hea d so o ften ki sse d ;

Thi s w a rm ca sc a de so o f t embra ce d ,
Wh os e ends light m e with rays o f light .
o
But sh e i s m re to m e h l d I o
e e
L ik so m e d ep fl aming c i rcl e o e r
, ,
’
e
Th entra nce o f a temple doo r ;
Or like the fable d fl e ece o f gol d .
e e
’
An d who sh a ll si ng thi s b eauty s source
Sa ve m e her cho ri st r an d pri st ,
,
e
He r sl ave h r m a ste r who at le ast
, ,
Thus d a mns hi m sel f without remo rse .
He r body wi th i ts h a rmoni es
A s so ft and white a s i s a rose ;
,
A s white a s m ilk and pink a s tho s e

Pi nk lili e s blown ne ath pu rpl e ski s ’
e .
e
Thighs b a uti ful b re a sts fi rm a n d t nse ;
, e
The b a ck the loi ns the sto m a ch fe a st
o ,
F r th e eye s a n d th e h a nds i n que st

, ,
And fo r the mouth a n d eve ry sense

,
.
I 66 P a u l Ve rl a i n e
’
You re right my gi rl ! 5 0 lov e me
,
o
Be tte r tha n y ung or age d men
,
Unskill ful i n the l ving a rt o

o
F r I — I know your m anner b est ;
.
v
I know e a ch m o e m ent e a ch behest ;
A n d pledge you a n indulgent he art
,
N ay n ay but put th a t frown to rout

, , ,
C a sta and drive away th at p out ;

,
And let m e si p tho se swe ets o f thine

Pi ana — suga r salt and spi ce
, , ,
Swe ets that m y thi rsty lip s enti ce

And let me drink thy b alms divi ne .
RE FE REN CE S
II
FA SE L R
I MP ESS I O N
D AM E m o use scamp e rs
Bla ck i n th e gray f eve o .
,
D am e mouse scamp ers ,
G ray 1n the da rk .
Th ey sound th e b ell
o
.
All the go d p ri soners sleep .
Th ey sound th e b ell
Y u t o oo
shoul d sleep
, ,
,
N ot the ba d dream
o o o
.
N thought but f y ur loves

o
.
N t th e b a d dream ;
Th e go o d always !
Th e wi de m nlight ! oo
Th ey sno re cl se by you r si de o
oo
.
Th e wi de m nlight
In reali t y !
P a r a ll e l]y 1 67
A clou d p a sses
It gro w s da rk a s a n o ven
,
A cloud pa sses ,
H o ld th e dawn
:
, day o f !
D am e m o us e scamp ers !
Pink i n th e rays blue so .
D ame m ous e scamp ers

G e t up y o u la zy !
,
OTH E S R
T HE j ail yard blosso s with ca re
Li k e the f o rehea d
- m ,
O f e ach there
Wh o goes with faltering step and thigh
o ne
hrunken quite
S
A long the wall ,
F oo li sh with light .
Turn , Sa m sons
without D elilah ,
Without Philistine ,
Tu rn well th e
M ill th e Fates predestine
And ra iling not th e l aw apa rt
, , ,
C rush at e a ch move
o
Y u r fa ith you r hea rt
And you r l ve o
,
They p ass ! and thei r po o r sh es o

M ak e a dry sound ;
With pip e at nose
Humbly they go round .
1 68 Pa ul V e rl a i n e
o
A w rd— the dungeo n i s thei r l t ! o
N t a sigh o
o o
.
It i s s h t
They think t di e o .
o
An d I — I g in me a sure d stri des
With th at sa d b and .
Prep a red b esi de s

o
N thing to withstand
, ,
o
And i f I to shall contrite be
.
Thy stubb rn v o w
,
o ,
,
So ci ety
Di d you cho se m e ? o
o
B r thers mine goo d ol d robb ers
, ,
Sweet vagabonds ,
Full blown sha rp ers

My he a rt resp nds ! o ,
ok
S m e o n philos phically o ,
Promena de you ,
Pea ce fully
o
.
’
Ti s sweet to nothing d .
RE VE R S I BLE S
To tu s i n m a l i g n o p o s i t u s .
OA HE A R th e cats tha t make

l ong sh rill
o k
, c ry ,
S wi ft
calls that come t wa e ,
Then slowly di e .
Ah where thi s sa d scene blends

, ,
Th e Al re a dy s a re the Ag ai n s l
I 70 P au l Ve rl a i n e
’
One might well say tw a s like awaking bi rds that try
A n ea rly flight against the vi olet tinte d sk y
A nd with the daylight sca rcely yet be gun t dawn
,
o
o o
.
O these trains that sp ee d like t rrents thundering n ! ,
R
I MP O BA B E L , BUT T RU E
LA ! I am i n th e Index and in th e dedicati ns, o
He re I am Paul V pu re and simple The audacity
. .
O f my fri en ds ( fo r publishers a re o f the sa ints )

o
I s gre at an d they sh uld ban me from thei r catal gu es o
o ,
o
.
Extra rdin ary an d sap on a ce us thunde r

O f a n excom m uni c a ti on th at I vene rate
o
T the p oint o f m aking any qu antity o f faults !
However i f I we re not ( fo rcibly ) p revented
o
,
I woul d l ve s eeing how contrary I am

,
o ,
Thi s m de sty so ra re in all th e wo rld f b o s

, ,
,
o ok .
TH E LA ST TEN
BELG IUM that gave to m e thi s lei sure without e a se

,
Th ank s ! He re at l e a st I can refl ect and sei e z ,
In the silence o f th ese cells calm and white , ,
The rea sons that like i nsects take thei r fl ight

o , ,
Ab ve th e b o a stful ree ds o f a vain world ;

,
R e asons o f my ete rnal sel f divi ne ;

A k
n d I ca n ti c et all ( so dearly bought )
,
In the fi ne c rystal ca ses o f my thought

But O B elgium thi s stubb rn pri son do r o .
o
, ,
o
Open a t l a st— en ugh why puni sh m re ? o ,
B ru ssels ug 1 8 7 3 A, .
, .
M ons Jan I 8 7 5 , .
, .
P a r a ll e lly I 7I
MOON S
I WI SH , tha t I m ay kill you 0 time that l ays me ,
wa ste ,
To live agai n the days when m y h eart s love wa s cha ste

’
To lull my luxu ry an d sha m e to the sw et note s e .
v
O f ki sses o n He r h and and not up on Thei r thro ats
The ile Tiberi a s I a m to da y m ay k ep
,
-
, e .
M e hour by hou r and though I laugh o r though I weep

A e ,
h may h sleep ! to drea m f a r from a cruel j o y

,
O f those p ale budding m ai ds honore d without all y o

In m o onlit f e tes a fter the green swa rd d a nce s li ght
,
,
o ,
Wh en fro m the steeple strike s the middle hour o f night .
AF E R M NNE R O F P UL VE RL N E
T TH E A A AI
T HE m o on s ’
bl a e
When I assume th e m ask no cturne
to what i s done m fo r
A nd aturn who i ncl i n e s he r u rn

S
;
A n d he r p al e moons a fte r one , o ne

,
R omances without words H o w ra re

the i r e x p resse d di scord
!
The cha rm o f !
False and i nsipi d wo rd fo r wo rd
A nd yet what sound a nd thrill i s there ,
f
Fo r those who wound you r sens e o f truth
’
Ti s not through l ack p ardonings o
;
Mysel f I p ardon ti s youth ’
Emb elli shing s o me fooli sh things

, my
.
1 7 2 P a u l Ve rl ai ne
And I ab solve these li es fr m h a rm

’
o ,
Ti s they that bring a banal Jo y ,
Since these sa d lei sure s I employ

Inocul ate m e with thei r ch a rm .
E! P L N
A ATI ON
’ ’
Je v o us di s qu e ce n e s t p as cc qu e l on e n sa .
P .
T HE h appiness t o blee d up on a true frien d s h e art ’
brea st these te a rs o f mi ne
,
The nee d to weep upon hi s

The sweet desi re to spe ak t o
,
and ap a rt
Th e dre am to be W i th him alon e with o ut design
h 1m , l o w ,
, .
Th e gri e f at having such goo d enemies i n swa rms , .
Th e deep disgu st a t b eing an obscene ma chine

The o o o o
h rr r o f ma d cri es impu re from dem n f rms
.
The o
nightm a re o f a never ending st r m y scene
, ,
.
.
T give o ne s li fe t o Go d
’ ’
o r to one s native l and
Or t o the other wh o m y love —
o .
, the han dou k i ssm g

’
That ne e r b etraye d — k 1ss1n
the mouth that neve r l es
g l .
To live fa r fr o m all ta sks from saintly to rm ents fly ,
Fo r the cle a r brea sts f

women with the shi ning eye
re st towa rd wha t de aths full o f
o
And fo r the !
i nfami e s !
TH E LA ST P TE G L L NT E A A ‘
O N CE for all sep a rate— let u s be fl eet

,
D ea r gentlem en a n d y o u mo st de a r mesd a mes

,
o
.
, ,
Enough o f ma rri age songs with l u d a ccl aims

An d then b esi des, o
ur j oys we re cl yi ng sweet
, o ,
.
1 74 Pa ul Ve rl a i n e
o
Th at I wa s h oted at wa s ve ry plai n
By those young toughs ne a r whe re o n e take s the ca r ;
And the abuse I th rew them though in va in
Wa s such I nea rly choke d o n my ciga r
, ,
o
N w I return : I h ea r a voi ce— the light
Step o f a gho st o
S m eone o r no o n e ne a r ?
,
A
.
Yet surely someone p a sse d — h what a night !

,
o
The h ur o f droll awakening soundeth clea r
,
A A
.
ttigny ( rdennes ) M ay 3 1 July 1 1 8 8 5 .

, , .
THE I MPUD ENT
T HE evil eye a nd m ise ri e s wi de

ai d with no thought t o slander
,
S ,
H ave given to thi s fi en d o f p ride

The soul o f a n old p ri sone r .
Ye s j e t ta t o re sa d wanderer
, , ,
The fi rst a n d la st o f the m th at sigh ,
Y o u dwell i n the bl ack Sha dows where

M en will pursu e you till you di e .
The children rip en at your look .
R e fusals m any m ust y o u bro ok .
Since impu dent you r ways annoy

, ,
.
B eauti es that p a ss y o u r smiling elves

, ,
Throw n o t you r coms to th i s b a d b oy

.
—
But give inste a d o f alms yoursel e s
,
v ,
.
P a r a l l e l ly I 7S
THE I MPENI TENT
O L D rover wo rn and we a ry eye d

Wi th helli sh lust unsati sfi ed
,
Whose f de d o rbs grow cle a r a nd b right

a
Wh en som e fa i r wom an p a sses by

A , o
nd like a wind w throws a light , .
Y o ur sense s waken subtle high

tamen an d pi stil t o o reply
, , ;
S
fl o we r all frui t all f o o d
, , ;
She is
A n d fr o m yo u r mouth you r t ongue extends
a ll , , .
To lick y o ur lips hungry ru de so -

.
Old fra cti ou s faun that rea rs and bends

A o
re y u not done — what further ends
,
o
C a n s e rve y u r lust the fi lthy h st ? o
o o
Old fool have y u n t ha d your due
o ,
And i s i t n thing thi s you b o a st ? ,

,
In spite dainties l o st
f vi ew
Y o ur hea rt grown i cy through and thr o ugh
o to ,
nawing a s th o ugh a luxu ry

;
G , ,
Your hea rt you r loins you r very sple en

Your V i tals whe res o e e r they b e
, ,
’
.
Suga red and sweet o f honeye d mi en , ,
D amning like fi re from he aven se en ;

o
P wder bl ack o r blue a s a fl owe r
o v
-
, ,
Y ur pa ssioned ga z e seeks e e ry eye

And this in spite o f he aven s Power ’
.
,
The noses plea se y o u that p ass by ,
G raci ous o r saucy ones awry ;

On wom en a s o n m e n they place
, ,
A
The i ndi cati ons tha t they b e a r
nd give the fo rce to eve ry fa ce
,
I 76 P a u l Ve rl a i n e
Lo ng ki sses cle ar a s songs a re clea r

A stringent ki sse s smal and de a r ,
Th at s eem to suck th e soul s th e y frame

l
The g o od fat kisse s

.
a child f
And dancing ki sses like a fl a e
, o ,
, m .
Ki sse s hungry a n d ki sses wild , ,
Ki sses drunken fo r mouths de fi l e d

Ki sse s l angui d and fer ci ous
,
o ,
Th ese the be st loved no twithstanding

Are they not ? fa i r mouths atr ci ou s !
,
o ,
B o di es to o your taste de m a nding

, , ,
B ette r i n repose th an stan ding ;

Th ei r cha rm s displaying a s th y m a rch e ,
O f n o imp o rtance where they stroll

B ri dge Holy Sp i ri t o r th e rch A .
,
But thi s th at you deman d o f all ,
La rge small o f a sp ect b right o r dull

, ,
I s thi s : they must a t lea st b e y ung o ,
Wi th fine strong feet and a rm s a s light

A S muscul a r and tresse s hung,
L ike thi s : long , curly , o r cut

quite
Sho rt— othe rwi se pe rverse In spite .
O f whi ch at le a st there needs must b e

o ,
S me s a vin g touch o f i nno cence

,
o
S m e sho w
at le a st o f decency
, , .
Nay n ay b e witness a n d de fence

, , ,
Ye gods who know he r fi re intense ;

Th a t all her m anne r all he r a rt
Ca n soun d the depth whe re ple a sures fl w
, ,
o ,
With useless t ri fl e s put a pa rt .
And it i s thus that mo ral s g o

And m eet th at sco fl e rs h ave some sh w
,
o .
1 78 Paul V e rl a i n e
o
T the puff e d eye o f phil anthr py ; o
o
Al l se ems bla ck t him m ai d o r gri sette
o oo
M en r w i ne o r b ks o f the day
, ,
,
.
,
But I see li fe 1n its re d a rray .
E NV O I
Pri nce o r princesse s go I pp ray , ,
In triumph down the ro a d where I

o
Plo d 1n the ruts f the ro adsi de cl ay .
But I se e li fe m its re d a rray .
HAND S
T HE E a re n o t the hands o f a churchm an

S
o me elegant p relate less saintly tha n fi ne
S
,
And yet they seem to wea r the same di stincti n

;
o
Imp rinted here succinctly line o n line .
And the se a re not the hands o f an a rti st ,
Some lonely p oet let u s say ob scu re ;

But something a s sa d— perh aps th e sa ddest
, ,
R e sembling a group i n min i ature .
Thes e h a nds h ave thei r cha ra cte r and s uls o ,
Th ey a re a wo rl d 1n movement so it seem s ;
Th eythumb and li ttl e finge r a re the p le s
,
o
B etween whi ch fl ow the strange m a gneti c stre ams .
o o
Th e mete rs that Sh ot a cross the brai n
’
,
Qui te like tho se temp e sts th a t o e rru n the hea rt

Are he re repe a te d with a l gi c plain o ,
And mi rrore d with a consummating a rt

,
No r 15 the re h ere the wo rthy rural palm

o
O f th s e who dwell b eyon d the ci ti es show ; ’
,
Thei rs a re the deep d ra wn lines h w calm !

That seem to say : Toil that y nothing owe e
, o
, .
P a r a ll e lly I 79
They a re me ager ; they a re long ; they a re gray

k e
The knu c l es a re q u i t e la rge ; th e n ai ls are s ua re q
L ike h ands th windows o f a chu rch displ a y
Wh ere saints beneath the gol d n branches fa re e
"
Or like some ol d d ecre p it soldi e rs met
e w
I n a ft r ye a rs i th all thei r stru ggle s o er ;
,
’ '
R ecalling thei r long b attles fi elds b lo od wet

o
-
In sum m er t w
, ,
ilight by some tav e rn d o r .
They have tonight these h ands so strangely dry

, ,
B eneath the sc a nty h ai r t he ye a rs have w r o ught

o
'
A roughe r a sp ect t t he t o u éh an d eye

A
'
s though in p rey t o SO m e sa d a fte rthought

'
‘
'
.
‘
The cruel ca re tha t ho l ds t hém i n e mb ra ce

‘
‘
Thei r bitte r h a l f dre am seems a s tho u gh to ma r

A nd wri ngs from them a sini ste r grim a ce
,
I n thei r p eculi a r way hands th at they a re , .
I fea r to se e t he m ly i ng still a s tim e

'
‘
‘
e
, ,
He re on m y t able, u n de rn e at h m y eye ‘ ‘
As though p r e m e dit at i n g so m e bl ack cri

o
‘
'
S m e m a d some furiou s d ee d of m onstrou s g ui se

‘
, .
The right h an d a t my ri ght— le ft a t my l e ft ’
I am alone sit tin g with fo rehe ad bowed

w ,
While sl o ly m my ch amb e r so b e re ft , ,
,
The linen take s the a spect o f a sh roud .
Uncea sing howls the wind With o n e l ast gleam .
The twilight di e s a cro ss my window Shutter

These hands ! I f they shoul d b e so m ghastly dre am !
So mu ch the b ette r then— o r wo rse— o r better !
e .
I 80 Paul V e rl a i n e
PIE R ROT G AM IN
T HI i s not Pi e rrot the wild

S
Any mo re than Pi e rrot the child , ,
Thi s i s Pi errot Pi e rr o t Pi e rr o t
.
,
Pi errot gamin Pi e r o t gay

, , .
, r ,
Fresh a s a gre en nut fresh M ay

Thi s Pi erro t Pi err o t Pi e rrot
, as ,
13 , , !
I n st ture sc rc e a ete r tall

No ta s k to fette r like a d o ll
a a m ,
, ,
In hi s eye s the fl a sh o f steel

S uite d t o the cunning deil .
T hi s malice infin it e
rim acer yet p o et quite
o
G , .
Li ps red a s a wound i s red ,
Wi th evil luxu ri es well fe d .
Fa ce p a l e mouth m ockin g— fi n e ;
,
Lo ng a ccentu a te d— i n each line

,
The tell tale thought that clings

A
-
nd contemplate s all things .
B ody slender an d yet n o t thi n .
Vo ice no t shrill ( to a girl s ak I n )

’
e
Adol scence tha t ta rri e s late
o e
.
Voi ce to co m m and b dy n fete

e
.
,
C ha rming cre ature r a dy quite

e
To sati sfy ach appetite .
Go ,b rothe r com r de go !
Pl y th e d e vi l high
,
a ,
low
P i s e v e ry toll
a an d
Take o f ar .
R o m the wo rl d b e the soul

Noble hi gh w i th vile intent
a an d ,
, , ,
Of our spi rits i nnocent .

HAPPINE SS
I 86 P a u l Ve rl a i ne
Expl ainable h weve r by a r bb ery sa d

, o , o
( O f whi ch the hi sto ry ti s sai d i s truly b a d )
’
.
, ,
’
That I ve the rheum ati sm i s a m ere detail
A nd though I h ave to shelter here why sh ul d I ra il
’
—
,
“ ”
,
,
o .
I m h ere live h ere Some s ay I vegetate . So b e ! .
’
They a re deceive d Through li fe s stri ct ways I com e
o
.
o t se e
S me ne edful bre a d n o t t much wi ne a b ette r b ed
, oo , .
I expi ate so m e a nci ent si n twe re b ette r sai d ’
o , .
( Ve ry anci ent ? ) My blo d o ft felt thi s sudden he at !

And rel atively sp eaking penance i s so sweet
o o
“
, ,
I n m artyr logy a nd things a rm ri al

O f p oets— perhap s i t i s p r verbi al ! o
o
Like any pl a ce h ere ne m ay re st i n p e a ce ful m d oo
o o
B e a g o d chil d o f p ri s n—a b enign L at u de
,
,
,
N ot c o unting som e p oo r sim p l e rhyme r t o Sp e ak

Wh o fa ce s de ath from being all too we a k
, so ,
ti es when li fe i s r o ugh h a rd and unkind

st a rv m g ,
In these
To di e— t o di e O lovi ng Muse to m e i nclined
sa d m , .
! ,
To di e in thi s s a d pla ce i s better fa r I hold

“ ”
Unless th at he re o n e i s a l aym an and the o l d
,
o
Abu se s a re re f r m e d— the citi z en m ade fre e
A nd strong I n fa ct h e mu st else the stability
.
, ,
O f G overnment b e lo st with thi s that m o st al a rm s , , ,
Since he i s n o t o n ho rseba ck o n a coat o f a rms .
To di e then i n the shelte ri ng a rm s Muni ci pal

A , ,
thought that at its b est i s ha rdly cheerful .

,
Yet h aunte d by thi s thought I o wn my sha m e ful r ole

’
,
o
Ti s well they ught to treat me like a bl atant f l
,
,
oo .
,
The convers a ti on i n thi s mo dest resting pl a ce

o f
I s n t so di fi cul t o r voi d o f soci al gr a ce .
These goo d folk that the Jou rnal renders quite inane ,
C onse rve in spite o f al l atta cks an d fi e rc e di sdain

,
Th at th e Inst ru cti on hurl s a t e a ch h ard stubb o rn he ad

o e
S m e knowl dge o f the times and wha t i s b eing sai d .
,
H a pp i n e ss 1 87
o o
The R ev luti n that ti s always well t cite ’
o
A oo
n d als t condemn ha s not extingui she d uite , q
Thei r lively Sp i r i ts that a re none the less sincere ;
,
And I p refer them t o th e numb skulls o f my sphere

Truly pan d I can stan d the sh ck a n d let things b e o ,
Thei r vi ce a nd vi rtue a re i ndi ff e rent to me .
k o
La c ing nly Chri sti an h pe— thi s i s a convent o .
I need f o r nothing here — i n fa ct I m well content ’
And he re woul d I rema in my faith ! ll f m li fe ; A o .
A o o o
n d with ut j eal usy I h pe and with ut st ri e
’
,
,
, o ,
I f when I m cure d i nde ed i f such I am i t b e

,
o o o,
Tha t G o d h as n t s m e ther l abo r se t f o r me

, ,
! ! V
To Mo nsi e ur Bo re ly '
Y OU a sk o
o f m e s m e ve rse s o n Am u r o
My bo ok o f sa d em ti ns and di stress oo ,
,
Fa r di st a nt now i n m y strange Songs tha t p ress ,
And fall a fl o o d more bitter eve ry hour

, .
What say unless Po o r Yo ri ck ! b etter P oo r

”
,
L e l i an l poo r soul so full o f feebl ness e ,
G rown so ft by time ca ress and l a iness ; , , z ,
O r taken with a sudden stroke to wa r

,
On all hi s pa st so pure with ut a stain

,
Well ordered by calm thought o f goo d i ntent ;

, o
To damn them all tho se hours with G o d well spent
, .
Then it returns m y Wo r worn by the strain k

k ,
An d neel s 1n penance a sking t b e blesse d

Pray with and fo r th b ard— the P o r L el i a
n e
,
,
o o .
,
.
I 88 P a ul Ve rl a i n e
XXX I
I M ME D I ATE L Y a fte r the sumptu o us Salutaris
o
With all the lights put ut s ave a few fl i c e ring candl es k ,
The p salms fo r the dea d are sung i n min r tone s o ,
By the cl erks an d by th e pe ople sei zed with mel anch ly

, o .
k
Wi th solemn nell th e b ell s f th e cathedral o
A re answere d fro m the towers o f all the di ocese
o ’
H vering a n d weeping o e r the towns a n d the count ry
,
I n the ni ght so ea rly come o f th e l ong del ayed au tumn

, , .
o
E ach go es t rest l e d by the dole ful v ice s o
e ,
So infinitely swe t o f the m e m o ri a l b r n e oz ,
Th at lulls the slee a little sa d o f those yet living

, , ,
With m emo ri e s 0 the de a d o f all the p a ri shes .

C OM PANION s av o ry and g oo d
T whom I h ave b est o we d the ca re
, ,
O f my ol d days e en a s I should ;,
’
Who i s my l a st sole witness he re ;

e
C o m my b eloved th at I m ay ki ss
,
o
Embra ce y u l ong to take you r bre ath
, ,
My hea rt nea r you rs b ea ts full f bli ss

,
o .
o
Wi th that strong l ve that l a sts till de ath
So l ve me true
Fo r without you
o ,
.
I nothing am
A
n d nothing can !
,
Poo r a chu rch mouse I a nd yet

o
as , ,
Y o u h a d ten fingers an d no m re ,
Our table wa s too o ften se t

In b a sement o r in ga rret poo r
e
Yet never fail d o u r b ed to ri ng
Wi th j oyou s sounds i n li eu o f we alth
A nd it was I wa s a l ays ki ng w
o e
O f all y u r g a i ty a n d he alth !
So love m e true ,
For without you

I nothing am
A
nd nothing ca n !
,
A fter ou r nights love robust f

I come fo rth str e ng hened a n d relieved
o , ,
Fo r you r ca r e ss i s ri ch and j ust

t
A nd thi s my fl esh i s not d e c e i v ed ,
k e s vali ant e v e ry p rt
, , .
You r love m a a
O f my poo r b eing like a wi ne ;

[ 191 ]
I 92 P a u l Ve rl a i ne
, o
Al one you nly h ave the a rt ,
To pu ff me up a hea rt divi ne
o
.
So l ve m e true
Fo r with ut y u o o ,
I nothing am
A o
n d n thing ca n !
,
O f wh at imp o rt you r p a st my b elle , ,
O f what i m po rt p a r bl e u ! my o wn ;
Fo r I shall always l ove y u well
,
o
A n d you Sh all l ove but m e alone
,
o o
In u r tw m i seri es l et s unite ’
.
Th e p a rdon tha t the wo rl d wi thh lds o

o ’
S l et s emb ra ce O hol d me tight ,
.
And fi e up on the worl d that scol ds .
So love m e t ru e
For with ut y o u o ,
I n thing am o ,
,
An d nothing can !
BRUNETTE o r blonde ?
Bl ackli e th e ski es
, or k ,
Your eye s ?
o ok
I d n t n o w and yet I love thei r depths p ro f und o
o ,
And I a d re you r h a i r th at i n di sorder fl i es

, .
,
M ild o r s e e re ? v
,
Wi se o r with a m cking a rt o
,
Y ur h ea rt ? o ,
o o o
I d n t kn w an d yet give tha n s t n atu re de a r k o
o
,
That m a de y u r he a rt my m a ster— vanqui she d eve ry

,
p a rt
1 94 P a ul V e rl a i n e
’
o
I m scho le d in things tha t b ring a cu rse
Revolting also in a way
.
A ,
s b a d a s a ny m a n to day
, ,
Perh ap s by chance I m even— wo rse

, ,
’
.
My women h ave be en light ti s cle a r ,

’
.
Tha t you a re not a s aint i s pl a i n .
Thi s frank avowal gives me p ain ,
Sai d thus be t ween u s O my de a r ! ,
’
Ti s true I once wa s quite a rake
And tru e p erh a ps th at I am yet
.
o
.
,
Di shono re d thus ca n I f rget ? ,
My thi rst for ho rro rs naught can sl ake .
B ah l et u s never cea se to b e
,
Wa rm love rs Mignon f o r we ca n
, ,
You a goo d gi rl — I vi rtuous m an ,
Since I l ove you a nd you love me !
! ! V
OFo rNWoma
C E I wa s ysti c but it coul d not l ast
m ,
.
( n binds m e with stran d o f ha i r )

An d yet I h ave re sp e ct what i s p a st
a .
fo r
F o r the i de a th t I n o w f o rswe a r
,
! a .
Yes Wom an binds m e with a silken hai r !

,
In youth I sent my daily p r a ye r to G o d .
( To day ti s you who h ave m e on my knees )

A o
’
.
n d I wa s full o f f a ith and o f white h pe

O f charity who se pu re fi re ki ssed th e b ree e z,
o ’
T day ti s you wh have m e o on my knee s !
So ng s f or H er I 9S
o
W m an the M a ster rules through y o u t day o
, ,
o
Rules wi th a fo rce that make s the str ngest b end
.
But O the trea che rous who still must sway

A , ,
o
nd fei gn all things simply t gai n he r end
,
o
T mysti c days long gon e thi s lay I sen d !
HEN p ea ce fully
I talk with y u o
Thi s 13 truly cha rming
Then p e ace fu l ly
o
Y u talk wi th me .
When I dispute
o
And fo li shly rep r a ch y u
Then y o u di spute
o o ,
Ah thi s i s droll !
,
An d sha rply you repr ach me o .
I f 1t hap
pp e n s
I deceive you ,
O mi se ry
o
Y u run the t wn
,
o
A nd gai ly you deceive me
,
I f I am tru e
Fo r a ny length o f time ,
Y o u stay with me ,
R em aining tru e
Fo r j ust tha t length f tim e o .
I f happy
I shoul d chance to b e ,
Y o u a re twi ce a s happy
A nd I am gla d
,
o
To se e y u also happy .
D O I weep ,
Y o u weep with me .
Am I i n nee d ,
[ 1 99 ]
2 00 P a ul V e rl a i n e
How ga ily
You h a sten to my side .
Am I faint
You t o o a re faint
I am m o re
,
An d
I n seein g y o u
So f a i n t m g .
AWill you di e to o
h when I di e
,
, ?
“
As I l ove y o u
o
Th e m st I too
”
, ,
Will su rely di e .
And I awake
From all these mu sings .
Al a s ! Wa s thi s a dre am ?
( A dre a m n o r wha t ? )
These m u s1n g s .
T HEY tell m e Sweet ,

you a re untrue
, ,
What m atter should I b e di smaye d ?

k
You coul d not b rea dea r o n o —no t y u
,
, o
A n o ath that you ha d neve r m a de .
They tell m e that ou a re unkind

Towa rd me— I w o so m et 1m e s am ru de .
Unki nd ? Fa r b etter coul d th ey find

o
A tune m re suited to your m d oo ,
Unkind yet y o u always o ff e r

? An d ,
D ea r a swe et amusing smil e

M qu een fr o m wh o se respl endent
o ne, , ;
co fl e r
I Ii ri ch tre asure s w o rth the while
,
aw
-
( , .
B I B LIO G RAPHY
C a z als F A e t G ustave Le Rouge L ES DE N I E S R R

UR ,
UL RL
. . .
J O S D E PA VE A I NE Pa ri s M e rcure de Fra nce . . .
FLU F U L R
I 91 1 .
"
Milnes T H E I N E N C E O B A DE AI E
‘
I u rqu e t
o
-
. .
Lond n C onstable 81 C o 1 9 03
.
UL RL
. .
L ep ell e t i e r Edm PA VE A I N E SA V I E SO N
UR
.
, . .
O E V E Pa ri s Soci été du M ercu re de Fra nce 1 9 07

oo RL
. . . .
D n s C h ( Ch de M a rtri n ) VE AI N E I N T I ME
, . . .
Pa ri s Vani er 1 8 9 8
A UR K
. . .
Huys m ans Jori s a rl R E BO S Pa ri s C ha r

, . . .
p en t i e r 1 8 84
Huret J E N U E E S UR E
. .
E
Pa r s Ch a rp e nt er
’
, . ! T L VO L UTI O N L I TT RA I RE .
VRE M S U ES Pa ri s
1 . 1 . 89 1
1 .
G
D e our ont R A ! LE L I
M ercure d e Fr nce
m , D ES . . .
S é é du
oci t
ymons A rthur T M O L S M O V EME N
a 1 8 96 . .
S
L E R UR E
, H E SY B I T . T IN
IT AT ondo n H einemann
L
o mb roso C esa re T M O F E N U S
1 8 99
. . . .
L
do n
, H E AN G I . . Lon
Scott
C ON EMPO R N S ( V
. 1 891 . .
Lem a tre Jules

i ,
L ES T AI V) . . ol . I
Pa ri s So ci ét é Fra n ca i se D I m p ri m e ri e e t de
.
’
Libra i ri e .
F F UG
1 8 97 .
M o o re G e o C ON E SS I ON S O A Y O N MA N
, . .
London Swa n So n n e n che i n L owe ry 1 8 8 8

R
.
.
, , .
M oo re G e o I MP E SS I ON S A N D O P I N I ON S L o n
, . .
Nutt 1 8 9 1
do n .
Eccles Franci s Yvon A C EN T Y O F E NC H

,
. .
. UR F R
P OE T S L ondon Co n st ab l e & Co 1 9 09
RR RR
. . . .
H a rri s Frank C ON T EMPO A Y P O T A I T S N ew

, . .
York Ke n n e rl e y 1 9 1 5
. . .
[ 2 03 ]
2 04 P au l Ve rl a i n e
Tho m p son Vance F EN C H P O T A I T S B st n

, . R RR . o o .
B a dger 1 9 00
G R
. .
N ordau M ax D E ENE A T I O N N ew Yo rk Ap
, . . .
p leto n
U X I X EC L E
. 1 8 5 .
D o u m i c, en é . H OMME S ET I D EE S D SI .
Pa ri s Perrin
OME F R E N C H W R E R S London
.
, 1 0
9 3 .
Delill e E , dw . S IT . .
Chapma n Hall
F R EN C H P R O F L E S London Hei ne
. 1 8 93 .
G o sse E , dm . I . .
Verlai n e P ul C OMP L E E S
m ann , 1 0
9 5 .
E Pari s V C UVRES T
v o lumes
,
a . . . a
Tourn o ux e orge s A B L O GR P H E V
ni e r .
5 , 1 8 99 9 0
-
.
G IB I A I
R o wohlt
,
. ERL A I NI
E NNE . L e ip z i c . . 191 2 .
NO TES
ge
to be
43
o
. To T he s u r e
isen i ed f Eunpigrd inpheB p deu r ire s iFvree rs M i n rdinpg e
Pa Eg u
au la
his
en e Carri ér e p
l u
e du
o
’
c
al ,
. of t
t he
o
o
m
m
Er n es i n his P es ri i ques
“ ”
t tl : a o un l co n de m n é, a cco to
t Dupy, o et et C t .
P ge rigi f rs i ne his p e
b gins Awh rd
e
a
,
46 In
i
.
n En g ish
! l es
n
Vo w
T here is ex e qu iv en
.
is
the
G reek i n rigi n
o a ry st i s .
o al th e i t
no
l
ac t
of t
al
o m
t
o bs e e in Fren h
fo r t he
ol t
o o a ry st i s
c .
l . It o an d
P ge M The rigi n re ds
ws i a
exis ure WFere

lo n e eve n h i ne
48 .
r n is bv nvedE b esnished
t he e u x des i s qu e Vie
y Fa m i l ia r
s ys by !his ife Vie

l t l
exi :
D r ea m
“
Co mrrn e
.
c
o
a
al
mé
a as
la
fo l
fr he r h e
” “
la . a c Y o ccl a : ue la la 1s ob
ifrn he veheirn ide were

c .
ves? he si p y
th e
severed
P erh ps his is n y
Or by
e lo
vi
i is i
ns n e i n
t ydes
a
m l
t l om
i ts
t
c
1
s tu
om
whireh h n phee s sidid re h n he e ns see s e n

mo
om
c
t
t a
t he o
al l o
t has a
has a .
?
mo t
a
a
t
m a
o
,
an d
l an
m
ta c
to m a
P ge T his p e is wri en
eupng hridi Le re isever
l t
a
by e m ai t
49
n
.
Vo l IV
P a ri si a n Sk e t ch
hers n e p r i ns
n b y Twi igh M si
he
. d .
,
Le s Co
o m
t m o a
tt
,
an d
o f at
E
to cu l
ene
as are
v e a n d T o Cly m
al o t,
.
,
o ta l l t of y t c
P ge This u ri us pi u res q ue
s dy iren indssp r A siighs Ber r nd his f n nseveri re
tu
a Ef
m
50 f . g f e cts
o ne o f
o
lo y
N i ht
u
.
t a
c
an d
o an d
a ta t
ct
c Sil ho u
ein e iveexin frF e rs d xM en is in eres ringis n iners e in h hngeix

e t t es
ff ct
Ca a
l u
of
“
du
t he N
al .
t
It
.
t
Be au de l a i re w as
t to ot a c
mo
a
de P esieses gr s de h u s per is niers in euvres

”
t he t t om eu c t v i n gt c i n q p e tu a C o
“ ”
oé to um o a t tu a t he O
Co m p l t .
Pa ge 55 Va lp u rg is N i ht g Cl assi c T he ine l
his ish rn her hers bb se nd F us

. .
,
T at th e a at of t he co a t,
t a t he o t ;
refers se n d p r G e he s F us
t o t he co a t of o t
’
a t .
aP ge 60 g f g So n o t he I n én u es
The
. .
n igh s p ss
Ca u ssades an d th e Ri che l i eu x ,
”
An d t he K t Fau bl as all a
The were g n p r is n s
,
igh s were
Cau ss ades an d t he Ri chel i eu x
e s h se were ( e per en y all a t a t a ,
) ike hev ier i n L uve de

an d Kn t Fau bl as t o w ho t m am t al l ,
rn rr nivee A friuvrs s ifehev ier

at l a t l t he C al
eigh een h en u ry Co u bray

’
Fau bl as o t s
om a c , mo du C al Fau bl as,
'
an t t c t
a at of o lo u l .
P ge i T his p e see ed h ve p e s d
Sa
a
i
t n e Be uve
-
64
e n i n ed
.
f
A D a hl
i ni kewise prWised byn B nvi e rdinngg n Isngei nnuhises were

, w ho m i n e er
a.
t o Ver i ne t he
o m
ac t
m
l tt
a
to a
to
l a e
la
d C at
Ver
’
1 8 66 . om a an an d So o f t he
l
la i ne I n i e t m
a
.
a ll , acco t o Do o ,
P ge wri es his p e
offu urews wheunb iness he( Verwr inee ) ppifnessrew rnwin gsked side
llo
a
:
65 .
Do
N ev e r m o r e
tl he
. Le p ell e t i e r
la had
t
o
of
a
t o
of
m as
t he
by uside fwi h in his ifeines h rgedhe wi h disp ir pp ied Ha

‘
t , bu t 1 8 65 ot : has al
experie
t he l
n ed re l
’
t m e, c a t a a to no
ac t
t o r ub es
al
l .
ac t
”
l ; as y et has c no a l
P ge M Af n e nyi n g his p e i n
t he
a
fi rs edi
k n w edges h
t i 67
n
.
rhy h
t o u r n ien s re ds
ar c o .
s y
of
e his The u h r
P oém e s Sat
refr i
oot ot acco m p a
a :
t o
a
m
t o
bG errr wedi n frLes pses dein e Me igin nn M J de in

ac
o o
o l
om
t
a
at
Ro
t he
oe m
t m an d nt l
t he c o l l ct o
No l
of
of t
.
-
T
a
Sa
are
( )
''
ma : o .
P ge P ierr u bi ne
Ha l u
a
r equ in—when i w rr d hesey unre gerures f ren y y Bus rnheyi n

Pa n t o m i m e
71
ho w m m o t al t
.
c
ot,
at
Cl i t an der , Co l m
of a c ! o
, .
pir ueh ekespehr uregh dI n ie ni n edy nv ses biddingIII Men uiryre

t he So th ,
o tt t o
t he o l
t al a
w as o
co m
an d m o
; do t he
o o
of
, t
ol e
j
an d S a a ;
heir j us ugh er
a n d t he a ge o f c m
t oyo la t
e
a c
e n
an d m
t he c a
s eea o f t he !
erry quips
t a n d t l h as n o t o ll wh
t
c t
y ex
;
i n gu ished
.
2 10 P a u l Ve rla i n e
eVer
n ire y
t
i i
l r
so ns i n is i n ser ed
n e his w rs A p e eviden y di ed by
n t he ex e
G reen
t a l at o ,
t as an am p l of
F iry
la at o t . o m tl c t at t he
a .
P ge V
I n F ren h f k re Je n de ive e w ys
a I1 11 .
f . Be h o l d t h e d o g o J ean N i v e l le
unn i n g w y when s w n ed Un i k e Je n s
c o l lo t he do g o f a N ll w as al a
M Mi he s s i n g b k— s rr w l
’
r a a mo t a t . a do g t he
T he F ren h s n g n ern i n g his f s

’
ére c l ca t w as al w ay co m ac to the o o of
ca t begins f s
P e t e L u st u c ru
as
.
o ll o w :
o ld c o co c t am o u
es re Mi he qquuii perdqu i reh ndr

“
C
’
la m e
t c l a u so n c at ,
!
per qu i
u i c r i p a r l a f e n ét r
’
lu i
’
est c -
a,
Ae Mi he v re h n es perd
E t 1 co m
’
L u st u cr u lu i a résp o n du :
“
ll z , la m er l,
’ ’
c ot c at t p as u
The p e is re ess e n i n g ess un q i n ed

.
F ren h nu rsery rhy es

o m mo or l m a l to o ne ac ua t
W 1 th c . m .
P ge b ds f b u u s spiri s
mien neesis bvih r uers i b ing ining wn i n Be giu refer
c
a
. C
o
1 15
a
.
o
l
Char l e r o i
.
o ,
e
.
a
Ko
m
o l
to
a re a lo
l m , t he
t o f t he
P ge M T ere re n deri n gs
fifde eePn hsiesine inhise rep eds in us rigin yeuFxren hpeineI n irisesh ix
t
a
t
1 19
l
.
o f t
a l i n es
o
.
m
h
t he o
are t wo
al c .
of
C
t he
o
p e es w rd ye ux is s b i ed h
”
o é t he l a : So vos a !
ieux
“ ”
In “
O u ev res Co m l
”
t t he o u st tu t fo r t at
o f c .
P ge —
T he s i ne his p e is f ws
N ! Tw as G a l l i ci a n
'
a 1 26 . . o/ J a n s e n is t
la t l of t o m as o llo
i es de pierre f e h dr e
Su r t es a l 6 o ll Cat é al !
T he e n i n g d je i ve f e i n his nne i n is
,
ex eedi
th e
c n g y bs u re W f ish
F ren h w rd f e e n i n g
c
m
l o
a
o
hedr c T here is s
wi h rge eshes “
o f t he a
o ll
”
hy
m a
ct
o ol Ca t
a n et
o ll
t
l?
a
la
t co
m
ct o
al o
.
,
P ge i i
u di r s n sis his u ri u s y s i p
a I II 128 . . H op e sh n es as do t h a w sp o f s t r aw .
th e re der referred
a
Fo r
15
a
n e p r i ns
l
IV
c ou
to
a a ly
Le m a1 t re , Co
of t c
t m
o
o a
l my t
,
Vo l
ca l
.
oe m
.
No t e s 21 1
Page
his b V
u if u p e
I 1 30
p
.
sed i n pris n Ver i ne wri es i n

. The shy is j u st b ey o n d t he ro o f ,
Of
hisI b k Mwind Pwris ns AbI veu d w b fp re s b wu gnds w
t
oo
ea
es
t l o
o
m,
:
co m
“
o
o t he al l
o ,
e o
la
my i
t
o
( h ad
a t al l ps p er iswe yihere
a
o ng la
re re
hed,
b io
n g v up u us y i n
a
fr dis n Br u sse s
an d t
co l
m l
se e th e t o
o l t o
mo t
l
o
t he ai r
h of
At t he
t u
s f
o
u r u r n g s un ds
am
here p n I de hese verses f und gesse

th e
ma
t m
o t, m
t
t
fe e
m An d
ac
i o
o
my e ar
In
of
Sa
a
om
f ar
.
o
”
ta t
ff t .
l
P ge g ) Eviden y wri en i n s e
h spi Whi e n igh s s eep ess n igh s
o
a
t al
f
.
137 ( . O
t
O ld P r o l o
t ar e l
ue
l
.
t .
tl tt om
P ge A n un i n e igib e j u b e
wo
u
rds— k eid s pe
a
n t he
1 38
a
.
io
e i
dinrie g p e s v g b nd d ys wi h A r hu r i b ud The
al
t
p ies
o co
’
W ri en i n Be gi
Ka l e i do sco p e
a a o
, as t he t t l
.
a
m l
t
t
.
t
ll
Rm
l
tt
a
m l
.
l
o
um
f
refers
“
An d t he wu se
e n wi h pper b un d se
e he e om
s heir br
q ue w rn by w en
t ws co o cl o to t o ,
la b rershu inr hus pn siry i n Le sreys s p e w r k e n

o
t o t he
t at
of a
co u t
m t al
.
l m t , o r ca
L e p e ll e t i e r a t he
, o om
o m w as m a t
as a
ma ma d n f mo
or a
o co m
o o l.
o t o m ai t
. c al l i t t he o of a
P ge W ri en i n pris
Pe i s r es Brusse s Ju y
a 1 66 . Fa l se I m p r essi o n n . tt t he o o f t he
t t -
Ca m ,
l , l , 1 8 73 .
P ge Wri en i n ris n P e i s r es
BrTheuss s hersup n were
a
wr ppiprisng npersperi kep hir inseedf wifr h wh n innee

1 67 O t he rs tt t he p o of t t Ca m
-
.
.
,
el , o a a u lo om t he ca t .
ep vedh runringunVer i ne wed pr e n de i n s

“ ”
ot o l m l t om , o c
ac
a
mo
coder eye gu rd
t,
,
la
t he
w as al l o
of a a
to
.
om a a m al l
P ge As i e in di es his —p e
m ay bea
. re d b k rd we
1 68
a
Rev e rsi bl es
.
i
e nfingr (hif ines )inis see rn d s n refer her rrTnhege hird
ac wa as n reg r rder .
ll
i ts
as
t tl
t he
ca t
u la
,
o
t o m
the
m
an d
a
h pe ou
i t
pris
l
an y as c l a
t he
M n—
co
r h vi e
n g bee n
n
one
ta
w ay
z a
as th e o t
t o an a
.
a
t
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pP risedns in pe u i r y sh ped ve
of
l ac
t he c
o .
n a
a
l n t he
c l a l
o
a Ver ine s M at
al co
o s
.
t he a l t a
See la
a
’
es
P ge i P e referri n g Ar hur
b uda
a
.
E 1 72 . x p la n a t on. o m to t Ri m
2 12 P a u l Ve r la i ne
as
ge
f ws
Pa
o ll o
1 75
:
. The I m p e n i t e n t . T he s ine i n his p e is
la t l t o m
Si no u s s es
om m c e t am i t eu x
he w rd is rg here e qu i v e n i n
.
En g ish
T o am i te u x a ot . T no al t
l .

PaulVerlaineHisAbsintheTintedSong 10192027

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éy

BERGEN APPHE GATE

C II SARI SIA N S ETC H

IIII V ECTS O IGH T

IIII V ROME A E SIEGHTIT MCLATSSALI C

C ICI SWO M AN A ND CAT

IIIV MS O NSG IOE URT HER UI DHGEONMU ESE

CORT ESGHEE LLS

CO LLO U S ENTI M N TAL

Inin e d ruwnhe bw rdered

Bef rewhih eu knes igh e

The reside p igh s eve

The n ise ver ns b

IWwein ner pg nhse hereb d yngerigh hides ,

IIIV Theweep p sn in k issedhebyr h rid s f fr il

shines rphd nh I wisp es r w i n s b e

IThekn s und why h rn s bs w rd w d

INT ERI OR ETR

CV ERR SESU MS ECTIS LAN NDER D

IVV AE ETRALS I I LEDES

T ER M A NNE R AUL V E RLA I E

g er e d ut f the ages f Petr nius — s me vague n

de ﬁ n i t e creature iial f b ea st a nd hal f ma n—a veritable

sa tyr a nd wh in the glitter f m de rn Pa ri s fa re d

a s f atu i t o u sly a s i n a fable

Indeed well might h e b e likened t the mythi cal O l d

Eu m p o lu s th e dru nken brawling p et o f the Satyri con o

reappea ring a fte r so m any centur i es with a fresh st ck o ,

ca f é f the Qua rti e r La tin hi s tale f the Ephesi a n

Hi s li fe fr m ea rly uth app ea rs t h ave foll e d

An d t what depth s thi s p ri m r se path ﬁ nally l ed him o

Let us l ok at thi s singul a r genius i n ne o f hi s

Pl a ce St Mi chel Pa ri s The a i r i s feti d wi t h to b a cc

sm ke mixed with th e pungent a cri d o d r o f absint he

dr p p e d in to m i sten t hei r gull et s a nd l o o f r p rey

g e re d o t f the ages o f Petr nius — s me vague 1n

satyr— a nd wh i n the glitter o f m dern Pa ri s fa re d

I ndeed well might h e b e likene d t th e mythi cal O l d

reapp ea ring a fte r so many cen tu r1e s with a fresh sto ck

ca f é f th e Qua rti er L a tin hi s tal e f th e Ephesi an ,

Hi s li fe from ea rly uth app ea rs t have f llowe d

And t wha t depths thi s p rimr se p ath ﬁnally l ed him

Let us l ok at thi s singul a r genius i n ne f hi s o o

Pla ce St M i chel Pa ri s The a i r i s feti d with t b a cc

bi rds s o u t e n e urs ﬁl l er de j o i e a nd the like have

At a tabl e i n th e center f th e r m a gr up o f y ung

me n a re Sipping b a ck s an d p e ti ts v e rr e s and listeni ng t

not yet ﬁ fty Th e drunka rd i s Verlaine the li steners

s m e o f hi s sel f styl ed di sciples But the ma ste r ?

f a wi cke d a ngel gr wn o l d with a thi n untrimmed o ,

b e a rd and ab rupt nose ; hi s bushy bri stling eyebr ws

hi s wholly bal d a nd huge long skull m 1sshap en by e n i g ,

mati c bump s all thes e give to hi s physi ognomy a con

t ra di ct o ry a ppea ra nce o f stubbo rn a sceti ci sm a nd

ﬁ tt i n g suit 0 gray evi dently o f Engli sh make ,Hi s .

ca ne a nd a grea sy ha t a re lying b esi de him Hi s linen .

i f such i t m ay b e calle d a ppea rs to have b een resur

H e i s drinking absi nth e Th e wan purpli sh light .

she d by the ga s j ets from the walls mingle d wi th the

the group throws i nto hi s l a ss s ome rays o f i ri descent

sunken glowing eye s pee r int the gre eni sh op alescent

taki ng on a puz zl ed expressi on a t the mo m ent o f