Yolande and Marie

Für die Liebe!

Text by Heinrich Heine (1797-1856)

Translated into English by Joseph Massaad

deutsch | français


I

These ladies are the best of the bunch:
They know how to honor poets, they do!
The treated me with a great lunch,
Me and my genius too.

Ah! The soup was an outstanding feat,
And I was refreshed by the wine,
The hare, a spicy treat,
And the poultry were divine.

They spoke, I think of poetic art,
And I was full, at the end;
I thanked them for being so smart,
In knowing how to honor a friend.

II

With whom should I fall in love ?
They are both so charming, I find.
The mother is a beautiful woman and above
All, the daughter is a beautiful child

The members, when innocent and white
Are so moving to observe!
Yet, ingenious eyes are charming outright,
When our affection is met with no reserve.

My heart resembles a friend, old and gray,
Who between two bundles of feed
Thoughtfully broods over which of the hay
Would make the best fodder, indeed.

III

The bottles are empty and the breakfast was good,
The little ladies are all rosy and exalted;
They aerate their bodice with a spirited mood,
I believe they must be plastered.

The shoulders are so white, the breasts so charming!
My hearts trembles and is terrified.
Well, they throw themselves on the bed, laughing,
And wrap themselves under the cover and hide.

They do not even bother to draw the curtains,
And start snoring all out, in the end.
I remain in the room, lonely, stupid, uncertain,
And with embarrassment look at the bed.

IV

This youth which dwindles a bit every day,
Is replaced by courage, sudden and bold,
I can now stretch my daring hand all the way
Towards many a slender hip I wish to hold.

Some would react as if in great shock,
But would soon dispose with no say.
Against shame, anger or stumbling block,
Judicious flattery will find its way.

And yet, when I savor this victory,
I feel that the best part is missing:
Is it the sweep stupidity
Of youth that is disappearing?