Ignace Nau
A la belle-de-nuit / To the Beauty of the Night
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Translation By
Ann Delva
Translator Biography
Ann Delva is a junior at Stockton University with a major in Accounting and a minor in French.
Publication Date
2023
Description
English language translation of Ignace Nau's "A la Belle-de-nuit" by Ann Delva.
A la belle-de-nuit / To the Beauty of the Night
English language translation of Ignace Nau's "A la Belle-de-nuit" by Ann Delva.
Original Work
Ô ma belle-de-nuit, ferme, ferme ta robe,
Car la lune est bien pâle à l'horizon du soir;
Retiens les doux parfums de ton pur encensoir;
Le matin est éclos sous les regards de l'aube.
Le rayon du soleil est pour toi trop brûlant;
Humble fleur, cache-toi sous l'épaisse ramée,
Jusqu'à ce que la nuit et sa brise embaumée
Ramènent dans le ciel le timide croissant.
Alors tu reprendras ta pourpre nuancée;
Tu verras briller entre tous tes amants
La mouche voyageuse aux yeux de diamants.
Quels baisers, quels soupirs, heureuse fiancée !
Lorsqu'en ton lit d'amour, tes charmes disputés
Rassembleront, ce soir, l'essaim des voluptés.
Poem by Ignace Nau
Translated Work
Oh my beauty of the night*, close, close your dress,
Since the moon is very pale on the evening horizon;
Hold the sweet perfume of your pure incense;
The morning blooms under the gaze of dawn,
The rays of the sun for you too bright;
Humble flower, hide under the thick foliage,
Until the night and its embalmed breeze
Returns the timid crescent moon to the sky.
Then you will resume your purple nuance;
Among the most brilliant of your lovers:
The wandering fly with the diamond eyes.
What kisses, what sighs, happy fiancée!
When in your bed of love, your contested charms
Will gather, tonight, the swarm of delight.
Translated by Ann Delva, 2023
*Translator Note: "Belle-de-nuit" or "four o'clock" is a flower that opens in the late afternoon.