A Little Song by Mr. Léon de Wailly

Far to the east lies an island.

I discovered it the other day.

It's only thirty paces around.

When the sea is pale and calm

you can glimpse it on the horizon.

I want to build a house there,

of mother-of-pearl and of the plumes of swans,

kingfishers and peacocks.

Coral will climb its walls

instead of myrtle and vines.

We are master-fishermen, and our flowers are of mother-of-pearl and coral.

My love, I want to take you there.

In the evening, when my Pierra

is at the window,

sailors at sea will see

her shining eyes and skin

and say, "Look, the sun!"