Juliette Drouet to Victor Hugo


If only I were a clever woman, I could describe to you my gorgeous bird,
how you unite in yourself the beauties of form, plumage, and song!

I would tell you that you are the greatest marvel of all ages,
and I should only be speaking the simple truth.
But to put all this into suitable words, my superb one,
I should require a voice far more harmonious
for I am the humble owl that you mocked at only lately, therefore, it cannot be.

I will not tell you to what degree you are dazzling and to the birds of sweet song who,
as you know, are none the less beautiful and appreciative.

I am content to delegate to them the duty of watching, listening and admiring,
while to myself I reserve the right of loving; this may be less attractive to the ear,
but it is a sweeter fair to the heart.

I love you, I love you.  my Victor; I can not reiterate it too often;
I can never express it as much as I feel it.

I recognise you in all the beauty that surrounds me  in form, in colour,
in perfume, in harmonious sound: all of these mean you to me. You are superior to all.
I see and admire – you are all!

You are not only the solar spectrum with the seven luminous colours,
but the sun himself, that illumines, warms, and revivifies!
This is what you are, and I am the woman that adores you.

Juliette