The Angel in the House — Page 5
Geranium, lychnis, rose array'd The windows, all wide open thrown;
Géranium, lychnis, rose ornaient Les fenêtres, toutes grandes ouvertes ;
And some one in the Study play'd The Wedding-March of Mendelssohn.
Et quelqu'un dans le bureau jouait La Marche nuptiale de Mendelssohn.
And there it was I last took leave: 'Twas Christmas: I remember'd now
Et c'est là que je pris congé pour la dernière fois : C'était Noël : je me souvins alors
The cruel girls, who feign'd to grieve, Took down the evergreens; and how
Des cruelles jeunes filles, qui feignaient de s'affliger, Décrochèrent les verdures ; et comment
The holly into blazes woke The fire, lighting the large, low room,
Le houx en flammes ranima Le feu, éclairant la grande pièce basse,
A dim, rich lustre of old oak And crimson velvet's glowing gloom.
D'un éclat sombre et riche de vieux chêne Et des ténèbres rougeoyantes du velours cramoisi.
No change had touch'd Dean Churchill: kind, By widowhood more than winters bent,
Aucun changement n'avait touché le doyen Churchill : bienveillant, Courbé par le veuvage plus encore que par les hivers,
And settled in a cheerful mind, As still forecasting heaven's content.
Et établi dans un esprit joyeux, Pressentant toujours la félicité céleste.
Well might his thoughts be fix'd on high, Now she was there! Within her face
Ses pensées pouvaient bien se porter vers les hauteurs, Maintenant qu'elle était là ! Dans son visage
Humility and dignity Were met in a most sweet embrace.
Humilité et dignité Se rencontraient en une très douce étreinte.
She seem'd expressly sent below To teach our erring minds to see
Elle semblait expressément envoyée ici-bas Pour enseigner à nos esprits égarés à voir
The rhythmic change of time's swift flow As part of still eternity.
Le changement rythmique du flux rapide du temps Comme partie de l'éternité immuable.
Her life, all honour, observed, with awe Which cross experience could not mar,
Sa vie, toute d'honneur, observait, avec révérence Que nulle âpre expérience ne pouvait ternir,
The fiction of the Christian law That all men honourable are;
La fiction de la loi chrétienne Selon laquelle tous les hommes sont honorables ;
And so her smile at once conferr'd High flattery and benign reproof;
Aussi son sourire conférait à la fois Une haute flatterie et un doux reproche ;
And I, a rude boy, strangely stirr'd, Grew courtly in my own behoof.
Et moi, garçon grossier, étrangement ému, Je devins courtois pour mon propre bien.
The years, so far from doing her wrong, Anointed her with gracious balm,
Les années, loin de lui faire tort, L'oignirent d'un baume gracieux,
And made her brows more and more young With wreaths of amaranth and palm.
Et rendirent son front de plus en plus jeune De couronnes d'amarante et de palme.
Was this her eldest, Honor; prude, Who would not let me pull the swing;
Était-ce là son aînée, Honor ; prude, Qui ne me laissait pas tirer la balançoire ;
Who, kiss'd at Christmas, call'd me rude, And, sobbing low, refused to sing?
Qui, embrassée à Noël, me traitait de grossier, Et, sanglotant tout bas, refusait de chanter ?
How changed!
Comme elle avait changé !
Vocabulary
- Géranium
- A flowering plant commonly grown in gardens or pots.
- rose
- A thorny flowering shrub with fragrant blooms.
- ornaient
- Third person plural imperfect of orner; were decorating.
- Les
- Definite plural article meaning the.
- fenêtres
- Plural noun meaning windows in a building.
- toutes
- Feminine plural of tout; meaning all or every.
- grandes
- Feminine plural adjective meaning large or wide.
- ouvertes
- Feminine plural past participle of ouvrir; meaning open.
- Et
- Conjunction meaning and, linking words or clauses.
- quelqu'
- Indefinite pronoun meaning someone or somebody.
- un
- Indefinite article or numeral meaning one or a.
- dans
- Preposition meaning in or inside a space.
- le
- Masculine singular definite article meaning the.
- bureau
- Noun meaning office or desk where one works.
- jouait
- Third person singular imperfect of jouer; was playing.
- La
- Feminine singular definite article meaning the.
- Marche
- Noun meaning march, a piece of music with rhythm.
- nuptiale
- Adjective meaning nuptial or relating to a wedding.
- de
- Preposition meaning of or from, very common in French.
- c'
- Contracted form of ce before est; meaning it or that.
- est
- Third person singular of être; meaning is.
- là
- Adverb meaning there, indicating a specific place.
- que
- Conjunction or relative pronoun meaning that or which.
- je
- First person singular subject pronoun meaning I.
- pris
- Past participle of prendre; meaning took or took leave.
- congé
- Noun meaning leave or farewell, time away from duty.
- pour
- Preposition meaning for or in order to.
- la
- Feminine singular definite article or direct object pronoun.
- dernière
- Feminine adjective meaning last or final in a sequence.
- fois
- Noun meaning time or instance, as in one time.
- C'
- Contracted form of ce before était; meaning it was.
- était
- Third person singular imperfect of être; meaning was.
- Noël
- Noun meaning Christmas, the Christian winter holiday.
- me
- First person singular object pronoun meaning me or myself.
- souvins
- First person singular passé simple of se souvenir; remembered.
- alors
- Adverb meaning then or at that time.
- Des
- Partitive or plural indefinite article meaning some or of.
- cruelles
- Feminine plural adjective meaning cruel or heartless.
- jeunes
- Plural adjective meaning young, referring to youth.
- filles
- Plural noun meaning girls or daughters.
- qui
- Relative pronoun or interrogative meaning who or which.
- feignaient
- Third person plural imperfect of feindre; were pretending.
- s'
- Reflexive pronoun se contracted before a vowel.
- affliger
- Verb meaning to grieve or to cause distress.
- Décrochèrent
- Third person plural passé simple of décrocher; unhooked or took down.
- les
- Definite plural article or object pronoun meaning the or them.
- verdures
- Plural noun meaning greenery or leafy decorations.
- et
- Conjunction meaning and, connecting words or clauses.
- comment
- Adverb meaning how, used in questions or exclamations.
- Le
- Masculine singular definite article meaning the.
- houx
- Noun meaning holly, an evergreen plant with red berries.
- en
- Preposition or pronoun meaning in, on, or of it.
- flammes
- Plural noun meaning flames or fire.
- ranima
- Third person singular passé simple of ranimer; revived or rekindled.
- feu
- Noun meaning fire or flame, a burning combustion.
- éclairant
- Present participle of éclairer; meaning lighting or illuminating.
- grande
- Feminine singular adjective meaning large or great.
- pièce
- Noun meaning room in a house or dwelling.
- basse
- Feminine adjective meaning low, as in low-ceilinged.
- D'
- Contracted preposition de before a vowel; meaning of or with.
- éclat
- Noun meaning brilliance, splendor, or a burst of light.
- sombre
- Adjective meaning dark, gloomy, or somber.
- riche
- Adjective meaning rich, wealthy, or sumptuous.
- vieux
- Masculine adjective meaning old or aged.
- chêne
- Noun meaning oak, a large hardwood tree.
- des
- Plural partitive article meaning some or of the.
- ténèbres
- Plural noun meaning darkness or deep shadows.
- du
- Contracted article de + le meaning of the or some.
- velours
- Noun meaning velvet, a soft luxurious fabric.
- cramoisi
- Adjective meaning crimson, a deep red color.
- Aucun
- Negative adjective meaning no or not any.
- changement
- Noun meaning change or alteration in state or form.
- n'
- Contracted negation ne before a vowel; used with pas.
- avait
- Third person singular imperfect of avoir; meaning had.
- touché
- Past participle of toucher; meaning touched or affected.
- doyen
- Noun meaning dean or eldest respected member of a group.
- bienveillant
- Adjective meaning benevolent or kindly disposed toward others.
- Courbé
- Past participle of courber; meaning bent or bowed down.
- par
- Preposition meaning by or through indicating cause or means.
- veuvage
- Noun meaning widowhood, the state of being a widower.
- plus
- Adverb meaning more or most, also used in negation.
- encore
- Adverb meaning still, yet, or again.
- hivers
- Plural noun meaning winters, the cold seasons of the year.
- établi
- Past participle of établir; meaning established or settled.
- esprit
- Noun meaning spirit, mind, or wit.
- joyeux
- Masculine adjective meaning joyful, merry, or cheerful.
- Pressentant
- Present participle of pressentir; meaning sensing or having a foreboding.
- toujours
- Adverb meaning always or still.
- félicité
- Noun meaning bliss, happiness, or heavenly joy.
- céleste
- Adjective meaning celestial, heavenly, or divine.
- Ses
- Possessive adjective meaning his, her, or its (plural).
- pensées
- Plural noun meaning thoughts or reflections.
- pouvaient
- Third person plural imperfect of pouvoir; meaning could or were able.
- bien
- Adverb meaning well or indeed, expressing affirmation.
- se
- Reflexive pronoun meaning oneself, himself, herself, or themselves.
- porter
- Verb meaning to carry or turn toward something.
- vers
- Preposition meaning toward or in the direction of.
- hauteurs
- Plural noun meaning heights or elevated places.
- Maintenant
- Adverb meaning now, at the present moment.
- qu'
- Contracted conjunction que before a vowel; meaning that or than.
- elle
- Third person feminine singular pronoun meaning she or her.
- Dans
- Preposition meaning in or inside a location.
- son
- Possessive adjective meaning his, her, or its (singular).
- visage
- Noun meaning face, the front part of the head.
- Humilité
- Noun meaning humility, the quality of being modest.
- dignité
- Noun meaning dignity, a sense of worth and self-respect.
- Se
- Reflexive pronoun used with pronominal verbs meaning oneself.
- rencontraient
- Third person plural imperfect of rencontrer; were meeting or blending.
- une
- Feminine singular indefinite article meaning a or an.
- très
- Adverb meaning very, intensifying an adjective or adverb.
- douce
- Feminine adjective meaning sweet, soft, or gentle.
- étreinte
- Noun meaning embrace or clasp, a tight hold.
- Elle
- Third person feminine singular subject pronoun meaning she.
- semblait
- Third person singular imperfect of sembler; meaning seemed or appeared.
- expressément
- Adverb meaning expressly or specifically, with clear intent.
- envoyée
- Feminine past participle of envoyer; meaning sent.
- ici-
- Adverb prefix meaning here, used in ici-bas meaning on earth.
- bas
- Adjective or adverb meaning low or down below.
- Pour
- Preposition meaning for or in order to.
- enseigner
- Verb meaning to teach or instruct someone.
- à
- Preposition meaning to, at, or for various uses.
- nos
- First person plural possessive adjective meaning our.
- esprits
- Plural noun meaning minds, spirits, or intellects.
- égarés
- Masculine plural past participle of égarer; meaning lost or strayed.
- voir
- Verb meaning to see or to perceive visually.
- rythmique
- Adjective meaning rhythmic, having a regular measured beat.
- flux
- Noun meaning flow or flux, a continuous movement.
- rapide
- Adjective meaning rapid, fast, or quick.
- temps
- Noun meaning time or weather, depending on context.
- Comme
- Conjunction or adverb meaning as or like.
- partie
- Noun meaning part or portion of a larger whole.
- l'
- Contracted definite article le or la before a vowel.
- éternité
- Noun meaning eternity, infinite or endless duration of time.
- immuable
- Adjective meaning immutable or unchanging and permanent.
- Sa
- Feminine singular possessive adjective meaning his, her, or its.
- vie
- Noun meaning life, the state of being alive.
- toute
- Feminine singular of tout meaning all or entire.
- d'
- Contracted preposition de before a vowel meaning of or with.
- honneur
- Noun meaning honor, a sense of integrity and respect.
- observait
- Third person singular imperfect of observer; was observing or respecting.
- avec
- Preposition meaning with, indicating accompaniment or manner.
- révérence
- Noun meaning reverence, deep respect and awe.
- Que
- Conjunction meaning that, introducing a subordinate clause.
- nulle
- Feminine adjective meaning no or not any, used in negation.
- âpre
- Adjective meaning harsh, bitter, or rough in nature.
- expérience
- Noun meaning experience or experiment, knowledge gained through events.
- ne
- Negation particle used with pas or other negatives.
- pouvait
- Third person singular imperfect of pouvoir; meaning could.
- ternir
- Verb meaning to tarnish or to dull the shine of.
- fiction
- Noun meaning fiction or, here, a guiding principle or creed.
- loi
- Noun meaning law or rule governing behavior.
- chrétienne
- Feminine adjective meaning Christian, relating to Christianity.
- Selon
- Preposition meaning according to or in accordance with.
- laquelle
- Feminine relative pronoun meaning which or that (referring back).
- tous
- Masculine plural of tout; meaning all or every person.
- hommes
- Plural noun meaning men or human beings in general.
- sont
- Third person plural of être; meaning are.
- honorables
- Plural adjective meaning honorable or worthy of respect.
- Aussi
- Adverb meaning also, therefore, or as a result.
- sourire
- Noun or verb meaning smile or to smile.
- conférait
- Third person singular imperfect of conférer; was conferring or bestowing.
- Une
- Feminine singular indefinite article meaning a or an.
- haute
- Feminine adjective meaning high or lofty in degree.
- flatterie
- Noun meaning flattery, excessive or insincere praise.
- doux
- Masculine adjective meaning gentle, soft, or mild.
- reproche
- Noun meaning reproach or mild blame directed at someone.
- moi
- Stressed first person pronoun meaning me or I.
- garçon
- Noun meaning boy or young man, also waiter informally.
- grossier
- Masculine adjective meaning coarse, rude, or unrefined in manner.
- étrangement
- Adverb meaning strangely or oddly, in an unusual way.
- ému
- Past participle of émouvoir; meaning moved or emotionally touched.
- Je
- First person singular subject pronoun meaning I.
- devins
- First person singular passé simple of devenir; became.
- courtois
- Masculine adjective meaning courteous or polite in behavior.
- mon
- Masculine singular possessive adjective meaning my.
- propre
- Adjective meaning own or clean, depending on position.
- années
- Plural noun meaning years, units of time.
- loin
- Adverb meaning far or far away in distance.
- lui
- Third person singular indirect object pronoun meaning to him or her.
- faire
- Verb meaning to do or to make.
- tort
- Noun meaning wrong or harm done to someone.
- L'
- Contracted definite article le or la before a vowel.
- baume
- Noun meaning balm, a soothing or healing substance.
- gracieux
- Masculine adjective meaning graceful, elegant, or charming.
- rendirent
- Third person plural passé simple of rendre; made or rendered.
- front
- Noun meaning forehead or brow, the part above the eyes.
- jeune
- Adjective meaning young or youthful in age.
- De
- Preposition meaning of, from, or with various uses.
- couronnes
- Plural noun meaning crowns or garlands placed on the head.
- palme
- Noun meaning palm branch, a symbol of victory or peace.
- Était-
- Inverted third person singular of être; was, in question form.
- ce
- Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning this or it.
- aînée
- Feminine noun or adjective meaning eldest, the firstborn daughter.
- prude
- Adjective or noun meaning prudish or excessively proper person.
- Qui
- Relative or interrogative pronoun meaning who or which.
- laissait
- Third person singular imperfect of laisser; would let or allowed.
- pas
- Negation word used with ne meaning not, also a step.
- tirer
- Verb meaning to pull or to shoot.
- balançoire
- Noun meaning swing, a playground or garden swinging seat.
- embrassée
- Feminine past participle of embrasser; meaning kissed or embraced.
- traitait
- Third person singular imperfect of traiter; was treating or dealing with.
- sanglotant
- Present participle of sangloter; meaning sobbing or crying.
- tout
- Adjective, pronoun, or adverb meaning all, every, or quite.
- refusait
- Third person singular imperfect of refuser; was refusing or declined.
- chanter
- Verb meaning to sing, to produce musical vocal sounds.
- changé
- Past participle of changer; meaning changed or altered.
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