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.

Mes désirs ne sont point lassés.

Donne-moi tes baisers, maîtresse!

Je n’en aurai jamais assez.

Je veux boire jusqu’à l’ivresse.

Donne-moi tes baisers! Encor!

Je veux boire à ta lèvre rose.

Tu me dis, et j’en suis d’accord,

Que c’est toujours la même chose;

Mais c’est toujours nouveau pourtant!

Je suis un buveur peu sévère,

De ceux qui boivent tant et tant

Qu’ils se noient au fond de leur verre.

Folle, il faut te griser aussi.

Laisse-toi donc faire, et sois ivre!

Donne tes baisers, comme si

Tu n’avais plus qu’un jour à vivre.

Jean Richepin

My desires are not sated.

Give me your kisses, mistress!

I shall never have enough of them.

I want to drink myself to drunkenness.

Give me your kisses! Again!

I want to drink from your rosy lip.

You tell me, and I agree,

That it is always the same thing;

Yet it is always new!

I am not strict with myself as a drinker:

One of those who drink so much

That they drown in the bottom of their glass.

Madwoman, you too must become intoxicated.

Let yourself go, and be drunk!

Give your kisses as if

You only had one day to live.