Songs

Chanson du départ de Don Quichotte

by Jacques Ibert From Quatre chansons de Don Quichotte

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Text & Translation

Chanson du départ de Don Quichotte
French source: Pierre de Ronsard

Ce Chasteau-neuf, ce nouvel edifice
Tout enrichy de marbre et de porphire,
Qu’Amour bastit chasteau de son empire,
Où tout le Ciel a mis son artifice,
Est un rempart, un fort contre le vice,
Où la Vertu maistresse se retire,
Que l’œil regarde, et que l’esprit admire,
Forçant les cœurs à luy faire service.
C’est un Chasteau fait de telle sorte,
Que nul ne peut approcher de la porte,
Si des grands Rois il n’a sauvé sa race,
Victorieux, vaillant et amoureux.
Nul Chevalier, tant soit aventureux,
Sans estre tel, ne peut gaigner la place.

The song of Don Quixote’s parting
English translation © Richard Stokes

This new castle, this new edifice,
Enriched with marble and porphyry
That Love built to guard his empire,
To which all Heaven has lent its skill,
Is a rampart, a stronghold against evil,
Where Mistress Virtue can take refuge,
Whom the eye observes and the spirit admires,
Compelling hearts to pay her homage.
This castle is fashioned in such a way
That no one can approach its gate,
If he is not descended from great kings,
Victorious, brave and amorous.
No knight, however bold,
Without such merit, can enter here.

Chanson du départ de Don Quichotte
French source: Pierre de Ronsard

The song of Don Quixote’s parting
English source: Richard Stokes

Ce Chasteau-neuf, ce nouvel edifice
This new castle, this new edifice,
Tout enrichy de marbre et de porphire,
Enriched with marble and porphyry
Qu’Amour bastit chasteau de son empire,
That Love built to guard his empire,
Où tout le Ciel a mis son artifice,
To which all Heaven has lent its skill,
Est un rempart, un fort contre le vice,
Is a rampart, a stronghold against evil,
Où la Vertu maistresse se retire,
Where Mistress Virtue can take refuge,
Que l’œil regarde, et que l’esprit admire,
Whom the eye observes and the spirit admires,
Forçant les cœurs à luy faire service.
Compelling hearts to pay her homage.
C’est un Chasteau fait de telle sorte,
This castle is fashioned in such a way
Que nul ne peut approcher de la porte,
That no one can approach its gate,
Si des grands Rois il n’a sauvé sa race,
If he is not descended from great kings,
Victorieux, vaillant et amoureux.
Victorious, brave and amorous.
Nul Chevalier, tant soit aventureux,
No knight, however bold,
Sans estre tel, ne peut gaigner la place.
Without such merit, can enter here.

Composer

Jacques Ibert

Jacques François Antoine Marie Ibert was a French composer of classical music.  Read more here.

Performances

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