Moonlight

 by Paul Verlaine

Moonlight 

Your soul is like a painter's landscape where

charming masks in shepherd mummeries

are playing lutes and dancing with an air

of being sad in their fantastic guise.

Even while they sing, all in a minor key, 

of love triumphant and life's careless boon, 

they seem in doubt of their felicity, 

their song melts in the calm light of the moon, 

the lovely melancholy light that sets

the little birds to dreaming in the tree

and among the statues makes the jets

of slender fountains sob with ecstasy.

The Piano 

The keyboard, over which two slim hands float,

Shines vaguely in the twilight pink and gray,

Whilst with a sound like wings, note after note

Takes flight to form a pensive little lay

That strays, discreet and charming, faint, remote,

About the room where perfumes of Her stray.

What is this sudden quiet cradling me

To that dim ditty's dreamy rise and fall?

What do you want with me, pale melody?

What is it that you want, ghost musical

That fade toward the window waveringly

A little open on the garden small? 

Streets 

Let's dance the jig!

Above all else I loved her eyes,

More clear than stars of cloudless skies,

And arch and mischievous and wise.

Let's dance the jig!

So skilfully would she proceed

To make a lover's bare heart bleed,

That it was beautiful indeed!

Let's dance the jig!

But keenlier have I relished

The kisses of her mouth so red

Since to my heart she has been dead.

Let's dance the jig!

The circumstances great and small,-

Words, moments . . . I recall, recall

It is my treasure among all.

Let's dance the jig! 

Spleen 

The roses were so red, so red,

The ivies altogether black.

If you but merely turn your head,

Beloved, all my despairs come back!

The sky was over-sweet and blue,

Too melting green the sea did show.

I always fear,--if you but knew!--

From your dear hand some killing blow.

Weary am I of holly-tree

And shining box and waving grass

Upon the tame unending lea,--

And all and all but you, alas!