The English version presented below is a literal, word-for-word translation. It attempts to preserve the poet's word order as far as possible, for a better appreciation of the composer's musical treatment of individual words and phrases. Download track from iTunes.

L’ombre des arbres dans la rivière embrumée
Meurt comme de la fumée,

Tandis qu’en l’air, parmi les ramures réelles,
Se plaignent les tourterelles.

Combien ô voyageur, ce paysage blême
Te mira blême toi-même,

Et que tristes pleuraient dans les hautes feuillées, Tes espérances noyées.

Paul Verlaine

The shadow of the trees in the misty river
Dies like smoke;

While up above, among the real branches,
The doves are lamenting.

How well, oh traveller, this washed-out landscape
Mirrored you pallid self!

And how sadly did weep, in the high foliage,
Your drowned hopes.