Comédie en trois baisers by Arthur Rimbaud

Elle était fort déshabillée, Et de grands arbres indiscrets Aux vitres penchaient leur feuillée Malinement, tout près, tout près. Assise sur ma grande chaise, Mi-nue elle joignait les mains. Sur le plancher frissonnaient d’aise Ses petits pieds si fins, si fins. —Je regardai, couleur de cire Un petit rayon buissonnier Papillonner, comme un sourire, Sur son beau sein, mouche au rosier, —Je baisai ses fines chevilles. Elle eut un long rire tris-mal Qui s’égrenait en claires trilles, Une risure de cristal . . . Les petits pieds sous la chemise Se sauvèrent: «Veux-tu finir!» —La première audace permise, Le rire feignait de punir! —Pauvrets palpitant sous ma lèvre, Je baisai doucement ses yeux: —Elle jeta sa tête mièvre En arrière: «Oh! c’est encor mieux! . . .» «Monsieur, j’ai deux mots à te dire . . .» —Je lui jetai le reste au sein Dans un baiser, qui la fit rire D’un bon rire qui voulait bien . . . —Elle était fort déshabillée Et de grands arbres indiscrets Aux vitres penchaient leur feuillée Malinement, tout près, tout près.

Comedy in three kisses (literal translation of Arthur Rimbaud’s poem)

She was very undressed, And large indiscreet trees To the windows leaned their foliage Cleverly, very close, very close. Sitting on my big chair, Half-naked she clasped her hands. On the floor shivered with pleasure Her little feet so fine, so fine. —I watched, the color of wax A little bushy ray Fluttering, like a smile, On her beautiful breast, a fly on the rosebush, —I kissed her fine ankles. She had a long, sad laugh Which was scattered in clear trills, A crystal laugh . . . The little feet under the chemise Run away: "Do you want to finish!" —The first audacity permitted, Laughter pretended to punish! —Poor things quivering under my lip, I kissed her eyes gently: —She threw her mawkish head Back: "Oh! that’s even better! . . ." "Sir, I have two words to say to you . . ." —I threw the rest to her breast In a kiss, which made her laugh With a good laugh that wanted to . . . —She was very undressed And large indiscreet trees Their foliage leaned against the windows Cleverly, very close, very close.