The Mind

The Living Torch

by Charles Baudelaire 1821–1867

Translated by Cyril Scott (1909) · From Les Fleurs du Mal (1857)

The Mind

They stand before me now, those eyes that shine,
No doubt inspired by an Angel wise;
They stand, those God-like brothers that are mine,
And pour their diamond fires in mine eyes.

From all transgressions, from all snares, they save,
Towards the Path of Joy they guide my ways;
They are my servants, and I am their slave;
And all my soul, this living torch obeys.

Ye charming Eyes--ye have those mystic beams,
Of candles, burning in full day; the sun
Awakes, yet kills not their fantastic gleams:

Ye sing the Awak'ning, they the dark oblivion;
The Awak'ning of my spirit ye proclaim,
O stars--no sun can ever kill your flame!

MLA

Baudelaire, Charles. “The Living Torch.” Translated by Cyril Scott. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/baudelaire/22/.

Chicago

Baudelaire, Charles. “The Living Torch.” Translated by Cyril Scott. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/baudelaire/22/.

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