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One night as I lay beside a dreadful Jewess ... One night as I lay beside a dreadful Jewess,
Like a corpse stretched out alongside another corpse,
I began to think, next to this purchased body,
Of the sad beauty my desire deprives itself of.
I pictured to myself her native majesty,
Her gaze armed with vigor and grace,
Her hair, which formed a perfumed helmet for her head,
And the memory of which arouses me again for love.
For I would have kissed her noble body with fervor,
And from her fresh feet to her black tresses
Unfurled the treasure of deep caresses,
If, one evening, with a tear obtained effortlessly,
You could only, oh queen among cruel women!
Dim the splendor of your cold eyes.
Original French
(All translations by Cat Nilan © 1999, 2004) |