The snow-white butterflies

Fernand de la Tombelle

The snow-white butterflies

fly in swarms over the sea.

Beautiful white butterflies, when can I

travel the blue path of the air?

Tell me, oh fairest of the fair,

my dancing-girl with the jet-black eyes -

if they were to lend me their wings,

do you know where I would fly?

Not taking one kiss from the roses,

I'd fly across valleys and forests

to alight on your half-closed lips (oh my soul's

chosen flower!) - and there I'd die.