Professor Ciepiela Caroline Stern

Professor Ciepiela Caroline Stern Poetic Translation April 14, 2009

Apollinaire’s Automne

Original:

Automne

Dans le brouillard s’en vont un paysan cagneux Et son boeuf lentement dans le brouillard d’automne Qui cache les hameaux pauvres et vergogneux

Et s’en allant là-bas le paysan chantonne Une chanson d’amour et d’infidélité Qui parle d’une bague et d’un coeur que l’on brise

Oh! l’automne l’automne a fait mourir l’été Dans le brouillard s’en vont deux silhouettes grises

Interlinear:

Autumn

Through the fog pass a knock-kneed peasant And his cow slowly through the autumn fog That hides the poor and shameless villages

And passing there the peasant hums A song of love and infidelity That speaks of a ring and a heart that one breaks

Oh! autumn autumn has made summer die Through the fog pass two gray silhouettes Translation:

Autumn

Through the fog a knock-kneed peasant And his cow pass slowly through the autumn fog That shrouds the shabby villages

And as the peasant goes he hums A song of love and infidelity Of heartbreak and a wedding ring

Oh! autumn autumn has brought on summer’s death Through the fog pass two gray silhouettes