To Madame G (I)

Poem by Alfred De Musset Collection New PoemsPeriod 19th century

Sonnet.

It is my view that on a journey one is exposed to the rain,
To the wind, to the dust, and that one may, in the morning,
Wake up crumpled with a poor complexion,
And that, in the long run, in a post-chaise, a tête-à-tête grows tedious.

It is my view that in the world there is no worse folly
Than to embark love for a distant land.
Whatever Héloïse or Madame Collin may say.
In an inn’s mirror one is never pretty.

It is my view that all in all a well-drawn white stocking,
On a white dress a fine moiré ribbon,
And very clean nails, are supreme happiness.

What do you say, madame, to this reasoning?
One point, on this subject, alone astonishes me;
It is that one has not the time to think of it when one loves.

Alfred De Musset

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