The Mind
All Entire
Translated by Cyril Scott (1909) · From Les Fleurs du Mal (1857)
The Demon, in my lofty vault,
This morning came to visit me,
And striving me to find at fault,
He said, "Fain would I know of thee;
"Among the many beauteous things,
--All which her subtle grace proclaim--
Among the dark and rosy things,
Which go to make her charming frame,
"Which is the sweetest unto thee"?
My soul! to Him thou didst retort--
"Since all with her is destiny,
Of preference there can be nought.
When all transports me with delight,
If aught deludes I can not know,
She either lulls one like the Night,
Or dazzles like the Morning-glow.
That harmony is too divine,
Which governs all her body fair,
For powerless mortals to define
In notes the many concords there.
O mystic metamorphosis
Of all my senses blent in one!
Her voice a beauteous perfume is,
Her breath makes music, chaste and wan.
Cite this poem
MLA
Baudelaire, Charles. “All Entire.” Translated by Cyril Scott. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/baudelaire/20/.
Chicago
Baudelaire, Charles. “All Entire.” Translated by Cyril Scott. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/baudelaire/20/.
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