Caron Qui est cet importun qui si pressé m'appelle ?
Orphée
C'est l'esprit éploré d'un amoureux fidele,
Lequel pour bien aimer n'eut jamais que du mal.
Caron Que cherches-tu de moi ?
Orphée Le passage fatal.
Caron Qui est ton homicide ?
Orphée O demande cruelle !
Amour m'a fait mourir.
Caron Jamais en ma nacelle Nul qui meure d'aimer je ne conduis a val.
Orphée
Hé, de grâce, Caron, reçois moi en ta barque !
Caron Cherch'un autre nocher car ni moi ni la Parque N'entreprenons jamais sur le maître des dieux.
Orphée
J'irai donc malgré toi,
Orphée et Caron car j'ai dedans mon âme
Tant de traits amoureux et de larmes aux yeux
Que je ferai le fleuve et la barque et la rame.
English translation
Come to me, Charon, boatman of the infernal regions! Who dares to call me in such haste?
The grief-stricken spirit of a faithful lover,
Who loved well but was treated ill for all his pains. What would you of me? Take me to the kingdom of death. Who has killed you? O cruel question!
Love was my undoing. Never do I make the crossing With anybody who has died of love.
I beg you, Charon, take me in your boat! Find yourself a different boatman, for neither I nor Fate Ever dare defy the king of the gods.
Then I shall go in spite of you,
For my heart is so full of love's darts
And my eyes so full of tears
That I myself shall provide the river, the boat and the oar. Translation by Mick Swithinbank
French text
English translation