Fair nightingale
Jean Rivier
Fair nightingale, flitting as you will
from branch to branch of the willows, alone,
singing as I would that I could sing
She who must always be in my mouth.
We both sigh. Your sweet voice tries
to sound the love of one who loves you so,
and I sadly regret the beauty
who has so wounded my heart.
There is one difference between us, nightingale,
although we both have the same music.
You are loved, and I am not.
Your love yields before the sweet sounds you make,
but mine scorns my songs and covers her ears
so as not to hear them.