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The Trees’ Reflection In The Misty Stream

Paul Verlaine

Le rossignol qui du haut d’une branche se regarde
dedans, croit etre tombe dans la riviere. Il est au sommet
d’un chene, et toutefois il a peur de se noyer.
                                   CYRANO DE BERGERAC.


The trees’ reflection in the misty stream
   Dies off in livid steam;
Whilst up among the actual boughs, forlorn,
   The tender wood-doves mourn.

How wan the face, O traveller, this wan
   Gray landscape looked upon;
And how forlornly in the high tree-tops
   Lamented thy drowned hopes!

Translated by Gertrude Hall

Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Poems of Paul Verlaine
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