Flight the Fifth. To the River Yvette

O LOVELY river of Yvette!

O darling river! like a bride,

Some dimpled, bashful, fair Lisette,

Thou goest to wed the Orge’s tide.

Maincourt, and lordly Dampierre,

See and salute thee on thy way,

And, with a blessing and a prayer,

Ring the sweet bells of St. Forget.

The valley of Chevreuse in vain

Would hold thee in its fond embrace;

Thou glidest from its arms again

And hurriest on with swifter pace.

Thou wilt not stay; with restless feet,

Pursuing still thine onward flight,

Thou goest as one in haste to meet

Her sole desire, her heart’s delight.

O lovely river of Yvette!

O darling stream! on balanced wings

The wood-birds sang the chansonnette

That here a wandering poet sings.