[Lyric] The First Evening (Arthur Rimbaud)

- She was very much half-dressed
And big indiscreet trees
Threw out their leaves against the pane
Cunningly, and close, quite close

Sitting half naked in my big chair
She clasped her hands
Her small and so delicate feet
Trembled with pleasure on the floor

- The colour of wax, I watched
A little wild ray of light
Flutter on her smiling lips
And on her breast, - an insect on the rose-bush

- I kissed her delicate ankles
She laughed softly and suddenly
A string of clear trills
A lovely laugh of crystal

The small feet fled beneath
Her petticoat: "Stop it, do!"
- The first act of daring permitted
Her laugh pretended to punish me!
- Softly I kissed her eyes
Trembling beneath my lips, poor things:
- She threw back her fragile head
"Oh! come now that's going too far!...

Listen, Sir, I have something to say to you..."
- I transferred the rest to her breast
In a kiss which made her laugh
With a kind laugh that was willing...

- She was very much half-dressed
And big indiscreet trees threw
Out their leaves against the pane
Cunningly, and close, quite close