The Balcony

The Flowers of Evil ~ The Balcony written by Charles Baudelaire translated by A. S. Kline

Le Balcon.

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Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses,
O you, all my pleasures ! O you, all my learning !
You will remember the joy of caresses,
the sweetness of home and the beauty of evening,
Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses !

On evenings lit by the glow of the ashes
and on the balcony, veiled, rose-coloured, misted,
how gentle your breast was, how good your heart to me !
We have said things meant for eternity,
on evenings lit by the glow of the ashes.

How lovely the light is on sultry evenings !
How deep the void grows ! How powerful the heart is !
As I leaned towards you, queen of adored ones
I thought I breathed perfume from your blood’s kiss.
How lovely the light is on sultry evenings !

The night it was thickening and closing around us,
and my eyes in the dark were divining your glance,
and I drank your nectar. Oh sweetness ! Oh poison !
your feet held, here, in these fraternal hands.
The night it was thickening and closing around us.

I know how to summon up happiest moments,
and relive my past, there, curled, touching your knees.
What good to search for your languorous beauties
but in your dear body, and your heart so sweet ?
I know how to summon up happiest moments !

Those vows, those perfumes, those infinite kisses,
will they be reborn, from gulfs beyond soundings,
as the suns that are young again climb in the sky,
after they’ve passed through the deepest of drownings ?
-O vows ! O perfumes ! O infinite kisses !