Showing posts with label song. Show all posts
Showing posts with label song. Show all posts

Thursday, October 21, 2010

'comme le cygne trouble l'eau'

La chanson de la bohémienne avait troublé la rêverie de Gringoire, mais comme le cygne trouble l'eau. Il l'écoutait avec une sorte de ravissement et d'oubli de toute chose. C'était depuis plusieurs heures le premier moment où il ne se sentît pas souffrir.
Ce moment fut court.
Victor Hugo, Notre-Dame de Paris (1831)
The gypsy's song had disturbed Gringoire's daydream but only as a swan disturbs the water. He heard it in a sort of rapture, oblivious of all else. It was the first time in several hours that he had not felt he was suffering.
But not for long.
Victor Hugo, Notre-Dame of Paris (1831) (trans. John Sturrock 1978)