‘LE DORMEUR DU VAL’ BY ARTHUR RIMBAUD
Guess what? Its a 16 years old French poet Arthur Rimbaud (say it like RAHNBO = don't pronunce the d at the end of his name...)
Rimbaud writes avant-garde poems. When he wrote this piece, France was at war with Prussia, and Rimbaud was frequently running away from home and traveling by foot.
Donc, so... C'est possible - It's possible. (Pronunciation prompter: SAY POSSEABLUH) that he walked by this man he talks about.
I am putting the French Version first, then the English Transcript, then the Spanish Transcript... please feel free to add the translation of another language you learn or know.
This poem is dedicated to my student = Ce poème est dédié à mon étudiante @MADAMEFRANCOPHILE and all the women, children and men with their country at war à tort.
FRENCH VERSION
Le dormeur du Val - Arthur Rimbaud
Ce poème est le second poème du second Cahier de Douai (ou Recueil Demeny).
« Le dormeur du val » est un sonnet, c.-à-d. que c'est un poème constitué de 14 alexandrins disposés en deux quatrains suivis de deux tercets.
C’est un trou de verdure où chante une rivière, Accrochant follement aux herbes des haillons D’argent ; où le soleil, de la montagne fière, Luit : c’est un petit val qui mousse de rayons. Un soldat jeune, bouche ouverte, tête nue, Et la nuque baignant dans le frais cresson bleu, Dort ; il est étendu dans l’herbe, sous la nue, Pâle dans son lit vert où la lumière pleut. Les pieds dans les glaïeuls, il dort. Souriant comme Sourirait un enfant malade, il fait un somme : Nature, berce-le chaudement : il a froid. Les parfums ne font pas frissonner sa narine ; Il dort dans le soleil, la main sur sa poitrine, Tranquille. Il a deux trous rouges au côté droit.
FRENCH CHEF Jacques PEPIN is reading this poem for you
THANKS TO CHICAGO UNIVERSITY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyh0B6lAMKI
ENGLISH VERSION
The Sleeper in the Valley

It’s a green hollow, where a river is singing Crazily hanging on the grasses rags Of silver; where the sun, from the proud mountain, Is shinning: it’s a little valley bubbling with sunlight.
A young soldier, his mouth open, his head bare, And the nape of his neck bathing in cool blue watercress, Is sleeping; he is stretched out on the grass, under the skies, Pale in his green bed where the light falls like rain.
Feet in the gladiolas, he is sleeping.Smiling like A sick child would smile, he takes a nap: Nature, rock him warmly: he is cold.
Fragrances do not make his nostrils quiver; He sleeps in the sun, hand on the breast, Peacefully. He has two red holes in his right side.
SPANISH VERSION
El Durmiente del valle
Le dormeur du val - Photo of Poet Arthur Rimbaud at 16 years old

El Durmiente del valle
Un hoyo de verdor, por el que canta un río enganchando, a lo loco, por la yerba, jirones de plata; donde el sol de la montaña altiva brilla: una vaguada que crece en musgo y luz. Un soldado, sin casco y con la boca abierta, bañada por el berro fresco y azul su nuca, duerme, tendido, bajo las nubes, en la yerba, pálido, en su lecho, sobre el que llueve el sol. Con sus pies entre gladios duerme y sonríe como sonríe un niño enfermo; sin duda está soñando: Natura, acúnalo con calor: tiene frío. Su nariz ya no late con el olor del campo; duerme en el sol; su mano sobre el pecho tranquilo; con dos boquetes rojos en el lado derecho.
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Miss Valerie
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A beautiful poem, even translated. And someday, thanks to you, I will understand it in French!