Buzz
1. The Night Sea
Oceano nox
Oh! how many sailors, how many captains
Who set off joyfully on distant voyages,
Vanishing into that gloomy horizon!
How many have disappeared, harsh and sorrowful fate!
In a boundless sea, on a moonless night,
Forever buried beneath the blind ocean!
How many captains died with their crews!
The storm of their lives swept away all their pages,
And with a breath, scattered them across the waves!
No one will ever know their end, drowned in the abyss.
Each wave carries a prize as it passes;
One wave grabbed the boat, another the sailors!
No one knows your fate, poor lost souls!
You roll through the dark expanses,
Hitting your dead foreheads against unknown reefs.
Oh! how many old parents, with only one dream left,
Have died waiting every day on the stony shore
For those who never returned!
People sometimes talk about you in the evenings.
A cheerful circle, sitting on rusty anchors,
Mixes your shadowed names still
With laughter, songs, and adventure tales,
With stolen kisses from your beautiful fiancées,
While you sleep in the green seaweed!
They ask: “Where are they? Are they kings on some island?”
Have they left us for a richer shore?”
Then your memory itself is buried.
The body is lost in the water, the name in the memory.
Time, which darkens every shadow,
Throws dark oblivion over the gloomy ocean.
Soon, from everyone’s eyes, your shadow disappears.
One has no boat, the other no plow?
Only during these nights, when the storm reigns,
Your widows, with pale foreheads, weary of waiting,
Still speak of you as they stir the ashes
Of their hearth and their hearts!
And when the grave finally closes their eyelids,
No one knows your names, not even a humble stone
In the narrow cemetery where the echo answers us,
Not even a green willow shedding leaves in the autumn,
Not even the simple, monotonous song
A beggar sings at the corner of an old bridge!
Where are they, the sailors drowned in the black nights?
Oh waves, how many sorrowful stories you know!
Deep waves feared by mothers on their knees!
You tell each other those stories as the tide rises,
And it is what gives you those desperate voices
That you have in the evening when you come towards us!
Translation:
Oh! How many sailors, how many captains
Set off joyfully on distant voyages,
In that gloomy horizon, they vanished!
How many have disappeared, cruel and sad fate!
In a bottomless sea, on a moonless night,
Forever buried beneath the blind ocean!
How many captains died with their crews!
The storm took all the pages of their lives,
And with a gust of wind, scattered everything over the waves!
No one will know their end, submerged in the abyss.
Each wave carries away a prize as it passes;
This one grabs the boat, that one the sailors!
No one knows your fate, poor lost souls!
You roll through the dark expanse,
Hitting your dead foreheads on unknown reefs.
Oh! How many old parents, with only one dream left,
Have died waiting every day on the gravel shore
For those who never returned!
Sometimes people talk about you in the evenings.
Many happy gatherings, sitting on rusty anchors,
Sometimes still mixing your shadowed names
With laughter, choruses, and adventure tales,
With stolen kisses from your beautiful fiancées,
While you sleep in the green seaweed!
They ask: “Where are they? Are they kings on some island?”
Did they leave us for a more fertile shore?”
Then your memory itself is buried,
The body lost in the water, the name lost in memory.
Time, which darkens every shadow,
Throws a deeper dark oblivion on the gloomy ocean.
Soon, from everyone’s eyes, your shadow fades.
This one has no boat, and that one has no plow?
Only during these nights, when the storm reigns supreme,
Your widows, with white foreheads, weary of waiting,
Still speak of you as they stir the ashes
Of their hearth and hearts.
And when the grave finally closes their eyes,
No one knows your names, not even a humble stone
In the narrow cemetery where the echo answers us,
Not even a green willow shedding leaves in autumn,
Not even the simple, monotonous song
A beggar sings at the corner of an old bridge!
Where are they, the sailors who sank in the black nights?
Oh waves, how many sorrowful stories you know!
Deep waves feared by mothers on their knees!
You tell each other those stories as the tide rises,
And it is what gives you those desperate voices
That you have in the evening when you come toward us!
1840
This poem speaks of the fate of sailors who never returned. The original title is in Latin. This poem was once included in the 1990-2006 version of the 11th grade literature textbook, with a translation by Tố Hữu, but was omitted in the 2007 version of the 11th grade literature curriculum.
2. Our lips have met
Since my lips touched your still full cup
Since my lips touched your still full cup;
Since I placed my pale forehead in your hands;
Since I have breathed at times the sweet breath
Of your soul, a fragrance buried in the shadows;
Since I was given the privilege to hear you speak
The words where the mysterious heart overflows;
Since I have seen you weep, since I have seen you smile
Your lips on mine, your eyes in mine;
Since I saw shine upon my delighted head
A ray from your star, alas! forever veiled;
Since I saw fall into the waves of my life
A rose petal torn from your days;
I can now say to the swift years:
- Pass! Keep passing! I no longer need to age!
Go away with your faded flowers;
I have in my soul a flower that none can pluck!
Your wing will not spill a drop
From the vase where I drink and have filled to the brim.
My soul has more fire than you have ash!
My heart holds more love than you have forgetfulness!
Translation:
Since the moment your lips met my still full cup.
Since the moment my pale forehead rested in your hands.
Since at times I have inhaled the sweet breath
Of your soul, a fragrance buried in the darkness.
Since I was granted the joy of hearing your voice
Speaking words that overflow with your mysterious heart.
Since I have seen you weep, since I have seen you smile,
Your lips pressed to mine, your eyes meeting mine.
Since I witnessed the joy shine above my head,
A ray of your star, alas, forever veiled.
Since I watched a rose petal fall into the waves of my life,
Torn from the fabric of your days.
Now I tell the hurrying years:
Pass! Keep passing! I no longer fear aging!
Take with you your faded flowers;
I carry a flower within me that no one can take!
Your wing won't spill a drop
From my full cup, the vessel from which I drink.
My soul burns with more fire than your ash ever will.
My heart holds more love than your forgetfulness will ever have.
3. “Let’s Love Again, Love Forever”
“Let us always love! Let us love again”
Let us always love! Let us love again!
When love fades, hope vanishes.
Love is the cry of dawn,
Love is the anthem of night.
What the waves tell the shores,
What the wind tells the old mountains,
What the stars tell the clouds,
Is the inexpressible word: Love!
Love makes us dream, live, and believe.
It has, to warm the heart,
A ray brighter than glory,
And that ray is happiness!
Love! Whether praised or criticized,
Great hearts will always love:
Join this youthful spirit
With the youth of your brow!
Love, to enchant your hours!
So that in your beautiful eyes,
The inner joys appear
The mysterious, enchanting smile!
Let us love more and more!
Let us unite more every day.
The trees grow through their leaves;
Let our souls grow in love!
Let us be the mirror and the reflection!
Let us be the flower and the fragrance!
The lovers, who, alone beneath the shade,
Feel they are two but are one!
Poets seek beauty.
The woman, an angel with pure favor,
Loves to refresh under her wings
These great, dreaming brows.
Come to us, touching beauties!
Come to me, you, my love, my law!
Angel! Come to me when you sing,
And when you cry, come to me!
We alone understand your ecstasies;
For our spirits are not mocking;
For poets are the vessels
Where women pour their hearts.
I, who seek in this world
Only the one true reality,
I, who let slip like the waves
All that is mere vanity,
I prefer, to the riches intoxicated by
The pride of soldiers or kings,
The shadow you cast on my book
When your brow bends over me.
All ambition kindled
In our minds, a subtle fire,
Falls to ash or floats away as smoke,
And we ask ourselves: -What remains?-
All pleasures, flowers just opening
In our dark and gloomy April,
Lilies, myrtles, and roses fall,
And we say: -Is it all over?-
Only love remains. O noble woman,
If you wish, in this vile world,
To keep your faith, keep your soul,
Keep your God, keep love!
Preserve in your heart, without fear,
Even if you must cry and suffer,
The flame that cannot be extinguished
And the flower that cannot die!
Translation:
Let’s love again, love forever
When love fades, hope is gone
Love is the call of dawn
Love is the anthem of night
What do the waves tell the golden sand?
What does the wind say to the blue mountains?
What does the star say to the clouds?
One word that cannot be described: Love!
Love makes us think, live, and believe
It brings warmth to the heart
It shines brighter than glory
And that light is happiness!
Love! Even when praised or criticized
Love will always live in great hearts
Love is the youth of the soul
United with the youth of the body
Love is living through passionate hours
It is the joy in the beautiful eyes
The mysterious, aching smile
Of secret desires and quiet pleasures
Let’s love more every day!
Let’s unite closer every day
Like trees growing through their leaves
Our love will grow with our souls!
Let us be the mirror and its image!
Let us be the flower and its fragrance!
Lovers, who, alone under the shade
Feel two but are one soul
Poets seek beauty
Women, angels with pure favors,
Love to protect the dreamers
Under their wings
Come to us, touching beauties!
Come to me, you, my love, my law!
Angel, come to me when you sing
And when you weep, come to me!
We alone understand your ecstasies
For we do not mock
Poets are the crystal vases
Where women pour their hearts
I, who seek the truth in this world
Only the one real truth
I let all the illusions of life
Slip away like water
I prefer the shadow you cast on my page
When your brow bends close to me
Rather than any riches sought by kings
Or the pride of soldiers
All ambitions that burn in the soul
Turn to ash or fade away
We ask: -What is left?-
All pleasures, flowers just blooming
In our dark, gloomy April
Die and fade, whether lilies or roses
And we say: -Is it all finished?-
Only love remains. O noble woman,
If you wish, in this world full of trouble,
To keep your faith, keep your soul,
Keep your God, keep love!
Keep in your heart, without fear
Even if you must weep and suffer
The flame that never dies
And the flower that never fades!
Source: Let’s Love Again, Literature Publishing House, 1990
4. May, the Month of Blooms
May in Full Bloom
As May calls us with its flowers blooming in the meadows,
Come! Do not hesitate to blend your soul with mine
The countryside, the woods, and the enchanting shades,
The wide moonlit spaces by the sleeping waves,
The path that ends where the road begins,
And the air, the spring, and the vast horizon,
The horizon this world humbly and joyfully attaches
Like a lip to the edge of the heavens!
Come! And let the gaze of the modest stars
That fall upon the earth through countless veils,
Let the tree, filled with fragrances and songs,
Let the midday breeze in the fields,
And the shade, the sun, the water, and the greenery,
And the radiance of all of nature
Make bloom, like a double flower,
Beauty on your brow and love in your heart!
(May 21, 1835)
Translation:
May, when the flowers bloom full and fragrant
The green fields sing, calling for the joy of nature
Come, my love! Do not hesitate
With a dream-filled soul, let us unite in love's rhythm
The countryside with its beautiful forests
The shade of trees shimmering by the lake's surface
The water still, waking from a dream
The moonlight shining brightly, waiting for someone
The winding path continues far
Spring’s sweet scent fills the vast sky above
The world seems to blend in perfect harmony
The earth and the sky embrace in a loving kiss
Come, my love! Come quickly now
Look at the stars shining bright, pure and clear
The clouds cover the sky in a gentle embrace
The stars fall to the earth, bringing joy to the heart
The scent of flowers and the whispers of nature
The birds sing sweetly, caught in the moment of joy
In the midday sun, the warmth touches your skin
The shadows, the sky, the clouds, the water, the flowers all smile
From you blooms a fresh flower
A portrait of grace, the love of my heart!
5. When the shadow of a child appears
When the child appears
When the child appears, the family circle rejoices with loud cheers.
The child's gentle gaze shines,
Making all eyes sparkle,
Even the saddest, most troubled faces
Suddenly brighten upon seeing the child,
Innocent and joyful.
Whether June brings green to my doorstep, or November
Wraps a large fire flickering in the room,
Chairs touch together,
When the child comes, joy arrives and enlightens us.
We laugh, we exclaim, we call out, and the mother
Trembles as she watches the child take their first steps.
Sometimes, we speak, stirring the flame,
About the homeland, about God, poets, and the soul
That rises in prayer;
When the child appears, goodbye to heaven and homeland
And the holy poets! The serious conversation
Stops with a smile.
At night, when the man sleeps, when the spirit dreams, at the hour
When you hear a moan, like a voice crying out,
The waves among the reeds,
If dawn suddenly shines from afar like a lighthouse,
Its light in the fields awakens a fanfare
Of bells and birds.
Child, you are the dawn and my soul is the plain
That perfumes with the sweetest flowers when you breathe in its air;
My soul is the forest, whose dark branches
Fill only for you with gentle murmurs
And golden rays!
For your beautiful eyes are full of infinite sweetness,
For your little hands, joyful and blessed,
Have not yet done any harm;
Your young steps have never touched our dirt,
Sacred head! child with golden hair! beautiful angel
With a golden halo!
You are among us the dove of the ark.
Your tender, pure feet have not yet reached the age of walking.
Your wings are of azure.
Without fully understanding, you look at the world.
Double virginity! A body where nothing is impure,
A soul where nothing is unclean!
How beautiful the child is, with their sweet smile,
Their sweet faith, their voice that wants to say everything,
Their quickly soothed tears,
Letting their amazed and delighted gaze wander,
Offering their young soul to life from all directions
And their lips to kisses!
Lord! Preserve me, preserve those I love,
Siblings, parents, friends, and even my enemies
In triumph over evil,
Never let me see, Lord! summer without red flowers,
The cage without birds, the hive without bees,
The house without children!
6. June Night
June Nights
In the summer, when the day has fled, the field, covered with flowers,
Spreads a distant, intoxicating fragrance;
With closed eyes, the ear half open to the murmurs,
We sleep only halfway in a transparent slumber.
The stars are purer, the shadows seem gentler;
A faint twilight colors the eternal dome;
And the soft, pale dawn, waiting for its time,
Seems to wander all night at the edge of the sky.
7. Autumn
Autumn
The dawn is less bright, the air cooler, the sky less pure;
The long days have passed, the charming months are ending.
Alas! Here already the trees are turning yellow!
Autumn is sad with its chilly breeze and fog,
And the summer fading away, and a friend departing.
8. Men and Women
Man and Woman
Man is the highest of all beings;
Woman is the most sublime of ideals.
God made a throne for man;
For woman, He created an altar.
The throne exalts;
The altar sanctifies.
Man is the brain,
Woman is the heart.
The brain creates light;
The heart produces Love.
Light gives life;
Love brings resurrection.
Man is strong through reason;
Woman is invincible through tears.
Reason convinces;
Teardrops move us.
Man is capable of all heroism;
Woman of all martyrdom.
Heroism ennobles;
Martyrdom elevates.
Man has supremacy;
Woman has preference.
Supremacy signifies power;
Preference represents right.
Man is a genius,
Woman is an angel.
Genius is immeasurable;
An angel is undefinable.
The aspiration of man is supreme glory;
The aspiration of woman is the utmost virtue.
Glory makes all that is great;
Virtue makes all that is divine.
Man is a Code;
Woman is the Gospel.
The Code corrects;
The Gospel perfects.
Man thinks;
Woman dreams.
To think is to have a larva in the brain;
To dream is to have a halo upon the brow.
Man is an ocean;
Woman is a lake.
The ocean has the pearl that adorns;
The lake has the poetry that enlightens.
Man is an eagle flying;
Woman is a nightingale singing.
Flying means to dominate space;
Singing means to conquer the soul.
Man is a temple;
Woman is the sanctuary.
Before the temple, we uncover our heads;
Before the sanctuary, we kneel.
Finally:
Man is placed where the earth ends;
Woman, where the sky begins.
9. February 15, 1843
February 15, 1843
Love the one who loves you, and be happy in their love.
Farewell! Be their treasure, oh you who were once ours!
Go, my blessed child, from one family to another.
Take happiness with you and leave us with the sorrow!
Here, they want to keep you; there, they long for you.
As a daughter, wife, angel, and child, fulfill your dual duty.
Give us a regret, give them a hope,
Leave with a tear, enter with a smile!
In 1843, Victor Hugo's daughter Léopoldine married Charles Vacquerie. On September 4, Léopoldine and her husband drowned in the Seine River at Villequier. Victor Hugo, who was in the Pyrénées at the time, learned the news on September 9 after reading it in the newspaper. He returned to Paris on the 12th.
During the mourning period, he stopped writing for three years.
10. Sending a graceful posture
To the beautiful imperious one
Love, panic
From reason,
Spreads through
The shiver.
Let me speak,
Grant me nothing.
If I sigh,
Sing, it's better this way.
If I stay,
Sad, at your feet,
And if I weep,
It's fine, laugh.
A man seems
Often deceiving.
But if I tremble,
Beautiful one, be afraid.
Translation:
Love, sometimes it makes you startle
Then it shows the meaning of the heart
When love speaks to two souls
With a heartbeat, trembling words flow.
Let me speak to you, my dear
Grant me nothing more this moment
If I let out a sigh
Sing, it'll be much better this way.
If I stay here
Sad beneath your footsteps
And if I cry for you
It’s good, please laugh.
Men may seem confusing
Often misunderstood by their innocent words
If I tremble,
My lovely, have mercy on me.
